Hello Viewers,
If you are reading this, you have just entered a blog advertising the achievement of a program that is beating the odds and producing successful and productive members of our society. This program is the Willie B. Adkins Program. If you have been following my previous blogs, you have noticed the name Keystone Leadership Program. This year both programs have merged and we are now under the Adkins Program.
Viewers, to get the full view, you will have to scroll down all the way to the beginning. You will do this by scrolling down until you see older post. When you see that click it and continue to scroll down clicking older post until you get to the beginning. Once you get there follow and enjoy the college tour experience.
We can always use contributions. If you are interested you can go on the Willie B. Adkins website for more information. Contributions will go to a good cause as you will see by viewing this blog. Take a look and make comments.
Thank You
Monday, April 2, 2012
Our Leader
We are going to end this blog with a page dedicated to our Project Director, Joe Jones. He has been directing the Willie B. Adkins Program going on 14 years. Under his leadership,many scholars have gone on to college and graduated. Despite the widely advertised 50% dropout rate of our African-American students, the Adkins program continously puts them in college at large rates and percentages.
Mr.Jones has not only provided leadership to this program, but mentorship and coaching to future leaders in sustaining this program. He has encouraged youth leadership and creativity, by advocating for the merger of the Keystone Leadership Program with the Adkins Project. What I personally respect about this man is his spirit of encouragment. He has a way of making you feel good about yourself when you talk to him. To know Mr. Jones is a blessing. Mr. Jones, this page is for you.
J.T. Spivey
I always like to end the tour with a page on our bus driver and friend Mr. J.T. Spivey. He has been the driver as long as I have been doing these tours, which has been since 1999 or 2000. He has been a blessing to our trips with his wisdom and knowledge of all the sites, and his down home nature.He has become a highly respected friend. Mr. Spivey this page is for you.
Back at the Airport
Our tour ends here at the airport. You see Chanel with a visting relative at the airport. Well, next stop, back to California.
King's Neighborhood
Our last stop was the neighborhood of Martin Luther King, Jr's youth. Here, you see our students on the porch of Dr. King's childhood home. We walked down the street where he grew up. No matter how many times I walk this street, I am still fascinated by the history. We ended our tour walking past the King museum and back on the bus. Next stop -- the airport.
Ebenezer Baptist Church
After touring, we took the scholars to visit some more historic landmarks. We went to Ebenezer Baptist Church, the church of Martin Luther King's youth. Following in his grandfather's and father's footsteps, he eventually pastored this church.
Friday, March 30, 2012
Student of the Day
Our last student of the day is Ayanna Hayes a junior at Jesse Bethel High School in Vallejo, California. She plans to attend Tuskegee University and major in nursing. On campus she participates in Upward Bound, which is another college bound program, and softball. She is the last but certainly not the least of our scholars, performing well in school and on track towards graduation. Tuskegee will be blessed to have her.
Another Roommate
My next Student of the Day is Daniel Johnson, a junior at Jesse Bethel in Vallejo, California. I know I shouldn't have taken this picture but I could not resist. I am going to blame Mr. Jones for encouraging me to take this photo. Daniel has participated in football, basketball and baseball while in high school. He is one of the longest members in this program, and he is another roommate of mine. A quality that stands out about this young man is his deepness. I have been watching him this entire week. You literally can see his wheels turning. You can see him thinking. I can tell that he is seriously thinking about his future on the inside, although sometimes it may not show on the outside. This is going to be a dangerous brother.
Student of the Day
Our next Student of the Day is Darien Moore a senior at Jesse Bethel High School in Vallejo, California. There he participates in the Black Student Union, Gay Straight Alliance and Japanese Animation. He plans to attend Alabama State University and major in theatre. He started this tour on the quiet side, but has opened up and is demonstrating great leadership. This young man has really stepped up, particularly when it came to helping our young ladies with luggage and opening doors. This is a quality that has been wasted on this generation.
