Joe Ranieri 2011 Boston Marathon

On April 18, 2011, I will embark on my first Boston Marathon! Although I have completed four other marathons and countless road races, this is my biggest challenge yet!

This race means so much more to me. I am proud to be running on behalf of Summer Search Boston.

Summer Search is a national organization that does amazing work with low-income high school students. Summer Search provides students with: weekly mentoring from a full-time staff, scholarships to participate in life-altering summer experiences with programs such as Outward Bound, and college advising for high school seniors.

The results of these programs are truly incredible:

• 100% of Summer Search Students graduate from high school;
• 89% graduate from college
• 92% are first generation college students

This college graduation rate compares to only 14% for students in the Boston Public High Schools...these numbers are staggering! In addition, the average income for a Summer Search student is $22,361 for a family of four. This means that when these kids graduate from college, it literally changes the path of their lives and their families' lives forever!!

Having worked with underpriviledged students in my hometown of Syracuse, NY, I have seen first hand the positive impact that mentoring programs such as Summer Search can have in the lives of these deserving kids. To watch students achieve and actually realize that they can reach beyond their circumstances and that they do deserve such opportunities is amazing.

I recently had the pleasure of meeting a Summer Search alum. He is currently a sophomore at Union College and well on his way to being a success! Hearing him describe how Summer Search impacted his life and his plans for the future was inspiring. Our conversation really put into perspective how crucial programs like Summer Search are to foster the hopes and dreams of these worthy young people.

We had our first team run on December 4th and it was a great bonding experience for everyone. It was a chilly December morning as we ran Heartbreak Hill in Newton for the first time, but I felt great! I look forward to training in the months ahead and more than anything I can't wait for April 18th when the streets will be lined with thousands of cheering supporters!!

If you'll be in Boston on April 18, 2011, please come cheer on my Summer Search Teammates and me as we tackle the 115th Boston Marathon!

Thank you so much for your support! I appreciate your generosity and so do the Summer Search students!!