Next Level Scholars Announced

The East Hampton Level Playing Field Foundation recently announced its 2023 class of scholars: East Hampton High School rising seniors Emily Bermeo, Jamie Villa, Rihanna Pinos and rising junior Zion Osei. This year’s rising seniors will join Judah D’Andrea, one of last year’s rising junior scholars, in submitting their college applications this fall. The foundation started granting scholarships last year to sophomore or junior high academic achievers at East Hampton High School who are income qualified to defray the cost of private college counseling, standardized test prep and college visit travel to assist the students in applying to highly competitive colleges.

The foundation’s first class of graduates were very successful this spring in receiving acceptances from Harvey Mudd College, Barnard College/Columbia, Johns Hopkins, University of Michigan, University of Southern California, University of Rochester, George Washington University, among others, and placement on the waiting list at the University of Virginia and Pomona College.

Foundation President Christopher Kelley and board members Kristine Swickard and Alex Jerez presented the scholarships and talked about the goals of the foundation. This year’s graduating scholars Raymond Siguencia (Harvey Mudd), Jocelyn Prieto (Barnard) and Daniela Chavez (Johns Hopkins) all spoke about their past year’s experience working with “Your College” consultant Dr. Barry Raebeck in their respective college searches and application process, reflecting on the challenges, the excitement and the work involved in writing and editing their college application essays.