‘Colts are College Bound!’ pushes every child toward success
Author: Tammy Lane • First Posted: Monday, October 10, 2011
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Kentucky State University's marching band and cheerleaders fired up William Wells Brown Elementary during the "Colts are College Bound!" kickoff.
At William Wells Brown Elementary, striving to earn a college degree is not only an option – it’s an expectation for every child.
“Part of being a life-long learner is not stopping your education with high school. Even when you graduate, you continue to learn and to grow,” said Principal Yvonne Peace, who wants all her students to absorb this message about college: “You can go, you should go, and you’re expected to go.”
The school’s 2-year-old “Colts are College Bound!” campaign promotes this idea, and community partners like the Federal Medical Center and J.M. Smucker Co. provide support and resources.
This fall’s kickoff featured partner Kentucky State University and its president, Mary Evans Sias, who noted how a college diploma is essential to finding a good job in today’s world.
“Education is power. It will unlock all the doors to success,” Sias said at Monday’s schoolwide assembly. “It doesn’t matter if you’re the first in your family (to attend college) – you can do this.”
Sias also called on teachers to propel youngsters toward that goal, citing a statistic that only 15 percent of ninth-graders will graduate and move on to post-secondary studies.
In a show of solidarity, she and Peace signed on to the “Colts to Thorobred Achievers Program,” through which the children will be steadily led along a solid educational path.
Kentucky State also brought along its marching band and cheerleaders to rally the youngsters. Paraeducator Butch Emerson, who was instrumental in forging the connection, said the memorable event will help as staff members remind the kids about their target.
He said William Wells Brown also plans to partner with Berea College, which has a work-study program to defray expenses.
“I’m trying to take cost out of the equation. I want kids to understand you can go to school almost free if you make good grades and stay out of trouble. You have some options,” he said.
William Wells Brown plans various initiatives throughout the year, including financial aid workshops for parents and campus visits. For instance, Kentucky State will host elementary students and families Nov. 5 in Frankfort, offering college-prep sessions and a football game to cap the day.
Another simple incentive is a college T-shirt, which a student will receive if he makes the honor roll or writes an essay on “what I want to be when I grow up.”
“The objective is to start our kids at an early age thinking about it,” Emerson explained. “They can’t wait until they get to the 10th grade to say, ‘Hey, I think I want to go to college.’ There are things you have to do to prepare for that.”
One way is to look around and make the most of everyday opportunities.
“Take time to be involved with other students and projects out in the community,” Sias urged the youngsters. “Don’t wait to be told what to do. When you see something that needs doing, assign yourself that task.”
She pointed out that the path won’t be easy.
“Life is never going to be fair, so just get over it right now and do whatever it takes to be successful,” Sias said. “Your circumstances don’t define who you are or what you can achieve.”
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