Greetings to each of you!
February was filled with excitement and a host of invaluable experiences as The Twelve learned about the qualities of being a leader and the importance of good leadership. There are several definitions and opinions about what it takes to become a leader; but the one that I have always embraced states that “a leader is one who understands the importance of helping another to improve.”
Read moreFirst and foremost, I trust your holidays were festive and I extend to each of you a very Happy New Year!
As I reflect on what transpired over the past twelve months, I marvel at what we were able to accomplish. I am thankful to all of you who contributed your time, talent and treasure to ensure that our organization remain effective in the lives of the students that we serve. It is your countless hours of commitment and words of encouragement that enable The 12 to remain steadfast in their pursuit of academic excellence.
Read moreGreetings to each of you.
As we begin yet another school year by sending twelve future leaders off to seven different colleges and universities, we welcome twelve new aspiring leaders in the form of seventh graders into our fold. Twelve individuals who, over the next six years, will embrace the practices and principles of this empowering, educational experience that will prepare them to become the next phase of first-generation college graduates. Allow me to introduce them to you!
Dameshia Bell ( future attorney), Ciera Brooks (future veterinarian), Anthony Fears (future educator), Craig Jackson (future entrepreneur), Valencia Kirk (future pediatrician), Kortrijk Miles (future researcher), Evelyn Morales (future physician), Claudia Palacios (future veterinarian), Jaquiondre Pannell (future computer technician), Labresha Pendgraft (future veterinarian), Anthony Peters (future cartoonist), and D’Asha Turner (future educator). 2017 will be yet another exciting year!
The first-six weeks grading period came to a close on September 30th and the process for academic excellence began. With the expectation set an 85.0, the following are the grade point averages of The Twelve for the initial grading period:
Evelyn Morales - 94.5
Claudia Palacios - 91.1
Anthony Peters - 90.1
Ciera Brooks - 85.7
Craig Jackson - 83.7
D’Asha Turner - 83.1
Labresha Pendgraft - 82.8
Anthony Fears - 82.5
Dameshia Bell - 80.5
Kortrijk Miles - 80.0
Jaquiondre Pannell - 83.2
Valencia Kirk - 78.2
A measure of The Twelve’s academic excellence will be achieved in the areas of reading and writing. Every other Saturday, students assembly in the home of Richard Shlakman, a Turner Twelve stakeholder, to learn ways of becoming more effective readers and writers. The two-hour sessions are conducted under the watchful eye of educator Patricia Medaille who employs various strategies and techniques that will eventually enhance each student’s ability.
The message for the month of October was “Overcoming Obstacles”. Each of The Twelve, as so many of our students today, face a multitude of obstacles each day. Obstacles, that if not handled properly, can deter them from reaching their academic and personal goals.
We would like to thank the following volunteers (Donna Azevedo, Mark Brandenburg, Ryan Hopkins Sharon Hunter, Vernon Lewis, Mario Lopez, Caryl Meeks, Stephen Smith and Mary Strickland) along with Board members Renee Jackson-Smith and Ken Barth for their time and commitment as they stopped by to inform and encourage our students on how to deal with and overcome such obstacles when they arise.
With another group of students came another group of willing volunteers who will serve our organization as members of our Board of Directors. These individuals will enhance our efforts in such areas as marketing, fundraising and educational planning, just to name a few.
I welcome to The Turner Twelve: Gaye Badgwell, System Analyst with Baylor Health Systems, Ken Barth, President/CEO-Symphonics Source, Inc., Lorene Smith, Senior Vice-President/Director of Compliance-On-Target Supplies and Logistics and Jeannine Williams, Finance and Accounting Professional.
Welcome aboard to each of you!!!
Last month, Executive Director John Carter and the Turner 12 students ventured to Tijuana, Mexico. The 12 partnered with Youth With a Mission (YWAM) to construct a home for a family living in substandard housing conditions.
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