'Shadow Day': Brightening the Future for Elementary Students
By: Autumn Jones
Issue date: 2/2/10 Section: Student Life
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It was evident that the "Shadow Day" experience had made an impact.
Sixty of the school's fifth graders visited the AUC to get a taste of college life, and of course, build school allegiance. Twenty young boys went to Morehouse, 20 girls to Spelman, and a mixed group of 20 visited CAU, sitting in on actual classes, visiting the art gallery, touring the campus, and enjoying a meal in the cafeteria.
The "Shadow Day" initiative was one developed entirely by the AUC UPS Scholars to provide these young students an opportunity to not only be exposed to college life, but to also begin thinking about their own educational futures.
Led by Lead Scholar Brent Wylie, the CAU team of Adriene Smith, Sierra Cannon, Shawana Carter, Roxane Evans, Ashlei Holmes-Wiseman, Jasmyne Patterson, Jasmine Pruett, Jibril Rasheed, Isaiah Turner, and Brandon Washington emphasized leadership, service, and of course, the importance of education to the Fickett students.
"There are several epiphanies occurring at each location," said Fickett Principal Dr. Anthony Dorsey. "This has been just awesome."
Ernita Hemmit, Director of Career Planning and Placement Center and the Office of Community Service volunteers as the adviser for the CAU/UPS Scholars Program and helps oversee the Shadow Day initiative.
"This opportunity to visit a college campus enlightens [the fifth graders'] view of the possibilities that await them. It provides more meaning to the purpose of them doing well in their current academic year and the hope that they will complete their educational requirements," Hemmit said.
La'Kerri Ferebee, the campus representative for the UPS Foundation, believes in the difference this program makes in the lives of the elementary school students. "With the passion of the scholars, the willingness of the children from Fickett, and [our] support, it will be a successful program," she said.
