DELTA NEXT! A Guide to Completing School and More

About Delta NEXT..........................................................................................................................................3
Letter from Dr. Hank Bounds
Commissioner of Higher Education ..............................................................................................................4
Letter from John Jordan
Interim State Superintendent of Education ....................................................................................................5
Articles:
The Choice is Yours ......................................................................................................................................6
Playing into Stereotypes ................................................................................................................................7
Mississippi Delta’s Finest:
Sara Tribune and Renaldo Williams ........................................................................................................8-10
So, You Want to be... ............................................................................................................................11-13
The Selfishness of Teen Pregnancy ......................................................................................................14-15
Living in “La La Land” ..................................................................................................................................16
Don’t be your own Worst Enemy................................................................................................................17
“Alone” a poem by Maya Angelo..................................................................................................................18
Sponsors ......................................................................................................................................................19
Delta Next! is a publication initiated by the Special Taskforce for the Revitalization of the Delta and is now published by the Bureau of
Long Range Economic Development Planning at the Institutions of Higher Learning. On the cover: Sara Tribune and Renaldo Williams,
Mississippi Delta natives and former Jackson Heart Study Scholars at Tougaloo college.
All Rights reserved. Reproduction or use, without permission, of editorial or graphic content in any manner is prohibited. Delta Next: A guide to completing school
and more is not affiliated with The Next Step Magazine or any other similar publication. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information herein.
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About Delta NEXT!
DELTA NEXT! is a magazine developed exclusively for students in grades six through nine living in
the 18 county Mississippi Delta Revitalization region.
DELTA NEXT! is designed to help answer questions as “What are my next steps on this journey
through school?” “How do I stay on track?” “How do I make it into high school and what must I do
to be successful once I get there?”
The intent of DELTA NEXT! is to encourage students
to stay in school and graduate. It is part of an ongoing effort throughout the state of
Mississippi to increase school completion and reduce drop out.
DELTA NEXT! is a tool to be used by
students, teachers and parents, providing articles on a variety of useful topics for school and life success, preparation for high school, and reaching
the ultimate goal – GRADUATION.
Dreams begin to take shape
with a high school diploma.
“Get excited and
enthusiastic about
your dream. This
excitement is like a
forest fire - you can
smell it, taste it
and see it from a
mile away.”
Denis Watley
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4
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The Choice Is Yours
Students are constantly bombarded with messages to “Stay in
School,” “Get an education,” and “Graduate.”
Why? Because, people from all walks of life know and understand
how having a good education can contribute to having a better, easier and more productive life. They want young people to have a
chance at a good life and they know it is almost impossible without
the benefit of education.
No matter what is said, the choice is yours to take this advice or not.
Parents send their children to school, but it is up to them,
as students, to do the work. Teachers will provide the
information needed, but again, it is up to the students to
take it all in. The principal will make sure there is a safe,
well run environment in which to learn, but it is up to students to go to class, pay attention, ask questions, study and
do all the things necessary to get a good education. The
choice is yours.
In America, some high schools have dropout rates as high
as 50 percent. That means only half of all students who
start high school in the 9th grade, will make it to graduation. Regrettably, the
other half won’t. It’s
your choice of which
half you’ll be in.
When asked in a national survey why they quit school, common
responses of dropouts included:
• They saw no point in going to school
• Classes were not interesting
• They had fallen behind in the work and could not keep up
• They had too much “freedom.” Parents didn’t place value on education.
• They were targets for harassment and violence
Don’t be part of the “drop out” crowd. It’s all up to you. The choice
is yours.
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Playing into Stereotypes
What are ‘stereotypes?’
Stereotypes are generalizations about people. They are beliefs based on the
notion that all people in a particular group think, live and behave just alike.
People are lumped together based on stereotypes and the assumption is that they
are all the same because they have the same skin color or belong to the same
race, age group or other similarities.
Many stereotypes are based on images and impressions formed in peoples’
minds. Whether these images are true or false, positive or negative, fair or
unfair doesn’t really matter. If you belong to a certain group, you are labeled to
be just like everyone else in the group. You’ve been stereotyped. Who you are
as an individual doesn’t matter.
Stereotypes are easy to create when consistent patterns of behavior are seen a lot
and easily recognized. For example: Groups of teens that are loud and rowdy
might give the impression that most teens behave that way. This is certainly not
true. Stereotypes can be hurtful and misleading. The behavior of a few can create problems for everyone else in the group. While it is wrong to lump people
into categories, there are those who behave in a way that make it seem as if the
negative images are true.
As a student, what kinds of images do you stir up: positive or negative?
