1. education
2. alumni and reunions

F r i e n d s o f U n i v e r s i t y A c a d e m y { a n n u a l r e p o rt 2 0 1 4 }
THE MISSION OF FRIENDS OF
UNIVERSITY ACADEMY IS TO FACILITATE
our mission
UNIQUE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
AND PROGRAMS FOR UNIVERSITY
ACADEMY STUDENTS AND ALUMNI.
FRIENDS OF UA ASPIRES TO FUND AND
MANAGE EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE
our vision
PROGRAMS TO HELP UNIVERSITY
ACADEMY STUDENTS AND ALUMNI
SUCCEED IN COLLEGE AND LIFE.
2014 board of directors
Mary Bloch
Bush Helzberg
Vicki Reisler
Dear Friends of Friends,
Thank you! Your support is making a huge difference in the lives of the 1000 students
at University Academy, our 350 alumni, and their families.
Your support makes special educational programs and opportunities possible
for University Academy (UA) students and alumni. The special programs and
opportunities along with a rigorous college-preparatory academic program make UA a
high-performing school. On the State of Missouri’s Annual Performance Report (APR)
for the 2013-2014 academic year, UA scored a 90.7% which equates to Accredited with
Distinction. Additionally, UA’s high school has earned bronze medals from U.S. News &
World Report for the past three academic years. Your support matters!
In addition to supporting special programs and opportunities for UA students, Friends of
UA operates an innovative and one-of-a-kind Alumni Support Program which supports
our alumni in their pursuit of a college degree and a successful career. The Alumni
Support Program runs the College Incentive Program which provides unrestricted
scholarship awards for graduates who stay in college. All UA alumni are eligible to
participate. Awards are based on meeting GPA benchmarks ($500 for 2.5, $750 for
3.0, and $1000 for 3.5 for up to eight semesters.) The College Incentive Program helps
students pay for a variety of college expenses not covered by traditional scholarships
including books, food, rent, and computers.
bush and jamie
I deeply appreciate your support. I strongly believe that the work Friends of UA and
UA are doing is incredibly important, not just for our students and alumni, but also for
Kansas City. I am pleased to share this annual report with you which provides more
information on Friends of UA’s work.
Sincerely,
Bush Helzberg
President
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K-12 Programs }
the annual gala
Each year, Friends of University
Academy hosts an annual gala.
The funds from the gala provide
special educational programs and
opportunities for UA students and
alumni, which helps make UA
a high performing school.
Scholastic Book Fair
UCM Summer Bridge
Summer Book program
National Outdoor Leadership School
(NOLS)
KC Public Library Reading Program
(partnership with Reading Reptile)
Student Diplomacy Corps
Kansas City Symphony
Experiment in International Living (EIL)
KC Chalk & Walk
Junior League-Healthy U/
Harvesters Food Network
Kansas City Young Audiences
Exchange City
National Junior Honor Society
Middle School Summer Camps
Advanced Studies Program
National Honor Society Annual Trip
Dual Credit Program
(Rockhurst and UMKC)
Alumni Programs }
Children’s Mercy Clinic
Senior Trip
MINDDRIVE
Mattie Rhodes Day of the Dead Trip
Missouri Boys’/Girls’ State
Kaplan ACT Prep
College Incentive Program (CIP)
Internships
Top 15 Scholarship
illustrator visit
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Grad School Entrance Testing/
Application Assistance
Care Packages
Special Alumni Events
ALUMNI SUPPORT
{ PURPOSE }
The mission of the Alumni Support Program is to
connect UA Alumni to the resources they need to
complete college and build successful careers. In addition,
the Program aims to increase the probability of success in
an institution of higher education and level the playing
field for UA graduates by providing support,
information and connections in the following ways:
• Frequent and consistent interaction with UA upper school
students and staff
• Tracking contact information and updates on all alumni
• Community-building among alumni via college campus visits,
care packages, reunions, etc.
• 24-hour access to Alumni Support staff for career and
life skill coaching
• The College Incentive Program (CIP), which rewards unrestricted
scholarships to qualifying alumni between $500-$1000/semester,
helps students pay for a variety of college expenses not covered by
traditional scholarships including books, food, rent, and computers.
