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Posse Graduation


Class of 2011 members of Dickinson's third Los Angeles Posse (LA III) and seventh New York Posse (NY 7) reflected on their shared journey at Dickinson—and thanked those who helped guide them through it—during the May 21 Posse graduation ceremony. The event honored the accomplishments of NY 7 members Gilbert Bonafe, Luigi Fu, Corinthia Jacobs, Anum Khan, Jeyla Mammadova, Johnathan Nieves, Rockyatu Otoo, Ashley Peel, Jennifer Ramos, Ahkeem Simmons and Flosha Tejada and LA III members Anna Aroutiounian, Anthony Bush, Luis Esparza, Jessica Flores, Gina Gonsalez, Leslie Mendoza, Michelle Sanchez, Reco Sanders, Elvira Yanez and Juan Carlos Flores, Dickinson's first Posse Student Senate president and the first Hispanic-American and Muslim student to hold that office.

After the graduating seniors and loved ones spoke about the challenges and rewards of the Posse experience, and a representative from the Posse Foundation presented each graduating scholar with a Posse diploma, an engraved business-card holder and a key representing the many doors of opportunity now open to them.


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  • Parents of Posse scholars shared their perspectives on the Posse experience. Above, the father of Flosha Tejada '11 speaks to the group.
    A Parent's View
  • Elvira Yanez '11, a member of the LA Posse, earned a double-degree in Spanish and American studies.
    Elvira Yanez '11
  • Shaka Tafari '09, a Posse alumnus, speaks about his experiences at Dickinson and beyond.
    Shaka Tafari '09
  • The Posse scholars respond during the ceremony. Front row: Juan Carlos Flores '11. Back row (from left): The class of 2011's Anthony Bush , Jessica Flores, Ashley Peel, Corinthia Jacobs and Luigi Fu.
    Jessica Flores '11
  • Joyce Bylander, special assistant to the president for institutional and diversity initiatives, is Dickinson's Posse campus liaison and mentor for the New York and Los Angeles Posses and an inspiring guiding force in those Posse scholars' lives.
    Joyce Bylander
  • Audience members applaud the Posse scholars' achievements.
    Applause
Parents of Posse scholars shared their perspectives on the Posse experience. Above, the father of Flosha Tejada '11 speaks to the group.Prev ImageNext Image

By MaryAlice Bitts Jackson
Photos by Jen Crowley '12