Graduation Unity Walk for Orangeburg County Seniors

In society, oftentimes people tend to focus more on the negative than the positive. Instead, people should take a stand to contribute in various ways to make a positive change. It is my goal as the Senior Class President of Orangeburg Wilkinson High School to have an Empowerment Walk for the Orangeburg County graduating class of 2012. This walk is for all 2012 graduating seniors in the counties of Orangeburg Consolidated School District Counties 3, 4, and 5. This walk is to give schools the opportunity to show the Orangeburg Community how successful we have become in the classrooms as one united class.

I also hope to challenge and inspire each graduate to breathe life into the dreams of those who will follow in our footsteps in future graduating classes uniting as one county. This annual event could possibly spawn unlimited networking relationships that will benefit our community for years to come.

It is my request that you will encourage each of your school’s graduating seniors to be present to walk with us Saturday, May 26, 2012 at South Carolina State University to show each school’s pride in their accomplishments.

The walk around the campus at South Carolina State University is expected to last approximately 30 minutes and following the walk, a speaker will address the class immediately afterwards. In total, I am estimating one hour from start to finish. I would appreciate your support in requesting ALL high schools’ graduating classes to participate in this (soon-to-be) annual event.

I am requesting that each senior wear their school’s colors or some type of school paraphernalia to showcase school spirit as we will ask all students to sit in their respective school’s section. I would like for you, and members of the faculty & staff be present to show support for this community effort. I will be forwarding additional information as the date draws closer. Please acknowledge receipt of my letter and your participation immediately at my email address, mikemillerjr2012@yahoo.com or by phone at (803)707-6982.

For many of the 17 teens, this blazer was their first.

They are members of the Gentlemen’s Club, groups at middle and high schools across Beaufort County that focus on teaching young men leadership, respect and etiquette.

“We learn what to take care of as a man,” said sophomore Shane Wright. “Like doing our schoolwork, how to treat a lady, and that we should take care of our families.”

L.J. Bush, one of the club’s leaders, said the goal is to teach the young men to be responsible and to be good citizens. The clubs follow a curriculum from The Peters Group, which founded the clubs in 1996.

At Hilton Head High each Thursday, the club members wear a white button-down shirt and a tie to school.

Now, they’ll add the blazers, which were fitted at Jos. A Bank on Hilton Head Island on Thursday. The blazers were donated by the Van Landingham Rotary Club.

“Everybody is going to be looking at us,” sophomore Orlando White said with a wide smile.

Bush believes the club is making a difference in the students’ lives.

The coat, he says, will help.

“A blazer completes the outfit; it makes everyone feel good,” he said. “It will add that extra spice, and they’ll be used to wearing it by the time they go out into the work force.”

Moradel agreed the club has made a difference in his life — tutors help him when he needs it and he’s learning skills he knows he’ll need in the future. A few weeks ago, the group learned dining etiquette at a restaurant. Moradel thought the lessons would help on dates while Wright said he now knows how to handle a business dinner.

The club has branches at eight other county schools:

Battery Creek and Whale Branch Early College high schools
Beaufort, Bluffton, Hilton Head Island, Lady’s Island, Robert Smalls and Whale Branch middle schools
There are also two Ladies Clubs, which follow a similar model, at Bluffton and Robert Smalls middle schools. On meeting days, members dress up — usually in a black skirt or pants, white shirt and a pink scarf or tie.
But it’s about more than manners.

There’s also a community service component. Hilton Head High students have worked to maintain their school’s track and stadium. Students at Robert Smalls have caroled at nursing homes. At Bluffton Middle, Ladies Club members have assisted in fundraisers and a coat drive.

Many club members struggle in school or have behavior issues, club sponsors said. This club helps address those concerns, they say.

Pamela Maddox, an assistant principal at Bluffton Middle, said teachers have told her the 25 girls involved in the club are behaving better and that their grades have started to climb. The girls have learned that someone will hold them accountable for their actions, Maddox said.

“I think it makes a difference,” she said. “It’s another opportunity that we stop in our busy schedules long enough to just connect with them in a different way.”

David McIntyre, an assistant principal at Robert Smalls Middle who coordinates the two clubs, agreed the groups are changing student behavior.

“I see that the kids are more confident,” he said. “We’ve started to see more self-discipline. Some students would get into trouble, and we’ve seen a decrease in that. Just overall, they have a positive outlook on their future.”

Intern – The Peters Group
Darrius Snow is the founder and president of Team Foundation and the recipient of the Nickelodeon HALO awards presented by Nick Cannon and his HALO matched LeBron James. He was born in the projects of Atlanta, and is one of five kids each with a different father. Darrius was abandoned by his drug addicted mother when he was two years old. Darrius is the first in his family to graduate high school, and he is currently in his Junior year at Voorhees College Majoring in Business Administration with a Concentration in Finance Minoring in Mass Communication. He established the BTEAM (Bankhead Teens Encouraging Action by Motivating others). This is a group of teens organized to transform their neighborhood from a drug and crime-infested area, to a positive environment where young people can be active and grow towards a brighter future. Darrius is also active with many more organizations. Darrius is a Host for his Radio Show, The Darrius Snow Show Speaking Life, on 790 WVCD AM in Denmark, South Carolina.

Teen Nick Halo Awards Update

Dr. Nancy J. McGinley reflects on the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday and several recent events—including the Boyz to Gentlemen Summit, the Charleston Marathon, a retreat for principals, and a meeting with many of the district’s strategic partners.

Bob has been a consultant with the Sable Group, Inc., in Weston, CT where he has done diversity training and helped monitor the use of minority organizations.

He worked for many years with IBM in a number of different positions. Bob is a member, and has served in leadership positions for a number of community organizations, including as a trustee of Ferguson Library, Stamford YMCA, I have a Dream Foundation and the Stamford Partnership Committee.

Bob is a member of The Peters Group Foundation and a Consultant for the General Electric Foundation. We are honored to have him work with The Peters Group as Director of Fundraising for the Gentlemen’s and Ladies Clubs.