Former astronaut Bernard Harris, the first African American to walk in space, visited Boude Storey Middle School to encourage students to follow their dreams and consider careers in science, technology, engineering, and math.

The visit was part of Harris’ Dream Tour to 10 cities through the Harris Foundation and a grant from the ExxonMobil Foundation. The goal of the tour is to encourage communities to demand access to strong science and math programs in the schools, improve teacher training in STEM programs, and increase access to Advanced Placement courses for students.

During Harris’ visit to Dallas, several students at Boude Storey had the opportunity to sit in actual rocket cockpit seats to get a feel for what space travel might be like.

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AT&T Foundation announces grant to benefit Dallas ISD students

During a commitment-to-college ceremony at Early College High School with Cedar Valley College at Nolan Estes Plaza, Holly Reed, executive director of External Affairs for AT&T Texas, announced a $1 million gift to create the AT&T Early College High School Scholarship Fund and a new office of college readiness and academic services at the University of North Texas Dallas Campus.

The grant will fund curriculum and programs that will help students make the transition from Early College High School with Cedar Valley College—where they will graduate in four years with up to 60 hours of college credit—to the four-year college degree program at UNT. Through the grant, the top 25 percent of ECHS graduates will be offered a full scholarship to complete their final two years of college at the UNT Dallas Campus and the top 50 percent will be eligible for partial scholarship assistance.

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