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The Seat Pleasant 59: The outcome of a promise

The fifth-graders in a Prince George’s County elementary school who were offered free college tuition in 1988 have followed varied paths: One became a cop; another a drug dealer. One killed herself; another killed his father. The group also includes a doctor, cellist, politician and UPS driver.

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June 11, 2011

William Smith, who lost his ability to walk after being stabbed multiple times in a dance club when he was a teenager, sits outside his apartment in District public housing.

Bonnie Jo Mount / The Washington Post

William Smith sits with his girlfriend, Jessica Pierce, in his apartment.

June 11, 2011

William Smith sits with his girlfriend, Jessica Pierce, in his apartment.

Bonnie Jo Mount / The Washington Post

William Smith wheels to the patio outside his apartment.

June 11, 2011

William Smith wheels to the patio outside his apartment.

Bonnie Jo Mount / The Washington Post

William Smith spends time with friends on his patio.

June 11, 2011

William Smith spends time with friends on his patio.

Bonnie Jo Mount / The Washington Post

William Smith, center, fist bumps with friends Robert Coleman, left, and Pookanu Dudley.

June 11, 2011

William Smith, center, fist bumps with friends Robert Coleman, left, and Pookanu Dudley.

Bonnie Jo Mount / The Washington Post

William Smith hugs his girlfriend, Jessica Pierce, in his apartment.

June 11, 2011

William Smith hugs his girlfriend, Jessica Pierce, in his apartment.

Bonnie Jo Mount / The Washington Post

A Bible is close at hand as William Smith eats in his apartment.

June 11, 2011

A Bible is close at hand as William Smith eats in his apartment.

Bonnie Jo Mount / The Washington Post

William Smith, propping up a leg as he relaxes in his apartment, still holds hope he will someday walk again.

June 11, 2011

William Smith, propping up a leg as he relaxes in his apartment, still holds hope he will someday walk again.

Bonnie Jo Mount / The Washington Post

William Smith, confined to a wheelchair since he was a teen, is joined by his girlfriend, Jessica Pierce.

June 11, 2011

William Smith, confined to a wheelchair since he was a teen, is joined by his girlfriend, Jessica Pierce.

Bonnie Jo Mount / The Washington Post

Monica McIntyre, who showed early talent as a cellist, performs at Mojitos Rum Bar & Grill in New Orleans.

June 15, 2011

Monica McIntyre, who showed early talent as a cellist, performs at Mojitos Rum Bar & Grill in New Orleans.

Bonnie Jo Mount / The Washington Post

Monica McIntyre checks messages on her smartphone before a performance in New Orleans.

June 15, 2011

Monica McIntyre checks messages on her smartphone before a performance in New Orleans.

Bonnie Jo Mount / The Washington Post

Monica McIntyre and her cello travel by trolley to a New Orleans performance.

June 14, 2011

Monica McIntyre and her cello travel by trolley to a New Orleans performance.

Bonnie Jo Mount / The Washington Post

A note and a bucket remind patrons at Mojitos Rum Bar & Grill that Monica McIntyre appreciates tips.

June 15, 2011

A note and a bucket remind patrons at Mojitos Rum Bar & Grill that Monica McIntyre appreciates tips.

Bonnie Jo Mount / The Washington Post

An idea suggested during a rehearsal at a friend’s house delights cellist Monica McIntyre, who performs with a couple of different groups.

June 13, 2011

An idea suggested during a rehearsal at a friend’s house delights cellist Monica McIntyre, who performs with a couple of different groups.

Bonnie Jo Mount / The Washington Post

Appearing from the back like a two-legged cello, Monica McIntyre walks through the French Quarter in New Orleans.

June 14, 2011

Appearing from the back like a two-legged cello, Monica McIntyre walks through the French Quarter in New Orleans.

Bonnie Jo Mount / The Washington Post

As a child, Darone Robinson once wrote that his ambition was to “Try to make it through life.” Today, he is a Pepco customer service representative and a college graduate planning to attend law school.

Nov. 26, 2011

As a child, Darone Robinson once wrote that his ambition was to “Try to make it through life.” Today, he is a Pepco customer service representative and a college graduate planning to attend law school.

Bonnie Jo Mount / The Washington Post

Darone Robinson plays with Aiden, one of his two children, as he and his wife, Yamala Robinson, prepare Aiden for his nap.

