Celebrating the PEOPLE Program
their explorations of local businesses, such as Oscar Mayer, St. Mary’s Hospital, and
MG&E, and also government offices, like the Department of Transportation. DeWalt also
said that “the community is has given us overwhelming support. They are excited to
see young people of color who are so motivated to learn and give back.”
Jeremy Herr, an incoming sophomore at the UW-Madison, looked back fondly at his
time with the program.
“The best part was meeting older scholars who had been through the program or were
studying at UW-Madison during my summer camps. I would look up to them and use
them as role models to shape myself and grow up,” he told me. “[In middle school,] I
had the greatest math tutor, the same guy every week. He particularly pushed me and I
thought that was great. His name was Brian!”
Clearly the program and the people in it make a lasting impression on its students.
“PEOPLE definitely made it easier for me to think about college,” Jeremy said. He is
currently pursuing a degree in computer science, with an emphasis in programming.
MG&E, and also government offices, like the Department of Transportation. DeWalt also
said that “the community is has given us overwhelming support. They are excited to
see young people of color who are so motivated to learn and give back.”
Jeremy Herr, an incoming sophomore at the UW-Madison, looked back fondly at his
time with the program.
“The best part was meeting older scholars who had been through the program or were
studying at UW-Madison during my summer camps. I would look up to them and use
them as role models to shape myself and grow up,” he told me. “[In middle school,] I
had the greatest math tutor, the same guy every week. He particularly pushed me and I
thought that was great. His name was Brian!”
Clearly the program and the people in it make a lasting impression on its students.
“PEOPLE definitely made it easier for me to think about college,” Jeremy said. He is
currently pursuing a degree in computer science, with an emphasis in programming.
| Rebecca Her |
By Rebecca Her
The mercilessly hot Saturday was a perfect day to spend indoors, learning,
observing, and commending a job well done. July 7th marked the PEOPLE
Program’s three week celebration, a lively, educational affair. This one in
particular featured incoming eighth graders from all over Madison and took
place in the thankfully air-conditioned Union South. The students’ projects,
which they had been working on for the past three weeks, ranged in topics from
making model rockets, building fighting robots, and learning and teaching
about the history of hip-hop music and dance. Tables and trifold presentation
boards lined the first floor of Union South from one end to the other. I barely
knew where to start, but I was glad for the opportunity.
Speaking with some of the students, I inevitably ran across some who were
friendly and talkative and others who were more reserved and shy. One thing all
the students had in common, however, was that they were all so
The mercilessly hot Saturday was a perfect day to spend indoors, learning,
observing, and commending a job well done. July 7th marked the PEOPLE
Program’s three week celebration, a lively, educational affair. This one in
particular featured incoming eighth graders from all over Madison and took
place in the thankfully air-conditioned Union South. The students’ projects,
which they had been working on for the past three weeks, ranged in topics from
making model rockets, building fighting robots, and learning and teaching
about the history of hip-hop music and dance. Tables and trifold presentation
boards lined the first floor of Union South from one end to the other. I barely
knew where to start, but I was glad for the opportunity.
Speaking with some of the students, I inevitably ran across some who were
friendly and talkative and others who were more reserved and shy. One thing all
the students had in common, however, was that they were all so
knowledgeable. It was clear that when it came to their projects, they knew what was what. Using a PowerPoint
presentation and real-life comparisons, Ian Falu, who will be attending Sherman Middle School come fall,
enlightened me to the inner workings of a basic laptop while his proud father looked on. Knowledge wasn’t the only
thing he gained during the program. “I was in [the summer program] last year too,” he said. “It was fun.”
Suleman Haseef, who is headed to Hamilton Middle School, enthusiastically explained his papier-mâché and
baking soda and vinegar volcano and his marshmallow and uncooked spaghetti noodle bridge. Though he was
surrounded by friends and occasionally paused his presentation to joke with them, there were others he met during
the program who had obviously had a positive effect on him. When asked for a picture of him and his projects, he
was more than willing to share the praise. “I want my teachers to be in it too.”
presentation and real-life comparisons, Ian Falu, who will be attending Sherman Middle School come fall,
enlightened me to the inner workings of a basic laptop while his proud father looked on. Knowledge wasn’t the only
thing he gained during the program. “I was in [the summer program] last year too,” he said. “It was fun.”
Suleman Haseef, who is headed to Hamilton Middle School, enthusiastically explained his papier-mâché and
baking soda and vinegar volcano and his marshmallow and uncooked spaghetti noodle bridge. Though he was
surrounded by friends and occasionally paused his presentation to joke with them, there were others he met during
the program who had obviously had a positive effect on him. When asked for a picture of him and his projects, he
was more than willing to share the praise. “I want my teachers to be in it too.”
Suleman Haseef, who is headed to Hamilton Middle School,
with his papier-mâché and baking soda and vinegar volcano
and his marshmallow and uncooked spaghetti noodle bridge
with his papier-mâché and baking soda and vinegar volcano
and his marshmallow and uncooked spaghetti noodle bridge
After some munchies, the celebration ceremony
began in Varsity Hall. I was lucky enough to get a
front row seat, which gave me a great view of the
all the action on stage. The ceremony gave
students a different avenue with which to show
their skill and knowledge. One group put on a
skit to demonstrate the progression of the
criminal justice system, from processing the
crime scene to negotiating a deal for the plaintiff.
