Devon Wade (above) is grateful to be attending Louisiana State University and says that his semester has been great and filled with new experiences. “The thing that I love most about LSU is the school spirit and the diversity. This first semester has changed my life because it has taught me time management and how to multitask because that is definitely a must in college. I am a double major in Sociology with concentration in Criminology and in African and African American Studies, and also I have become active in many organizations across campus including NAACP, Volunteer LSU, and Chi Alpha. My goals for spring are to take more challenging courses, get an even better GPA, and to become a part of Student Government.”

It seems like it was just yesterday when I first came and saw my dorm room for the first time, and yet every morning I recognize it as my home. College has been very hectic, but interesting at the same time. I really enjoy the environment because it reminds me of Gilmore Girls. The school is not that big, but they seem to have events every month, and the student organizations are very involved. I can’t say that only one semester can change my life, but definitely the whole perspective of college life is an eye opener.

I have been very independent on my decisions, and so far I’ve made wise ones. I can say that I have gotten very involved in school life. There is so much to do with so little time, but I somehow seem to balance every thing out. I am in the G-Force organization where we go to high school students to help them in financial aid, college application, and mentor them about college overall. It is an excellent, recognized, federal funded group that I am proud to be in. I am also in Helping Hands Organization where we volunteer near the community and sometime in Dallas. I am currently in the process of helping for the Habitat for Humanity which is one of many activities we do. Lastly, I am in Tae Kwan Do which is a very good activity to get me healthy and protected.

This year Aspiring Youth’s annual Pumpkin Carving Contest was held on October 18th at Marshall, Kirby and B.C. Elmore Middle Schools. This fun and symbolic activity celebrates National Lights On! Afterschool, a day set aside to draw community attention to the importance of Afterschool programming.

All the Aspiring Youth students were challenged to carve their own pumpkins, create their own scary pumpkin faces and display their unique creativity. At the end of the day the kids not only took home their pumpkins, but also a note explaining the celebration and asking that all the pumpkins be lit that evening, creating a true Lights On!