Do you carry yourself in a way that could make others think you don’t have
pride or dignity?
•
Is profanity a regular part of your vocabulary?
•
Are you loud and disorderly?
•
Is your behavior inappropriate or violent?
•
Are you a troublemaker, a bully?
If you can answer “yes” to any of these questions,
you might be helping to create a negative image for
yourself and your peers.
Don’t confirm the negative things believed to be true
about any group you are a part of. It is important to
remember that you are not only representing yourself. You are representing your family, peer group,
community, and your school, as well. Make sure you
live in a way that gives people something positive to
say about you. Leave a favorable impression wherever you go.
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Mississippi Delta’s Finest!
What do you do when you’re born and raised in a place where the unemployment rate is sky high,
the school drop out rate is higher and the poverty rate is even higher than that?
What do you do when by virtue of where you live you are forced to attend a Level 1 or Level 2
high school?
What do you do when statistics suggest you will be a failure and many have written you off,
already? The answer: You not only succeed, you excel!
That is exactly what Sara Latonya Tribune, 21 of Gunnison and Renaldo Williams, 21, of Pickens
did. They not only beat the odds, they completely shattered the odds to pieces and raised the
meaning of success to a whole new level.
Sara and Renaldo graduated from Tougaloo College in May 2009. Each of them graduated with
Continued on Page 9
Sara and Renaldo pictured with Dr. Asoka Srinivasan, Director of the Jackson Heart Study Education and Training program at
Tougaloo College and Dr. Wendy White, co-Principal Investigator and Coordinator of the Education and Training program.
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Continued from Page 8
the academic distinction called Summa Cum Laude, meaning “the highest praise for the very best.”
Both are going to become medical doctors. That’s correct, medical doctors.
Sara has been accepted to medical School at Brown University. She has already been recognized
on a national level for her research.
Renaldo has been accepted to medical school at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. He
was awarded the Barksdale scholarship that will pay his way through medical school at the
UMMC.
Sara was born and raised in Bolivar County, the daughter of Mr. Jessie Tribune, a Baptist minister
and construction business owner and his wife Mrs. Linda Tribune, a social worker. Sara has two
older brothers Orlando and Jessie, Jr.
Sara says that some of the greatest challenges of attending a high school that was on academic probation was having to use outdated text books, lack of needed class materials and no chemistry and
science labs. However, Sara didn’t focus on the negatives. She kept moving forward and graduated as valedictorian of her class.
She says it bothered her that many of her classmates had a tendency to set “low” goals choosing
to be occupational “assistants” as opposed to striving for higher professions. She says her personal “drive to achieve” sometimes set her apart from her classmates. She credits her family and
teacher support for instilling high expectations in her at an early age. Sara enjoyed living in her
Delta community where she says, “People know each other”.
Renaldo is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Willie Williams. His father works in the construction business
and his mother, Mrs. Vanessa Williams is employed at Nissan. Renaldo has a younger brother,
Reginald.
Renaldo was also class valedictorian of his Level 1 high school. He too, refuses to focus on the
negative stereotypes about the Delta, but admits that environment and lack of exposure can limit
you. He believes you must be self motivated to look beyond where you live.
Renaldo remembers the “makeshift” science labs at his school and is quick to express his appreciation for the innovative instructors that made a way to help him succeed, in spite of the odds.
Continued on Page 10
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Continued from Page 9
He says his mother would constantly tell him, “Read to succeed, Renaldo. Read to succeed.” He
followed that advice. His father always insisted on Renaldo getting his homework done before
play or other activities.
In order to be successful, Renaldo says you must have a positive attitude and learn how to talk to
people. Most of his closest friends attend college.
Both Sara and Renaldo urge parents to be involved with their children’s education by getting to
know their teachers, instilling reading and good behavior and making sure kids are involved in
constructive activities.
They urge young students to read all they can, study hard, practice abstinence, and to always be
respectful. “Respect and good attitudes will open doors for you,” says Renaldo.
Sara and Renaldo were Jackson Heart Study Scholars
at Tougaloo College. They credit a large portion of
their college success to the summer programs for high
school students, such as the Summer Science Program
at Tougaloo.
“The summer programs made all the difference” says
Sara. “These programs introduce students to college
life while still in high school. They help prepare you
for the coursework ahead and put you in line for financial assistance when it is time to go to college.”
Renaldo agrees, “The support system at Tougaloo is
really strong. They do everything possible to help you
succeed.”
“These two young scholars are on their way in a big
way. They didn’t allow obstacles to give them an
excuse to be mediocre or to fail,” says Dr. Wendy
White, at Tougaloo College.
