8 from PJC attend SW Black Student Leadership Conference

Published or Revised April 18, 2013

Fearlessly approaching the future was the message taken away by eight Paris Junior College students after attending the 25th Annual Southwestern Black Student Leadership Conference at Texas A&M University last weekend. The conference theme, "Embrace the Unknown," was designed to provide students with knowledge and tools useful for future leadership roles. Accompanied by Student Life Director Kenneth Webb and Teacher Education Instructor Marian Ellis, the PJC students attending included: Ashley Reed and Lasuelo Jackson of Clarksville, Heather Rowe and Kevin Adkins of Garland, Jamie Williams of Royse City, Cindy Blanton of Henderson, Clyde Polk of Dallas and Chevin Dockins of Mesquite. Attendees heard from several motivational speakers, including Tawan Perry. Failing English and math placement tests at the local community college, he spent two years completing developmental classes. He graduated and was awarded a full academic scholarship. The nationally known speaker authored "College Sense: What College and High School Advisors Don't Tell You About College." His talks and workshops focus on student leadership, college transition, and diversity. "I learned about branding and the way others perceive you," said Reed. "It's more than saying your goals, it's writing them down and acting on them. It's a competitive world, and in order to win you have to be better than average. Leadership skills start with yourself and being a good leader." Reed serves as secretary of PJC's African American Student Union. "It was a spectacular experience," said Polk. "I learned a lot of leadership skills and I would recommend this conference for any type of organization to go to." "I learned a lot about relationships, and how to pursue and reach my goals," said Jackson, who also serves as president of AASU. Another popular speaker was Stephen A. Smith, broadcast journalist who has been a regular on ESPN and Fox sports broadcasts, and since February 2011 serves as weeknight radio show host on ESPN's Radio New York and Radio Los Angeles, as well as a columnist for ESPN.com. "I was impressed at how he told us of flunking third grade, taking summer school, flunking fourth grade, taking summer school, and using those experiences to motivate himself," said Webb. "Now he's a broadcast journalist with ESPN making his living from words." "It was my first time at this conference and it was a humbling experience," said Adkins. "I took a piece away from every workshop I went to. I learned I have to step up my game: how I speak, how I dress. I learned about business and life. I got to talk to Stephen Smith and told him when I become the youngest coach to win a college football championship he should interview me and he said if I did it he would." Webb and Ellis attended the advisors' portion of the conference. "This was my second opportunity to attend the Southwestern Black Student Leadership Conference at TAMU, College Station," said Ellis. "I love this conference because it gives minority students from all over the United States the opportunity to come together with one goal in mind, getting an education and becoming a leader in society. It shows these students that they have the opportunity to reach their highest potential. I particularly enjoyed the motivational speaker, Tawan Perry, a former developmental education community college student, who struggled through community college and now is an author with a master's degree." "One of the things I heard repeated over and over was to be successful, you have to get away from negative people," said Webb. "You have to make good decisions and your attitude is key. Negative people will keep you from that goal." AASU is sponsoring a Black History Month program in the Math & Science Building Room 101-102 on Feb. 27 from 12:15 p.m. to 1 p.m. The students are also planning to bring what they learned at the conference to other students through a leadership conference at PJC on April 5.