• Transition support for all alumni from the first year of college
to graduate school and into careers
• Career acceleration services such as internships, networking
and job search support
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SPOTLIGHT
{ UMKC Dental Partnership }
Onsite Dental Services: Our partnership with the UMKC School of Dentistry
provides dental services for UA students. Opening in September 2012, the two
chair dental clinic serves to improve oral health among the students and introduce
oral health information to students who might have an interest in future careers as a
dentist or dental hygienist.
“To hear the laughter from them
in the hallways just melts my heart.
To hear them be so thankful for
the services we provide makes
everything worthwhile!”
Pola Wood,
Children’s Mercy Hospital
{ Childrens’ Mercy Partnership }
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The Children’s Mercy Clinic at UA: Our partnership with Children’s Mercy
Hospital along with generous funding from Baptist-Trinity Lutheran Legacy
Foundation, Arvin Gottlieb Charitable Foundation and an anonymous donor allows
for a conveniently located and free Wellness Center for students’ use located within UA.
The Wellness Center’s nurse practitioner can evaluate, diagnose, treat and prescribe
medications, as necessary.
{ Junior League Partnership }
Healthy U Program
“Teen Eats” Program: 7th graders (totaling 120 students) learned hands-on cooking skills
in Teen Eats – a class that opens up a whole new world of healthy and delicious food choices
and empowers youth to choose wisely.
Adopt-a-Classroom: 255 Kindergarten and 1st Grade students received a lesson focused
on fitness or nutrition. Lessons included the importance of drinking water, some fun basic
yoga movements and how to make a healthy snack mix.
BackSnack Program: A portion of the K-5th graders (totaling 150 students) were
supported with this program, which provides children who face food insecurity with
backpacks filled with nutritious, child-friendly food to take home each weekend.
The Schoolyard Garden: Consisting of eight raised beds on the University Academy
campus, the garden grew a variety of produce, in addition to providing a hands-on learning
opportunity for students in plant life cycles.
Family Dinners: This cooking and nutrition education program for families was
offered. The classes were designed to allow children to learn basic cooking skills to become
comfortable in the kitchen. Each week, parents also fostered a conversation with their kids
around healthy eating or fitness with the help of a scripted lesson, and families worked together
to create goals related to a healthy lifestyle.
“In just one year’s time, we have helped
this school lower obesity rates by 24%.”
Gina Stingley, Junior League of KCMO
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testimonials
“Friends of University Academy, in partnership with Kansas City Young Audiences
has made possible the enhancement of our educational process at UA.
The endeavors put forth by Friends enables participation in enriching programs
throughout our lower, middle and upper schools.
Susan Clymer’s Literacy Workshop, ‘One Dark and Stormy Night,’ is the experience which
brought our 5th graders to a new level of expressive writing. We were privileged to spend two
weeks with this experienced author who brought a new ‘toolbox’ of resources for our students to
implement. The level of improvement in their expressive writing now allows us as educators to
go a step further with our instruction. Thank you, Friends of University Academy, for all you do
to support the success of our student community.” Tammie Lay, 5th Grade Teacher
volunteer
Alesia McFadden, lower school
Arsema Berhane, middle school
Joshua Woods, upper school
“(What) I like about my school is that there
are teachers that keep on pushing us to go
harder…..they just are wonderful.”
“University Academy is a hard school but
they will teach you what you need to know.”
“One of the best preparations they’ve done is
always keeping the idea of going to college in
the back of my mind because I can’t remember
a time when college wasn’t on my agenda.”
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friends
2014
“This is my third year as a volunteer tutor
at UA. The first day I walked in, I caught
the positive ‘vibe’ — teachers treated
students with respect, and students treated
each other the same way. Several times I’ve
seen older students walking with an arm
around a younger child, asking how their
day was going, or offering encouragement
for some challenge they were facing.
The building is beautiful and the resources
abundant, but mutual respect like that
can’t be bought. It’s built, day by day and
student by student.”
Chris Purcell, UA volunteer
letters of appreciation
Dear Friends of UA,
I would like to take time out and say thank you. Your love
and support is what keeps me going on a daily basis. This CIP
(College Incentive Program) reward will help me more than you
will ever know. It helps to take some financial burden off of my
mother. This semester so far is going great; I’m taking on 13 credit
hours and on the track and field team – traveling every weekend
to compete. While having a full plate, I still manage to keep my
grades decent. I have a lot more work to do but knowing that you
are in my corner helps me to keep pushing towards my goals.