Sara and Renaldo, pictured with Dr. Wendy White.
Once you make up your mind that you are going to complete high school and graduate, it is a matter of staying focused and doing what needs to be done to make it happen. There is no room for
excuses if you are committed to reaching your goal. Where you come from won’t matter. Where
you’re headed is what really counts. It begins with a high school diploma.
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So, you want to be…
A Doctor/Physician
If you want to be a doctor you should have a strong desire
to help people and be willing to study - a lot.
Becoming a doctor requires more training than most other
jobs. It takes about 11 years to become a doctor, including
4 years of college, 4 years of medical school, and 3 years
working in a hospital. It is not easy to get into medical
school. You must do very well in college and on medical
school entrance exams.
Good areas of study for future medical students include the sciences: chemistry, biology, engineering, physics and math. Doctors use science to figure out what is making people sick.
Therefore, medical school students take lots of science courses.
According to a survey done on doctors’ compensation, most of
them earned between $132, 953 and $321, 686 in 2005.
The number of jobs for doctors is expected to grow faster than
all other occupations through 2016. There is plenty of need
for doctors, especially in rural and low-income areas like the
Mississippi Delta.
If you want to become a doctor, start preparing now. Don’t
wait until you get to college. Develop good study habits.
Work hard and take plenty math and science classes. Medical
school is competitive. What you do now will help prepare you
for medical school when the time comes.
A Lawyer/ Attorney
Anything worth having takes work and commitment. This is true for becoming a lawyer. You will
be required to have a four year college degree and graduate with a high grade point average (GPA).
You will also be required to pass the Law School Admission Test, known as the LSAT. Like medical school, law school can be competitive. So, it is best to start preparing now. You should know
that the English, reading, writing, and speech classes you are taking right now, will be very beneficial later on.
Taking time to develop certain skills will help you prepare for a career in law. For example, learning to write clearly and logically, developing the skill to articulate your views on issues, learning
to read, analyze and retain large amounts of printed material and learning to work with many types
of people, will be helpful to you.
Continued on Page 10
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Continued from Page 11
Once in law school, you will have to complete three years of
course work. At graduation, you will receive a Juris Doctor
degree, also called a J.D. Degree. Then, you will be required
to pass the State Bar Association Exam.
Becoming a lawyer takes lots of work, and the potential
income is great. In 2006, median annual earnings for lawyers
was $102,470. This means that half of the lawyers earned
more than this amount and half earned less.
If you want to become a lawyer, your work ethic starts today.
Don’t wait until you get to college to become serious. Start
right now.
An Accountant
Accountants keep track of money for businesses, government,
and individuals. Business managers depend on reports from accountants to see how well their
companies are doing. Government use accounting reports to tell how much taxes companies
should pay.
A Certified Public Accountant (also known as a CPA) must have a four year college degree.
Accountants who are not certified only need a two year degree, but will be extremely limited by
where they can work and how much money they will earn.
You can begin to lay the ground work for becoming an accountant
while you are in high school, by taking math and accounting classes and focusing on economics.
Accountants need to be able to write well to communicate their
findings, so the English and math classes you are currently taking
and the economics classes you will take in high school, will give
you a good start. High school will lay the foundation that will prepare you for the more demanding accounting coursework you will
face in college.
To become a CPA, you will be required to take a certification exam
that will test your knowledge of the law and mathematical concepts.
The CPA exam will ensure that you will be a competent accountant
and will be able to handle the accounting needs of your clients.
Once you become a CPA you can open your own accounting firm, or work for a large accounting
firm. You might even have an opportunity to work for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
Continued on Page 13
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Continued from Page 12
On average, accountants can expect to make from $37,000 to $ 85,000 a year, depending on their
experience and the area of the accounting field they choose to work in. Job prospects for accountants are good. Employment in accounting is expected to grow through the next several years.
A Carpenter/Craftsman
Perhaps you’d like to “work with your hands” as a Carpenter. Carpenters make up the largest single group of skilled craftsmen in the country. A craftsman is one who works with his hands using
great skill and expertise. Craftsmen work on many different kinds of construction, from building
bridges and highways to building and repairing structures in people’s homes, or making furniture.
Carpenters must be able to work very easily with their hands using many kinds of wood-working
tools. They must be willing to do physical work.
Learning to be a carpenter can start in high school. Classes in English, algebra, geometry, physics,
mechanical drawing, blueprint reading and general “shop”
classes can help prepare you to become a carpenter. After
high school, you might become a carpenter’s helper, also
known as an apprentice.
An apprentice is a “trainee” who works under an experienced carpenter or other craftsmen to learn the same skills.
