Cardinal Newman’s academic enrichment program inspires curiosity, leadership, and a lifelong love of learning.
Now in its second year, the M. Scott Powell Scholars Program challenges students to explore new perspectives and connect classroom learning with the world around them.
Directed by Dr. Anup Sinha, the program honors Scott Powell, a dedicated teacher, coach, and friend who served the Cardinal Newman community for more than twenty years. His pursuit of wisdom and knowledge inspired those who knew him—a legacy carried forward by the scholars participating in the program bearing his name.
Designed for Cardinal Newman’s highest-achieving students, the program emphasizes academic excellence, intellectual curiosity, leadership, character development, and service to others. This year’s cohort includes ten freshmen and fifteen sophomores preparing for success in higher education and beyond.
Learning Through Experience
Scholars participate in eight monthly field trips exploring culture, science, and the arts. Each experience encourages students to ask questions, discover new interests, and broaden their understanding of the world.
The year began with a visit to Lion Country Safari, where students observed wildlife in settings resembling natural habitats and learned about the animals and their environments.
Next, scholars visited the Palm Beach County Courthouse for a firsthand look at the justice system. A question-and-answer session with judges, prosecutors, public defenders, and a K9 officer introduced students to the professionals and responsibilities involved in administering justice.“Our goal is to expose our Powell Scholars to multiple disciplines and
interests, with the idea that they could discover a new love or even a career,” said Dr. Sinha. “Thus far in 2026-2027 we’ve already exposed our scholars to zoology, the legal system, and the movie-making industry. Our next venture will be into astronomy as we visit the PBS Moonwalkers exhibition in November.”
Turning Curiosity into Scholarship
Scholars keep journals to reflect on each experience, consider what they have learned, and explore new questions.
By junior year, the program progresses to a Capstone project, with students completing research papers and presenting their findings. This work allows scholars to explore their interests in greater depth while strengthening the research, writing, and presentation skills they will carry into college and beyond.
