Project Grad Knoxville

ANNUAL CELEBRATION DINNER RECOGNIZES CLASS OF 2013 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

Tasha Herrell — Mon, 13 May 2013 00:34:37 +0000

This year, the day began with pounding rain but that was not a barrier for one hundred forty one (141) scholarship recipients who attended the Annual Celebration Dinner on Sunday evening, April 28, 2013. This was a special evening for the scholars who were recognized for their academic accomplishments and earned the Project GRAD Scholarship.

Parents/guardians, city and county government officials, Project GRAD board members, Knox County Schools board members and staff, funders, partners, and friends of GRAD filled the ballroom at the Knoxville Convention Center. For the tenth year, the program was opened by Lori Tucker (WATE News Anchor) who serves as the Mistress of Ceremonies. Tucker then introduced Larry Mauldin (Project GRAD Knoxville Board Chair) who welcomed the more than 500 guests who were in attendance.

Sara Dean joined Mauldin on stage for the invocation. Sara is a Class of 2010 GRAD Scholar who attended Austin-East High School and now attends the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

Reflections

This year’s high school speakers were Jalan Harper (Austin-East) and Brian Akins (Fulton). Both Scholars reflected on their academic journey from elementary school til high school and reminisced about the time both spent attending the Summer Institutes and the value of this experience. As they prepare to attend college in the Fall, Jalan will attend King University where she will major in Elementary Education and Brian will attend the University of Tennessee and major in Nursing. Brian was awarded a full academic scholarship and is the first member of his family to attend college. Both Jalan and Brian received a standing ovation.

College Scholars Words of Wisdom

Project GRAD college scholars attended the dinner also and were recognized when Derrick Smith (College Support Coach) joined Lori on stage for the laptop drawing. Several of the college scholars extended well wishes to the Class of 2013 via video that was shown prior to the laptop drawing.

Laptop Drawing

Each year laptops are given to four lucky high school scholars whose name’s are drawn. The laptops are good gifts for the scholars as they prepare to enter college. Lori Tucker and Derrick Smith conducted the drawing this year and the winners were: Dylan Hubbs (Austin-East), Stephanie Faulkner (Fulton), Jalan Harper (Austin-East) and Chris Appling (Fulton). Congratulations Scholars!

“Caught Doing Right For Kids” Award

This year’s award was given to a man who everyone (especially the children) trust and depends on to keep them safe. Officer Dennis Murphy was this year’s winner of the “Caught Doing Right For Kids” award for all that he does for kids at Beaumont Magnet and Lonsdale Elementary schools. Officer Murphy was caught off guard and very surprised to be named the winner and was temporarily at a loss for words but not for long as he thanked everyone and shared words of inspiration. Congratulations Officer Murphy!

The Processional

As Officer Murphy was receiving his award, scholars were on the Cumberland Concourse preparing to make their entrance into the ballroom. Then it was time and as the doors opened, Scholars were led by macebearer Desmond Humphrey (Class of 2007, Fulton). Desmond is a GRAD College Scholar who graduated from the University of Tennessee with a degree in Political Science and later accepted to Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School where he is expected to graduate in May with a degree in law. Humphrey thanks Project GRAD for supporting him throughout his college career.

Closing Selection

The closing musical selection was performed by Mrs. Ronni Chandler (Associate Executive Director) who sang “The Impossible Dream.”

Congratulations Class of 2013 Scholars and Best Wishes for your future endeavors.

Thank you to everyone who attended the 2013 Annual Celebration Dinner this year. We appreciate your support for the students. We also thank the Jazz Ensemble that entertained our guests with beautiful music as they waited for the doors to open.

To see photos of the event: click here:

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News coverage

Digital Storytelling Project featuring Austin East students

Tasha Herrell — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 02:58:58 +0000

If You Could Change Anything About Your Community, What Would It Be? The Knoxville community had the opportunity to come out on Saturday, April 13th to hear students share how they would change their community. Using digital presentation students, Jake McVey, Raven Ragsdale, Emily Duncan, Jonathan Bingham, Skai Harris and Jackson McDowell explained how they would change their community. The students spoke of their neighborhoods and the critical views of others about the East Knoxville community, one student shared his view of improvements needed with Tennessee’s education system, another shared her experience of being taken from her family and moving frequently between foster homes before being relocated to East Knoxville. It was very interesting to see (via video presentation) and hear from a student’s perspective, how they view their community and overcome challenges.