The drama team presented a play, written by
themselves, about individuality and peer
pressure. The audience was also treated to a
mini-film festival of all the student-directed films
and a short concert showcasing student-penned
raps and remixes of songs. Most surprising was
a tiny, unassuming boy who took the stage. The
began in Varsity Hall. I was lucky enough to get a
front row seat, which gave me a great view of the
all the action on stage. The ceremony gave
students a different avenue with which to show
their skill and knowledge. One group put on a
skit to demonstrate the progression of the
criminal justice system, from processing the
crime scene to negotiating a deal for the plaintiff.
The drama team presented a play, written by
themselves, about individuality and peer
pressure. The audience was also treated to a
mini-film festival of all the student-directed films
and a short concert showcasing student-penned
raps and remixes of songs. Most surprising was
a tiny, unassuming boy who took the stage. The
Superman shirt he was wearing should have tipped me off. When he suddenly dropped to the floor and started
breakdancing, the entire room erupted with cheers. The mood in the room was festive, encouraging, and proud. “I
don’t know why anyone wouldn’t want to work with middle schoolers,” stated program director Jacqueline DeWalt,
after the ceremony. “They have so much energy.”
breakdancing, the entire room erupted with cheers. The mood in the room was festive, encouraging, and proud. “I
don’t know why anyone wouldn’t want to work with middle schoolers,” stated program director Jacqueline DeWalt,
after the ceremony. “They have so much energy.”
DeWalt also described what makes the PEOPLE
program (Pre-college Enrichment Opportunity
Program for Learning Excellence) unique compared
to other college-prep programs.
“Some programs might have the kids for a week, or a
summer. Ours is a year-round process. Once you’re
in it, you’re in it for good.” The PEOPLE program
includes minority and low-income students from 2nd
graders right up through senior year of college, and
has about 1300 students total. “We aim for quality
versus quantity,” said DeWalt, though, of course the
program is always aiming to expand and continue
being successful. Their success is at least partly
attributed to its holistic approach to teaching. “It’s an
emotional, academic, professional, and cultural
program,” DeWalt said.
Her philosophy has proved beneficial to the program
thus far. They have graduated students from every
school at UW-Madison and are aiming for every
degree as well. Other statistics are just as
impressive. According to the program website, 99%
of program participants graduate from high school
and there is a 91% retention rate for students who
are admitted to UW-Madison.
The PEOPLE program’s partnership with the
university is another trait that distinguishes it from
other college prep programs. I know of no other
programs that work so closely with such a famous
and prestigious school. “Without the University, we
wouldn’t be here,” admits DeWalt. Students who
complete the PEOPLE program and are admitted to
UW-Madison are given a four-year scholarship.
Though the program has moved from division to
division within the UW-Madison, it has now settled
under the School of Education and is committed to
spreading diversity within the school.
The program also finds a lot of support in the
community. In “The Diversity Times”, a newsletter put
out by PEOPLE participants, students reported on
program (Pre-college Enrichment Opportunity
Program for Learning Excellence) unique compared
to other college-prep programs.
“Some programs might have the kids for a week, or a
summer. Ours is a year-round process. Once you’re
in it, you’re in it for good.” The PEOPLE program
includes minority and low-income students from 2nd
graders right up through senior year of college, and
has about 1300 students total. “We aim for quality
versus quantity,” said DeWalt, though, of course the
program is always aiming to expand and continue
being successful. Their success is at least partly
attributed to its holistic approach to teaching. “It’s an
emotional, academic, professional, and cultural
program,” DeWalt said.
Her philosophy has proved beneficial to the program
thus far. They have graduated students from every
school at UW-Madison and are aiming for every
degree as well. Other statistics are just as
impressive. According to the program website, 99%
of program participants graduate from high school
and there is a 91% retention rate for students who
are admitted to UW-Madison.
The PEOPLE program’s partnership with the
university is another trait that distinguishes it from
other college prep programs. I know of no other
programs that work so closely with such a famous
and prestigious school. “Without the University, we
wouldn’t be here,” admits DeWalt. Students who
complete the PEOPLE program and are admitted to
UW-Madison are given a four-year scholarship.
Though the program has moved from division to
division within the UW-Madison, it has now settled
under the School of Education and is committed to
spreading diversity within the school.
The program also finds a lot of support in the
community. In “The Diversity Times”, a newsletter put
out by PEOPLE participants, students reported on
When asked if he would recommend the program to young students, he replied “Definitely! I’m proud to
recommend the program to other people!”
Here is a program which gives students academic, professional, social, and life skills. It is truly a gem of the
Madison educational area. It helps disadvantaged students succeed and contribute to humanity as a whole. And
more than anything, it is fun and enriching. After my experience with the PEOPLE program, I am hoping they
continue to grow and continue to educate, support and develop the next generation.
recommend the program to other people!”
Here is a program which gives students academic, professional, social, and life skills. It is truly a gem of the
Madison educational area. It helps disadvantaged students succeed and contribute to humanity as a whole. And
more than anything, it is fun and enriching. After my experience with the PEOPLE program, I am hoping they
continue to grow and continue to educate, support and develop the next generation.