PRESS RELEASE CONTACT: Tonya Harris at (202) 393-2427
June 18, 2025 or tharris@cgcs.org
Council of the Great City Schools Presents Boston Graduate
With $10,000 Dr. Michael Casserly Scholarship for Educational Courage and Justice
WASHINGTON, D.C., June 18, 2025—The Council of the Great City Schools (CGCS) recently presented Andrew Cruz Mendez Troncoso, a 2025 graduate of Boston Public Schools, with the Dr. Michael Casserly Legacy Scholarship for Educational Courage and Justice. Sponsored by Curriculum Associates, the $10,000 college scholarship will be used by Troncoso to pursue a degree in finance at Bentley University in Massachusetts.
The scholarship is part of the Dr. Michael Casserly Legacy Award for Educational Courage and Justice, named after the Council’s former executive director. The annual award, now in its fifth year, is presented to a person who has made outstanding contributions in the field of Grades K–12 urban education by taking a courageous and passionate stance on the issue of educational justice and equity. This year’s awardee was Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), who currently serves as ranking member of the House Committee on Appropriations and its Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Subcommittee, where she oversees the nation’s investments in education, health, and employment.
Troncoso is a 2025 graduate of the Boston Arts Academy, the city's only public high school for the visual and performing arts, where he was a viola major and played in the school's orchestra. Additionally, he was an active member of the school's A.C.T.S. club, which focuses on giving back to the community through service. During his time in the club, he contributed over 200 volunteer hours through various projects, including creating care packages, assisting at shelters, and supporting military personnel with handmade items and letters.
After graduating from college, Troncoso wants to become a financial consultant and eventually start an organization that helps low-income families learn how to budget, invest, and build wealth.
“I am pleased to have chosen Andrew as this year’s recipient of a scholarship named in my honor,” said Casserly. “He is extremely deserving of this scholarship and is a prime example of the wonderful graduates our nation’s urban public schools produce. As he pursues his degree, I know he has a bright future ahead of him, and I thank Curriculum Associates for their generous support.”
The CGCS is the only national organization exclusively representing the needs of urban public schools. Composed of 81 large-city school districts, its mission is to promote the cause of urban schools and to advocate on behalf of inner-city students through legislation, research, and media relations. The organization also provides a network for school districts that share common problems to exchange information and collectively address new challenges as they emerge in order to deliver the best possible education for urban youth.
“Through our partnership with the Council of the Great City Schools, we are proud to once again sponsor the Dr. Michael Casserly Legacy Scholarship for Educational Courage and Justice and recognize a standout rising college student,” said Kelly Sia, CEO at Curriculum Associates. “We are impressed by all of Andrew’s achievements and his commitment to his studies and community. We wish him all the best as he progresses in his educational journey.”
To learn more about the CGCS, visit CGCS.org. To learn more about Curriculum Associates, visit CurriculumAssociates.com.
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