NEW JERSEY

Local AKA chapter mentors students for college, careers

Pamela MacKenzie
@pammackenziemcj
  • The Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority is the oldest Greek-letter society founded by African-American women.
  • The local chapter, Nu Xi Omega, based in Somerset and Middlesex counties, launched its 2015 mentoring program, ASCEND, on Saturday.
  • Sixteen teens from Franklin (Somerset) and Hillsborough high schools, as well as Immaculata High School in Somerville, attended the initial session.
  • Attendance at any session is open to all teens of any background, and all the attendees were encouraged to bring a friend to the next meeting on March 21.

BRANCHBURG – The Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, the oldest Greek-letter society founded by African-American women, is committed to helping the communities of its members.

Since the organization was born in 1908 at Howard University, it has grown into an international organization, with chapters throughout the United States, the Caribbean, Europe and Africa. The local chapter, Nu Xi Omega, based in Somerset and Middlesex counties, launched its 2015 mentoring program, ASCEND, on Saturday to encourage youth of all backgrounds to go to college. The Saturday session and all future meetings will be in the Welcome Center at Raritan Valley Community College.

ASCEND, which stands for Achievement, Self-awareness, Communication, Engagement, Networking and Development, is a national initiative for all AKA chapters this year, and it is the signature program of the organization's president, Dorothy Buckhanan Wilson.

Teens from Franklin (Somerset) and Hillsborough high schools, as well as Immaculata High School in Somerville, attended the initial session on Saturday. Many of their mothers, a father and an aunt were also there. Some of the three-hour program included information about what will take place at the monthly meetings, which will last through June.

Student Tania Leverett, left, joins the discussion. Beside her is her mother, Tiffany Leverett. The Nu Xi chapter of the AKA Sorority, the oldest sorority founded by African-American women launches a mentoring program for high school students, at RVCC in Branchburg.

But the meeting also had substantial information about how to choose a college, whether a community college is a good choice for you, why students should consider STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math), standardized tests such as the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), historically black colleges and universities, and how to work effectively with your guidance counselor.

Attendance at any session is open to all teens of any background, and all the attendees were encouraged to bring a friend to the next meeting on March 21.

The speakers such as Ludieann Menzies spoke about the goals of the ASCEND program, which include team building, career and college exploration, cultural and artistic enrichment and leadership training. Some of these goals will be in play on March 7 when some of the group members will attend the play "Repairing a Nation," at the Crossroads Theater in New Brunswick.

Kahina Louis spoke about the program's SMART Camp, which dovetails with the focus on STEM. SMART stands for Science, Mathematics And Related Technologies. The ASCEND program will have participants forming teams to work together on science projects and will have a competition with prizes.

Pharmacist Dr. Tiffany Marsh shares information with students and parents. The Nu Xi chapter of the AKA Sorority, the oldest sorority founded by African-American women launches a mentoring program for high school students, at RVCC in Branchburg.

Rita Butler Holliday, a retired educator, described how the participants will also have a mini-model United Nations conference, where they will learn not only leadership skills but also negotiation and public speaking. She said the students also will have opportunities to learn about other nations and to especially learn more about Africa.

Dorothy Mason, a research analyst, was the speaker who shared information about choosing a college and a career. As the mother of two girls — one in college and another in high school — she has put her passion for gathering information to good use, sharing a broad spectrum of insights that the students and their parents devoured eagerly. Menzies said she was particularly eager to have Mason at the first session because Mason has a comprehensive website and a mailing list for distributing information about preparing for college. To learn more, go to http://sites.google.com/site/domason/.

"Planning is the key. Start as early as possible," she said. "You freshmen are in the best possible position."

Franklin High School student Quincy Maxwell said he was getting a lot out of the session and that it wasn't too dry. Other students seemed equally engaged.

Program Chairman Ludieann Menzies, left, facilitates the program. The Nu Xi chapter of the AKA Sorority, the oldest sorority founded by African-American women launches a mentoring program for high school students, at RVCC in Branchburg.

Franklin High School freshman Amiya McCargo said, "I didn't know as much before I came. I understand a lot more now."

She said she hasn't chosen a career, but she has always been interested in make-up and hair styling. She's also looking into programs at the Somerset County Vocational and Technical High School.

Marilyn Gladden, whose daughter, Atiya, attends Franklin High School, said she was loving the program, "especially the scholarships and grants." Atiya wants to be a lawyer, and she has not decided yet where she wants to go, but Gladden was grateful for any information they could get about funding her college education. A future session in the ASCEND program will include a more in-depth discussion with an expert on college scholarships and grants.

Maria Cleaveland, president of the Nu Xi Omega chapter, said she was so happy for the turnout of young people.

Research specialist Dorothy Mason speaks to the assembled group. The Nu Xi chapter of the AKA Sorority, the oldest sorority founded by African-American women launches a mentoring program for high school students, at RVCC in Branchburg.

"We're excited to be sharing college and career information with them," she said. "We're also grateful to Raritan Valley Community College for letting us use their facilities for free for our mentoring sessions."

Menzies, program chairman for the ASCEND initiative, said organizing it was a lot of work, but it was also a labor of love.

"We enjoy giving back. That's what we do. The high school students are our future, so we want to provide them with the best possible information," she said.

Chapter member Shauna Carter, principal at West Windor-Plainsboro Community Middle School, said she was excited to see such talented youth at Saturday's session.

Student Nicole Tirado, center, joins others at the program. The Nu Xi chapter of the AKA Sorority, the oldest sorority founded by African-American women launches a mentoring program for high school students, at RVCC in Branchburg.

"These are young people who are already invested in their future, who already know what they want to do," she said.

The next mentoring session will be from 9 a.m. to noon March 21 in Room S128 of the Raritan Valley Community College Welcome Center. Menzies said to look for signs on campus with pink or green balloons, directing attendees to the site.

Staff Writer Pamela MacKenzie: 908-243-6616; pmackenzie@MyCentralJersey.com