Stepping It Up

STEP hosted a graduation party for its 2010 Scarsdale High School Grad David Bougard. Family and friends gathered at Anna Decker’s home to celebrate David’s many achievements. In speaking to his entire STEP family at the graduation party, David emotionally acknowledged all the love and support he has received from so many members of the community.

Scarsdale’s Tom and Terese Hunersen have been David’s host family since September, 2008. Their three children Will, Kara, and Chelsea helped David adjust to life in Scarsdale, introducing them to friends and adopting him as their brother. David’s two year stay has also been supported by STEP which is totally funded by community contributions and run by an enthusiastic board of volunteers currently co-chaired by Michelle Lichtenberg and Liz Gruber. The STEP board helps the local family by providing guidance, transportation, tutoring, resources and support.

For those unfamiliar with STEP (Scarsdale Transfer Education Plan), it was founded in 1966 and is a community program that identifies promising students of color from throughout the U.S. enabling them to attend Scarsdale High School for their junior and senior years. The students live with a local family and become part of the entire community. By offering these students exposure to the opportunities and challenges of Scarsdale High School, STEP helps them prepare for college and develop skills that will help them throughout their lives.

Chatrese Smith, David’s mother, who travelled here for graduation, spoke of the difficulty of letting David go away for the last two years. “One day David came home and said, “I’m going to New York for school next year.” Of course, I thought he was joking. But several days later, this woman with a French accent (Beatrice Rocca Stein) called me and started talking about the STEP program. David had heard about it from a former STEP student (Darrian Mumphrey) and I just knew I had to let him go. He’s grown so much and had opportunities I just couldn’t provide for him in Memphis. Now he’s going off to Lehigh University in the fall…I couldn’t be prouder! I am so grateful to the Hunersens and Scarsdale for all they have done for David."

If you would like to contribute or be involved with STEP, please email Michelle Lichtenberg at michelle.lichtenberg@gmail.com. For additional information you can also check out the STEP website at: www.step2scarsdale.org