The inaugural “Make it Happen” awards will be presented to two Portland High School students on Friday, December 14 at the “Make It Happen”(MIH) room.

Beni Nkashana, a senior and Mariam Douale, a junior, will each receive $1,250. per semester until graduation to offset the need to work after school and/or on weekends so that they can participate in extracurricular activities.

MIH is a college readiness program designed for high school English Language Learners (ELL) students.  It is the creation of Ann and Bill Weber.  They are the parents of two Portland High School graduates, who state:  “We know kids are more motivated to come to school because of extracurricular activities and the opportunity to work as a team or lead a group effort is invaluable to growth and developing leadership skills and can often lead to better grades.  Many kids aren’t able to take full advantage of extracurricular activities because of family responsibilities or the need to supplement the family income.  The Sep Up Award allows deserving kids a chance to grow and mature and become more productive citizens.”

“Portland is fortunate to have public school alumni and alumni families who understand that full engagement in the educational opportunities available in our schools is key to success in school and life.  I am so grateful that the Weber family is willing to invest in helping some of our most talented students to access these opportunities fully.  I hope that their example will lead others to help our Foundation improve the opportunities available to our students,” wrote Portland Public Schools Superintendent Xavier Botana in the press release issued today.

For more information, please contact Executive Director Kate Snyder at 207 – 842-4658 or ksnyder@foundationforpps.org