Your school counselor can provide information on apprentice programs for high school graduates. Those who complete a formal apprenticeship program will receive a special
certification to guarantee that all required skills have been
obtained. You can also become a carpenter by attending a
trade school, vocational school or community college to learn carpentry.
Many carpenters are self employed. Others work for construction companies. The need for carpenters is expected to grow. Carpenters can expect to earn between $10 and $17 per hour or more
depending on the kind of work they do.
The path is similar for becoming electricians, plumbers,
bricklayers and other craftsman skills appealing to those
who don’t mind getting their hands dirty.
No matter what your choice of career might be, it starts
before you graduate from high school. A high school diploma will be required to get started.
A high school diploma will grant access to colleges and
careers. The school work you’re doing right now really matters. So, do your best and remember that the only place success comes before work is in the dictionary!
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The Selfishness of Teen Pregnancy
(It’s not just about Y-O-U.)
Betsy broke the news to her family this morning. She’s pregnant. In seven months, there will be
a “new addition” to the family. Now, instead of the trip to Disneyland the family had saved for
over the past year, extra money will have to be used to buy
a baby bed, a car seat, formula, diapers, baby clothes and
lots of other baby things.
Dad must stretch the family budget to accommodate five,
now. There goes Mom’s “free time.” She’ll be busy helping to raise another child. And, what if the baby has special needs?
Betsy’s younger brother can forget about the new video
games he was promised for making the honor roll. All
extra income has to go for baby expenses.
Betsy’s education is on hold indefinitely. Her plans to go
to college in a couple of years have been derailed. Life has changed, for everybody.
Teen pregnancy can be viewed as a very selfish, self-centered act. Why? Because, a teen pregnancy affects more than just the two people involved in conceiving the baby. Becoming pregnant as
a teenager sets many things in motion that impact other people. Everything comes with a price:
financially, emotionally and educationally.
1. Most teens are dependent.
Teens are living with parents or other guardians who are responsible for them because they are
“minors.” In the eyes of the law, teens are not legally adults. Typically, teens rely on their parents
to provide the basic necessities of life, including food, clothing, shelter, medicine, and other things.
Teenagers are financially dependent. They do not have the kinds of jobs (if any job at all) to maintain a household and raise a family.
Parents can find it challenging, especially in tough economic times, to provide adequately for
members of their existing household. Adding expenses of another child can create hardships and
sacrifices that must be endured by the rest of the family. The family didn’t plan it or ask for it, but
now everyone in the family has to deal with a teen pregnancy.
Parents are focused on getting their own children through high school and college. Having to ‘start
over’ and raise grandchildren require that they put their life on hold again. It just doesn’t seem fair,
does it?
Continued on Page 15
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Continued from Page 14
2. Most teens are too immature to know how to raise children.
Teenage mothers are still teenagers. They think and act like other teenagers. They can be selfcentered, distracted and may find it difficult to plan for the future.
Society views motherhood as a very important role. Mothers are
expected to provide security, stability and nurturing for their children.
Mothers must be willing to sacrifice many of their own wants and
desires for the benefit of their children. Most teens have not reached
this level of maturity.
As adorable as babies can be, they are demanding little people. They
want what they want when they want it. It doesn’t matter what time
of day or night. They don’t care whether homework is done, or even
if there’s an important test at school the next day.
The parents of teen mothers play a large part in raising these children.
Often, it is the grandparents who make sure the babies are properly
cared for and that their needs are met. Parents do this, while trying to
help their teen daughters finish school. It’s not easy for anybody.
3. The odds are against teen mothers reaching their full potential.
Many teen moms are caught in a life of poverty. They are trapped in a cycle of dependence on
family and the welfare system. The odds are against them achieving what they might have, had
they waited to first become educated, married women before having a baby.
Finishing high school is a critical step toward independence for the teen mom. Unfortunately, too
many of them drop out of school and never return. Getting a college degree becomes only a dream.
Teen moms have to find work. The jobs available to them at
such a young age won’t pay enough for them to afford what
they need for a good quality of life.
As they grow into single young women raising children all by
themselves, they won’t be in a position to “give back” to
their family or community in a way that their college educated peers might. Statistics indicate a life of poverty for these
young mothers and their children. Nobody wins.
Parenting is challenging. Good parenting takes a lot of work
and sacrifice. For those who choose to become teen moms,
be prepared to stop being a kid since you will soon be responsible for raising one. You, your family, your child and your
community will be affected.
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“La La Land”
(Some girls just don’t get it.)
