WORCESTER – Monday, December 9, 2024 – North High School seniors came to the “On The Spot Acceptance Day” event hopeful for acceptance to at least one college in attendance.
But for many, the day brought an unexpected surprise: four-year scholarships to ease the financial burden of higher education.
“When they told me I got it, I was so shocked,” said Ashley Bonilla, a senior at North High. “The scholarships were definitely a huge surprise. I wasn’t really sure that I was going to get any scholarships, but I was really, really hoping for that.”
Organized by community partner GEAR UP, 100% of participating seniors were accepted to at least one four-year institution during On The Spot Acceptance Day — with students being awarded a combined total of $1,672,000 in scholarships.
“We are incredibly proud of our North High scholars, whose hard work has earned well-deserved college acceptances and over $1.6 million in scholarships,” said Dr. Rachel H. Monárrez, Superintendent of Worcester Public Schools. “This milestone reflects the transformative power of education and the vital role of our community partners, such as GEAR UP. Thank you to GEAR UP for opening doors to bright futures.”
GEAR UP is part of a national college and career readiness initiative aimed at providing resources to students; the organization also works at Worcester East Middle School.
The recent On The Spot Acceptance Day was one of the most successful events for GEAR UP Up North High, according to North High and Worcester East Program Director Steve Winston Jr.
“We did the math and when we heard the final total we knew this was one of our biggest days,” said Winston Jr. “We want to thank our partners, including Assumption University, who gave a lump sum of $150,000 to our students.”
"This incredible accomplishment by our seniors is a testament to their dedication and the unwavering support they’ve received from their families, educators, and our community partner GEAR UP,” said Dr. Sam FanFan, Principal of North High School. “These opportunities are possible when we work together to empower students. At North High, we are committed to ensuring every student sees their potential and is equipped to pursue their dreams."
North High School senior Ashley Bonilla meets with an admissions counselor during On the Spot Acceptance Day on November, 20, 2024 (Kyle Prudhomme/WPS)
On The Spot Acceptance Day is designed to bring college admissions counselors directly to seniors in North High’s GEAR UP program. Held in the school library, the event allows students to have face-to-face interviews, with many receiving acceptance letters and even scholarship offers right on the spot.
Though students feel some nervousness leading into the day, they quickly ease into the process once conversations with admissions counselors begin, allowing them to gain valuable insights about their schools of interest.
“Before the day actually came I thought it was going to be easy, but then the day came and I got really nervous,” said North High senior Chizitere Moneke. “But I think it was a good way to actually meet the people who accept you into colleges. It was good to have conversations with them and actually get real answers in person and learn about what colleges have to offer.”
“Before the interview I was a little bit nervous because you never know what is going to happen, but it was really good because the admissions counselors were so helpful and told me I was accepted and the nervousness was all gone,” said North senior Abdulqader Adnan.
North High School senior Chizitere Moneke holds up his acceptance letter alongside GEAR UP Program Director Steve Winston Jr. on November 20, 2024 (Kyle Prudhomme/WPS)
Preparations for On The Spot Acceptance Day begin well before the event itself. GEAR UP staff—including Winston Jr., Rachell Lappinen, Brenda Gutierrez, and Itzelanie Chacon—work closely with the guidance counseling team at North High to support students across all grade levels, helping them navigate every step of the college admissions process.
For the North High GEAR UP team, these efforts align with the broader mission to better prepare students for the future and instill confidence in them to pursue their dreams.
“Prepping our GEAR UP students was just part of the journey. Over the last three years, I’ve seen their hard work and personal growth, both academically and beyond. I told them, at this point, the power’s in your hands—make the colleges tell you why you belong there.” Winston Jr.
“On The Spot Acceptance Day was an incredible event to plan and experience with the North High Class of 2025,” said Itzelanie Chacon, GEAR UP staff member. “Navigating the college process was a journey in itself, and sharing the rewarding moment of seeing their hard work pay off made it all the more special. One goal down, many more achievements for them to make!”
Schools in attendance at this year’s On The Spot Acceptance Day included Assumption University, Fitchburg State University, Framingham State University, Westfield State University, Worcester State University, and UMass Dartmouth.
GEAR UP, short for Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs, is a program run by Worcester-based MassEdCO, in partnership with the MA Department of Higher Education, and has been funded by the U.S. Department of Education for the past 25 years. Each year, the program serves about 900 students at North High and Worcester East Middle, with the goal of helping students complete high school and apply, enroll, and complete postsecondary education.