Project GRAD Knoxville staff members Cornelia Reece (Family and Community Engagement Coordinator), Jesse Jones (Campus Manager, Austin East) and Destiny Glover (Campus Manager, Vine Middle) collaborated with The Carpetbag Theatre and Plan East Tennessee on this project.

Community members discussed the presentation and formulated Community Agreements to move forward and one of the several suggestions was to ”provide more attention to education and encourage student-led organizing.”

News Sentinel’s online article:

http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2013/apr/14/austin-east-students-digital-projects-highlight/

View the student’s digital stories online here: http://www.youtube.com/user/PlanEastTN.

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HEALTHY S.W.A.G. (Students Working to Achieve Greatness)

Tasha Herrell — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 03:32:52 +0000

The 2013 Healthy S.W.A.G. (Students Working to Achieve Greatness) Conference was held on Saturday, March 9, 2013 at Central High School. The purpose of the event was to provide middle and high school students as well as their parents and youth leaders with information that would help to support the teens in making positive choices.

Workshops provided helpful information for parents in raising their teenagers and for youth leaders to help them in their work with youth. For parents/youth leaders, “Finding the Healthy Place” was a workshop where panelists discussed health issues. Dr. Bob Overholt, MD (Allergy, Asthma & Sinus Center) and Karen Lacey, MS, RD, LDN (Oak Ridge Methodist Medical were the panelists and answered questions. They suggested that children and adults get a good nights sleep because if you don’t sleep well, you don’t perform well and eat more. Some of these changes included unusual weight gain and changes in personality are signs of stress. “Tell It Like It is” was a workshop where panelists discussed issues affecting youth of today such as violence (number one issue), self-esteem, body issues, peer pressure, bullying (cyber also), and drugs (especially prescription). Panelists for this workshop were: Tammy Bland, DNP, CPNP (Nurse Practitioner), Nicole Chandler (Campus Manager, Fulton High School), Katie Allen (Social Worker, Knox County Schools), Gabriel Fiqueroa (Project GRAD Scholar) and Trafton Mitchell, Jr. (Project GRAD Scholar). The “My Body My Future” breakout session was facilitated by Cynthia Hudson and Katie Larsen (K.A.P.P.I. and Teen Health Empowerment Study). In this session, the facilitators shared information and data about health issues children face and teen pregnancy.

The keynote speaker was Jamar Rogers, former contestant on the hit show “The Voice.” Rogers opened the conference by performing several songs and then he spoke with parents in the opening breakout session “A Chat with Jamar Rogers.” Rogers was very honest as he shared his story telling parents about growing up with a single mother and being raised in the church. Rogers shared that he rebelled against his mother and became estranged from her until he was hospitalized at which time they reconciled and healing occurred. Parents were inspired by Rogers story of overcoming many challenges of life and of having the opportunity to be a contestant on “The Voice.” Rogers strongly encouraged parents to: (1) love their children enough to set boundaries, (2) Get involved with your kids-they want you to, they want to know they are loved (3) involve them in as many activities as possible including volunteering (4) occupy their time for them so they won’t find other things to take up their time, (4) love your kids unconditionally, and (5) teach them responsibility. Rogers also told parents how God used HIV to save his life and restored his relationship with his mother who didn’t know where he was for 2 years. Other words of advice were “if you are living with regrets, it’s time to forgive yourself and move on.”

This conference closed with students performing this year’s “Let’s Move” dance.

Project GRAD was one of several agencies/organizations that partnered with the Knox County Health Department to host this conference which was offered to parents and students free of charge. Congratulations to Ms. Cornelia Reece (Family and Community Engagement Coordinator, Project GRAD) who served on the Healthy S.W.A.G. Planning Committee and the Committee for doing such a fantastic job in hosting such a successful conference.