My Roommates
We have our last day Students of the Day. Here is the great Deion Mason, a junior at Jesse Bethel High School. He has participated in track, basketball, and football. He also volunteers with the Special Education program working with students who have learning disabilities. He is also a member of the Black Student Union. He currently plans to attend Alabama State and major in sports management. He has been one of my roommates this week. I had the pleasure to learn a lot about this young man.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Staff of the Day
The last staff of the day is my partner, Mrs. Terrye Davis. She has been on these tours longer than I. We have worked together on tours with the Keystone Leadership for more than 10 years. We now have merged with the Willie B. Adkins program and are fitting right in. I have grown to really look up to Mrs. Davis. She is a blessing to the students we have and will be working with.
Staff of the Day
Our next staff of the day is Tiffanee Jones. She is the heavy hand keeping the youth in check, as long as she is not distracted by Police officers. She has really done a great job with organizing the Monday evening sessions. Tiffanee is one of the reasons this tour has been so successful.
Student of the Day
Here is Taylor Cash, a senior at Vallejo High School. She has played basketball, softball, and soccer. She wants to attend Clark Atlanta University and major in Communications. Her brother has been on tours with me for the last three or four years. She has been accepted at several colleges on the tour. I have just learned that this young lady has an old soul able to keep up with the oldies,.
Student of the Day
Our next Student of the Day is Malcolm Daniels, a sophomore at Jesse Bethel in Vallejo, California. He is undecided on his school, but would like to major in mechanical engineering. As a sophomore he plays Varsity basketball and football. He is a very well mannered young man and a pleasure to have on this tour.
Student of the Day
Our next student is Sidney Robinson a junior at Vallejo High School in Vallejo, California. She participates in cheerleading. She is undecided on her choice of school, but plans to major in forensics. Sidney has been a pleasure to have on the tour. I nicknamed her giggles, because all she has been doing on the tour is giggling. She seems to be a happy young lady.
Student of the Day
Our next student of the day is Mia St. Mark a junior at Vallejo High School in Vallejo, California. She participates in wrestling and the Apache Academy after school program. She is undecided on her school, but plans to major in Psychology. She wants to eventually go to law school. I met Mia this year and right away noticed her assertive nature. I noticed a self motivation in her that is different than the average student. I look forward to working with her next year.
She is second from the right.
Student of the Day
Our next student of the day is the lovely Chanel Davis. She is a senior attending Jesse Bethel High School in Vallejo, California. She plays basketball and soccer. She plans to attend Long Beach State in Long Beach, California. There she intends to major in kinesiology. However, she has been piling up the acceptance letters on the tour so who knows where she might go. There is no doubt in my mind that this lady will succeed in anything she strives for.
Student of the Day
Stacy Gatison is another one of our students of the day. She is a junior attending Jesse Bethel High School. She participates in basketball and volleyball. She is also a member of the Black Student Union. She is undecided on her college of choice, but plans to major in sports medicine. A quality that stands out about her is her quiet nature. Parents, you should be proud.
Student of the Day
Pictured here is the powerful Nicolas Hughes AKA Texas. This young man attends Jesse Bethel in Vallejo, California. He was one of the migrating students from Hogan High School, which closed last year. He participates in football and made it to the state in wrestling. He has been accepted in several colleges but is keeping his options open. He plans to play football in whatever college he eventually attends. He is very active in his church attending bible study, participating in youth activities, and worship services. A quality that stands out about this young man is quick smile.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Introducing, the beautiful, magnificent, April Hilary AKA Hollywood. She is a junior at Jesse Bethel High School in Vallejo, California and a returning member of the Adkins Program. She participates in cheerleading, and Upward Bound. She is undecided on the school she wants to attend, but wants to major in Pre-Law. She is a very outgoing young lady with much promise. Hollywood, I enjoyed you this tour.
Time for Recreation
We decided to take a break so we took the scholars bowling. We had a great time, everyone participated.
Adkins Alumni
One of the treats of this tour is to run into former members who are now in college. its wonderful to watch a young man or woman grow from that little brat to a mature college student. Here we have Brandon and Covisha. They were Adkins Scholars who are now at Alabama doing their thing.
Alabama State
We are now at Alabama State, our last school of the day. The students are still performing great. Parents you would be proud. Our seniors are now in the office fighting to be accepted. We were late so we will have to wait to found out the results.
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