Donna Cross Named Mentor of the Year 2008
November 23, 2008
The highly-selective national college scholarship providers at the Ron Brown Scholar Program today announced the selection of Mrs. Donna Cross of Kathleen Senior High School in Lakeland, Florida as the first annual recipient of the Ron Brown Scholar Program’s Mentor-of-the-Year award. Mrs. Cross was selected from over 5,000 high school counselors nationally.
Click Here to Read Donna Cross's Biography
Click Here to Read Donna Cross's Letter of Recommendation from Ron Brown Scholar Desiree Montgomery
The highly-selective national college scholarship providers at the Ron Brown Scholar Program today announced the selection of Mrs. Donna Cross of Kathleen Senior High School in Lakeland, Florida as the first annual recipient of the Ron Brown Scholar Program’s Mentor-of-the-Year award. Mrs. Cross was selected from over 5,000 high school counselors nationally.
Announcing the award at the Program's Charlottesville, VA headquarters, RBSP Executive Director Michael Mallory said, “Mrs. Cross is the ideal mentor to receive our first award. Her close-working relationship with Desiree Montgomery, Ron Brown Scholar 2008, helped Desiree to get the very most out of her courses and experiences at high school while focusing on the educational opportunities available to her on a college level.”
The Ron Brown Scholar Program recognizes individuals who have gone above and beyond the regular duties as defined by their position to help students in their academic concerns. In response to this, the Ron Brown Scholar Program established a yearly award that focuses upon an individual selected by staff and students as being among the very best of those dedicated to helping students succeed through academic advising. A mentor may serve as a guide, counselor or advisor.
Annually, the RBSP receives 5,000 to 7,000 applications for its 20 scholarships. The applications closely resemble applications to college and the majority include an appraisal of the candidate by his or her guidance counselor.
Mrs. Cross recently played a vital role in guiding Ms. Desiree Montgomery through the college application and scholarship process. “If there is one thing I will remember most about her after I graduate, it is the tremendous devotion she exhibited towards all her students” said Ms. Montgomery. “Throughout the school year, her office is always open for students to do research, work on applications, and receive personalized attention and mentoring. In essence, Mrs. Cross’ diligence, strength, and selflessness are inspiring. She personifies the Ron Brown philosophy by constantly motivating her students to rise above their circumstances and working at the grassroots level to impact the lives of others.”
Criteria:
The official duties of Ron Brown Scholar Program Mentor-of-the-Year may be as counselor, academic advisor, guide, or any person(s) responsible for the duties commonly associated with the role of mentor. The Ron Brown Scholar Program recognizes individuals who have gone above and beyond the regular duties as defined by their position to help students in their academic concerns.
The selection process evaluates nominations on the evidence of qualities and practices that distinguish the nominee. Such evidence may include:
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Availability to advisees, faculty, staff or family
• Frequency of contact with advisee
• Appropriate referral activity
• Use and dissemination of appropriate information sources
• Evidence of student success rate
• Caring, helpful attitude toward advisees, faculty, staff or family
• Meeting advisees in informal settings
• Participation and support in advising to build strong relationships with advisees
• Monitoring of student progress toward academic and career goals
• Mastery of institutional regulations, policies, and procedures
• Ability to engage in, promote, and support developmental advising
For further information please contact:
Mr. Michael A. Mallory
President, CAP Charitable Foundation (USA)
Executive Director, Ron Brown Scholar Program
1160 Pepsi Place, Suite 206
Charlottesville, VA 22901
Tel 434.964.1588
Fax 434.964.1589
www.ronbrown.org
Donna Cross - Kathleen Senior High School
Biography
I graduated from North Miami High School in 1961. Coming from an average family with four sisters, my parents did not have the money, or the means, to help me continue my education. I married my high school sweetheart 10 days after graduation and we have enjoyed 48 years of marriage, including having and raising two children Timothy and Nicole and one grandson Anthony.
