2020-2021 Middle Georgia Center TRIO

SOARING with EXCELLENCE Talent Search

Upward Bound

Upward Bound Math and Science

Upper Level Thinking

2020 - 2021 YEARLY REVIEW

623 Arlington Place Macon, Georgia 31201 P: 478-745-1675 F: 478-745-3359 E: info.mgcae@gmail.com

Middle Georgia Center for Academic Excellence, Inc.

Greetings: This is the TRIO Yearbook for 2021. It was our desire to capture the accomplishments that were achieved by each of you during the year and for you to have a yearbook to reflect upon in the coming years of your TRIO experiences.

As we indicated in your acceptance letter to you, the purpose of the program is to help you learn skills and techniques that will increase the options available to you upon graduation from high school. Through the activities of TRIO, you will be able to identify problems and barriers before you analyze them, consider solutions to them, and implement problem solving strategies to correct them.

The skills you learned this year will assist you in making life more tolerable and satisfying, perhaps more exciting and surely more successful.

In the acceptance letter, we challenged each of you to use the resources of TRIO to help you become whatever you want to be. We also challenged you to come to the Program with a willingness to invest in yourself and to develop selfcontrol methods that would help you follow your own wishes, rather than be controlled by negative circumstances and influences around you.

You met the challenges head-on and I congratulate you on your many accomplishments during the year.

Sincerely,

Samuel F. Hart, Sr. Executive Director

Talent Search Program Upward Bound Program Upward Bound Math Science Program 623 Arlington Place • Macon, Georgia 31201 Telephone (478) 745-1675 • Facsimile (478) 745-3359

ABOUT… At the Middle Georgia Center for Academic Excellence, our ultimate goal is to help students graduate from college, and we achieve this by equipping them to be successful by meeting their specific academic needs. Through our Federal TRIO and Georgia Department of Human Services programs, we mentor over 1,400 students annually and have assisted with the college enrollment of over 2,500 students.

The Middle Georgia Center for Academic Excellence was established in 2002 by Executive Director, Sam Hart. After spending over 30 years in higher education, Mr. Hart created the Center to continue growing his vision for expanding college and post-secondary education opportunities for low- income and potential firstgeneration college students.

Upward Bound students have multiple weekly opportunities to benefit from afterschool tutoring and assistance. They also have access to supplemental instruction, skills workshops, and standardized test preparation. We offer numerous enrichment opportunities including field trips and college tours.

Board of Directors Nathan Lewis, Chairman of the Board Security Capitol Brokerage, Inc. Atlanta, GA Samuel F. Hart, Sr., Executive Director Council for Academic Excellence, Inc. Macon, GA 31201 Sharell F. Lewis, Chief Assistant Solicitor General Office of Solicitor General Macon, GA 31201 Dr. Ike E. Mack, Pastor Unionville Missionary Baptist Church Macon, GA 31206 President of Fellowship Missionary Baptist Convention of Georgia, Inc. Dr. Laurie Lankin, Assistant Dean/Associate Professor Mercer University College of Continuing & Professional Studies Macon, GA 31207 Johnnie Mae Dawkins, Community Leader Macon, GA 31217 Nettie Thomas, Community Leader Macon, GA 31217 Dr. Marilyn P. Mindingall, Senior Vice Provost for Administration Mercer University Administration Building Macon, GA 31207 Dr. James L. Bumpus The Bumpi Grou p, LLC Macon, GA 31216 Dr. Keith Howard, Dean of Graduate Studies & Professor Mercer University Macon, GA 31210 Samuel F. Hart, Jr., Attorney for the Board The Dozier Firm Macon, GA 31201

TRIO Programs Staff Directory Executive Staff Samuel F. Hart, Sr................................................................................................ Executive Director Sheldon Hart ......................................................................................................... Assistant Director Clara Braswell-Hall.....................................................................Executive Coordinator/Bookkeeper Talent Search Programs Ann Golar Pre-College Advisor/Coordinator

LaWanda Carswell Pre-College Advisor LaQuita Mainer Pre-College Advisor Joel Tolliver Pre-College Advisor Upward Bound Program LaWanda Carswell Pre-College Advisor

