Mason students of the Class of 2020 pose together during the DRDFS Etiquette and Networking Workshop.
Partner School Spotlight on Mason Senior High School in Erie, MI
In 2015 Detroit Regional Dollars for Scholars (DRDFS) welcomed a new high school partner. Mason Senior High School (MSHS), with a current enrollment of approximately 360 students, is located in Erie, Michigan, near our state’s southern border. Because of its unique proximity, MSHS serves students from surrounding communities of Erie, Luna Pier, LaSalle, and even a few in Northern Ohio.
Principal of MSHS, Brandon Bates, has deep ties to the school and community, having attended elementary, middle, and high school on the same campus of Mason Consolidated Schools. After earning both Bachelors and Masters degrees at the nearby University of Toledo, he returned to teach at Mason Consolidated Schools, and is now serving in his 7th year as MSHS Principal.
Principal Bates spoke about the impact the DRDFS partnership has had on their participating students, observing that after being involved in DRDFS, students are motivated to work hard and remain focused. Students have a clear understanding of the importance of good grades and SAT scores in pursuing their post-secondary dreams.
Next Level Scholars Program Adviser, Steve Bowers
Steve Bowers, the Next Level Scholars Program Adviser at MSHS, added that he shares information about the DRDFS program to all sophomore students, which helps to generate excitement, and contributes to the college-going culture within the school.
MSHS is committed to setting students up for success in life after high school in other ways beyond their partnership with DRDFS. MSHS partners with Monroe Community College and Lourdes University to offer its Direct College program to high school students. Beginning as early as Freshman year, students are able to attend college courses, taught by visiting college professors at MSHS. During the Direct College program, students can earn up to 24 college credits in a wide variety of courses at no cost to them.
DRDFS is proud to partner with MSHS in our shared goal to help students succeed in life after high school. We look forward to supporting these students in achieving their post-secondary dreams for years to come.
“I grew up without a clue of what I wanted to do, or where I wanted to go in life, until I had the opportunity to join Dollars for Scholars my sophomore year of high school. From visiting campuses, to SAT prep, the guidance I received from the program changed my entire outlook.
“From college tours to financial aid, Dollars for Scholars has greatly impacted my path to higher education. As a first generation college student, deciding where I would want to continue my education and figuring out how I would get there was a difficult process. My family and I lacked the time and transportation necessary to visit schools, and this limited me in figuring out my future.
“When joining Dollars for Scholars, I was eager to visit colleges and earn scholarship money. Being able to look at all the different schools with other students I could relate to was so reassuring. Dollars for Scholars was able to answer my questions about the ins & outs of post-secondary education, as well assist me with applications. This extra help was so motivating.
“Detroit Regional Dollars for Scholars is a life-changing program. Before high school, I was going down a path that if most kids took, they’d end up either dropping out of school or going to jail. Detroit Regional Dollars for Scholars helped inspire me to get on a better path by showing me how to prepare for college. Hearing other students’ stories made me feel like I could be successful both in high school and post-secondary education.