Seniors recognized at annual breakfast
Worcester, MA - Douglas E. Luffborough, III provided approximately 200 students from five Worcester public high
schools with an entertaining and inspirational message at the 17th annual senior recognition breakfast
of the Consortium's Educational Talent Search (ETS), GEAR UP
and Careers Plus programs held at the College of the Holy Cross.
"It's not about how you start in life, it's how you finish," said Luffborough, who overcame homelessness and served as commencement speaker when he graduated from Northeastern University in 1993. President Clinton delivered the keynote address at Northeastern that year, and was so inspired by Doug's message that he invited Doug and his mother to visit the White House.
"You will achieve all of your goals if you stick to it," Luffborough said in his address to the students. "There's greatness inside of you, that is just waiting to come out. Emulate what you see from the best of people and when your opportunity comes, you need to be ready for it."
Luffborough, executive director of Turning the Hearts Center in Chula Vista, CA, holds a Master's degree in Education from Harvard University. A native of Worcester, he is a graduate of Doherty High School. He is the author of Rising to the Top,
a book in which he explains his philosophy about leadership, overcoming
setbacks and leading a prosperous life.
In addition to Luffborough's keynote address, comments were also provided by Dr. James Caradonio, superintendent, Worcester Public Schools; Pamela Boisvert, vice president for higher education access services, Colleges of Worcester Consortium, Inc.; and Joseph D. Early Jr., district attorney, middle district. The event marked the last senior recognition breakfast in the tenure of Dr. Caradonio who will retire at the end of the school year. Caradonio was formally recognized by the Consortium for his years of service and received a standing ovation.
Personal remarks were also delivered by Alejandro Olivincia, a student at North High School and a participant in the GEAR UP program.
"This is the highlight of our year when everything comes to fruition," said Boisvert to the ballroom full of students. "You are our success!"
Ninety-five percent of the students involved in ETS, GEAR UP and Careers Plus applied to college this year. Among the colleges and universities that have recently accepted students from the three programs are all 10 of the Consortium institutions that confer traditional undergraduate degrees, as well as Boston College, Boston University, Brandeis University, Cornell University, Northeastern University, Syracuse University and Tufts University. Throughout the history of the Consortium access programs, students have been accepted by colleges and universities all across the country.