Four students of Our Lady of Grace Senior High School (OLAG), Mamponteng, have been selected to participate in the prestigious Summer Scholars Program, a flagship initiative of the Pre-College Programs at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana, USA.
The students – Francis-Pio Bouhyen Sapaat, Thaddeus Asamoah, Catherine Agamolgama Adabre, and Nina Wineloya Atarah – will join high-achieving students from diverse backgrounds in an immersive academic experience designed to expose participants to university-level learning and global perspectives. Their selection marks another significant milestone in the school’s growing record of international academic engagement.
Notably, this year’s participation represents the fifth occasion on which students from Our Lady of Grace Senior High School, Mamponteng, have been afforded the opportunity to take part in the renowned programme. Over the years, the Summer Scholars Program has served as a valuable platform for OLAG students to broaden their academic horizons, engage with world-class faculty, and experience learning environments beyond Ghana’s educational landscape.
During the two-week programme, each student will pursue studies aligned with his or her academic interests. Francis-Pio will participate in Exploring the World of Chemistry, while Catherine will undertake studies in Accounting. Nina will explore the field of Neuroscience, and Thaddeus will engage in coursework in Law. Through these courses, the students will gain exposure to university-level instruction, collaborative learning, and critical thinking experiences that will enrich their academic development.
Beyond the classroom, the students will have the opportunity to engage in cultural and community interactions during their stay in the United States. They are expected to interact with parishioners of the Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, Edina, Minnesota, as well as friends and partners of the Rise and Shine Foundation, an organisation that has played a pivotal role in supporting scholarship and financial aid opportunities for brilliant but financially challenged students of Our Lady of Grace Senior High School, Mamponteng.
The partnership between OLAG, the Rise and Shine Foundation, and the University of Notre Dame has proven transformative for many students over the years. In addition to providing participants with international academic exposure, the programme has inspired and prepared several past beneficiaries to pursue undergraduate studies at some of the leading universities in the United States. Consequently, the initiative continues to expand opportunities for talented young people and strengthen the school’s commitment to academic excellence and global citizenship.
The success of this longstanding collaboration would not have been possible without the generosity and dedication of numerous individuals and institutions. The school, therefore, expresses its profound appreciation to the Board and friends of the Rise and Shine Foundation, its major donors, Warren and Mary Lynn Staley, the parishioners of the Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church in Edina, Minnesota, and the University of Notre Dame for their unwavering support and commitment to sustaining this life-changing partnership.
As Francis-Pio, Thaddeus, Catherine, and Nina prepare to embark on this exciting journey, they carry with them the hopes and pride of the entire OLAG community. Their participation not only reflects their individual hard work and potential but also reinforces the school’s vision of nurturing globally minded students equipped to excel in an increasingly interconnected world.