The value of an education is far beyond any materialistic value. It takes a determined individual to invest time and energy into their education. Once achieved, it is something that adds value to your life and something no one can take away from you.
On Saturday, Oct. 25, 2014 at the 2nd Annual African-American College Planning Conference, the women of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated-San Fernando Valley Alumnae Chapter-wanted young individuals to know that attending a college or university, will allow them to live the greatness inside.
The planning conference was an all-day event held at Golden Valley High School and it was filled with continental breakfast, a keynote presentation from Judge Kevin Ross, eight event workshops, lunch, recent college graduate discussion panel and a mini college and vendor fair. Two-hundred and eighty people were in attendance and it was definitely the place to be for an aspired college student.
With excitement and many hand gestures, Judge Ross patterned his speech after the movie, The Incredibles. A family of undercover superheroes, while trying to live the quiet suburban life, is forced into action to save one another, the world and live out their greatness.
He shared the story to let the young teens know that they too can be extraordinary and become successful. It was a pivotal moment in the story where the family was in danger and the character, Violet had to no longer shield her superpowers and save her loved ones. In order to achieve success one must put in the work to achieve it. It was not until Violet used her powers that she realized she is far beyond ordinary, she is extraordinary, and she is an INCREDIBLE.
Ross then stopped, stood in the center of the stage and with sincerity said, “I really want to thank the Deltas, because what they are trying to do with each and every one of you is to dare your soul to go far beyond what your eyes can see,” he continued, “We want you to live the greatness that is inside of you. It’s amazing, and you would surprise yourself where you end up when you tap into that greatness,” said Ross.
He also stressed how important it was to attend school out of state, how one can grow as an individual and that if one attends an HBCU they will be around people like themselves, it would “affirm who you are.”
On the topic of HBCU’s, Ross said, “If you are around people who are trying to be as great as you are, it is infectious, it is positive peer pressure.”
After his speech, there were three sessions and eight workshops that the young teens and families could attend. Each workshop catered to different topics pertaining to college and the families could only attend one workshop per session.
The workshops consisted of Financial Aid/Scholarships 101, How to Write Your Personal Statement, Getting into Your Dream College, All About The CSU System, Should I take the ACT or SAT?, HBCUs and Black College Tours 101 and the final session for everyone to attend was The Value of an Education.
As the day was coming to an end, everyone attended the final workshop, The Value of an Education. The workshop was motivating and informative, because it utilized the latest research for the value of an education. By the end, every student stood up and committed to the value of their education and vowed to attend a higher education.
Speaker, David Inemer, Valencia High School Teacher and Motivational Speaker shook the hand of every student that made that vow, congratulated them and handed them a certificate of commitment.
“Value your education different today, than you did before. When you go to school next week, you show up a little different, you act a little different, you perform a little different and you are going to achieve a little different,” said Inemer.
Inemer also has a website, valueofaneducation.com. His website provides forms, tips and demos on how to become a better student.
Eleventh grade, Highland High School student, MiChe’la Hunter said, “I think this is a really great experience, to know that these people actually care about us, wants us to do well in life and wants us to do better than those before us. It is a great opportunity to learn something new.”
Parent, Brandi McDaniel said, “This conference was very informative. It did actually change my perspective of Historically Black Colleges. I did have the impression that attending an HBCU was viewed as less than attending a university like NYU or UCLA,” she continued, “Coming here and seeing the success of other African-Americans is really great and I have a more positive outlook on it. The push the Deltas have on the children is wonderful and I look forward to coming next year.”
There is reason behind every idea and AACPC Committee Member and a woman of Delta Sigma Theta, Cherise Moore said.
“We in this valley have a small number of African-American students and often they are not given the exposure to all the options available. Those who can give them the information may not know about HBCUs, how to share that information, or may not understand the struggles that are different for black men, for example going on to their college education,” she continued, “We wanted to make sure that we bought an opportunity that can expose them to all the opportunities available so they can see possibilities, believe in themselves and their greatness. They have the right to that education and they have the ability to get that continued education, the skies the limit and that is what this is all about.
For the students that did attend the 2nd Annual AACPC, and started filling out their college applications and filling up their portfolios, the certificates they have received along with the programs they have attended are very meaningful, with just the name alone being that it was a Delta Conference and that the students participated in it, speaks volumes. Next year’s AACPC is scheduled for Oct. 24, 2015 and for more information go to www.sfvadeltas.org
I am a recent graduate from the University of Central Missouri. I majored in Digital Media Production with an emphasis in news. My aspiration is to become a television Journalist.