The Ministry Center is working with the Crossroads Foundation to establish a fund to provide an educational opportunity to our first St. Mary Magdalene Scholar because  education is transformational.  It provides opportunities that otherwise may not present themselves. 
 
For over 32 years, the Crossroads Foundation has been working with high school students “to provide promising youth who have limited options access to a quality Catholic high school education by nurturing their academic and personal growth so they are prepared to succeed in college and in life” (Crossroads Mission statement).
 
Crossroads works with each student, providing a network of support: academic, college and career readiness, personal and social wellness, and tuition assistance.  Crossroads counselors work to support each student holistically throughout their four years of high school, through mentoring and advocacy.  Through tutoring, enrichment activities, college preparation and career exploration,  Crossroads has helped over 700 students, all of whom have graduated from high school and 96% have gone on to college. 
 
Crossroads students attend one of six Catholic high schools in Allegheny County: Oakland Catholic, Central Catholic, Serra, Seton LaSalle, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, or Bishop Canevin.
 
Meet Aaryah, the first St. Mary Magdalene Scholar at Crossroads Foundation. In June she graduated from Sr. Thea Bowman Catholic Academy, and next Fall she will attend Serra Catholic High School with help from the Crossroads Foundation. As a Crossroads scholar, Aaryah will have opportunities and support throughout her four years of high school so that she can achieve her college and career dreams. A straight “A” student,
 
Aaryah is interested in exploring careers in law or medicine, and both of those interests are motivated by the  desire to help others in need. Aaryah has faced some significant challenges including losing her father tragically and unexpectedly last year. During that time, Aaryah “lost myself when losing him...but pulled myself together and learned that when times get rough, I can still change everything around, slowly but surely.” Sr. Thea Bowman science teacher, Ms. DeBruyn, recommended Aaryah to Crossroads because “she is focused and determined, intelligent and hard-working. She has endured the hardship of losing her father suddenly yet has allowed that to motivate her instead of trapping her. She is such a deserving, wonderful student where any financial aid and career counsel would be a gift and asset to our entire community with how she gives back and contributes.” 
 
As the St. Mary Magdalene Scholar, Aaryah will receive an additional tuition award to enable her to attend Serra and participate in Crossroads. Members of the parish will also have the opportunity to meet Aaryah and her mother, receive updates as she progresses through high school, and serve as mentors and coaches for Aaryah and her fellow Crossroads friends. You can help Aaryah achieve her God-given potential by supporting the St. Mary Magdalene Scholar fund.
 
Contributions to the Scholar Fund may be sent to the parish office with a notation that it is for the fund.