George '98, Harvard '02, Wharton Business School '08, University of Penn Law '10

Finding The Oliver Scholars Program
When Ama Karikari from Laurelton, Queens sat watching with admiration the story about The Oliver Scholars Program, ‘Save A Child’ series that aired on ABC’s 20/20 she had no idea that only one-year later she would be an Oliver Scholar herself...

Finding Herself
After successfully completing the Oliver Summer Immersion Programs, it was time for Ama to enter high school. While the school selection process can be intimidating, Ama felt confident in her choice to attend George School. Through the assistance of her Oliver counselor Ama selected George School for it’s values, mission, location and environment.

While at George School, Ama experienced an atmosphere that was very different than any other she had experienced. Students did not judge each other on social, economic or academic qualities. Instead, there was great care taken so that every student viewed themselves equally to their peers.

A student’s effort to achieve academically is equally as important as a student’s actual grade point average. To recognize students for academic effort, the Head of Schools award was established. Being a recipient of this award is just as prestigious as being an honor roll program recipient. Ama is a proud of her accomplishment to accept the Head of Schools award twelve out of twelve semesters and the honor roll award eleven out of twelve semesters.

Beyond School In Ama’s words, her personal and professional development after high school has been “Phenomenal”. Her community involvement has developed what she feels will be lifelong friendships. And through Oliver’s summer employment program, Ama gained valuable business experience which led her to three corporate bank positions.

Ama feels Oliver strikes a balance between academics and an individual’s personal development. Oliver develops students with a holistic approach that is not pressure filled or competitive. Instead, it is a comfortable environment that is thoughtful, accepting and challenging. Ama has excelled in life through the guidance of Oliver.