The Beautiful Minds Project was established in the fall of 2003 to bring the talent, experience, and resources of Princeton alumni together with the curiosity and enthusiasm of the children of Ralph J. Bunche Elementary School. It seeks to inspire children to pursue higher education and promote alumni appreciation of the challenges and triumphs of schools in underserved areas of Los Angeles.
2005-2006 was a landmark year for Ralph J. Bunche Elementary School and PCSC is proud that the Beautiful Minds Project (the Project) has played a role in the school's success. The year began on a musical note as the Katzenjammers rolled into town last fall. The famed Princeton acappella group performed before a hall of mesmerized fifth graders who snapped their fingers to the lively tunes. After the performance, the singers joined the students in their classrooms to entertain questions about the Princeton experience. (Thanks to Luis Escontrias P'08 and his daughter, Katzenjammer Pilar Escontrias '08, who arranged the group's visit to Bunche.)
Just in time for President's Day, sixty fifth grade students received another treat- a special field trip to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Museum & Air Force One Pavilion in Simi Valley. The students' thank you letters to PCSC reflected their excitement about boarding Air Force One and their learning about Ronald Reagan, his political career, and his penchant for Jelly Bellys. PCSC's Ivy Network provided transportation, snacks (including jelly beans!), and souvenirs with funds raised from the December 2005 All Ivy Holiday mixer at Santa Monica's hip restaurant, Akwa. (The Project thanks all who attended the popular holiday mixer and Ivy Network Chair Norma Iris Garcia '79, who organized both the mixer and the school's field trip.)
The year also featured a visit from bodybuilder Jason Kozma, Mr. America 2004, as part of Bunche's Fitness Day 2006. The students were thrilled to have a celebrity in their midst and eagerly collected autographs. (The Project thanks Sujay Jaswa '01, L.A. Chapter Director of the On Your Feet Project, for bringing Mr. America to Bunche.)
Bunche's crowning achievement for the year came in April, when the school was selected to receive the prestigious California Distinguished School Award. Each year only about five percent of Bunche's crowning achievement for the year came in April, when the school California's public schools are selected for the award, which was created to honor the state's most exemplary and inspiring public schools. Bunche is one of a few Title I schools, and the first Compton Unified School District member, to receive the Award. Beautiful Minds Project Director, Monica Egbuonu '84, was invited to address the selection committee in support of Bunche's application. In a May 11th speech, Governor Schwarzenegger acknowledged the school's achievements, stating, "I want to hear more stories like the amazing turnaround of the Ralph Bunche Elementary School in Compton."; For the full text of the governor's remarks about Bunche, visit http://gov.ca.gov/indexphp?/speech/190/
PCSC looks forward to the Project's 2006-2007 campaign. The hope is to increase participation by Princeton alumni and friends and bring new elementary schools into the Project. If you would like more information, or would like to be involved, contact Project Director Monica Egbuonu '84 at megbuonu@alumni.princeton.edu.
