Chosen Few is a nonprofit created by our very own dean, Mr. Hudson. The organization aims to help many students with college, sports and community service. Many student athletes have participated, especially from the boys basketball team.
Jaiden Bing is a student athlete who has committed to the program for three years.
‘’It’s really good for you,” said Bing. “It’s a good experience. It teaches you discipline, hard work and etiquette.’’
The History of Chosen Few
Mr. Hudson founded Chosen Few in 1998 for ‘’kids trying to get to college and really not having a vehicle to get there.’’
‘’I was actually one of those kids who were kind of in-between, not really having an actual person to show me how to get to college,’’ said Mr. Hudson.
Mr. Hudson, who is also known as Lenny by most members, has helped over 500 kids with Chosen Few. Bing said, ‘’Lenny’s big on getting us into college. It’s just a lot of basically wanting to prepare us. He wants each of us to have at least five schools that we’re interested in by the end of this year so that we feel like we’re transitioning and have a head start.’’
Over spring break, Chosen Few went to a college fair for historically black colleges and universities. The HBCU college fair at Bishop Loughlin High School in Brooklyn. Last fall they went on a college trip to Mid-Atlantic HBCUs such as Norfolk State in Virginia and Morgan State in Maryland. These are some of the most notable that they’ve been to and Mr Hudson does not plan to stop anytime soon.
These colleges also have a deep connection with fraternities from these HBCU’s, which also help to fund and raise money for Chosen Few. . While not the only source of funding for the program, it is the one that Mr Hudson highlights the most.
Chosen Few Community Service
The Chosen Few participants have been to many different communities to serve primarily in Harlem and Brooklyn neighborhoods such as Crown Heights, Bed-Sty, Brownsville and East New York.
The community service consists of helping to feed the homeless during Thanksgiving and helping with clothing and toy drives.
Mr. Hudson stresses community service for many reasons. Community service ‘’gives the kids a perspective of something astonishing to help them understand that their deeds are actually bigger than them.’’
Jaiden Bing expresses how he feels about his impact. He said, ‘’My impact has been positive and I feel that way because helping people brings me joy and knowing that I could give something to somebody that’s in need. It’s a good feeling.”
Chosen Few’s Basketball
Chosen Few also has a basketball team that has multiplied over the years. Players say that it’s a great program and they enjoy playing with the team. This program gives kids a chance to advance their skills in basketball and obtain new opportunities.
Carmelo Hitt, a junior, said, ”First of all, my coach is very welcoming. I just felt very included in having a team to play basketball.”
Another participant Madjou Bah, a senior, said, “You create bonds and memories that you can never forget. There are always lessons to be taught about life in general.