Thank you again! A’Yonna
Friends of UA,
I wish to express my gratitude for the continuous support
throughout my matriculation at Jackson State University. I really
appreciate all the support whether it be resumé help or assistance
with internship placement. Good works never go unnoticed and
I cannot wait to be able to give back to such an amazing support
system. Thank yous just are not enough!
Blessed everyday, Jamila
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k-12 : by the numbers in 2014
2,520
1,050
SUMMERCAMP
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MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS
K-12 STUDENTS
PARTICIPATED IN
FINE ARTS
PROGRAMS
NOLS
3
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BOOKS DONATED
TO THE HOME
LIBRARIES OF LOWER
SCHOOL STUDENTS
WITH FUNDS FROM
FRIENDS OF UA
ANNUAL GALA.
NATIONAL OUTDOOR
LEADERSHIP SCHOOL
17
UA HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
STUDIED ABROAD
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
150
K-5 STUDENTS
SUPPORTED BY THE WEEKEND
BACKSNACK PROGRAM
alumni : by the numbers in 2014
“While there are many obstacles that deter students from
going to college, finances by no means should be the
deciding factor.” Bobby Scott
100
%
of UA alumni with
a 2.9 GPA or higher
graduated from college
54
82
%
of UA alumni with
a 2.4 GPA or higher
graduated from college
% Bachelor’s Degree
of UA alumni earn a
within 6 years of graduation. This is 44%
higher than the college completion rate for
students from the lowest income quartile!
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UA ALUM
RECEIVED
COLLEGE
STUDENT
INTERNSHIPS
IN 2014
185 Awards
COLLEGE
INCENTIVE
PROGRAM
Total awards given
December 2013-December 2014
{ $130,000 }
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2014
financial overview
DONATIONS RECEIVED
Friends of University Academy Spending Trailing 12 Months through 12/31/14
Program Expenses - K - 12
$593,899
Program Expenses for K - 12 Students
Program Expenses - Alumni
Summer Educational Opportunities
$160,354 Special Programs & Opportunities
$112,970
Total Program Expenses for K-12 Students
$273,324 40.5 %
Program Expenses for Alumni
40.5%
40.4%
Alumni Support Program
$122,023
College Incentive Program
$123,000 Summer Internship Support Total Program Expenses for Alumni
$26,060
$273,083
40.4%
Non-Program Expenses
19.1%
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Non-Program Expenses
Fundraising Events
$64,403
General & Administrative
$64,303
Total Non-Program Expenses
$128,706 TOTAL EXPENSES
$675,113
DEFICIT
($81,214)
ASSETS Cash balance on 12/31/14
$125,269
19.1%
“Education is the key to unlock the golden door of freedom.”
- George Washington Carver
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2014
BLUE BAYOU
Friends of University Academy’s Annual Gala was held on April 26, 2014.
The gala raised net proceeds of $235,000 and is a main source of income for the
programs Friends of UA provides. We thank the following benefactors and volunteers
for their generous support of Friends of University Academy’s 2014 gala.
Event Chairs: Molly Maxwell & Megan Thornberry
$25,000 MARDI GRAS
Mr. and Mrs. Barnett C. Helzberg, Jr.
$10,000 BOURBON STREET
Ewing Kauffman FoundationMichael and Cathy Schultz
Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Baum
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Bloch
Mr. Robert Epsten
and Mrs. Robert Epsten*
Mr. and Mrs. Barnett C. Helzberg III
Mr. and Mrs. Bush Helzberg
Helzberg Diamonds
Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Kelly
Mr. and Mrs. John Sherman
$5,000 VOO DOO
$1,500 NOLA
$1,500 NOLA continued
$500 BEIGNET continued
Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Angrist
The Blitt Family
Mrs. Ann Dickinson
Mr. Tony Gleason
Mrs. James T. Lacy
Mr. and Mrs. Tom McDonnell
Mr. Edward Milbank
Mr. and Mrs. A.H. Myers, Jr.
Neuberger Berman
Mr. and Mrs. James Nutter, Jr.
James B. Nutter & Co.