I began my career in the corporate world soon after getting married and joined Southern Bell Telephone in Miami, Florida as a long distance operator, eventually working my way up to supervision. After 10 years with Southern Bell we moved to Lakeland, Florida and I began working for General Telephone. I worked for General Telephone for over 25 years and worked my up to Management Team Leader in the Sales and Marketing Area. My team was the leading sales group in the nation on more than one occasion, winning numerous awards. Of the awards won by my team I am most proud that we were in the President Circle 100 Sales Club year after year. During years with the Bell System I was chosen to attend many seminars and workshops that focused on Team Building and Sales Marketing strategies. The education I received in these workshops has been detrimental to my success as a College and Career Facilitator and Student Mentor within the Polk County School System.
I retired from General Telephone in 1993 and began working at Kathleen High School as a Para-Professional, mentoring students and helping them apply for scholarships. I was raised from a Para to the College and Career Specialist at our school. Our success has improved at Kathleen Senior from $100,000 awarded for scholarships to our students in 1993, to our 2007 total of $7,500,000. Yes, that total is correct, 7.5 MILLION dollars. The unique thing about our school is that over 50% of our students are minorities; many come from broken homes, and most come from low income families.
Our students have graduated from a number of prestigious universities, military academies, fine art academies, Ivy League schools including Harvard, to name a few. Several of our students have won the prestigious Silver Garland awards furnished and chosen by our local newspaper each year for their commitment to service in the community.
My purpose is to motivate and encourage our students to be the best. I have developed a manual that reminds them to set goals, teaches them to identify their life purpose, and allows them to remember to give back to their community. The manual shows the proper way to write and submit an essay, remember to get letters of recommendation, and above all, keep an updated resume and data sheet.
I have a fun job. I have an extremely rewarding job. My greatest success is to see my students excel in whatever they chose to do, and years later, returning and sharing their success with me.
Thank you so much for this prestigious award, but it is not necessary. After all, I am just doing the job I agreed to do in 1993.
Mrs. Cross's Letter of Recommendation from Ron Brown Scholar Desiree Montgomery
May 22, 2008
Ron Brown Scholar Program
1160 Pepsi Place, Suite 206
Charlottesville, VA 22901
To Whom It May Concern:
I would like to formally nominate my dear friend and mentor, Mrs. Donna Cross, as the Ron Brown Scholar Program’s 1st Annual Mentor of the Year. I have known Mrs. Cross for about three years. If there is one thing I will remember most about her after I graduate, it is the tremendous devotion that she has exhibited towards all her students. Celebrating her 8th year as a College and Career Specialist at the Kathleen Senior High School in Lakeland, Florida, Mrs. Cross is responsible for assisting students with their post-secondary endeavors. Throughout the school year, her office is always open for students to do research, work on applications, and receive personalized attention and mentoring.
But most importantly, many of the students Mrs. Cross mentors are the first in their families to attend college and thus are unfamiliar with the college application process. She makes it a priority to provide extra care and attention to these students, supplying them with the resources they need to successfully gain acceptance to college and receive financial aid. As part of the unique and innovative approach she brings to her job, Mrs. Cross holds “financial aid nights” for parents and guardians and organizes college and career fairs at the high school. She even finds time to take seniors who may not have the ability to travel with their families on college visits, which she believes are an important part of the college decision-making process.
Mrs. Cross’ passion for serving students extends far beyond her role as guidance counselor and career specialist. She also serves as Club Sponsor for the school’s National Honors Society. Additionally, she served as the Senior Class sponsor, where she helped organize events such as the senior breakfast, senior picnic, and other class activities.
She is a model for others outside the school as well, working with low-income families to help them pay for their graduate’s cap and gown, senior pictures, or other academic expenses. She never hesitates to transport a student to an awards banquet or an interview, and always makes sure their achievements are celebrated.
In essence, Mrs. Donna Cross’ diligence, strength, and selflessness are inspiring. She personifies the Ron Brown philosophy by constantly motivating her students to rise above their circumstances and working at the grassroots level to impact the lives of others. It is without any reservations that I recommend her as a strong candidate for the Ron Brown Scholar Program’s Mentor of the Year Award.
Sincerely,
Ms. Desiree Montgomery
Ron Brown Scholar 2008
Ron Brown Scholar Program
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