M.O.S.T.E. Index

What is More MOSTE?

To really understand More MOSTE, you have to meet our girls. Marisol Leon joined MOSTE in 8 th grade because she wanted to go to college. Neither of her parents was educated, but she couldn't shake the idea of becoming a college success story.

Then a teacher at her Los Angeles middle school told her that colleges didn't take girls like her. In MOSTE, she discovered just the opposite: that girls like her do belong in college.

Marisol graduated cum laude from Yale this May and told her story at the Culmination Ceremony last June. She swept away tears when she spoke about the teacher who so callously had discarded her dream. Her presence and her story served as a powerful example for the 7th and 8th graders who were awed to see that someone just like them—hearing the same negative messages they sometimes hear in their neighborhoods and families—didn't listen.

In September 2007, MOSTE partnered with Occidental College to launch its new high-school program called More MOSTE. It is a college access program aimed at increasing access to higher education for our scholars. We aim to bridge the gap between poverty and privilege by offering similar opportunities that kids at good public schools and private schools get. We assist our scholars in becoming well rounded college applicants by helping them prepare for college, choose a college, apply and pay for college, attend college and succeed once they get there.

The program consists of workshops, group activities and events that reinforce our college-access mission. More MOSTE provides a vital resource in helping our scholars select the best high school they can get into, understand college requirements, apply to college, seek financial aid, decide what college to go to and keep in touch once they are in college, These are life-changing choices for our scholars, most of whom would never have self-selected as being college material despite their good grades and capabilities.

Our young women work hard to overcome personal and academic barriers in their lives; our commitment is to work just as hard to make sure they have not only the money to go to college but the money to stay in college.

The More MOSTE program for high school girls includes:

Four on-campus workshops that include “a day at college,” A to G requirements, communication “ice breakers” sessions, etc.
Eight-week SAT course for juniors and college essay writing tutoring for juniors.
Overnight college visits
Participation in community service projects
Goal-setting for summer break
Assistance in finding summer internships
Cultural events

Long-term goals of MOSTE middle- and high-school programs are to:

Create a college culture among our girls beginning in the 7th grade, a culture that grows each year she's in MOSTE.

Empower young girls to commit to and chart their academic future by showing them the path to college. We expect 100% of our girls to attend a four-year university.
We expect them to graduate from high school, college and earn advance degrees.
Build confidence—personally and academically--in each girl to be the best student she can be. We ensure that each girl knows the A-G college requirements and what grade point average they need to enter college, how to fill out financial aid forms, etc.
Ensure girls attend a better high school than the one in their neighborhood, providing them with private and charter schools options that will increase their odds of going to college.
Award scholarships—in 8th grade and in their senior year—to help them overcome financial obstacles (all of our girls have profound financial need).
Elevate the community and neighborhoods these girls come from by instilling in them the ethic that their own success is not enough; they must return to open the door for others.

At More MOSTE, we seek real-time change in the poorest communities in Southern California. Our program changes lives, one girl at a time. Please join us in our important mission and help change the world... one girl at a time.

Who are the More MOSTE Scholars?

They live in low-income communities and attend a variety of high schools in mid-city Los Angeles, south L.A. and eastern Pasadena where they face a myriad of societal barriers to success. Many of their parents are immigrants who speak little or no English. Most of their parents have had little formal education and work at low paying jobs. Many of the households are headed by a female. Many live at or below the poverty line. The neighborhoods represented are low-income. Ethnic/racial background: 60% Latina, 40% African-American (by self identification on application). Approximate income level: Median household incomes range from $14,847 to $56,426 though most fall in the mid $20,000 to $30,000 range. Some of our students' families are at poverty level.

Who are the More MOSTE Supporters and Partners?

Joseph Drown, Western Association of College Admissions Counselors; Los Angeles Lakers; IEAC; Los Angeles Women's Giving Circle; First Regional Bank; College Access Foundation; Mt. St. Mary's College; Eric Peters and Los Angeles City College; Occidental College; Town Ride; Sherry Banks and Yvonne Berumen from Fulfillment Fund; Alejandro Tinajero from Hispanic Scholarship Fund; Julieta Mendez from Fulfillment Fund; Herson at The Alliance; Stephen Johnson from Bright Minds Tutoring.

Are We Making A Difference?

My experience with the girls from MOSTE has been an extremely positive one. During my first meeting with the 11th graders for our SAT prep class I asked each girl what their future plans were. Most of the girls had very clear and concise plans for the colleges they wanted to attend and the careers they wanted to pursue. Each girl exhibited a great understanding for the dedication it takes to succeed academically and took pride in becoming the first in their families to attend college. I have been very impressed by the maturity of the MOSTE girls, their poise, and the great sense of community I observe whenever I am in their presence. I would recommend MOSTE to any young woman who desires the leadership and accountability needed to achieve their goals in life and I look forward to hearing the great success stories to come from these talented and bright young ladies!

Stephen Johnson, SAT Tutor

CEO, Bright Minds Tutoring

MOSTE is led by an incredible group of professional women that are dedicated to cultivating an environment where teenage girls are mentored to create their own opportunities for success in life and the desire to become role models while contributing to the betterment of their community. Every mentee is surrounded with an immense amount of support through the program's mentors, workshops, life experiences and college opportunities. These teenage girls face incredible challenges but have the spirit and vigor to move forward because of the support MOSTE provides. I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to teach and learn from these inspiring mentees and applaud the work you are doing today for and with tomorrow's leaders.

