Contact: Debra Ford, debra@fordandcompany.com
281-415-0673

WALIPP TSU PREPARATORY ACADEMY RECEIVES GRANT
TO FUND AFTERSCHOOL TUTORING PROGRAM
New help for inner-city students

Houston, Texas…(October 10, 2009) WALIPP-TSU  Academy has been awarded a grant from the Gulf Coast Community Services Association (GCCSA) that will enable the school to strengthen its after school tutoring program, better serving its students.

Students which qualify for the program will receive tutoring 3 days a week for one-hour sessions. These tutoring sessions provide extended help to those who need assistance with classroom material or homework. After school tutoring provides each student the opportunity to learn effective study skills, teacher expectations, time management, goal-setting and a host of other skills, improving confidence and comprehension.

The ultimate goal at WALIPP is to provide a strong base at the middle school level, which can propel a student through high school and on to college. The advantages of WALIPP are many. In addition to its strong after school and mentoring program, WALIPP is located on the TSU campus. The middle school students see every day the comings and goings of college life and are often motivated at an earlier age to do the same.

Interested in how your son or grandson can succeed in 6th, 7th or 8th grade? WALIPP is still accepting enrollment and applications must be brought to the school. Students and parents are also required to complete a personal interview. Call 713-741-3600 to schedule an interview. To learn more about enrollment criteria or to obtain an application online, visit www.walippacademy.org.

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This is the new Walipp Academy Radio Spot that will be featured in several media markets.

Contact: Debra Ford, Ford & Company
debra@fordandcompany.com
281-415-0673

WALIPP-TSU PREPARATORY ACADEMY, ANNOUNCES NEW BOARD

Houston, Texas…WALIPP-TSU Preparatory Academy, a free all-boys HISD charter school for students in grades 6-8th, was founded to meet the critical academic and social development needs of inner-city youth. The academy announced its new Board of Directors and Advisory Board, which oversees fundraising, marketing and programming needs for 2009-2010 school years.

New members include: Mr. Levi Benton, Ms. Peggy Engram, Mr. Terrence Fontaine, Mr. Michael Harris, Mr. N.D. Kalu, Ms. Tamara McWashington, Mrs. Catherine Mosbacher, Mr. Shawn Reed, Mr. Deandre Sam, Ambassador Arthur Schechter, Dr. Laureen Wishom, and Mr. Gerald Womack. New advisory board members include: Mr. Jerome Gray, Ms. Shannon Buggs, Mr. Benjamin Hall and Mr. Gerald Smith.

Returning board members include: Mr. Stanford Alexander, Mr. Jack Blanton Sr., Mrs. Leslie Coward, Dr. Davetta Daniels, Ms. Ada Edwards, Archbishop Joseph Fiorenza, Mrs. Elizabeth Gillis, Ms. Barbara Goldfield, Mr. David Harris, Mr. Howard Jefferson, Ms. Melanie Lawson, Ms. Mary Ramos, Ms. Regina Rogers and Mr. Henry Peterson.

WALIPP is currently accepting applications for enrollment of boys in 6th, 7th and 8th grade. Applications must be brought to the school. Students and parents are also required to complete a personal interview. Call 713-741-3600 to schedule an interview. To learn more about enrollment criteria or to obtain an application online, visit www.walippacademy.org.

WALIPP-TSU Academy was featured in two Praise 92.1 promotional spot. Enroll now for the 2009 School year! This is your chance to join the WALIPP student body. Call us at (713) 741-3600 right away so we can help you get your son enrolled. This is a great time for WALIPP – you should be a part of this! We would love to have you at WALIPP-TSU Academy!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Debra Ford, Ford & Company
debra@fordandcompany.com
281-415-0673

COLLEGE BOUND WALIPP GRADUATE
RECEIVES SCHOOL’S FIRST SCHOLARSHIP

Houston, Texas…WALIPP-TSU Preparatory Academy, a unique HISD charter school founded to meet the critical academic and social development needs of inner-city youth, promises to prepare its middle schoolers for college. But for Martin Troupe, a recent high school graduate who graduated from WALIPP in 2005, it went above and beyond, awarding the college bound freshman its first college scholarship. Martin Troupe received a $1,500 scholarship from the school’s board of directors at a recent luncheon, which was quickly matched by supporters in the audience, giving the young man a $3,000 start on his education.

Troupe credits WALIPP for giving him a foundation which prepared him not only for high school, but for life. At the fundraising lunch, Troupe spoke to an audience of 250 supporters telling them that “the school instilled a sense of pride in me as an individual and as an African American boy. I realized early on the value of education—it’s the key to survival. Today, you can’t succeed without education.”

Troupe went on to explain the difference that attending WALIPP made to him. “I attended WALIPP from 2002-2005 and I can honestly tell you that it has made me a better person. My family believes in the importance of education so it was a given that I would attend WALIPP, since it is a charter school affiliated with my pastor, Reverend Lawson. But, I learned early on at WALIPP that it is important to help our community and that I should be part of building it up not tearing it down like some young African American boys have done.

Troupe who is attending Johnson C Smith University in Charlotte, North Carolina plans to major in Accounting and Finance. When asked about future plans he remarked that he’d like his own kids to attend WALIPP someday,” because it has provided a strong foundation for me. I am very proud of my African American roots and my place in the world. And, I know my family is proud of me.”

Unfortunately, not all African American boys are as fortunate as Martin Troupe. This group has the highest drop-out rate in the nation as they approach high school. WALIPP was founded for this very reason and is uniquely positioned to help shape a positive direction for young African American boys. This unique charter school uses a combination of teaching tools including mentors from the community and input from parents, to help students move towards academic excellence. The final goal is to provide Students attending WALIPP-TSU with a competitive edge which will contribute to success in high school, college and beyond.

Students have access to a broader curriculum than that found in a traditional HISD school, tailored to meet the specific needs of the student body. Expanded school programming, including enrichment programs during the week and Saturday school for families, which incorporates the arts and community service, fosters a student-centered learning environment not found on traditional campuses.

The school’s founders, Reverend William A. and Audrey Lawson, believe that empowering young men of all ethnicities by teaching them the academic and character skills necessary to be productive members of society, would in turn, have long-lasting positive effects on the entire community.

WALIPP is currently accepting students for fall enrollment. Applications must be brought to the school. Students and parents are also required to complete a personal interview. Call 713-225-1551 to schedule. To learn more about enrollment criteria or to obtain an application online, visit www.walippacademy.org.
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