Boston 2010 Scholar: Gaddi Fils Aime

Gaddi is a student at Nativity Prep who is actively involved in the arts at his local YMCA. He is looking forward most to improving his articistic abilities while exploring Mother Nature at camp Med-O-Lark.

NYC 2010 Scholar: Elijah Jacob Charbonier

Elijah is a 6th grader at TASS Middle School and has always had a love for music. Teachers describe him as a natural born leader who does best when expressing himself through art, music, and writing. Although he has not been able to receive any formal training or to attend music performances, he has taught himself the drums and is eager to learn the guitar. Appel Farm will offer Elijah a unique opportunity to improve his skills and to explore new talents.

Scholar-a-Day Countdown!!

GOTO is running a blog-a-thon to celebrate the new class of scholars! Starting today, June 17th, and continuing every day for the next 10 days leading up to camp, we'll be updating the blog with bios on each new NYC and Boston scholar. Make sure to check out the blog every day to learn more about our amazing kids!!

Appel Farm Exec Director Honored

The Executive Director of Appel Farm Arts & Music Summer Camp (GOTO New York's partner camp) Mark Packer, received the Lillian Levy Standing Ovation Award, the South Jersey Cultural Alliance’s highest honor, for his leadership in supporting the region and the State’s arts and cultural organizations.

Mr. Packer joined the staff of Appel Farm in 1984. From 1985 through 1987 he served as the Summer Arts Camp Director and in 1988 became the Executive Director. A native of Montreal, Canada, he is a graduate cum laude of Kenyon College, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology, and attended courses towards his Ph.D. at the University of Pennsylvania and Temple University. He plays a major role in regional and statewide arts organizations including the South Jersey Cultural Alliance, which he co-founded in 1992 and is currently a Trustee.

He is also the President of ArtPride New Jersey, the statewide advocacy organization for the non-profit arts industry, where he has been a Trustee since 1988. He co-founded the Arts & Business Partnership of Southern New Jersey and was honored in 2002 as the recipient of ABP's annual Art Partner of the Year. He has served as a consultant and panelist for numerous organizations, including the Gloucester County Cultural and Heritage Commission, and the G.G.Green Redevelopment Project. Congrats from all of GOTO, Mark!

GOTO NYC Scholarship Reception - May 22

Friends of GOTO:

Please mark your calendars!

On Saturday, May 22nd, please join us for GOTO's Class of 2010 & Returning Scholars Reception. Held at the Center for Arts Education (A on map below) near Madison Square Garden (B on map below). Here's the full address:

14 Penn Plaza 225 West 34th Street

Suite 1112

New York, NY 10122

Please join us between 1:30 and 2:30pm on this special day as we welcome the new GOTO scholars and parents to the GOTO Family, as well as catch up with returning scholars and parents.

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GOTO NYC's Class of 2010

GOTO NY has selected the new class of lucky sixth graders who'll be making the trek to Elmer, New Jersey this summer!

As the kids look forward to their 1st day of camp (Sunday, June 25th), we'll be introducing you to all of our amazing scholars - one day at a time.

Look out for GOTO Scholar bio-a-thon beginning in June!

Who Gains the Most From a College Education?

There was an interesting post on this week's Freakonomics blog quantifying the value of a college education to underprivileged students.

A new study finds that the students who are least likely to go to college (based on family background, abilities, and friend group) are the ones with the most to gain from a degree. Jennie E. Brand and Yu Xie find that the unlikeliest male college graduates earned 30% more over their lifetimes than comparable men who earned only a high school degree.

It makes you wonder which kids gain the most from a summer music camp experience? To read the full post, you can check it out here.