2025 Scholarship Drive

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Saint Ignatius High School

Ignite Scholars Program Empowers First Generation College Students

Empowering first generation students is something that has always been done at Saint Ignatius and we are excited to formalize this amazing program.
The Ignite Scholars Program officially launched in the Spring of 2023. According to College Counselor and Program Co-moderator Jennifer Holz, “Empowering first generation students is something we have always done at Saint Ignatius High School and we are excited to formalize this amazing program.” With this launch, the future is brighter than ever for aspiring scholars ready to blaze their own trails!

The Saint Ignatius College Counseling team is highly regarded for the excellent guidance they provide students on their journey through the college application process. Over the years, the team has enhanced the support they provide to students by introducing additional wrap-around services specifically designed for those who are the first in their families to attend college or those with modest economic means. These valuable resources come together under the umbrella of the Ignite Scholars Program. The mission of the program is to emphasize the unique strengths and perspectives of what our future first generation college students bring to our school.

The name Ignite Scholars was the brainchild of School Counselor and Program Co-moderator Bogdan Savic. “My idea was to ignite the flames in the darkness! Giving light to the students and their families to provide comfort and a path to take the next steps after high school,” he says enthusiastically. 

The program is funded by the family of long-time Director of College Counseling, Annabelle Whalen, who served in that role for two decades. The devoted counselor, who was deeply committed to helping first generation college students, passed away in 2019. 

“The college counseling team has always been supportive of students as they began their college planning meetings junior year. The team thought that by working with the students earlier in the process, they could help ease some of the anxiety and give them a solid background before the real nuts and bolts of the college application process begin,” says Assistant Principal for Student Support Emily Samek. Savic works with freshmen and sophomores, while Holz focuses on juniors and seniors. 

Partnering with families begins at the start of the student’s freshman year. The parents self-identify as to whether or not they have graduated college. If the parents indicate that neither have graduated or if a family qualifies for free or reduced lunch, the entire family is invited to an Ignite Scholars welcome event on campus. At this celebratory event, families are introduced to the program and recognized for this exciting step in their student’s journey. 

Samek tells the story of a few years ago when they had a roundtable discussing the program. They realized that of the eight or so faculty at the table, all had been first generation college students and collectively recognized the challenges they faced and were excited to see this program succeed. Additionally, a survey of faculty members revealed that over half of the respondents identified as first generation college students.

An important tool the program offers is making families aware of the financial resources available to first generation college students. “At a school like Saint Ignatius, the perception is that everyone goes to college and that every family has unlimited funds to pay for college, which isn’t the case. We want to support those families and make them feel more confident and knowledgeable throughout the process, letting them know all the options available to them,” says Savic. Another benefit of the program is that juniors can take an SAT Prep Class free of charge.

Welcoming first generation students is a priority for many colleges. John Carroll University has been a supportive partner in working with Saint Ignatius students and their families. Additionally, over the summer Ignite Scholars had the opportunity to visit the University of Akron and will visit Cleveland State University this Fall. 

Feedback from families for the program has been very positive. Savic comments “I’ve already developed a relationship with them as freshmen and sophomores, and when they see me in the halls as a junior, it’s nice to have someone check in and say ‘How are things going.’”

 

The overall goals of the Ignite Scholars Program are to:

Provide resources, mentoring and guidance to help students navigate the path to college.
Build a community of peers who can relate to the first generation experience.
Ensure students feel empowered, confident and excited as they prepare for college.
Partner with families regarding post-high school planning starting freshman year. 

 
If you are interested in supporting a student in the Ignite Scholars Program, please contact the Advancement Office at 216.651.0222. 

Read the full issue of the 2024 Fall Saint Ignatius magazine here!