WOW! This should be motivation for a lot of freshman.
Why not do this for all high school students?
Lucy C. Laney High School freshmen were given two options Thursday: Graduate or graduate.
"Repeat after me, 'Either I'm going to make it, or I'm going to make it,' " Keith L. Brown, a nationally known speaker, told the ninth-graders during a special assembly.
Mr. Brown, billed as the "Motivator of the Millennium," delivered a high-energy, music-filled challenge to the freshmen, urging them to prove naysayers wrong.
Last year, only 30.9 percent of Laney's students earned a diploma on time.
To improve that rate, the school held a commitment ceremony Thursday for the school's 244 freshmen. Much like graduation, each of their names was called alphabetically and each walked forward to greet Principal Hawthorne Welcher.
The freshmen signed a banner to show their commitment to graduating as members of the Class of 2012 and received miniature diplomas as a reminder of their commitment.
"It's not impossible. It's 'I'm possible,' " Mr. Brown said.
He recalled being labeled a special ed student and at-risk. He was headed in the wrong direction, he said, the same direction some Laney students might find themselves going.
"But then I got my mind right," he said.
Freshmen Taiquinnius Litfield and De'Niro Wilson, both 16, said Mr. Brown left them with plenty to think about.
"He put a lot of information in your head," De'Niro said.
They said the talk made an impression, adding that many of their classmates just want to get in trouble.
When asked whether he is going to graduate in four years, Taiquinnius replied, "Oh, yeah," without hesitation.
Freshman year is critical for high school students, educators say. It's the year when the most students drop out.
Thursday's commitment ceremony is the first phase of a four-year program, sponsored by National Recognition Products, a company that sells graduation items. The company's Legacy Program will continue to work with the students until their graduation in 2012. The program, for instance, will show students during their junior year how to apply for college and financial aid.
"We plan to see you through to completion and graduation in 2012," the company's local representative, Audra Roper, told the students.
National Recognition Products brought Mr. Brown, who has appeared as a motivational speaker on several TV programs, including Showtime at the Apollo.
Reach Greg Gelpi at (706) 828-3851 or greg.gelpi@augustachronicle.com.
Comments
WOW! This should be motivation for a lot of freshman.
Why not do this for all high school students?
I know that those students got a lot out of Keith "Preacher" Brown. He is a wonderful, dynamic speaker.
The program was awesome! The other grades wanted to participate as well! The program is via National Recognition Products, free to the school (as long as they utilize their services for products), and will continue through the students graduation year. PJ other schools in the county were given the same opportunity, however, they did not want to switch from their current company to National Recognition Products. The students at Laney had a committee that chose NRP over the other companies. The Commitment to Graduation program being one of the main reasons for NRP being selected. WAY TO GO LANEY!
While I'm very glad that the school is doing this and the company is sponsoring this, I was still a bit amused to see that the company sells graduation products. So this is not exactly a disinterested endeavor. Nevertheless, it's a great idea and I would dearly love to see every high school in the area have a 100% graduation rate. I hope they have these motivational assemblies every year and encourage the students to make use of the school counselors when things get tough for them during the school year.
You Go Wildcats!!!!!!!!!!!!.....I am a GRADUATE of the Class of 77 wish they had something like this in all the High Schools
sorry to sound cynical, but when the rubber meets the road 30% graduation rate just doesn't cut it! yes it is good that motivational speakers are there to inspire and motivate but the best motivational speaker can't be an adaquate substitute for PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT. why does it take a total stranger to give students "something to think about?" i am sorry with runaway teenage pregnencies, highdrop out rates among black males especially and those who graduate half are still functional illiterates there need to be mandated parental involvement for ALL SCHOOLS, and those who don't care to learn or be respectful of others then they need to be sent home, back to their trifling parents. with high rates of illiteracy, dropout and teenage pregnancy its time to get serious about education our children and do what is necessary to have an environment that is conducive to learning. if i hurt someone's feelings i am sorry but when most of the schools in rich cnty can't meet ayp or graduate more that 70% of its students then more is needed. motivation to learn must come from the home/parents first then augmented with motivational speakers or progams not paid for by taxpayers money.
"Freshmen Taiquinnius Litfield and De'Niro Wilson, both 16, said Mr. Brown left them with plenty to think about." Pardon me for asking, but is "taiguinnius" latin for something?
That national recognition company does sell graduation products and I have to say the prices are so much better than what I had to pay for my other child last year at Laney. And my daughter said she thinks the products look better. I think its great that they come and do more than just sell to our children. The article said they even have something to help them prepare for college when they are juniors so they must be doing more than just bringing in motivational speakers.
I agree that parents need to step up and show more time with their children. But until that happens every little step helps. And notyourdadsbuick I think it is sad that you would try to put down a child's name. That is something that he had no control over. And as we recently found out names don't always hold you back. Thank you Mr. President.
Anyway I am glad Dr. Welcher made such a good decision to change to this company and I need every extra penny in my pocket that I can find. I am happy my child is at Laney high school and the teachers are doing the best they can with what is sent to them.
Great comment mamasmurf. I agree with you 100%. Notyourdadsbuick could not find anything other then the name of a student to talk about after reading this article...that is sad. jisomjr You are absolutely right 30% is not acceptable and parents should be more involved and programs like this are a great place to start. All parents of the freshmen were sent invitations and some were present. School administration, faculty, staff, parents, and community members are all needed to work on the students success. I thank you for being a concerned citizen and challenge you to help the schools to make a difference.
National Recognition Products is glad to see everyone's responses on the Legacy Program. Our goal with this program was that the kids come first. In order to make this commitment to graduation ceremony available to the kids, we do not use the taxpayer's money. National Recognition Products funds each of these ceremonies and all items involved out of our own pocket. We understand it sometimes takes a community to offer the assistance the kids need to graduate. Thank you again for your time and comments in regards to Legacy.
WOW -- they knew how to spell that!!
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