For the Kennett Education Foundation, to invest in education is to invest in the future of our community. With more than $1,000,000 in student scholarships awarded since 2001, the organization’s impact extends beyond the classroom—paving the way to a bright future for students like Jorge Leon-Silva.
As the recipient of the Kennett Education Foundation’s STEPS to Success Scholarship in 2023, Jorge still finds it hard to believe that he was selected among so many deserving applicants. He credits the remarkable support from Kennett High School staff members Dr. DeAngelis, Mrs. Chase, and Mrs. August-Ruffin for inspiring him to stay on track with his education, a journey that he admits was not always certain.
Coming from a hardworking family with various trade careers, Jorge knew that he wanted to pursue a similar path after graduation. “I’m the kind of person who needs to be doing something active,” he explains. However, figuring out where to start was another challenge. With guidance from KHS Counselor Mrs. Chase during his senior year, Jorge began exploring vocational school options and the necessary scholarships and financial aid that could help him achieve his goals. Encouraged by her support, Jorge decided to apply for the STEPS to Success Scholarship—a decision that changed everything.
Thanks to the STEPS to Success Scholarship, Jorge was able to cover the tuition costs for a Certificate of Proficiency in the Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVAC&R) occupations program at Delaware County Community College (DCCC). The scholarship also helped him purchase essential tools, which he put to good use after graduating from DCCC and starting his new job as a Service Technician at R&D Heating and Cooling. As fate would have it, Jorge and Dr. DeAngelis crossed paths during his first week on the job in a Kennett Square neighborhood, bringing his experience in the Kennett Consolidated School District full circle.
For Jorge, paying it forward is a personal mission. With two younger siblings navigating the hallways of the Kennett Consolidated School District— one of whom is currently a freshman at Kennett High School—Jorge has wholeheartedly embraced the role of a mentor. He encourages his siblings to ask for help and stay motivated, regardless of how challenging things may become. He strives to help them stay on the right path to realizing their own dreams and success after graduation, leading by example.
To learn more about how you can invest in the future of our students and Kennett Square community, please visit the Kennett Education Foundation website: www.KennettEducationFoundation.org.
image: Jorge Leon-Silva, Kennett High School Class of 2023, and Dr. Lorenzo DeAngelis, Kennett High School Principal
