Makyla Addison, left, with Eyga Williamson
“I came to Ridgefield because I wanted a chance to learn,” said Makyla Addison, a ninth grader at Ridgefield High School and one of the two new scholars in the Ridgefield A Better Chance — or “ABC” — program.
Makyla indicated that she wanted to be able to attend a school that would give her more of an opportunity to pursue her dreams, and that the D.C. school she would have attended would not have offered her that chance. She’s also hoping that she might have an opportunity to continue her passion for ballet, jazz and hip-hop.
Her fellow freshman, Eyga Williamson, who hails from Bridgeport, added that she came to Ridgefield because she “likes challenges.” Both girls leave siblings at home, but they will gain a group of new sisters who are already part of the program: Jacinta Utubor, D’amisi Adetona, Toni Chadwell, Catherine Crespo, Brianne McGill, and Nia Pollard.
Ridgefield ABC is part of A Better Chance, a national not-for-profit program that assists talented and motivated minority students in finding placement in outstanding public and independent schools.
Fund raising
The program in Ridgefield is supported totally by donations, and money is raised at several events during the year: the Jazz Festival, the Winter Gala and the Golf Outing. Volunteers are always welcome to become involved in various aspects of the program, and interested people may consult the website, ridgefieldabc.org for details.
Tickets are for sale for the annual Jazz Festival, which takes place on Sept. 13 at Wicklo’s Maple Hill Farm. Guests will be treated to a superb concert by jazz greats Marvin Stamm and Bill Mays in a cabaret atmosphere. The event will also feature cocktails and a martini bar, as well as dinner and dessert “by the bite,” catered by Bernard’s. Tickets and additional details can be found on the website.