Prize Pupil

But none needed what Amir needed. None was parentless. None had missed years of schooling, when fundamentals such as addition, subtraction and topic sentences were taught. When Amir got into Groton, Hill wasn't sure he would make it.

"I didn't know if he had the fortitude, when times got tough, to fight his way through it," Hill says. Not to mention the skills every 10th-grader should have. When Amir turned in his first paper at Groton, the teacher took one look and refused to grade it. Amir didn't even know what a paragraph was.

Now, though his graduation remains in doubt, Amir lists the 13 colleges he's applied to, including Ohio Wesleyan University, the University of Maryland and Brown University, which is his long shot.

Hill listens carefully. "You've really covered yourself," she says. "That's a good variety of schools."

"It's a great variety," he corrects her. Then he brings up an issue that's been bugging him. Groton graduates do not wear caps and gowns, and he's always dreamed of wearing a cap and gown.

"Somehow we'll get you a cap and gown," Hill promises. "You can wear it to a party or something."

"Now remember," she says for the 50th time, "if you need anything, Project Match provides it."

"I need a car," he cracks.

"We're talking about clothes. Do you have a navy jacket?"

Graduating Groton boys wear navy jackets over white shirts and slacks. Amir doesn't have one. Not a problem, Hill says; she'll come up and take him shopping before the big day.

"I'm going to be there," she says.

He looks at her meaningfully. "I'll be there, too."