News Release

In her native country of Vietnam, Hong Chau was denied an education due to her mixed heritage. She and her family came to the United States, where she entered the ninth grade with no prior education and unable to speak English. Chau will graduate from Springbrook High School in Montgomery County with a 3.35 GPA and plans to continue her education.

Chau is one of 24 students were honored at a ceremony designed to highlight the achievements of those enrolled in Maryland's Tomorrow, a statewide dropout prevention program sponsored in part by The Johns Hopkins University Institute for Policy Studies. Other sponsors include the state of Maryland, private industry councils, and the state and local departments of education.

The 8-year-old program operates in every jurisdiction in the state, serving more than 8,000 students in 74 schools. One honoree is chosen from each jurisdiction in the state.

The group of 24 students includes Melvin Morton, of Kent County High School, who doubled his GPA to a 3.2 while enrolled in Maryland's Tomorrow. Morton, who began his high school career afraid of failing out, will study communications at Montgomery College in the fall.

Michelle Turner is a tenth-grade student at Northern High School in Baltimore City; after just two years in the program, she also doubled her GPA to 3.25. Additionally, she changed from being a truant and poor performer to the co-captain of the school's cheerleading squad. Turner plans to study law or nursing.

Each of the students represents a unique success story. For a complete list of honorees and schools in your area, contact Christine A. Rowett at car@jhu.edu or at (410) 516-7160.