County leaders, educators, and community members will gather at the Music Center at Strathmore Tuesday evening (June 16, 2015) to celebrate students who are a part of the Achieving Collegiate Excellence and Success (ACES) program.

The event will honor ACES students who recently graduated from high school. It will also celebrate the collaborative efforts of Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS), Montgomery College (MC) and the Universities at Shady Grove (USG) to increase postsecondary enrollment and completion, as well as the sponsors who have helped make the initiative a success.

U.S. Treasurer Rosie Rios will deliver remarks during the event, which will be emceed by Danni Starr, co-host of The Kane Show, the morning drive program on Hot 99.5 FM. The event will also feature student performers and speakers.

Launched in August 2013, ACES is a free program for students who are underrepresented in higher education including African American, Hispanic and low-income students, as well as those who would be the first in their family to attend college. The aim is to help these students navigate the college process, including selecting, applying to, and paying for the right postsecondary institution. The program provides coaching for students beginning in high school and continues the support for students who at MC and USG.

For more information on this event, view the full press release.

WHAT: Celebration of ACES graduates and their families

WHEN: Tuesday, June 16, 2015, beginning at 6 p.m.

WHERE: The Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane in North Bethesda

WHO: Among those expected to attend and speak are:

• Rosa "Rosie" Gumataotao Rios, U.S. Treasurer, featured speaker
• Danni Starr, co-host, The Kane Show, emcee
• Larry A. Bowers, interim superintendent, Montgomery County Public Schools
• DeRionne P. Pollard, president, Montgomery College
• Stewart Edelstein, executive director, Universities at Shady Grove