Making The Most Of A Better Chance

Eight years ago, Westport’s ABC House welcomed 3 new Staples freshmen.

Joining A Better Chance — chosen from applicants all over the country — were Jonathan Choi, Charles Winslow and Khalif Rivers.

They quickly immersed themselves in local life. Jonathan made the Staples High School golf team, joined the Break Dancing Club, and spent many Saturdays in New York City, participating in academic enrichment programs. In 2009, he was  Staples’ salutatorian.

Charles was a captain of the volleyball team, a Junior Achievement participant, and held a part-time job.

Khalif played Staples football, and served as a mentor to young ABC scholars.

This spring, all 3 graduated from college. Jonathan went to Harvard, Charles to Cornell, and Khalif to West Virginia University.

So what’s next? Two will work in New York: Jonathan with Lazard Freres as an investment banking analyst focusing on M&A and restructuring; Charles as an analyst at Goldman Sachs, in corporate services and real estate development.

Khalif is taking a year off. Then he’ll start working on his master’s degree in counseling psychology.

I can’t imagine 3 better stories coming out of ABC. Or 3 better examples of why “A Better Chance” may just be the world’s most perfect acronym.