College Track Students Join First Lady Michelle Obama at 2015 Beating the Odds Summit

College Track students Samrawit Keleta and Cendy De La Torre will join First Lady Michelle Obama and 130 college-bound students from across the country to participate in the 2015 Beating the Odds Summit on Thursday, July 23. As part of the First Lady’s Reach Higher initiative, these students represent a mix of urban, rural, foster, homeless, special needs, and underrepresented youth who have overcome substantial obstacles to persist through high school and make it to college. This event will focus on sharing tools and strategies students can use to successfully transition to college and the resources they will need to persist and complete the next level of their education.

Samrawit and Cendy, rising freshmen at Trinity Washington University and University of Colorado at Boulder, will be the first in their family to go to college. These extraordinary students know that education is the gateway to a better future. “I will not stop until I achieve my goals. I will continue to motivate myself and those around me no matter what it takes,” said Cendy.

The resources Samrawit and Cendy will receive at the Beating the Odds Summit paired with College Track’s mentorship and financial assistance will ensure that they obtain their college degree.

The Beating the Odds Summit is helping change the reality of what disadvantaged youth can achieve through higher education. College Track is proud to partner with First Lady Michelle Obama and many other organizations across the nation to empower students like Samrawit and Cendy to reach their full potential by earning a college degree.