Today good news about anything often travels the road least taken. In cities across America, public school systems are mandated to enroll, engage and educate youth to be productive members of society. According to the Alliance for Excellent Education, nearly 90% of the fastest growing, highest paying jobs require some post secondary education. Having a high school diploma and the skills to succeed in college and the workplace are essential. However, nationally, some 1.3 million students each year leave high school without a diploma, at a high cost to themselves and society at large. This is the backdrop as the Jefferson County Public School system searches for a new superintendent and Mayor Greg Fischer is laying the foundation to achieve 55,000 new college degrees by 2020.
That’s why when Roy Hill, an employee of Balfour the leader in graduation products wanted to share what he believed was some exciting news about the Central High School Magnet Career Academy, I felt compelled to take note. He recently attended their 2011 graduation ceremony and was overwhelmed with excitement about Centrals little known accomplishment by its school counselors.
So, I took a trip to Central high school and spoke with the school Principal, Dr. Daniel Withers, and asked him to explain what all the excitement was about? He said, “I would do anything to create an atmosphere where it’s conducive to learn and achieve. In fact, if someone would have told me that they were going to get 80% of our kids to apply for college, I would have been happy with that; but I really did not know that my senior counselor was attempting to get 100% of the students in the senior class to apply for college until after it was done. I was actually blown away by the accomplishment. The graduation audience cheered and cried upon learning the news. To my knowledge this is the first time in my 39 years in the school system that everyone graduating in the senior class has applied and been accepted to a college or university. They might not all go - but they all have a letter of acceptance.”
Dr. Withers continued, “Many students don’t realize they have the potential to go to college. They think they don’t have the finances or give multiple reasons why college is not an option for them.” “I was raised in poverty. While in high school I thought I wasn’t going to college. As a matter of fact, I had already applied to go to electronics school and had started school that summer. Because of some encouragement, I applied to go to college. A financial Aid package came through and suddenly I realized I was able to go. Later on, my college math teacher encouraged me to major in math. Without that, I would not be where I am today. So, I can empathize with kids who think they can’t go to college. Julie Brown, Senior Counselor encourages kids to do what they think they aren’t able to do. She’s created this possibility for them and suddenly doors open up that could change their lives.”
Ms Brown and the counseling staff have obtained over $3 million dollars in scholarship offers with over 100 different scholarships divided among almost 60 students for this year’s senior class. It’s that dogged never give up mental toughness that drives her compassion and commitment on behalf of students. Take for instance Kevon Dunbar; his application to the University of Kentucky was initially rejected. Ms. Brown immediately contacted Don Witt, Vice Provost for Enrollment Management and Michelle Nordin, Associate Admission and Associate Registrar at UK and argued his case. Ms. Nordin replied in a letter “Don and I have reviewed Kevon’s file and we are also impressed by his improvements in his ACT scores. This shows his determination and commitment. We are admitting Kevon.”
Kevon’s parents Cynthia and Keith said, “ Ms. Brown treated their son as if he was a family member. With her help Kevon never missed any deadlines.” Kevon added, “Ms. Brown instilled in all of us students that it’s our choice to go to college. If I chose not to go it was not because I’m not capable, but because I was making a choice to do so.” Ultimately the Dunbar’s opted to let Kevon attend the University of Pikeville on an athletic scholarship. Cynthia added, “Although UK was great to us during our visit, it was the financial package that Pikeville provided that made the difference. Kevon will use the opportunity to further improve his academic and athletic skills; after which he plans to go the University of Kentucky. My husband Keith and I are proud of Central, Ms. Brown and the counseling staff. They really put the grind down for our kids.”
Julie Brown is very humble when speaking about Central’s senior class’ accomplishment. She had experienced similar success while serving as a counselor at Western High School. Now, completing her first year as senior counselor at Central High School, she was able to repeat that success using the “Intensive College Access Now (I CAN) Method,” that she developed. Ms. Brown credits the Central High School administrative staff and her co-workers Patricia Hill, David Linton and Tamela Kinard for their hard work and commitment to the students and making the effort successful. “I don’t do anything alone. It takes real teamwork. Dr. Withers and the Central High School faculty and staff have supported my efforts throughout the year.”
Sherrie Davis said her daughter Chantel Henry was sought out by the University of Louisville, Spalding, Tuskegee and several other HBCU colleges before she accepted a $40,000 scholarship from the University of Kentucky. They credit Ms. Brown’s thoughtfulness and focus. Ms. Davis said,“ I’m proud that Chantel received so many academic scholarships. Ms. Brown was very diligent and stayed on top of everything and does what you expect a counselor to do. I really appreciate that she went beyond just handing out information.” Chantel added, “Ms. Brown treated me like her own daughter and helped me be patient throughout the process.”
Kenneth Arachikavitz is another one of those students who benefited from Ms. Brown’s involvement. He said, “ When Ms. Brown introduced herself at the beginning of the year and said that her goal was to get everyone accepted to college, I said to myself “this is exactly what I need, and exactly what the school needs.” He added, “She kept talking to us about colleges and set up college trips. She helped me get my financials done and recently informed me that I received an $8,000 scholarship from the University of Louisville. All that work was on her, not me and I truly thank her for that. She’s always positive and never negative. I don’t know why she chose me, but I’m glad she did.”
Ms. Brown says her life experiences make her approach to counseling a little different.“I had a counselor named Paul Clubb at Iroquois High School during the 1984 / 85 school year. I remember arguing with him; Mr. Clubb said I was going to college and I said no I wasn’t! We had this discussion where I told him I could not afford college. I didn’t have parents so that was not an option for me. I didn’t know anything, but somehow he and the Lord made a way. He had me take the ACT, complete the college application as well as take the required tests. I cannot even begin to express to you the euphoria and disbelief I felt when I received that award letter saying that I was accepted and that everything would be paid for at Western Kentucky University (WKU).
I didn’t believe it. Each year I worked tirelessly to finish school. I kept waiting for two men dressed in black suits to come and get me and say come on let’s go; you don’t belong here. Needless to say, I successfully finished. As a result, I was able to change my socio-economic status, which gave me a different perspective. So my daughter, Taylor, who’s currently a sophomore at the University of Kentucky, never experienced poverty, hunger, strife or family chaos. In 2003, I started out teaching at Iroquois High School, but my boss Dr. Brian Shumate told me during one of my growth meetings; “you’re a counselor.” I replied “no I’m not.” Again he said yes you are. I asked him, “Do you believe I’m a bad teacher?” And he said no, but you’re a counselor. “It took me a few years to understand what he was telling me and I realized I had been blessed with the ability to establish relationships with kids and parents in a unique and special way. Because I had a counselor who made a difference in my life, I can now make a difference in the lives of students on a daily basis.”
Despite her busy year with the senior class, she still was able to help two freshman students apply and interview for the Mathematics & Science for Minority Students (MS) 2 Program operated by the Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts. Central High freshman student Acacia Leslie is the MS (2) scholarship recipient. She will travel to the Phillips Academy for intensive math and science studies for the next 3 summers starting Tues., June 28, through Wed., Aug. 3. The program prepares students for college and careers in engineering, science, medicine, computers, and other technical fields.
http://www.jefferson.k12.ky.us/Schools/High/central.html
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