Nov. 26, 2011

Darone Robinson plays with Aiden, one of his two children, as he and his wife, Yamala Robinson, prepare Aiden for his nap.

Bonnie Jo Mount / The Washington Post

In their comfortable, five-bedroom home in Upper Marlboro, Darone and Yamala Robinson play with their sons, Aiden and Darien.

Nov. 26, 2011

In their comfortable, five-bedroom home in Upper Marlboro, Darone and Yamala Robinson play with their sons, Aiden and Darien.

Bonnie Jo Mount / The Washington Post

Darone Robinson celebrates a Dallas Cowboys win with his cousin Stephanie Williams at his mother's home. Rose Johnson, Robinson's mother, is in the background. His sister-in-law, Juliet Azan, sits on the floor.

Nov. 24, 2011

Darone Robinson celebrates a Dallas Cowboys win with his cousin Stephanie Williams at his mother's home. Rose Johnson, Robinson's mother, is in the background. His sister-in-law, Juliet Azan, sits on the floor.

Bonnie Jo Mount / The Washington Post

Darone Robinson kisses his wife, Yamala Robinson, in their home in Upper Marlboro.

Nov. 26, 2011

Darone Robinson kisses his wife, Yamala Robinson, in their home in Upper Marlboro.

Bonnie Jo Mount / The Washington Post

Jeffery Norris, after dropping out of Prince George’s Community College, spent some years selling drugs but says that’s behind him now. He plays keyboard and leads the choir at Little Rock Bibleway Church for Christ in the District.

June 19, 2011

Jeffery Norris, after dropping out of Prince George’s Community College, spent some years selling drugs but says that’s behind him now. He plays keyboard and leads the choir at Little Rock Bibleway Church for Christ in the District.

Bonnie Jo Mount / The Washington Post

A serious car accident helped Jeffery Norris decide to turn his life around, he says. The accident also left serious scars.

Nov. 27, 2011

A serious car accident helped Jeffery Norris decide to turn his life around, he says. The accident also left serious scars.

Bonnie Jo Mount / The Washington Post

Jeffery, at age 34, says he’d like to return to college and study music.

Nov. 27, 2011

Jeffery, at age 34, says he’d like to return to college and study music.

Bonnie Jo Mount / The Washington Post

Jeffery Norris, at the organ behind the minister, says he and the other Dreamers were too young to appreciate what Abe Pollin and Melvin Cohen were offering with a free college education.

June 19, 2011

Jeffery Norris, at the organ behind the minister, says he and the other Dreamers were too young to appreciate what Abe Pollin and Melvin Cohen were offering with a free college education.

Bonnie Jo Mount / The Washington Post

Patricia Melton performs while Jeffery Norris accompanies her at Little Rock Bibleway Church for Christ in the District.

Nov. 27, 2011

Patricia Melton performs while Jeffery Norris accompanies her at Little Rock Bibleway Church for Christ in the District.

Bonnie Jo Mount / The Washington Post

Keyboard player Jeffery Norris listens to the sermon before returning to his seat at the organ.

Nov. 27, 2011

Keyboard player Jeffery Norris listens to the sermon before returning to his seat at the organ.

Bonnie Jo Mount / The Washington Post

Ponloeu Le, who gave up on being a lawyer after dropping out of community college, works as a police officer in Prince George’s County. He is shown in his patrol car.

May 13, 2011

Ponloeu Le, who gave up on being a lawyer after dropping out of community college, works as a police officer in Prince George’s County. He is shown in his patrol car.

Bonnie Jo Mount / The Washington Post

Ponloeu Le, center, confers with colleagues while awaiting background information on a suspect, who is sitting on the curb.

May 13, 2011

Ponloeu Le, center, confers with colleagues while awaiting background information on a suspect, who is sitting on the curb.

Bonnie Jo Mount / The Washington Post

Ponloeu Le questions a man taken into custody.

May 13, 2011

Ponloeu Le questions a man taken into custody.

Bonnie Jo Mount / The Washington Post

Along with a colleague in the Prince George’s County Police Department, Ponloeu Le looks for illegal drugs during a night shift.

May 13, 2011

Along with a colleague in the Prince George’s County Police Department, Ponloeu Le looks for illegal drugs during a night shift.

Bonnie Jo Mount / The Washington Post

Accompanied by a fellow police officer, Ponloeu Le responds to a domestic violence call with his gun drawn.

