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Blacksonville
Copyright 2002
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Helping
Motivate Students
Community residents volunteer their time for program
By NICOLE SMITH JOHNS
River City News correspondent
When Brenda White of Shands
Jacksonville got the bug to motivate students to perform better on the
annual FCAT exam, the first school that came to mind was Ribault High.
"They failed the FCAT and got a lot of negative criticism because of it,"
said White. "This was the school that was in need of it."
So White, who said she was led by God to take action, put together the
first Leadership and Career Day for the students, an event held recently
at Ribault High. It featured presentations by representatives from Shands
Jacksonville, the Army and Marines, Grayling E. Brannon Law Firm,
Blacksonville marketing company, First Coast Black Nurses Association and
Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department, among others.
The representatives, mostly from within the community, donated their time
and spoke with the students about making good choices in life.
"Young people are facing social suicide, and if we don't do something to
alter that, then we fail them," White said, adding that she plans to
organize more such events for other schools in need.
"I got a lot of good support" for the Ribault event, she said. "You just
can't say no when it's about the kids."
And it was about the kids -- all 1,165 of them.
Throughout the day, blocks of students made their way to the media center
where they packed various tables to hear about different professions and
how they could make good choices in life. They were able to pick up a few
souvenirs to remind them of the event as well.
"It was very nice and interesting," said Jackie Adams, a ninth-grader.
"I'm glad they came out to show their support."
Pastor Ron Dozier of Mount Calvary Church in Macon, Ga., spoke about
direction, life and success.
Success is a journey, he told the students, not a destination.
Dozier, who graduated in the class of 1975 at Ribault, said he felt the
event was a worthy cause and that he always wants to give back to the
community.
The community played a vital part in the event: Blacksonville helped put
it together, and the faculty at Ribault played their part as well.
Ayanna Stevens, the school's "Gear up" coordinator; Dorthea Downing,
testing coordinator; and Joyce Willis, volunteer liaison, were part of the
success of career day.
White said she had the vision but could not have done it without the help
of those in the community and school.
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