Local students accept offer to attend University of Southern California
Josanta Gray | 5-19-2010 | Comments |
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It is not uncommon to see recruiters from the University of Southern California at Inglewood High School. They come around to check out the athletes, Trina Williams, a member of the Inglewood Board of Education, said.But when Christopher Rodriguez, who is ranked second in his class at Inglewood High, received his acceptance letter to USC this spring, the 125-pound, 5-foot-1-inch senior was most excited about the chance to stay on the sidelines – as a member of the university band.
Christopher Rodriguez Photo courtesy of: Christopher Rodriguez |
Rodriguez and classmate Courtney Short, both 18, are both headed to USC in the fall, and their acceptance has touched a nerve in a community that often feels the academic potential of its students is overlooked by the prestigious university.
“When we have an outstanding basketball player or football player we see [USC and other colleges] on campus, but we want to see them on campus for our academic programs," Williams said. “We want these universities to put the same amount of effort looking into academics” as they do athletics.
Rakin Hall, the associate director of multicultural recruitment at USC, said such criticisms are common.
“We hear that every year,” Hall said. “Everyone always says we never cater to their students like we should.”
But Mel Preimesberger, the associate director of multicultural recruitment and outreach at USC, said that while historically there have been other Inglewood High students accepted based solely on academic performance, he acknowledged that Rodriguez and Short are “probably the first in a long time.” She did not have precise numbers, but said within the last five years, there may have been “a couple” of Inglewood High graduates admitted based on academics.
According to the USC admissions website, “Prospective freshmen are evaluated on the content and rigor of their high school course work, their grades, standardized test scores, activity summary, essay, short answers and recommendations. There are no absolute 'cutoffs' or minimums for grades, rank in class or test scores. We are interested in the interplay of these elements as well as your personal accomplishments and potential for success.”
The list of personal accomplishments - and hurdles overcome - is a long one for both Rodriguez and Short.
First and foremost is their less than ideal learning environment. In 2008, only five out of 100 juniors and seniors at Inglewood High passed the AP exams, compared with a statewide average of 27 out of 100, according to the Inglewood Board of Education site. That same year, 46 percent of Inglewood High’s graduating class attended a California community college, while only 7 percent attended a UC school.
Danita Whitaker, a high school counselor from Inglewood High School, said both Rodriguez and Short were exceptional students who defied the odds. Both maintain a grade point average more than 4.0.
“It is amazing because the marching band is a major commitment,” she said. “For [Rodriguez] to perform in the classroom, and perform as he does in the band, is amazing how he is able to do all that. And Courtney always keeps a rigorous academic schedule.”
Rodriguez was raised by a single mother who works as a hotel maid during the week, and cleans private homes on the weekends to make ends meet. His biggest time commitment is the Inglewood High marching band. He practices every day after school, and his weekends are filled with performances at parades, games and competitions, like Battle of the Bands.
But Rodriguez, who dreams of becoming a physician, still finds time to study.
“I love helping people,” he said. “I will be the wall that helps them from getting too sick.”
His older sister, Stephanie, said his drive to succeed comes from within.
“He doesn’t have the same lifestyle I did,” she said. “He comes straight home and does his homework. He is more dedicated to his school work.”
For Short, that kind of personal drive was key to her accomplishments. She founded the Inglewood High School Spanish Club, which raised money to send to Haiti. She also volunteers every weekend for about six hours at the Walls Group Home, a residential facility for disabled children. She plans to major in biochemistry, and hopes to become an anesthesiologist.
“I found that you have to be really diligent and determined,” Short said. “When the teacher tells you that you don’t have anything to do tonight, you just have to take the initiative and study that night. It’s just a lot of hard work.”
Seven relatives live under one roof in the Short household, including Short’s grandmother, who has Alzheimer's disease. The only working member of the family is Short’s father. The entire family is proud of Short's achievements, but even with a generous financial aid package, sending her to USC is going to be difficult, said her mother, Danielle Short.
“It is an extreme sacrifice for us,” she said. “This is something Courtney wants to do and she usually makes very good decisions, and she is very determined.”
For her part, Courtney Short said USC seems to be the perfect fit.
Courtney Short Photo courtesy of: Courtney Short |
Rodriguez received a financial aid package worth $46,000 in grants and loans. His family has to come up with an additional $9,000. Rodriguez is busy applying for additional grants and scholarships.
“I am trying to get as much free money as I can,” he said.
Getting accepted to USC was an impressive feat. Once they arrive, Rodriguez, a Latino, and Short, an African-American, may be put into the position of having to prove themselves yet again, said USC sophomore Jade Fields, a former Inglewood resident.
Fields said many of her classmates assume that minorities in college are athletes instead of scholars. But in the freshman class of fall 2009, only five percent of African-American and Latino students were athletes.
“Inglewood gets a bad rep,” Fields said. “I think seeing a minority in college automatically makes people assume athlete. It is just ingrained I guess. I think it is such a ridiculous stereotype that definitely upsets me. I have people asking me all the time if I am an athlete.”
African-American and Latino students make up about 18.9 percent of the undergraduates at USC. Caucasians make up about 44.3 percent, followed by Asians at 23.5 percent.
Fields offered a few words of advice for Rodriguez and Short.
“Just realize that stereotypes aren’t going to go away anytime soon,” she said. “It’s possible to overcome the adversities of the ‘hood. You just have to believe that you can.”
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