Derek Jeter’s Turn 2 Foundation Graduates Class of 2018 & Welcomes New Class of New York Jeter’s Leaders
8 New York City Students Complete Four-Year Jeter’s Leaders Program
100% of Graduates to Attend College; Turn 2 Awards $5,000 Scholarships to Each
10 New York City High School Students Inducted Into Jeter’s Leaders Program
NEW YORK – July 2, 2018 – The Turn 2 Foundation hosted a special ceremony on Thursday, June 28 celebrating the 2018 graduating class of New York Jeter’s Leaders and welcoming the newest members of the 2022 class of Leaders.
Turn 2’s signature initiative, Jeter’s Leaders is an intensive four-year leadership development program for high school students who serve as ambassadors for Derek Jeter in their communities. The Turn 2 Foundation was established by Derek Jeter in 1996 to motivate young people to turn away from drugs and alcohol and lead positive, healthy lifestyles.
“From creating motivational murals to help transform a school in Miami, to volunteering in their communities, the students in this year’s graduating class of Jeter’s Leaders have served as incredible role models to their peers, and truly exemplify the values of the Turn 2 Foundation,” said Derek Jeter. “I am also thrilled to welcome a new class of promising Leaders, and I look forward to seeing what these students will accomplish over the next four years in this program.”
Jeter’s Leaders Class of 2018 Graduates
This month, eight high school seniors from New York graduated from the Jeter’s Leaders program, which fosters academic achievement, positive behavior, healthy lifestyles, leadership development and social change among high school students.
“Throughout their four years in the program, these students have blown us away with their commitment to giving back and serving as agents of social change in their communities,” said Sharlee Jeter, president of the Turn 2 Foundation. “I am so proud of all they have accomplished, and I know they will continue to use their voices to make a positive difference well into the future.”
For the past 13 consecutive years, 100% of Jeter’s Leaders have gone on to attend college after high school. Every Jeter’s Leader is awarded a $5,000 scholarship by the Turn 2 Foundation upon graduation from the program.
On Thursday, June 28, the New York Jeter’s Leaders Class of 2018 graduated at a ceremony at the Picnic House in Brooklyn. In the fall, they will be attending the following universities:
- Alexander Pena ; Fairleigh Dickinson University
- Christopher Maldonado; Florida International University
- Daizon Wilkins; SUNY Cobleskill
- Fatima Ndiaye; Syracuse Univeristy
- Kamil Banks; Brandeis University
- Kristalyn Billips; Howard University
- Michael Boccdifuoco; St. John’s University
- Yennina Lora; St. John’s University
Turn 2 Inducts the Jeter’s Leaders Class of 2022
Ten incoming high school freshmen from New York will begin Turn 2’s signature program in July.
“The members of our new class of New York Jeter’s Leaders are incredibly bright students, and have already demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the core values of the Turn 2 Foundation,” said Sharlee Jeter, president of the Turn 2 Foundation. “We are excited to see these students evolve, achieve their goals, and serve as role models to other young people across the country.”
On Thursday, June 28, the following New York students were inducted into the Jeter’s Leaders program during a ceremony held at a ceremony at the Picnic House in Brooklyn:
- Makayla Fredericks; Cardinal Spellman High School
- Mia Williams-Payne; Talent Unlimited High School
- Michaell Santos Pulino; Bronx School for Law, Government and Justice
- Nikita Rodov; Business Technology Early College High School
- Tamanna Chowdhury; The Young Women’s Leadership of East Harlem
- Tolleifa Bent; Business Technology Early College High School
- Felix Martinez; Bronx School for Law, Government and Justice
- Brianna Yau; Brooklyn Technical High School
- Andrelis Pena; Hyde Leadership Charter School
- Edna Sam; The Young Womens Leadership of East Harlem.
To be accepted into the Jeter’s Leaders program, applicants must be residents of the New York Metropolitan or West Michigan areas in the eighth grade at the time of application, with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Applicants must be drug and alcohol free and involved in community service or extracurricular activity in their school or neighborhood.
Once inducted, Jeter’s Leaders are required to maintain a 3.0 GPA, as well as demonstrate a commitment to the program’s activities and healthy lifestyles free of drug and alcohol abuse, throughout all four years of the program.
Leaders are expected to model positive behavior and deliver a message to their peers focusing on staying in school, remaining drug and alcohol free, and giving back to the community.
Members of the program meet on a bi-weekly basis throughout the year and work on assignments and projects aimed at promoting healthy lifestyles, serving their community, mentoring, achieving academically and furthering their professional development.
About Turn 2 Foundation
Since its launch in December 1996, the Turn 2 Foundation has created and supported programs and activities that motivate young people to turn away from drugs and alcohol and “Turn 2” healthy lifestyles. Through various specialized programs and events, the Foundation works with youth in New York City, West Michigan and Tampa, empowering them to reach their full potential. Its signature Jeter’s Leaders initiative is a four-year leadership development program that fosters academic achievement, positive behavior and social change among high school students. During its 22 year history, Turn 2 has given back more than $27 million, funding its signature programs as well as organizations that support its mission.
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