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2013 SPRING BREAK SCHEDULE

Tasha Herrell — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 03:39:06 +0000

PROJECT GRAD CLOSED FOR SPRING BREAK!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

Tasha Herrell — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 02:53:54 +0000

Time is drawing near to celebrate this year’s scholarship recipients at the Annual Scholars Celebration Dinner scheduled for Sunday, April 28, 2013 at the Knoxville Convention Center. Doors open at 4:30 and the program begins at 5:00 p.m.

An exciting evening has been planned as several GRAD Scholars who have graduated from college return to participate in program. Lori Tucker will once again serve as the Mistress of Ceremonies for the dinner which she has done for every Celebration Dinner to date.

Congratulations Alison King (Campus Manager, Dogwood)

Tasha Herrell — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 11:45:58 +0000

Fifth grade teacher, Jessica Riner and Project GRAD Campus Manager, Alison King were awarded an Honorary Prize in Kroger’s Annual Earning plus Learning Grant competition this year. Kroger was seeking the most enthusiastic elementary schools throughout the Atlanta Division and wanted to reward them for their students’ achievements. These achievements included; academically, community involvement, nutrition. education, fair play and exercise. The $1,500 award will go towards Project GRAD’s Manners Program and technology for students.

College/Career Month Photos

Tasha Herrell — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 05:24:47 +0000

This photo gallery contains pictures of various College/Career activities throughout the month of February.

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HEALTHY S.W.A.G. (Students Working to Achieve Greatness)

Tasha Herrell — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 05:34:06 +0000

The 2013 Healthy S.W.A.G. (Students Working to Achieve Greatness) Conference was held on Saturday, March 9, 2013 at Central High School.

GRAD College Scholars Talk to Middle School Students At Vine Middle

Tasha Herrell — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 02:59:53 +0000

On Tuesday, February 5th, GRAD College Scholars traveled to Vine Middle School where they spoke with 8th grade students during the lunch hour. The Scholars divided into teams and made rounds in the lunch room sitting down with students to discuss their plans for the future and answering any questions they may have had. Scholars enjoyed engaging with students and look forward to the next Table Talk session.

See more pictures from Table Talk

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Austin-East High School Hosts College/Career Fair

Tasha Herrell — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 04:38:43 +0000

The College Access Team in partnership with the guidance department at Austin-East hosted the Annual College/Career Fair before the holidays. Several businesses and college institutions had staff representatives that spoke with students about the many career choices available to them and college representatives spoke with students about the institution they represented and admission requirements. Students attending the Fair were excited as they gathered valuable information and enjoyed the opportunity to explore the various options available following graduation.

Student testimonies about the Fair:

FRESHMEN

“You have to know what you want to do to prepare for it”

“It helps me gain a greater understanding about the different colleges and careers in the world”

“In order to get where I want in life, I must study, research and work really hard”

“It was fun, educational and I got a send of what I want to do after high school”

“Makes me want to go to college”

“My experience at the college fair was amazing. They have a lot of great colleges. It helps my academic effort because I really want to graduate and go somewhere in life”

“I learned many things while having fun. It was a good experience and it also gave me some new ideas”

SOPHOMORES

“It gave me great ideas on what to do in college life”

JUNIORS

“I had a great time, and it really opened my eyes to other college/career options”

“I really enjoyed the college and career fair today”

“Nice exposure, opened my mind about college”

SENIORS

“It made me think differently about the Air Force and that back up plans are a must just in case you don’t reach your goals that you’re reaching for”

“It tells what to get ready for and what to do as of now for my career”

“It was nice; I enjoyed WATE the most”

“It helped to see the importance of taking high school academics seriously. This helps to choose my college and career easier”

“Just be sure to go on in life and graduate high school and do your best to succeed”

“I received a lot of information on my field and college I wanted to attend. Also learned about alternative career options”

“Military does not accept asthma people”

“It helped me open my eyes to other careers and the skills needed”

Austin East College and Career Fair 2012

Photos from the College and Career event held at Austin East High School

24 Photos