No matter how many
times they are warned,
no matter how much
information they are
provided on why teens
should not engage in
sex too soon, many
girls just don’t get it.
They don’t seem to
understand that teen
pregnancy is not a
good idea and can be a
recipe for disaster.
These girls live in “La La Land,” a place to escape reality and the seriousness of life issues. They just wander
around aimlessly and irresponsibly. Unfortunately, they
don’t think about the consequences of their actions.
Warnings about sex don’t sink in for them. They decide
to become sexually active anyway and put themselves at
risk of pregnancy, HIV/AIDS and other diseases. They
place undue burdens on their families, sacrifice their
own future and cripple the future of their children. They
just don’t get it. How many ways can it be said: Teens
having babies is not a smart way to go.
According to the Mississippi Department of Health, the
number of births to single mothers in the state jumped
one full percentage point in 2009: from 53 percent in
2007 to 54 percent in 2008! The number of births to
teen moms stayed about the same, with only a slight
decrease.
Why aren’t girls getting the message? It’s not rocket
science. Too many girls are still living in “La La Land”.
Just look around. How many teen moms do you see that
are well educated, self reliant and working in good pay-
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ing jobs? How many do
you see that are married, living in their own
homes, raising welladjusted children? The
answer is none
Teen mothers face many
challenges in raising
their children alone.
According
to
the
Brookings Institution in
Washington D.C., only
one out of every five
teen mothers receives any support from their baby’s
father, and about 80 percent (almost all) end up on welfare. It’s no joke.
Once on welfare, these young mothers are likely to
remain there for a very long time. In fact, half of all
women who receive welfare started out as teen moms.
Teen mothers rely heavily on others to provide for their
children. They depend on the government, their families, and other organizations to fulfill what
should be their own obligations and responsibilities.
It cannot be said enough: life as a teen mother is not an
easy life. Early child bearing is a huge barrier for moving ahead. Research documents that teen mothers are:
• less likely to finish high school,
• less likely to ever get married, and
• more likely to have additional children without a husband.
What is it going to take to get the message across?
Don’t take up residence in “La La Land”. It is not a
place you want to visit, or live.
Don’t Be Your Own
Worst Enemy
Life can be challenging enough without you
putting obstacles in your own path. In order to
reach your goals, there are many things you
must do. However, there are also things you
must avoid or you’ll risk ruining your dreams
by running into a dead end. Sometimes you can
be your own “worst enemy”. That means you
will be the one guilty of doing things to stop
yourself from reaching your own goals and
spoiling your own plans.
Don’t sabotage yourself! Sabotage means to
take actions that will destroy your efforts for
achievement. Sometimes people do things to
mess themselves up. They ruin their own plans.
Actions that will knock you off course or lead to
school dropout include the following:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Bad attitude
Poor grades/falling behind
“Ditching” school
Negative behavior
Drugs and alcohol
Criminal activity
Following the wrong crowd
Wasting time
Pregnancy/ sexually transmitted diseases
Before you act, take time to think about what is important in your life. What do you see yourself
doing after high school? Hanging out on street corners is not a good choice; neither is starting a
family too soon. Poor planning on your part will bring unwelcomed detours in your life. The decisions you make right now will determine what you’ll be doing after high school and in the years to
come.
Pay attention to good advice provided by people who care about you. Stop. Look. Listen. Making
wise choices today will pay off now, and especially in the future.
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Alone
by Maya Angelou
Lying, thinking
Last night
How to find my soul a home
Where water is not thirsty
And bread loaf is not stone
I came up with one thing
And I don't believe I'm wrong
That nobody,
But nobody
Can make it out here alone.
Alone, all alone
Nobody, but nobody
Can make it out here alone.
There are some millionaires
With money they can't use
Their wives run round like banshees
Their children sing the blues
They've got expensive doctors
To cure their hearts of stone
But nobody
No, nobody
Can make it out here alone.
Alone, all alone
Nobody, but nobody
Can make it out here alone.
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Now if you listen closely
I'll tell you what I know
Storm clouds are gathering
The wind is gonna blow
The race of man is suffering
And I can hear the moan,
'Cause nobody,
But nobody
Can make it out here alone.
Alone, all alone
Nobody, but nobody
Can make it out here alone.
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The world is
bigger and better...
From Left to Right:
Jimmy Farmer (Jackson State/Public Policy and Administration-Masters Program) Wilson, NC;
Gabrella Kelly (Millsaps College/Business) Moss Point, MS; Karesha Ellis (Mississippi State/Biology)
Jackson, MS; Candice Hampton (University of Southern MS / Political Science) Tchula, MS.
for those with
college degrees!