May 13, 2011

Accompanied by a fellow police officer, Ponloeu Le responds to a domestic violence call with his gun drawn.

Bonnie Jo Mount / The Washington Post

Wendy Fulgueras, who now goes by her married last name, Alband, is a doctor doing her residency in internal medicine. She wrote in college applications that she wanted to show Abe Pollin and Melvin Cohen that she had not squandered the opportunity they gave when they offered to pay for college.

Nov. 21, 2011

Wendy Fulgueras, who now goes by her married last name, Alband, is a doctor doing her residency in internal medicine. She wrote in college applications that she wanted to show Abe Pollin and Melvin Cohen that she had not squandered the opportunity they gave when they offered to pay for college.

Bonnie Jo Mount / The Washington Post

Wendy Alband, left, is an internal medicine resident at the VA Medical Center in Hampton, Va. She is joined by medical student Melissa Althouse and residents David Nash, rear center, and Brad Murray as she visits a patient.

Nov. 21, 2011

Wendy Alband, left, is an internal medicine resident at the VA Medical Center in Hampton, Va. She is joined by medical student Melissa Althouse and residents David Nash, rear center, and Brad Murray as she visits a patient.

Bonnie Jo Mount / The Washington Post

Wendy Alband reviews data at the veterans hospital. In addition to being a doctor, she is a lieutenant commander in the Navy.

Nov. 21, 2011

Wendy Alband reviews data at the veterans hospital. In addition to being a doctor, she is a lieutenant commander in the Navy.

Bonnie Jo Mount / The Washington Post

Wendy Alband, second from left, talks with medical student Melissa Althouse, far left, resident Kerry Shaughnessy and resident David Nash.

Nov. 21, 2011

Wendy Alband, second from left, talks with medical student Melissa Althouse, far left, resident Kerry Shaughnessy and resident David Nash.

Bonnie Jo Mount / The Washington Post

Wendy Alband, center, who was voted “most likely to succeed” by her classmates in sixth grade, provides an update on a patient’s status during a meeting with colleagues and administrators.

Nov. 21, 2011

Wendy Alband, center, who was voted “most likely to succeed” by her classmates in sixth grade, provides an update on a patient’s status during a meeting with colleagues and administrators.

Bonnie Jo Mount / The Washington Post

Wendy Alband, who is married and expecting her first child, briefs colleague Anthony Fam in the resident lounge.

Nov. 21, 2011

Wendy Alband, who is married and expecting her first child, briefs colleague Anthony Fam in the resident lounge.

Bonnie Jo Mount / The Washington Post

Terrell Jackson, who had been shot twice by the time he was 15, plays basketball in Seat Pleasant.

Nov. 5, 2011

Terrell Jackson, who had been shot twice by the time he was 15, plays basketball in Seat Pleasant.

Bonnie Jo Mount / The Washington Post

Terrell Jackson, who had aspired to play basketball in college and beyond, waits for his buddies. He dropped out of high school after his mother had a stroke and his girlfriend became pregnant. He later got his GED and is a waiter.

Nov. 5, 2011

Terrell Jackson, who had aspired to play basketball in college and beyond, waits for his buddies. He dropped out of high school after his mother had a stroke and his girlfriend became pregnant. He later got his GED and is a waiter.

Bonnie Jo Mount / The Washington Post

After establishing her own law practice, Tiffany Alston decided to run for public office. One of her last stops on Election Day was her elementary school. Now a Maryland delegate, she is shown chatting with constituents after a town hall meeting.

Nov. 10, 2011

After establishing her own law practice, Tiffany Alston decided to run for public office. One of her last stops on Election Day was her elementary school. Now a Maryland delegate, she is shown chatting with constituents after a town hall meeting.

Bonnie Jo Mount / The Washington Post

Tracy Proctor officially was project coordinator for the Seat Pleasant Dreamers. In reality, the job called upon him to be surrogate father, social worker, fixer, tutor, bouncer, parole officer and chauffeur, among other roles.

Nov. 5, 2011

Tracy Proctor officially was project coordinator for the Seat Pleasant Dreamers. In reality, the job called upon him to be surrogate father, social worker, fixer, tutor, bouncer, parole officer and chauffeur, among other roles.

Bonnie Jo Mount / The Washington Post

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