‘Snowball’ brings community together to celebrate students and their future
New Haven’s Fair Haven School on Friday played host to the 16th annual “Snowball” assembly, a morning of music and dance, cheerleaders and costume changes, enthusiastic performances and inspirational speech. On hand for the high-energy event were a wide array of city, state, and university leaders, including Yale President Maurie McInnis — “All of Us,” as the theme had it, attesting to the communal effort to give every child the opportunity to achieve and grow.
The yearly gathering shines a spotlight on the school’s Kindergarten through 8th grade students, promotes physical fitness and boosts college and career aspirations, and celebrates the Yale-funded New Haven Promise scholarship program.
The program provides up to 100% of tuition for Elm City public school students who attend a two- or four-year public college in Connecticut, and up to $2,500 toward tuition at an in-state private, not-for-profit institution. Yale annually contributes up to $5 million per year.
The assembly featured a keynote speaker, Elisha Correa, who offered first-hand encouragement: a Fair Haven alum, she is currently attending Central Connecticut State University on a New Haven Promise scholarship.
Other leaders and luminaries on hand included New Haven Promise Executive Director Patricia Melton, New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker, U.S. Representative Rosa DeLauro, Connecticut State Representative Al Paolillo, and a number of Connecticut college and university presidents. New Haven’s police and fire chiefs were also in attendance, along with several New Haven city alders.
More than 200 Fair Haven School students have earned Promise scholarships, with more than 70 currently enrolled as scholars. Since the scholarship was established, in 2010, it has awarded $33 million in college funding for New Haven public school students.
Read more about the New Haven Promise scholarship program and see more photos from Friday’s festive event below.