Ten-Ten Foundation-Children of
Beth and Ed Smith
Jay and Beverly Wolfe
Charitable Lead Annuity Trust
American World Forwarders, Inc.Megan and Steve Thornberry
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Atlas
Atterbury Family Foundation
Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Berg
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City
Mr. and Mrs. Herb Buchbinder
Mr. Stanley J. Bushman and
Ms. Ann Canfield
Children’s Mercy Hospital
The DeBruce Foundation
Mr. and Mrs. William Dunn, Sr.
Ellis Foundation
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Friedman
Mr. and Mrs. John Goodman
Greenbaum Family Charitable Fund
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Grossman
Mr. Donald Hall
Mr. Charles Helzberg and Ms. Sandra Baer
Hoopla-Molly Maxwell and
Megan Thornberry
Kansas City Zoo
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Kipp
Dr. Jan-Marie and Mr. Brad Kroh
Lacy & Company
Mr. and Mrs. R. Alexander Masson
Metropolitan Community College
Mr. and Mrs. Phil Miller
Mr. Fred Pryor
Mr. Ryan Sprott and Ms. Molly Maxwell
Mr. and Mrs. James Stowers III
Sunflower Foundation
Mr. and Mrs. James Threatt
Mr. and Mrs. Don Trigg
UMB Financial Corporation
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Wolff
Mr. and Mrs. Kirk Goza
Mr. Charles Hoffman
J.E. Dunn Construction Co.
Mr. and Mrs. Tony Kline
Mr. and Mrs. Brian Landers
Mr. Thomas Martin*
and Mrs. Thomas Martin
Mrs. Harry McCray
McQuaid Brothers Remodeling Company
Mr. Jim Miller and Ms. Urula Terrasi
Dr. and Mrs. Allen Parmet
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Pearson
Mr. Nicholas Powell
Nicholas Kuehn Powell Family Foundation
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Scott
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Shapiro
Mr. Ed Stevens and Ms. Jennifer Atterbury
Ms. Patricia Werthan Uhlmann
Mr. and Mrs. Josh Wilson
Dr. and Mrs. Chad Wollard
$2,500 FRENCH QUARTER
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Honorary Chairs: Carla & Danny O’Neill
Mr. and Mrs. Peter Brown
Commerce Bank
Mr. and Mrs. Marlin Fiola
Lathrop & Gage, LLP
Muriel McBrien Kauffman Foundation
Mr. and Mrs. William Reisler
$500 BEIGNET
The Andrews Family Foundation
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Barnett
Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Bash
Mr. and Mrs. William Coughlin
Mr. Gregg Davidson and Ms. Sirenna Beyer
Mr. and Mrs. Clayton Funk
* of blessed memory
contact us
How can you help our students succeed?
Mentoring
An excellent opportunity to share your knowledge and resources.
Annual Gala
Friends of University Academy hosts a themed, annual gala each
Spring. The theme for 2015 is “College Graduation Gala” which will
celebrate the success of University Academy alumni. We encourage
guests to come ready to celebrate their alma mater by dressing in their
school colors or in their favorite college gear. The gala is held at the
school and is our only fundraising event of the year. Funds raised at the
gala are used for special educational opportunities and programs for
University Academy students and alumni. Please mark your calendar
for April 25, 2015. For sponsorship information or to buy tickets, please
contact Maria Dickson at 816-561-7602 or [email protected].
Outright Donations
Internship Opportunities
Internships provide our alums with real world experience that is
critical for attaining future job and graduate school opportunities.
Please contact Maria Dickson
with any questions or if you
are interested in a tour of
University Academy.
Maria can be reached at
816-561-7602 or
[email protected].
“Anyone who wants to invest in the young people of tomorrow,
please consider the University Academy internship program –
it pays dividends over and over again.”
Ron Smith, Executive Director, Second Chance Program
Cash or pledges of cash
Marketable securities
Corporate matching contributions
Underwrite a Program
Alumni Support Program
College Incentive Program
Summer Educational Opportunities
Arts Partnerships
ACT / SAT Prep courses
Friends of UA respectfully accepts donations in any amount,
as well as partial and full sponsorships for programs and events.
Our organization is a 501(c)(3) and all donations will be tax-deductible.
