New 2007-2008 Student Handbook - in DOC format (you need word on your computer to open it)
Ridgefield ABC is a community-based residential educational program serving eight academically motivated, minority students from educationally disadvantaged backgrounds.
Ridgefield ABC is a local chapter of the national program, A Better Chance, Inc. which began in 1963. A Better Chance, Inc. has helped over 11,000 young scholars by giving them the opportunity to thrive in a safe and caring environment. Each year, A Better Chance, Inc. selects talented and motivated minority students from educationally disadvantaged areas, and submits their names to the prep school and public school A Better Chance programs all over the country. In a careful process, a match is made between students and local ABC groups. Ridgefield ABC is one of only 26 public-school, community-based A Better Chance programs. There are approximately 200 independent day and boarding schools that are a part of A Better Chance, Inc.
Ridgefield ABC was founded in 1984 by a group of Ridgefield High School students who became aware of the ABC program at New Canaan High School. After incorporation in 1985 followed by two years of planning, fundraising, and extensive community participation, in the fall of 1987 Ridgefield ABC welcomed to the newly purchased and renovated ABC house in Ridgefield, the first four young women who attended Ridgefield High School. Currently there are eight young women living in the ABC Ridgefield house under the care of the resident director and resident tutor, with the guidance of the ABC board of directors, and with special attention from their host families. Countless other volunteers provide support to both our scholars and the organization in many different ways, some examples of which are academic advisors, college counseling, college testing preparation, private tutoring, transportation, special events, house maintenance, planning and fund raising. Since 1987, thirty two ABC Ridgefield scholars have graduated from Ridgefield High School and 100% have gone on to major universities and colleges. Many of our alumnae are enrolled in medical, dental and law schools.
Ridgefield ABC depends entirely upon private individual, corporate, and organization donations to meet its annual operating budget of approximately $100,000 per school year. We welcome your inquires on how to become a part of this wonderful organization.
ABC BOARD MEMBERS
• Robin Keller Co-President
• Jami Mitchell Co-President
• Donald DeYoung 1st Vice President
• Cynthia Freemyer 2nd Vice President
• Linda Jaslow Recording Secretary
• Melissa Buckwalter Treasurer
• John Anderson Correspondence Secretary & Co-chair House
• Susan Ahern Medical
• Jessica Auerbach Co-chair Standards
• Tom Bergeron Chair House & Governance
• Missy Brazill Fundraising
• David Burke Legal Counsel
• Kathy Curlett Co-chair Standards
• Deborah Evans Co-chair Selection & Co-chair Student Activities
• Kathy Gabbay RHS Liaison
• Karen Gerard Chair College Admissions & Fundraising
• Keith Holmes Personnel & Strategic Planning
• Carol Mahlstedt Chair Orientation
• Christina Paul Selection
• Marie Pinchbeck Chair Academic Advisors & Fundraising
• Andrew Reischer Technology & Co-Chair Selection
• John Shay Strategic Planning & Fundraising
• Courtenay Snellings, Academic & Selection
• Jerome Walters Chair Strategic Planning
ABC STAFF
• Resident Director Natasha McNeal
• Asst. Resident Director Elaine Kelemen
• House Chef Patricia Smith
• Driver John Shrekgast
• Driver Connor Murphy
RHS LIAISON
• Barbara George
HOST FAMILIES
• Lucy & Donald Armour
• Denise & Gerald O’Hara
• Peter Reich & Laura Craighead
• Melissa and Richard Sabovik
• Debbie & Bruce Varnerin
ACADEMIC ADVISORS
• Andrea Beebe
• Laurel Carey
• Anne Cassels
• Cindy Freemyer
• Lynne Harmelin
• Simonne Hewett
• Marie Pinchbeck
• Mary Reeves
• Meg Rooney
• Jackie Walters
• Adrienne Orlan
DIRECTORS EMERITI
• Deborah Evans, Selection & Activities
• Deborah Harris, Co-chair Student Activities
• Christine Lodewick, Fundraising and Alumnae
• Philip Lodewick Fundraising & Strategic Planning
• Wanda McPhaden, Fundraising
• Dorothy Burdick
• Robert Cox
• Ron Faanes
• Dave Goldenberg
• Lionel Ferguson
• Shelly Fisher Chair Transportation & 20th Anniversary Celebration
• Marguerite Jones -20th Anniversary Celebration
• Robert Jones
• Margaret Keane-Strategic Planning & Fundraising
• Ruth Leibowitz
• Jill Mays
• Jackie McBride
• Carol Mahlstedt, Orientation
• Wulfran Polonius