Honoring the 2024 GPS Navigators of the Year

The Guided Pathway Support Program (GPS) proudly announces the recipients of the 2024 Navigator of the Year scholarships. These awards recognize remarkable individuals for their academic achievements and personal development, highlighting GPS’s transformative impact on young students.

GPS offers a dynamic online community designed to assist African American high school juniors and seniors through the complexities of the college application process. By providing essential resources such as counseling, webinars, and essay-writing assistance, GPS ensures that students have the support they need to navigate their path to higher education successfully.

This year’s exceptional Navigators reflect on the pivotal role GPS has played in their journeys:

Iman Bedru shared the sense of community within GPS: “From having a group that congratulates one another through our posts to having people willing to give my essays feedback or write me a letter of recommendation, the support I have received from GPS is unmatched.”

William Anoka noted the program’s impact on his writing and outlook: “My essays improved, and I was exposed to new opportunities that changed my perspective of my future.”

Xavier Cunningham highlighted the tailored support GPS offers: “The Guided Pathway Support Program caters to the Black community – mentors and administrators who care about me and those who look like me. The mentors help students like me by connecting us to opportunities, ones that I wouldn’t have found doing my search alone. The program made me feel like I wasn’t alone as I started a new part of my life.”

Prisca Agbeyibor expressed, “The Guided Pathway Support Program has been instrumental in shaping my academic experience, providing the tools, resources, and support necessary for my personal and professional growth.”

Nastashya Johnson found clarity and direction through the program: “GPS provided me with a structured roadmap to navigate the complex college application process, which was initially overwhelming. The program’s comprehensive resources, including workshops, webinars, and one-on-one counseling, have equipped me with the knowledge and confidence to make informed decisions about my future.”

Video Essay from Kevin Kometa

Congratulations to all the winners of the $1000 Navigator of the Year Scholarship! Your dedication and perseverance are inspiring, and GPS is excited to see where your academic and professional journeys will lead.

To learn more about GPS, visit www.rbsgps.com

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In Memoriam:
Cal LaRoche (1946–2025)

It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of Cal LaRoche, a brilliant and dedicated advisor and champion of the Ron Brown Scholar Program, who left us on Wednesday, April 9th, 2025.

Born in New York in January 1946, Cal graduated from Central State University in Ohio, where he joined the Eta Gamma Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. His career spanned decades of leadership and innovation, beginning at the National Security Agency and continuing through key roles at IBM, SkyTel Communications, and The Orkand Corporation. 

A visionary entrepreneur, Cal later co-founded DC Ventures and Associates.

His commitment to service was unwavering. Cal chaired the Boards of Trustees at Suburban Hospital in Bethesda and Norwood School and served with distinction for 15 years on the Advisory Board of the Ron Brown Scholar Program. His leadership extended to the Beta Mu, Boulé Foundation Board, where he served as Chair, and to Patients For Affordable Drugs, where he was a founding board member and Treasurer.

An avid golfer and advocate for equity in the sport, Cal co-founded the Pro-Duffer/Carter Foundation Scholarship to promote diversity in golf. A long-time member of TPC Potomac at Avenel Farm, he was as passionate about creating opportunity as he was about the game itself.

Cal’s legacy is carried on by his beloved family: his mother, Lucille “Gloria” David; his wife, Esperanza, and their sons, CJ and Ethan; his former wife, Cheryl LaRoche; their daughters, Gina LaRoche, Renee LaRoche-Morris, and Danielle LaRoche; six grandchildren; and his siblings. His wisdom, warmth, and unwavering belief in the potential of young people will remain an enduring part of the Ron Brown Scholar community.

We are forever grateful for Cal’s enduring support, leadership, and love. He leaves behind a legacy of excellence, generosity, and deep humanity. He will be deeply missed.