Record $5.3 Million Raised for Prep’s Education and Leadership Development Programs

Mr. Vogelstein remarked, “I support Prep because I believe that it is really important for the U.S. to provide superior educational opportunities for children who are intellectually able to benefit from them but financially unable to obtain them on their own.” 

“Prep is really what New York City and America are all about,” added Mr. Lipton. 

The high school Class of 2018 present that evening included young scientists researching anti-cancer drugs, cyber-security, and climate change; champions from math teams, debate, and poetry competitions; and successful coders, writers, and peer leaders. As far as they have come on their individual journeys, each student believes in paying forward the opportunities they have earned through Prep. 

Senior Speaker Jahmire Cassanova (XXXIV/Horace Mann ’18, Penn) overcame tremendous personal and financial hardship on his path towards college, including homelessness. For several years, he has returned to Prep as an advisor to middle school students beginning the program: “I push my kids to show them that their race, ethnicity, and zip codes do not determine their success – only they can.” 

Over 80% of the Prep high school senior class will matriculate at colleges characterized as “Most Competitive” or “Highly Competitive,” according to Barron’s 2018 Profiles of American Colleges. One-fifth of all graduates will attend Ivy League universities. Top college choices include:

View the full college choice list of the Class of 2018 here.

Join the #Prepat40 conversation on Twitter  and Instagram. 

Watch the inspirational video that showcases Prep’s 40 years of success by profiling four exceptional Prep alums from each of Prep’s four decades.

About the Lilac Ball
Since 1986, the Lilac Ball has served as Prep’s signature annual event. The Lilac Ball not only honors leaders with a commitment to education and youth, but also celebrates the outstanding college choices of Prep’s. Proceeds from the event support Prep’s mission of creating a more diverse national leadership pool. All funds raised through the Lilac Ball go directly to Prep programming; event-related expenses are underwritten by the Board of Trustees.