Judy Davidds-Wright

Etiquette Workshop Presenter for MOSTE & Director of Community Partnerships for Green Dot Public Schools



				What is More MOSTE? To really understand More MOSTE, you have to meet our girls. Marisol Leon joined MOSTE in 8 th grade because she wanted to go to college. Neither of her parents was educated, but she couldn't shake the idea of becoming a college success story. Then a teacher at her Los Angeles middle school told her that colleges didn't take girls like her. In MOSTE, she discovered just the opposite: that girls like her do belong in college. Marisol graduated cum laude from Yale this May and told her story at the Culmination Ceremony last June. She swept away tears when she spoke about the teacher who so callously had discarded her dream. Her presence and her story served as a powerful example for the 7th and 8th graders who were awed to see that someone just like them—hearing the same negative messages they sometimes hear in their neighborhoods and families—didn't listen. In September 2007, MOSTE partnered with Occidental College to launch its new high-school program called More MOSTE. It is a college access program aimed at increasing access to higher education for our scholars. We aim to bridge the gap between poverty and privilege by offering similar opportunities that kids at good public schools and private schools get. We assist our scholars in becoming well rounded college applicants by helping them prepare for college, choose a college, apply and pay for college, attend college and succeed once they get there. The program consists of workshops, group activities and events that reinforce our college-access mission. More MOSTE provides a vital resource in helping our scholars select the best high school they can get into, understand college requirements, apply to college, seek financial aid, decide what college to go to and keep in touch once they are in college, These are life-changing choices for our scholars, most of whom would never have self-selected as being college material despite their good grades and capabilities. Our young women work hard to overcome personal and academic barriers in their lives; our commitment is to work just as hard to make sure they have not only the money to go to college but the money to stay in college. The More MOSTE program for high school girls includes: Four on-campus workshops that include “a day at college,” A to G requirements, communication “ice breakers” sessions, etc. Eight-week SAT course for juniors and college essay writing tutoring for juniors. Overnight college visits Participation in community service projects Goal-setting for summer break Assistance in finding summer internships Cultural events Long-term goals of MOSTE middle- and high-school programs are to: Create a college culture among our girls beginning in the 7th grade, a culture that grows each year she's in MOSTE. Empower young girls to commit to and chart their academic future by showing them the path to college. We expect 100% of our girls to attend a four-year university. We expect them to graduate from high school, college and earn advance degrees. Build confidence—personally and academically--in each girl to be the best student she can be. We ensure that each girl knows the A-G college requirements and what grade point average they need to enter college, how to fill out financial aid forms, etc. Ensure girls attend a better high school than the one in their neighborhood, providing them with private and charter schools options that will increase their odds of going to college. Award scholarships—in 8th grade and in their senior year—to help them overcome financial obstacles (all of our girls have profound financial need). Elevate the community and neighborhoods these girls come from by instilling in them the ethic that their own success is not enough; they must return to open the door for others. At More MOSTE, we seek real-time change in the poorest communities in Southern California. Our program changes lives, one girl at a time. Please join us in our important mission and help change the world... one girl at a time. Who are the More MOSTE Scholars? They live in low-income communities and attend a variety of high schools in mid-city Los Angeles, south L.A. and eastern Pasadena where they face a myriad of societal barriers to success. Many of their parents are immigrants who speak little or no English. Most of their parents have had little formal education and work at low paying jobs. Many of the households are headed by a female. Many live at or below the poverty line. The neighborhoods represented are low-income. Ethnic/racial background: 60% Latina, 40% African-American (by self identification on application). Approximate income level: Median household incomes range from $14,847 to $56,426 though most fall in the mid $20,000 to $30,000 range. Some of our students' families are at poverty level. Who are the More MOSTE Supporters and Partners? Joseph Drown, Western Association of College Admissions Counselors; Los Angeles Lakers; IEAC; Los Angeles Women's Giving Circle; First Regional Bank; College Access Foundation; Mt. St. Mary's College; Eric Peters and Los Angeles City College; Occidental College; Town Ride; Sherry Banks and Yvonne Berumen from Fulfillment Fund; Alejandro Tinajero from Hispanic Scholarship Fund; Julieta Mendez from Fulfillment Fund; Herson at The Alliance; Stephen Johnson from Bright Minds Tutoring. Are We Making A Difference? My experience with the girls from MOSTE has been an extremely positive one. During my first meeting with the 11th graders for our SAT prep class I asked each girl what their future plans were. Most of the girls had very clear and concise plans for the colleges they wanted to attend and the careers they wanted to pursue. Each girl exhibited a great understanding for the dedication it takes to succeed academically and took pride in becoming the first in their families to attend college. I have been very impressed by the maturity of the MOSTE girls, their poise, and the great sense of community I observe whenever I am in their presence. I would recommend MOSTE to any young woman who desires the leadership and accountability needed to achieve their goals in life and I look forward to hearing the great success stories to come from these talented and bright young ladies! Stephen Johnson, SAT Tutor CEO, Bright Minds Tutoring MOSTE is led by an incredible group of professional women that are dedicated to cultivating an environment where teenage girls are mentored to create their own opportunities for success in life and the desire to become role models while contributing to the betterment of their community. Every mentee is surrounded with an immense amount of support through the program's mentors, workshops, life experiences and college opportunities. These teenage girls face incredible challenges but have the spirit and vigor to move forward because of the support MOSTE provides. I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to teach and learn from these inspiring mentees and applaud the work you are doing today for and with tomorrow's leaders. Judy Davidds-Wright Etiquette Workshop Presenter for MOSTE & Director of Community Partnerships for Green Dot Public Schools










		Mentoring offers many benefits to youth, including, improving self-esteem, keeping young people in school, helping improve academic skills and leading young people to resources they might not find on their own. (National Mentoring Partnership)
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