SPARKS members gather at Camp Tontozona for retreat. Photo courtesy ASU SPARKS

SPARKS: Impacting today for a better tomorrow

By Frank Gracia
Special to West Times

Scholars at the Brookings Institution in Washington and sponsored by the Pew Charitable Trust concluded that “too many bright children do not receive good advice about applying for college or scholarships.”

As a result, according to Pathways to College Network, “More than a fifth of college-qualified, low-income high school graduates do not enter college, low-income, academically-prepared high school graduates scoring in the top quartile on achievement tests attend college at the same rate as high-income graduates scoring in the bottom quartile.”

That is where ASU SPARKS comes in. Originally established in 2004, SPARKS (Students Providing Awareness, Resources, & Knowledge to Start College) is an outreach mechanism under the “Access ASU” initiative. The top priority of SPARKS is to increase college enrollment among disadvantaged youths who demonstrate the potential to succeed in an effort to have a positive impact upon the nation.

“SPARKS embodies the very idea of hope and empowerment, and has shown me that I can make a difference in our youth despite my personal shortcomings and has unveiled many qualities that I didn’t know I had,” said Antonio Daniels, a junior majoring in applied computing and SPARKS member.

Monica Flores, another SPARKS member and freshman majoring in global business concurred with Daniels’ sentiments. “As a member of SPARKS I believe strongly that all of our members have what it takes to change the lives of many students who want to pursue higher education and also of those who think they can’t. SPARKS is what all high school and middle school students need, that little ‘spark’ to lighten their way into ASU.”

SPARKS utilizes ASU students to assist with outreach and recruitment efforts. Members help identify, assist and motivate students from grades 7-12 who demonstrate the potential to succeed in higher education. Through the guidance of SPARKS members, these students are given awareness, resources and knowledge as it relates to entering and succeeding at the university level.

The SPARKS program provides an opportunity to support ASU’S Vision of establishing ASU as the model for a New American University, measured not by who we exclude, but rather by who we include; pursuing research and discovery that benefits the public good; assuming major responsibility for the economic, social, and cultural vitality and health and well being of the community.

Students who have a passion and are committed to motivating youth, consider being an ASU SPARKS member. For more info on the SPARKS program and how to get involved, contact Frank Gracia, West campus Team Leader, at Frank.Gracia@asu.edu.