My name is Ms. Taveras, and I am a Special Education and U.S. History teacher at The Urban Assembly for Applied Math and Science in the South Bronx. As both a teacher and an alum of AMS, I know firsthand how much community support can change the course of a student’s life. Without the encouragement and resources I received here, I might not have gone to college myself. Now, I’m honored to give back to the next generation of students who show up every day, work hard, and overcome challenges that often go unseen.

This year, our school’s 12th grade committee and college counselor are coming together to select a graduating senior who has demonstrated resilience, commitment to their education, and active participation in extracurriculars, despite financial hardship. Many of our students’ families cannot afford to buy a laptop for college, and we want to ensure that at least one deserving student has the technology they need to succeed. The recipient will be chosen based on financial need and a written piece about how they plan to use the MacBook to pursue their education and give back to their community.

We hope this is just the beginning. Our goal is to launch a tradition—starting with one laptop this year and growing to support more students in the future. If we reach our fundraiser amount in time, we’ll present the MacBook to the selected student during our school’s Career Day on October 18th, a day when professionals from various fields come to inspire our students. Your support will not only provide a critical tool for success, but also show our students the power of community and the importance of paying it forward. Thank you for helping us empower the next generation of leaders.