2010 gala
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ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
{ bachelor’s degree }
Kenneth Herron, UA Class of 2009
College: University of Nebraska-Lincoln (2009-2013)
Degree: B.A. in English
Advanced Degree: Enrolled at Colorado State University;
Earning a Master’s in Student Affairs in Higher Education
kenneth herron
I am a first-generation college student with younger siblings who perceive
me as a role model and mentor. My siblings and family were the driving
force to my success at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Navigating
my way through college was challenging but rewarding. I learned through
my undergrad experience the power of perseverance, something that
University Academy instilled in me. Today I hold a degree in English as a
result of my hard work and persistence.
Currently, I am the Assistant Resident Director at Colorado State
University as well as working towards a Master’s degree in Student Affairs
in Higher Education. I love working with students and have found my
passion through the work of student development and student learning.
I would someday like to be a dean of students for a college or university
to motivate and encourage other individuals to see the power within
themselves.
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ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
{ master’s degree }
jade hicks
Jade Hicks, UA Class of 2006
College: Truman State University (2006-2010)
Degree: Speech Language Pathology
Advanced Degree: Georgia State University
Master of Education in Communication Disorders
Profession: Speech-Language Pathologist
My first day as a speech pathologist symbolized the end of my graduate
career and the beginning of my dream career. Earning my undergraduate
and graduate degrees required discipline and sacrifice – skills I developed
in elementary school and refined as I progressed through academia. Signing
my paperwork and opening the door to my first classroom was proof that the
sleepless nights, homesickness, tears, successes and failures were not in vain.
As I sat at my desk at the end of the day, I realized that I was greater than the
“Murder Factory” where I was raised - that my success could one day inspire
and influence the people living in my community and possibly outshine the
poverty and death that the Kansas City Star wrote about my zip code in 2011.
I am currently a Speech-Language Pathologist with the Early Childhood
Special Education Program for the St. Joseph School District in St. Joseph,
Missouri. I want to transition to working as a speech therapist in a medical
setting in either a skilled nursing facility or neonatal intensive care unit.
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“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
- Nelson Mandela
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graduate degrees
A NUMBER OF OUR ALUMNI HAVE COMPLETED
FOUR YEAR DEGREES AND ARE NOW ENROLLED IN
OR HAVE COMPLETED GRADUATE STUDIES.
WE RECOGNIZE THEIR ACHIEVEMENT
enrolled
graduated
Brittany Hill-Dixon, 2009
Rockhurst University
enrolled Avila University
Master’s of Psychology
Byron White, 2004
Carleton College
graduated University of Michigan
Master’s of Business Administration
D’Angela Sims, 2009
Rockhurst University
enrolled Avila University
Master’s of Management
Ashley Kearney, 2007
Rockhurst University
graduated Rockhurst University
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Arianna Jackson, 2009
The Ohio State University
enrolled University of Missouri-Kansas City
Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS)
Jade Hicks, 2006
Truman State University
graduated Georgia State
Master’s of Education
Brandon Jackson, 2009
University of Missouri - Kansas City
enrolled University of Missouri-Kansas City
Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS)
Jasmine Thompson, 2006
University of Central Missouri
graduated University of Central Missouri
Master’s of Arts
Benjamin Mahala, 2006
University of Missouri - Science and Technology
enrolled Georgia Institute of Technology
Master’s of Theoretical Chemistry
Cara Crumley, 2004
University of Missouri - Columbia
graduated Stephens College
Master’s of Eduction - Counseling
Kenneth Herron, 2009
University of Nebraska - Lincoln
enrolled Colorado State University
Master’s of Higher Education
Orielle Pauley, 2004
University of Kansas
graduated Webster University
Master’s of Health Administration
Leroy Ford 2009
University of Nebraska - Lincoln
enrolled Colorado State University
Master’s of Higher Education
Phyllis Chase, Director,
UMKC Charter School Center
“University Academy is our shining star. UA has the
compendium of best practices that we are all trying to
replicate and I predict that in the future this country
will look toward UA for replication of its model.
An investment in UA is an investment
in this city, in this state and in this country
that will pay great dividends.”
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NONPROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
KANSAS CITY MO
PERMIT NO. 2344
4049 Pennsylvania, Suite 400
Kansas City, MO 64111
816-561-7602
Friendsof UA.org