Courtney Hart Pre-College Advisor Deonte Williams Pre-College Advisor LeTangelia Murray Secretary & File Reviewer (TS, UB, UBMS) Upward Bound Math Science Santina Bagley Pre-College Advisor Volunteer for All Programs Pamela Brown Staff Advisor

Staff

SOARING High with Virtual and In-Person Activities

A New Way As the 2020 school year began in the midst of the pandemic, Middle Georgia Center for Academic Excellence along with other educational institutions had to rethink strategies to provide services to program participants. This yearbook is a reflection of how MGCAE was able to continue “The Tradition of Success”.

The year began with virtual orientation sessions for the various grade levels. Parents and scholars were able to attend these sessions to get information, ask questions, listen to speakers and so much more.

Academic Enrichment MGCAE invested in a tutoring resource that includes an interactive virtual component. This was introduced using weekly orientation sessions. In addition to weekly sessions, participants were also able to participate individual sessions.

“My tutor from “TutorMe” is able to break down the information so that I can grasp it”…

Scholar at Central HS

https://youtu.be/dg4FzTBloSE

The Road to Graduation One of the main priorities includes providing seniors with support as they faced an unusual senior year. The assistance includes providing assistance with SAT/ACT prep, researching scholarships, completing FAFSA, along with mental and emotional support.

The scholars were able to attend a virtual session provided by the Georgia Futures Commission.

This allowed scholars and parents to get information about the steps about the Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Process.

Scholars were also given an opportunity to participate in a scholarship workshop given by Marianne Ragins, a graduate of Northeast High School, Macon, Georgia. Ms. Ragins received over $400,000 in scholarships upon graduation.

In the session she provided tips and strategies how scholars might also apply for scholarships.

MGCAE GIVING BACK DURING THE PANDEMIC Community service is one of the best ways to help benefit the public or give back to your community. It does not only have positive effects on society, but it will bring benefits to the life and personal development of the TRIO participants. During the year scholars were able to participate in community service which consisted of a partnership with the Cherry Blossom Nursing Home. Students were able to create Christmas and Valentine Day Cards that were delivered to the residents by Ms. Lawanda Carswell, pre-college advisor. Scholars also participated in the Ronald McDonald’s Pull Tabs Community Service Project.

MGCAE Black History Trivia Realizing scholars were attending school online, the goal of MGCAE was to provide interactive and engaging events. The cultural event was a daily Black History Trivia. Scholars were present with the opportunity to guess the name of an African American icon. Students submitted answers to the organization’s email with an opportunity to win a prize.

This event enabled scholars to expand their knowledge of national and local historians.

Nat King Cole Wilma Rudolph Christiana Jenkins George Washington Carver Samuel Hart, Sr. Gabby Douglas Sheryl Swoopes Lucy Stanton Lucy Terry

Harriet Tubman Rosa Parks Dr. Martin Luther King Coretta Scott King Malcolm X Nelson Mandela Oprah Winfrey Thurgood Marshall Chadwick Boseman

Mastering the SAT/ACT An objective of MGCAE is to prepare students for college admission assessments. The organization provides students with many resources including tutoring, practice activities, and Mastery Prep Bootcamps.

Student Attending Rate Scale of 1 to 5 with 1 being unsatisfactory and 5 being excellent.

Boot Camp Overall: 4.73 Presenter’s knowledge: 4.93 Presenter’s teaching style: 4.87 The effectiveness of the Boot Camp: 4.8 Student Quotes "Ms. Williams was a very energetic instructor and she did a great job at sharing the strategies and getting the point across in a clear way. After the boot camp I feel a lot more prepared when taking the exam."

"My instructor kept me engaged with interactive activities."

"I enjoyed how she was very invested in teaching us these strategies for the SAT." "I love everything about the SAT Boot Camp!"

Virtual Job Shadow and Southwest The CTAE department at Southwest HS and MGCAE developed a partnership using the platform, Virtual Job Shadow. Scholars were able to complete weekly activities to prepare them for careers and colleges that provide a program of study for those career

Virtual Recruitment Day The MGCAE staff organized zoom conference calls with the assigned school administration to introduce who we are, what we are doing for the students, parents, teachers and school administration, and our partnership with each school.

