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2006-2007 School Year in Review

   
             
   

Each September, as we prepare for our next exciting school year, we are reminded of the highlights of last year’s Aspiring Youth After-School Program. Every year the Aspiring Youth After-School Program begins with a Staff Training at each site where Aspiring Youth School Staff (which includes the teachers, coaches and assistants) meet to discuss the program, brainstorm new ideas, and plan for a successful school year. Schools that partnered with Aspiring Youth last year included: B.C. Elmore Middle School, Jackson Middle School, Jane Long Middle School, Kirby Middle School, Marshall Middle School, Chrysalis Middle School and Oak Village Middle School. Described below is just a small portion of some of our most exciting events.

   
             
   
             
   

Inaugural "Court to Court" Event

    
             
     

Last September Aspiring Youth of Houston teamed up with the international law firm Greenberg Traurig and the Houston Comets for this great new event. Students from B.C. Elmore Middle School first met in the new Harris County Civil Courthouse where Judge Caroline Baker discussed the importance of education and hard work. Following a tour of the courthouse, the students went back to the Greenberg Traurig offices for dinner and to meet with the firm's attorneys.

   
             
   
Then after dinner, the event took a different turn with the students going to a different kind of court and enjoying an exciting Comets' Playoff game. Many of the students had never been to a live game before and now have one more new experience to share with their friends and families.
   
             
   
             
   
Special Aspiring Youth and HYLA / TYLA Event
   
             
     

On September 30th Aspiring Youth students from Marshall Middle School and B.C. Elmore Middle School joined with young lawyers from the HYLA (Houston Young Lawyers Association) and TYLA (Texas Young Lawyers Association) at South Texas College of Law for a special double event. First they listened to several guest speakers and went to view the movie "They Had A Dream Too: Young Leaders of the Civil Rights Movement" which told about the important role of young people during the civil rights movement.

    
             
   

Following the movie, Aspiring Youth students went to enjoy a Dynamo Professional Soccer Game. Special thanks to the HYLA and TYLA for sponsoring this exciting event. It was a wonderful learning experience for the students.

   
             
   
             
   
Aspiring Youth Joins Project GRAD
Houston Walk for Success
   
             
     
Aspiring Youth students joined in the Project GRAD Houston Walk for success on October 21st last year. From early morning until noon they participated in a door-to-door campaign and visited the 6th grade homes of students in their area who had dropped out of school. They encouraged them to return and informed them of the many programs available. The Project Grad Houston Walk for Success is a parent and community involvement event that targets student success.
   
             
   
             
   
Aspiring Youth’s Annual Pumpkin Carving Contest
   
             
     

Aspiring Youth’s annual Pumpkin Carving Contest was held on October 24th at Marshall and B.C. Elmore Middle Schools. Volunteers from the Houston Young Lawyer’s Association lent a hand as students transformed their lowly vegetables into funny and frightening Jack O’Lanterns. For most students this was a first-time experience, and many were surprised to find out what was inside a pumpkin! The Jack O’Lanterns were judged for originality, winning the top three a cool prize. At the end of the day, the students were thrilled to take their creations home to show their families and friends.

   
             
   
The Aspiring Youth Annual Pumpkin Carving Contest was first envisioned by Emily Pipkin several years ago as a way to celebrate National Lights On After-School. Lights On! is a day set aside to show the community, city, state and the nation how important after-school programs are to our youth, their families and the future of our society.
   
             
   
             
   
Aspiring Youth Students Attend
Annual Angels of Light Program
   
             
     
Aspiring Youth of Houston After-School students and staff participated in the annual Angels of Light Program sponsored by Second Baptist Church at the Woodway campus. It was a wonderful experience for students from B.C. Elmore, Kirby, and Oak Village Middle Schools in the North Forest I.S.D. attending on November 29th, and students from Jane Long and Marshall Middle School attending on November 30th.
   
             
   
The event is very special as it gently reminds students of the true meaning of Christmas. Of course, the great food, entertainment and gifts are appreciated as well!
   
             
   
             
   
Annual Aspiring Youth "Map to Success" Contest
   
             
     
This January and February Aspiring Youth students participated in our annual “Map to Success" Poster Contest. Students are divided into teams to visualize what they think "success" looks like and how to get to that concept of success. After the students decide on an idea, they then transfer that idea to poster board. Winners of the "Map to Success" Poster Contest receive ribbons and trophies.
   
             
   
             
   

Aspiring Youth’s 9th Annual “College for a Day” at TSU

   
             
     
On March 3rd, nearly 300 students from five middle schools in North Forest ISD and Houston ISD participated in "College for a Day" at Texas Southern University. Through the collaborative efforts of Aspiring Youth, the Missouri City Chapter of The Links and TSU, the students had a rare chance to truly see what attending college might be like. The kids were treated to a gourmet breakfast, as a reminder of the importance of “brain food", and were welcomed with inspirational stories from highly successful community members.
    
             
   
The real fun began when they broke out into groups to attend “classes” taught by a fantastic group of professional volunteers. They each had a schedule to follow, taking them to varied subjects, from Computer Science, to TV Meteorology, even Rocket Science! The event culminated with a “Commencement” where each student received a mock diploma.
   
             
   
             
   
Ammons Scholarships for Aspiring Youth Students!
   
             
     
The Ammons Law Firm has awarded four $20,000 college scholarships to worthy Aspiring Youth students. Qualifying students submitted applications which included an essay on their goals and aspirations. Designated judges evaluated and selected the winning essays. The competition is open only to students who participated in an Aspiring Youth After-School Program, and we are proud to say that benefits from the program were very clear to see.
   
             
   

The scholarships are donated by Houston attorney Rob Ammons, www.ammonslaw.com, and are the first annual Ammons Scholarships to be awarded. This year’s Ammons Scholars are:

  • Richard Bailey - attending Texas A&M University
  • Teanna Harris - attending Texas A&M University
  • Georgina Perez - attending Texas Women’s University
  • Devon Tyrone Wade - attending Louisiana State University
   
   
             
   
www.aspiringyouth.org
    
             
   
To see our previous e-newsletters please click here
   
             
   

Aspiring Youth's mission is to prepare at-risk youth to aspire to and attain their highest degree of success in school and in life. To fulfill our mission, Aspiring Youth focuses on the middle school years when children are transforming from childhood to teenagers. The choices made during the pre-teen years are the foundation for each student's future success.

Aspiring Youth supports the following events:

    
   


College for a Day
TAKS Olympics
Map to Success Contest
Summer Program

   
Ammons Scholarship            
Take A Student To Your Employment Program
Trash Bash Public Service
College Scholarship Essay Contest 		   
             
   
             
   

If you live in a city with a Randall's Food Store, Randall's will donate 1% of your grocery purchases if you enter the Aspiring Youth® number (number 5130) and use your Randall's card with your purchases. 

Kroger Food Stores will also donate 1% of your grocery purchases if you use the Aspiring Youth™ Kroger card with your purchases (please let us know if you would like for us to send you a card to use at Kroger).

Donations to Aspiring Youth® are tax deductible to the extent allowed for 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations.  Clothing and small home items donations can be made by contacting Central Donations at 713-948-2828.

Thanks for being part of the solution!

   
             
   
             
    ASPIRING YOUTH OF HOUSTON
6250 Westpark Drive, Suite 217
Houston, Texas  77057
Phone:  713-334-3330
Fax:  713-334-3366
E-mail:  office@aspiringyouth.org
To make a tax deductible donation,
please click the link below.
   
              
   
   
   


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