The second annual Summerbridge Miami Graduation Ceremony was held Friday, June 23, at the Gables Clubhouse of Gables Club Tower II.

Pictured are (left to right) Summerbridge Chairman Douglas Weiser, Sue Tamayo and Summerbridge Executive Director John Flickinger

The breakfast reception and commencement ceremony was attended by graduates of the program, their families, the tutors, programs sponsors and administrators.

Ransom-Everglades Director Judy Chamberlain addressed the crowd

Summerbridge, which began in Miami in 1992, is a national program aimed at helping students realize their dreams of higher education.

"We seek out very talented middle school students from Miami-Dade's public schools that don't necessarily have the opportunities that other students have," said executive director John Flickinger

Summerbridge tutors work with students throughout the summer to improve their study habits and learning skills. They also help the youngsters develop leadership, social and networking abilities to prepare them for a college-bound high school program.

"Eighty-eight percent of the kids in the program went to a college-bound high school program, either magnet schools or one with an AP curriculum," Flickinger said.

He emphasized that the key component to Summerbridge's success is the commitment by its teachers, who often come from difficult backgrounds.

"Our teachers are high school and college students from all over the country and are outstanding individuals," he said. "They handle all aspects of the program. Most come from the same background as our students and have overcome a lot of obstacles themselves. In fact, about a third of our staff this year are Summerbridge graduates."

After their students "graduate" to high school, Summerbridge has a maintenance program that helps them select a college and then assists them in making an application for acceptance to the school. Counselors work with Kaplan SAT Prep to assist students with their test scores and take them on college tours, which this year included Boston.

Summerbridge received an A.D. Henderson Grant this year to further help their college-bound students.

Former Summerbridge students will be starting school next fall at M.I.T., Brown, Spellman, Notre Dame, Rhode Island School of Design and Engineering, the University of Chicago, Howard and many others.

Summerbridge relies on corporate sponsors for its survival, as well as the help of Ransom Everglades School, and Flickinger was extremely grateful for all the assistance.

"Judy Chamberlain, head of the Ransom Everglades s School, has been very accommodating and we are very thankful for her ongoing support," said Flickinger. "And sponsors like Carnival Cruise Lines, Publix, Dade Paper Company and the Knight Foundation are vital to our survival."

Flickenger said he was happy that the luncheon was becoming an annual event.

"The Gables Club, Len Dugow and Associates and Tradelitho were all very helpful in making this year's event possible," he said.

To learn more about Summerbrige Miami, please call 305-460-8821.