George Weiss
On a sweltering June day in 1987, the entire sixth grade graduating class at Belmont Elementary School in West Philadelphia received a gift of a lifetime from philanthropists George and Diane Weiss. Children of one of the city’s most impoverished neighborhoods, the 112 were offered free tuition to college, along with a helping hand to get there. Twenty years and a $5 million investment later, Say Yes to Education has affected their lives in ways its benefactors hadn’t imagined.
Twenty years ago, a stranger made a stunning offer to an entire class of sixth graders: A free college education. Some triumphed, others faltered.
Twenty years have passed since the members of the sixth-grade class at Belmont Elementary School in West Philadelphia were catapulted out of the ranks of urban America's most unfortunate children. They suddenly became some of its luckiest. As they fidgeted in their graduation best and families cheered and wept, a wealthy stranger on the auditorium stage offered all 112 free college educations. Now they are having an anniversary - one to celebrate, or rue, or forget.
From 20 years ago:
The 112 sixth-grade students and their families sitting in the sweltering auditorium had never before seen the blond woman at the podium. Yet she was promising to change their lives.
Multimedia
Student Profiles
- » Majovie Bland profile
On the wings of a free college education, with George Weiss as his mentor and Donald Trump as his muse, Majovie Bland was getting out of Mantua. First stop, the University of Hartford.
- » Genice Mace-Overton profile
If one of Say Yes’ elemental goals for the Belmont 112 was to open a door to middle-class possibilities, Genice Mace-Overton has stepped through.
- » Jarmaine Ollivierre profile
Ollivierre, 31, is one of Say Yes to Education's stellar successes: a former special education student at Belmont Elementary with a payload of degrees. What's missing is a doctorate, although he could well need one if he hopes to go into space. And he does.
- » Jalina Evans profile
Jalina Evans is a rarity among the alums of a program that provides tuition-free college educations. She is in debt more than $20,000 for her bachelor's degree.
- » Nickia Little-Naylor profile
As a sixth grader at Belmont Elementary in 1987, Nickia Little had an escape hatch from the inner city - even without the help of George Weiss and Say Yes to Education.
About the Author
Dale Mezzacappa was an education reporter for The Inquirer from 1986 to 2006. She has followed the Belmont 112 from the day that George Weiss and Say Yes to Education came into their lives 20 years ago.
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