Tamera Tate from Mount Vernon STEAM Academy wins $10,000 College Board Scholarship

Tamera Tate, 11th grade student at Mount Vernon STEAM Academy, was awarded a $10,000 scholarship from the College Board in a ceremony on Thursday, March 2, 2023. Michelle Cosner, director of education and partnerships at the College Board presented the award. Tate’s mother, Paulette Warren, and twin sister, Tia Tate, were in attendance to celebrate her accomplishment. 

“This is such a wonderful moment, it really is,” said Dr. K. Veronica Smith, Acting Superintendent of Schools. “I’m so proud of you. I believe that we all have to dream and plan. When you plan and set goals, you are more likely to be successful. You took a few moments to take that opportunity, and those few moments turned into $10,000. We are Mount Vernon, and Mount Vernon is small, but we do big and great things. Magical things happen here in Mount Vernon.” 

The College Board visited Mount Vernon STEAM Academy for a presentation on BigFuture, but they ended the presentation by surprising Tate with the scholarship.  

“This feels surreal,” said Tate. “It’s really surprising and exciting. I thought I would get $10 or something.” 

“Tamera is a hard-working girl,” said Lillian Serret-Morales, principal at Mount Vernon STEAM Academy. “I’m so proud of her. She took the initiative. She just went and got it. We encourage our students to try everything, and that’s why we work. It is the sunshine of my life when I see my students achieve.” 

Only 12 students from New York State were selected for the $10,000 scholarship. Tate was chosen for participating in BigFuture, the College Board’s online guide that helps students plan for life after high school. By participating, scholars can win $40,000, $10,000, or $500 scholarships. 

“Now more than ever, students need simple and credible tools to help them choose the college and career that’s right for them,” said Tarlin Ray, College Board senior vice president of BigFuture. “We’ve integrated these scholarship steps into BigFuture so every student — no matter where they are on their journey to college — can take the steps Tamera Tate has taken to raise their hands and earn themselves a big future.” 

Tate plans on majoring in nursing, and she has considered colleges such as Stony Brook University.  

“It means a lot to me,” said Paulette Warren, Tate’s mother. “The future is bright. From the day they (Tia and Tamera) were born, I knew there was going to be some victory for them, but how, I didn’t know.”