MINNEAPOLIS (May 24, 2011) – Nearly 1,000 low-income students celebrated their achievements at the tenth annual Admission Possible Twin Cities Year-End Graduation Celebration May 21 at the University of Minnesota’s Ted Mann Auditorium.

Seniors at the ceremony successfully completed Admission Possible’s free two-year college access program. They worked with an AmeriCorps coach to complete 320 hours of intensive curriculum over the course of two years ranging from ACT practice tests to campus visits, with the final goal of gaining admission to college, securing financial aid and choosing a school that’s a good fit.

Of the 676 Twin Cities seniors in the program, 95 percent have already earned admission to at least one college. Many Admission Possible students will be the first in their families to attend college, making this celebration especially joyous.

“I feel relieved after finishing all of the ACT prep, and all the scholarship and college applications,” said Peter Xiong, a senior in Admission Possible at Edison High School who will study architecture at North Dakota State University. “I really appreciate the help from Admission Possible.”

Students reflected on their hard work, their strong bond with coaches and appreciated the rewards of months of preparing for the ACT exam and completing college applications. Low-income students across the country enter college at less than one-third the rate of their wealthier peers. The energy and excitement on Saturday showed that Admission Possible students are eager to change that.

“Whatever you do, don’t sell yourself short, because you’ve got a great future,” said Senator Amy Klobuchar to Admission Possible students in attendance. “You are the next generation of leaders and you are going to college to learn and figure out how to do things like make cars run without oil, cure disease and make sure all students get an education. The future of our world is in your hands and when I look out there today, it’s looking pretty bright!”

In addition to celebrating the seniors’ plans, the day featured student skits and live performances, many of them gestures of appreciation for the support they have received and glimpses of the hopes seniors have about their college journey ahead.

“You have reached a moment that deserves reflection as well as exuberance,” said Nimo Ali, Admission Possible Class of 2007 and Carleton College Class of 2011, who gave the alumni keynote address Saturday. “The next few years will be crucial in forming who you are and who you will become. I ask you to indulge your mind, invest in your dreams and work towards your greatness.”

The Year-End Graduation Celebration was also a time to welcome more than 750 newly-admitted sophomores and recognize more than 700 juniors’ accomplishments throughout the year.

This year’s Admission Possible Year-End Graduation Celebration was made possible by the presenting sponsor Travelers and the host sponsor the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities Office of Admissions.