Help Brooklyn 1st Graders See PSU

My name is Dan Guthrie and I am a first grade teacher at Brownsville Ascend Lower School, a low income school in Brownsville, Brooklyn.  In our school, each class is themed based on a different college, typically the alma mater of the teacher.  The idea is that this encourages the students to be interested in pursuing a college degree.  As a Penn State alum, my class has been Penn State themed for the past four years and, like all true Penn Staters, my class is known for its school pride. 

In fact, two years ago, thanks to the generosity of the Penn State community and its friends, I was able to take about 60 students to a Penn State basketball game at Madison Square Garden and 60 students and family members on a day trip to visit the Penn State campus in State College.  Last year, I brought another group of 70 students and families to a Penn State basketball game against St. John’s University at Madison Square Garden.  Many of my students would not normally have the opportunity to attend events like this and they have created lasting memories seeing "their college" in person.

My former students and their parents frequently approach me asking about when the next Penn State trip or event will take place.  It is apparent that these are not simply field trips to these children and their families—the exposure to a college event, campus and overall spirit and pride has a deep and lasting impact.  I’ve included, with the parents’ permission, a screenshot of an excited text message I received from one of my students upon receiving a Penn State t-shirt.  And I have also heard from several of my former students’ teachers that those students say they want to attend Penn State after high school—even while being taught in a classroom themed after a different college! 


This year, it is my goal to raise $2,500 to bring my past four classes and their families—approximately 150 people!—to the Penn State game during the Legends Classic tournament at Barclays Center on November 21.  And if we can raise an additional $4,000 (for a total of $6,500), I am eager to plan another campus trip to State College.  All funds raised, even if we can’t meet one or both goals, will go towards subsidizing Penn State trips for my students.

If you are able to contribute, please help me continue to share the joy of a great University with the Penn State alumni of the future.  Every day I strive to inspire children who would not otherwise have a concept of higher education to pursue a college career—and hopefully, they choose Penn State.



Links:

Send 1st Graders to PSU B-Ball Game (First GoFundMe Campaign)
https://www.gofundme.com/3njq7w58

'Penn State Rocks': Adorable Brooklyn Elementary Students Cheer on Penn State Basketball to Victory at MSG
https://www.roarlionsroar.com/penn-state-basketball/2016/12/1379/penn-state-rocks-adorable-brooklyn-elementary-students-cheer-on-penn-state-basketball-to-victory-at-msg?source=email

Help Send Brooklyn First-Graders To A Penn State Basketball Game
http://onwardstate.com/2016/01/18/help-send-brooklyn-first-graders-to-a-penn-state-basketball-game/

From Brooklyn to The Garden
https://pennstatermag.com/2016/02/01/from-brooklyn-to-the-garden/

From Brooklyn to Happy Valley
https://pennstatermag.com/2016/04/19/from-brooklyn-to-happy-valley/

Help Send These Future Penn Staters from Brooklyn to MSG
https://pennstatermag.com/2016/01/18/help-send-these-future-penn-staters-from-brooklyn-to-msg/

Brownsville first and second graders to get  Penn State experience from alumnus Dan Guthrie
http://www.collegian.psu.edu/news/campus/article_c7dd6368-0cae-11e6-af1c-370d5a2acdfe.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=user-share

Brownsville students root for Nittany Lions at MSG after successful fundraiser
http://www.centredaily.com/news/local/community/article57533958.html