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Aspiring Youth Partners with The Links to Host
"College for a Day" for Over 300 Aspiring Students

    
     
On March 29th Aspiring Youth of Houston and The Links, Incorporated hosted "College for a Day" at Texas Southern University (TSU). Over 300 Aspiring Youth students from five middle schools participated in this opportunity to learn about college. To bridge the gap in age between middle school students and adults, Aspiring Youth of Houston invited a group of student ambassadors from TSU to lead campus tours.
    
             
   
In addition a group of professional volunteers conducted highly interactive mock classes that gave the students a chance to know what it is like to follow a schedule and to learn about a variety of subjects. They welcomed each child with inspiring words from successful local leaders of the Houston community, who understood that the most important asset that they can donate is their time.
   
             
     
The focus of the event was on science and engineering, and minority at-risk students received the opportunity to interact with professionals who are minorities in these fields. The 8th grade students had a special session with a college recruiter. This session was to specifically inform them about the preparation required in high school to get to college; and it also gave them the opportunity to learn about funding their education through scholarships, financial aid and more.
   
             
   
The day’s events ended with a “Commencement” where each student received a mock diploma. Our Aspiring Youth students were able to discover just how easily attainable attending college could be. We would like to thank everyone for all of your generous donations that made this event possible.
   
             
   
             
   

Houston Young Lawyers Host Aspiring to Austin Trip

    
             
     

With the help of our awesome partners HYLA (Houston Young Lawyers Association), our students were given a first hand look at state government. We are so sincerely grateful to HYLA, and in particular our co-chairs, Lisa Massey and Donna Tomlinson. Lisa and Donna conceived, sought sponsors and executed the event.

   
             
   

The event was called Aspiring to Austin, because the students first had to complete several units on different aspects of state government in order to be eligible to go. Judging from their presentations and the insightful questions they asked it was definitely an academic success. .

   
             
   
The fun began on March 14th when they rode in style in a coach bus while watching the film “The Great Debaters”. Once there, they had the privilege to meet with Chief Justice Wallace Jefferson, the first African American Chief Justice. He shared his story starting with the fact that his great great great grandfather was a slave without any rights, and ending with his honor at being chosen by the governor to be Chief Justice. The students asked Justice Wallace many perceptive questions, and then toured the Supreme Court. This was followed by an in-depth tour of the Capitol building and visitors center. They were awed to be in the house and senate chambers, and amazed to learn that lawmakers actually do make laws!
   
             
   
             
   

Aspiring Youth Assists at the Bayou City Arts Festival

   
             
     

Aspiring Youth students in the National Junior Honor Society at Marshall Middle School have volunteered at the Bayou City Arts Festival. This festival which features over 300 artists was held in the beautiful outdoor landscape at Houston’s Memorial Park. The Aspiring Youth students worked in the Children’s Art Center where they painted rocks and made hats using feathers, glitter, rhinestones, and other materials.

   
             
   
Some students relieved artists for a break or brought the artists beverages, snacks or a small bite to eat. It was a wonderful experience to be a part of the festival, and it gave our students the opportunity to interact and meet many new people. If it were not for Aspiring Youth and your generous donations, most of these students would not ever have an opportunity to attend events like this. Because of you, we were able to influence these children for a lifetime.
    
             
   
             
   
Aspiring Youth Visits Project Row Houses
   
             
     
On Saturday, April 19th, Aspiring Youth students from B.C. Elmore visited Project Row Houses, a neighborhood based art and cultural organization located in Houston's Third Ward. PRH was established in 1993 on a site of 22 abandoned shotgun houses to connect the work of artists with the revitalization of our community. Aspiring Youth students were kindly greeted by Rick Lowe, founder of Project Row Houses, and given a tour.
   
             
   

They were able to learn about the historic Third Ward as well as see art installations in the shotgun houses. Afterwards, the students went to visit a historical church to learn about the stained glass windows which featured civil rights activists, historically black colleges, and religious symbols. Once again we want to thank you, our donors, and our partnership with the Missouri City Chapter of The Links, Inc. for making this event possible.

