Text of Remarks: Sr. Seton Cunneen Fellow Sanada Spellman '06

September 10, 2004

My name is Sanada Spellman and I am a graduate student here at Trinity majoring in Counseling with a Concentration in Student Development in Higher Education.

I just completed a wonderful summer as a Cunnneen Fellow!

Let me tell you about how I became a Fellow. After an extremely encouraging invitation from Mrs. McCrabb and my own research and evaluation I decided to apply and recognized the Fellowship as an opportunity to explore my interest and love for Higher Education.

As a Fellow I served at Paul Public Charter School through the GEAR-UP Program. GEAR-UP stands for Gaining Early Awareness & Readiness for Undergraduate Programs. The Fellowship gave me the opportunity to motivate my students towards the reality of higher education. I believe Higher Education allows you to learn more about yourself, other cultures, form lasting relationships, opens your mind to a world of possibilities as well as places you in the position to demand to your voice to be heard. And I wanted my students to experience that first hand.

While at Paul Public Charter School I was given the task of Program Planning and implementation. I discovered the importance of Timing and the Challenge of creating an effective and education program for Junior High School students. I realized the necessity of having a plan and a time line sticking to end to in order to produce a successful program. I was forced to face my insecurities head to benefit my students.

I also learned the value of communication and how important it is to speak up and express concerns. Because like some people I avoid confrontation. I feel that if I don’t say anything it will just go away and that was not the case this summer.

The third thing I learned was how to take the initiate. I’m very accustomed to being told what to and that was not the case this summer. I was forced to rely on my own imagination, creativity and internal disciplines in order to take charge, set the vision and move forward. That was my biggest challenge.

As a Cunneen Fellow I gained valuable experiences and confidence in my own abilities and built lasting relationships.

When I was asked to apply for a full-time position with the GEAR-UP Program I jumped at the change to continue to mold and guide my students to the ultimate and assume goal of higher education.

And from my position, which I officially stared on September 7, 2004 as Assistant School Director, I will continue to build upon the framework created this summer at Paul Public Charter School as well as continue to learn and grow as a person.

Thank you Trinity for the opportunity to pursue my education, The Ford Family and the work of Sr. Seton Cunnenn and Ms. McCrabb for taking a chance and allowing me to pursue my ultimate goal and desires.

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