Aeysha Brown and Torrey Denison (left) had the help of their family and friends in getting ready for the workshop and forum at Mt. Moriah Baptist Church.  Joyce Brown (second from right) is the moderator of the NAACP Youth Council. photo by Linda Jaresh

By Linda Jaresh/Staff Writer

Published: Oct. 30, 2008

linda@thegarlandnews.net

Garland’s NAACP Youth Council combined its education forum with a kick-off rally for its 2008-2009 ACT SO competition season.

“Our youth are our future,” said Joyce Miller, the ACT SO sponsor. “Through their participation in the different categories of ACT SO, they learn a lot of different things. It has helped some just to be able to get up in front of people to speak."

The rally and forum were held at Mt. Moriah Baptist Church on Marguerita.

Those who attended found information about colleges and universities in the area and learned how to apply for scholarships. Some middle school students who attended the event received academic excellence awards and good attendance recognitions.

“We just want to share all of the information that we have about a good college education,” said Torrey Denison, president of the youth council. “It is because of groups like this that I have come to understand how important it is to pass along to students younger than I the information that I have learned.”

“ACT SO is a yearlong enrichment program designed to recruit, stimulate, and encourage high Academic and cultural achievement among African American high School students,” Miller said.

“The program relies on the dedication and commitment of community and business leaders who volunteer as mentors and coaches to promote academic and artistic excellence. Through this effort, students who participate develop the confidence needed to excel in school and in life. Currently ACT-SO includes 26 areas of competition in the sciences, humanities and business, along with performing and visual arts.”

Keome Rowe from Texas Christian University in Ft. Worth spoke to students and parents about college life at TCU. As Rowe spoke, B. J. Williams, president of Garland’s NAACP, stressed the importance of a good education.

“If we reach just one student, then we have succeeded,” Williams said. “We are the link to the future for our young people. We must provide for them what is necessary for them to make good decisions about their future, and if the leadership of our youth council is any indication of the success of the future for our young people, then I say that we are going to be OK.”

For more information about ACT-SO, contact Joyce Miller at 972-381-5044 or e-mail the Garland branch at www.garlandtxnaacp.org.