    
             
   
             
   
Aspiring Youth’s Student Spotlight – Jennifer Ramirez
   
             
     
This year the members of Aspiring Youth’s Book Club at Marshall Middle School are giving back to their community by reading to the Ketelsen Elementary Pre-K classes. Besides giving the students practice by reading aloud, the students love giving the readings. Jennifer Ramirez of Marshall’s 8th grade Gifted and Talented students says the following:
   
             
   

The "Read for a Kid Program" is such a great experience. It gives me a chance to read to little kids and enjoy myself with them. It helps them in their knowledge and helps them understand a little touch of literature. Either way, they are so small and always happy. It’s such a good feeling to know that I could do something that could change other’s lives.   ... by Jennifer Ramirez

   
             
 
 
             
   
Aspiring Youth of Houston’s Donors’ Thank You Corner
   
             
     
Aspiring Youth of Houston would like to thank our many donors in 2007 for giving to our organization for the present so that we may prepare our youth for the future. We believe that a helping hand at the right time can make a lifetime of difference, and It is our many donors that make the Aspiring Youth After-School Program possible.
   
             
    We thank:
Abrams Scott & Bickley
Arthur Baird
Baker & Hostetler
Bernard Weingarten
Brenda Peters
Brett Hamilton
Bruce Hurley
Charles E. Bacarisse
City of Houston
CRC Foundation
Cyndi Frederick
Dannenbaum Engineering
David & Karen Cecil
David & Tracy Wegner
David and Annette Tripp
David K. Oelfke
David Nelson
Debra Ibarra Mayfield
Desmond Carter
DMJM Aviation
Donald & Lois Terry
Donna Tomlinson of HYLA
Doug & Puddie Pitcock
Doug Dawson
Elly Terpening
Fred & Kellye Williams
George Mitchell
Gloria Sanderson
Greenberg Traurig
Gulf States Toyota
Gus Blackshear
Harris County Sports Authority
Houston CPA Society
Hughes, Watters & Askanase
James Meredith
James Robertson
Jane B. Owen
Jazreel Lee & Dominic Yap
Jeff Love
Jefferson T. Frazier
Joe & Nina Brown
John Mouer
John P. McGovern Foundation
John T. Shelton
Jonathan Lack
Judge Caroline Baker
Judge Joseph 'Tad' Halbach
Julie Baumgarten
Karen Davis
Katherine Lyons
Kelly-Ann Clarke
Kenneth Simon
   Larry Harris
LegalPartners L.P.
Lenoir M Seelhorst
Lisa Massey of HYLA
Locke, Liddell & Sapp
Margot Cater
Marilyn M. Biles
Mark & Janice Singleton
Mark Woolfolk
Mary Luck
McConnell Jones Lanier & Murphy LLP
Michael Donaldson
Michael Wilson
Mike & Carolyn Mann
Missouri City Chapter of The Links
Morgow Barsi
Port of Houston Authority
Power & Frost
Raymond McCall
Regina Rogers
Rick & Jan Bays
Rob & Chris Ammons
Robbie & Gary Raker
Robert B. Hurley
Ron Denis
Roy Huffington
Safeway Incorporated
Sharon Murphy
Shell Oil Company
Shirley and John Meredith
Silver Eagle Distributors
Sofia Adrogue, PC
Spindletop Charities
Strake Foundation
Susan & Larry Kellner
Susan Pennebaker
Suzanne Kupiec
The Ammons Law Firm, LLP
The Children's Fund
The Henley Foundation
The Powell Foundation
The Shelton Foundation
The Texas Financial Group LP
The Williams Companies
Thomas Pradel
Union Pacific Foundation
W.P. Zivley, Weycer, Kaplan, Pulaski & Zuber
William & Stephanie Smith
Williams, Kherkher, Hart & Boundas, LLP
World Oilman's Tennis Tournament
Yetter & Warden, LLP
Zarine Boyce
Zinn Petroleum Co.		    
             
             
   
             
   
www.aspiringyouth.org
    
             
   
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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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