Melissa Amaral ’04

Melissa Amaral ’04 (East Providence High School) graduated from Brown University with a double major in Anthropology and Archaeology in 2008. She currently is employed as a College Advisor for the Phipps Community Education Center in the Bronx. Previously, Melissa worked as a substitute teacher at a Manhattan private school and as a College Guide through AmeriCorps at Tolman High School in Pawtucket. In the fall, she will begin a master’s program in College Student Affairs at Rutgers University.

“I have always been very self-motivated and I always knew I was going to college,” says Melissa. “However, the Crusade program helped me access opportunities that I otherwise would not have had. I was able to take an SAT course and go on college tours with the Crusade. They helped make applying to college more affordable with fee waivers. The Crusade also told me about the Experiment in International Living and helped pay for part of my four week trip to England to study theater.”

With the true spirit of a college advisor, Melissa offers four pieces of advice to Crusaders who are starting college next year:

1. Don’t spend all your money on books. Buy used whenever possible. Borrow books from the library, especially if it’s for a class outside your major.

2. Live on campus if it is affordable.

3. Leave the video games at home. College is a time for learning, both in class and from your friends. Spending too much time in front of the TV or computer is going to take away from your college experience.

4. Sit in the front row. Even if you don’t participate in class much, the professor will notice you, and it helps to be known when you need an extension or later when you need recommendations.

“During college I met amazing people, participated in an excavation in Portugal, and was able to study ancient Mayan epigraphy from one of the leading experts in the field, which was a dream of mine since elementary school,” Melissa says. Since moving to New York City, she enjoys exploring all the cultural wonders the city has to offer. She also enjoys painting and drawing.

Destiny Woodbury ’02

Destiny Woodbury ’02 (Mount Pleasant High School) graduated from The University of Rhode Island in 2007 with a B.S. and B.A. in Chemistry, a B.A. in Secondary Education and a minor in Leadership Studies. She is currently a 6th grade Science Teacher at Deady Middle School in Texas through the Teach for America Program. “Every day I feel like I get the chance to impact another teenager’s life by showing them that just because you had a rough past or you have a rough present, doesn’t mean you can’t have a bright future,” she says.

"My experience being a Crusader was amazing. Not only does it help you prepare for college, you also learn leadership skills that will help you in the real world. To me education is preparing students for life outside of high school. Now that I am a teacher, I want my students to know that what I am teaching them will relate to their lives and our lives as a society. Education is shaping students to become productive members of society and the community,” she adds. “Each student should graduate with the skills to make good decisions and the knowledge to back up those decisions.”

Destiny was an outstanding track athlete during her time at URI. She now runs track professionally and is currently training for the 2012 Olympics. She says that being a teacher and an athlete at the same time is very demanding but she loves doing both. Destiny shares her passion for teaching and athletics, along with many details of her life story, at http://msdwood.shutterfly.com.

Derrin Almada ’05

Derrin Almada ’05 (East Providence High School) graduated from the University of Rhode Island with a degree in Business Administration in 2009. He is currently attending Suffolk University Law School.

“As far as my experience as a Crusader, I would have to say that the program most influenced me by encouraging me to pursue my law degree,” says Derrin. “When I was in college, I remembered seeing all of the financial scholarships that the program was awarding me and I felt very honored and humbled that the organization had the confidence in me to pursue my dreams of higher education. This confidence that was provided by the financial backing of the program made me want to achieve more because I felt that the best way for me to pay back all that the Crusade has given me was to become a role model for success for fellow Crusaders.”

Derrin encourages Crusaders entering college in the fall to prepare themselves for their future. “Do the necessary research into the program you wish to study and the value of the degree you want to pursue,” he says. “If you intend to enter higher education, you should start by researching and educating yourself on the type of financial commitment you are about to undertake. A college degree is merely a door to opportunity, not a guarantee to success. It takes the personal drive of the individual to work for the type of success that a degree can afford them.” He adds, “The best thing about my college experience was the intellectual debates that arose from intelligent minds in many of my classes in economics and business.”

When Derrin is not consumed by the workload of law school, he enjoys working out at the gym and playing sports.

Danielle Castonguay ’02

Danielle Castonguay ’02 (Woonsocket High School) graduated from Salve Regina University in 2006 with a degree in Elementary and Special Education. She is currently attending New England College to earn a master’s degree in Interdisciplinary Curriculum. She is employed as a first-grade teacher in Concord, New Hampshire, where she is dedicated to ensuring that her students’ experience is valuable and unforgettable.

“Being a Crusader made college a reality,” says Danielle. “No one from my family has ever gone to college, so being involved with the Crusade left me with a feeling of hope. I had the adult support that I needed to know that my dreams would come true.”

Danielle has good advice for high school Crusaders starting college. “Be ready to make school your first priority and be ready for a challenge,” she says. “As challenging as it may get, you have to remember that you are human and your professors understand. If there is something you need them to further explain, ask questions right away. This is your time to take advantage of all that you can learn. The best thing about my college experience is knowing that I accomplished my goal," she adds. “All I wanted growing up was to go to college, change the cycle in my family and help other children realize that their dreams can come true regardless of where they are from or what they have been though.”

Since moving to New Hampshire, Danielle has taken up lots of outdoor activities such as hiking, snowshoeing and snowboarding. She also loves to sing.