Bridgette Castillo – Staff Writer

F

or 10 lucky freshmen, their lives are completely going to be changed if they get accepted into the Aaron Price Fellows Program (APFP) this spring. The program was created by the Price Family to honor the memory and life of their son, grandson, and brother, Aaron. Aaron died at the age of 15 in 1989. He was a student at Point Loma High School. The mission of the program is to enrich the lives of a diverse group of high school students (Lincoln, Point Loma, University City and Hoover High) in hopes that the students will benefit from the program thereby becoming responsible caring members of their community.

Aaron Price Fellows receive an up close and personal, behind the scenes look at San Diego’s governmental, cultural, business communities and trips to our state and national capital. Throughout the three years, students engage in different types of activities. Year one includes a week long summer camp where the “Fellows” begin the process of understanding and embracing their differences. Year two begins with a four-day trip to Sacramento, California where they will meet elected officials and learn how state government functions. A visit to Washington D.C. takes place year three with visits to historical sites in our nation’s capital. They also learn about the many functions of the federal government.

“The program also provides exposure to exciting career opportunities and encourages friendships between students from different ethnic, religious, and economic backgrounds,” stated Jacquelyn Sherman-Rustin, Executive Director of Aaron Price Fellows Program. No money is needed to be part of this program, and there is even an annual stipend ($500) based on satisfactory participation in the program.

Alumni fellow, Mrs. Jackson-Hubbard, a teacher in The Center for Social Justice, says the best thing about the Aaron Price Fellows Program is the opportunity to learn about the community and the types of careers there are out in the world.

Bianca Balley, an alumni fellow mentions, “I really enjoyed the chance to discover what my future career is and all the other things in life that I never knew about. Also, the small things, like taking part in your community and having a voice in this mess of a world and to want to make a change.”

The Aaron Price Fellows Program follows you throughout your whole life. They have a saying, “Once a Fellow, always a Fellow,” which reaches deeper into friendships and opportunities you might not otherwise had. A current fellow, Pedro Mota, now a sophomore says, “You get to bond with many people and you make friends that you would have never met if it weren’t for this program.”

Applications come out in the later part of February from your counselor or Mrs. Jackson-Hubbard in room 548. Here is a list of qualifications:

• Good academic standing.

• Good attendance.

• Availability of time on selected evenings, weekends, and one week during the summer.

• Interest in government, the arts, business, and community activities.

• Desire to explore future educational and career opportunities.

• Openness to friendships with individuals of different ethnicities, cultures, and points of view.

Visit www.aaronpricefellows.com for more information on the program.