Middle Georgia Center for Academic Excellence

VIRTUAL RECRUITMENT DAY The Middle Georgia Center for Academic Excellence (MGCAE) staff accordingly invite you to our Virtual Recruitment Day designed to share information with Bibb County Middle and High schools about MGCAE and our services.

Let’s connect and partner, so that, together, we can help our students succeed by meeting their academic needs.

RSVP TO MGCAE

Dear School Administrative Staff/Team: The Middle Georgia Center for Academic Excellence, Inc. (MGCAE) is hosting: “Virtual Recruitment Day”, March 10 and 17, 2021.

We are inviting you to participate in this event as we showcase the many services and resources MGCAE offers to its students for his/her academic success. We have created an evite where you can RSVP with the date and time you are available to attend this informative event.

Attached to this email is the evite invitation and more details about “Virtual Recruitment Day”. Please return your response/selection on or before March 8, 2021 and our office will contact you confirming your participation.

We are excited about this event, your participation, and our continued partnership with you and your school. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us via phone call or email.

Sincerely, MGCAE Staff

STEMStatic Summer As the end of the school year approached, the number of COVID cases began to decrease.

This allowed MGCAE an opportunity to present a summer stem camp while utilizing COVID protocols.

Students participated in a two-week camp which featured two daily sessions (Transition session from 9:00 – 9:45 and STEM session from 10:00 – 12:00). The topics included researching scholarships, career assessment, time management, college tour, study skills, financial literacy, goal setting, learning block coding and building a raspberry pi.

“It was FUN all of the time! ….Camp Participant

Awards Ceremony The culminating event was an awards ceremony for the participants. Each scholar received a participation certificate along with a medal for perfect attendance. The highlight of the event was the “Hart” of TRIO Award. This award is a recognition of Samuel Hart, MGCAE Director. This award is designed to select students who pursue excellence as well as promote and take pride in the TRIO Programs.

During the camp, the tutors selected these students from each of the classes. Criteria observed included exemplifying good character, respect, responsibility, and good behavior.

Karrine Williams Cadyn Bond Malcolm Lawson Noah Amest Keishonna Roundtree Tannya Sah

SOARING HIGH in Honoring our GRADUATES “CLASS of 2021”

Top Right: Jordan Clark-Northeast High School (ETS) Matthew Jackson-Northeast High School (ETS) Bottom Left: Deahmya Rumph-Southwest High School (UB) -Westside High School (ETS) Sharrell Parker-Northeast High School (ETS)

Aniyah Hardy Central High School ETS

Angel Ellington.

Rutland High School.

ETS

Alexis Barnes Northeast High School ETS

TreaJure Underwoood Northeast High School ETS

Tykiria Blash Rutland High School.

ETS

Abigail Hudgins Rutland High School ETS

Angela Campbell Northeast High School ETS

Miracle Green Northeast High School ETS

Top Right: Jamya Turner-Northeast High School (UB) Amari Turner-Northeast High School (UB) Bottom Left: Taliela Williams-Northeast High School (ETS) Ereunna Hollingshed-Northeast High School (ETS) J’Kayla Hall-Northeast High School (ETS)

Altanese Palmer Southwest High School.

UB

James Harris Southwest High School ETS

Shemetria Risper Westside High School UMBS

Andrea Cruz Southwest High School ETS

Ty’Erica Crowder Southwest High School ETS

Darrell Gordon Southwest High School ETS

Breanna Dean Southwest High School ETS

Kamar Marable Northeast High School ETS

Top Right: Takiya Dishmond-Northeast High School (ETS) Sadaka Mains-Northeast High School (ETS) Bottom Left: Sanaya Causey-Northeast High School (ETS) Ja’Tirian Wooten-Northeast High School (ETS) Cartina Gaston-Northeast High School (ETS)

Top Right: Capriella Covin-Northeast High School (ETS) Shamiya Gladden-Northeast High School (ETS) Bottom Left: Alex Cain-Westside High School (UMBS) Alvin Johnson-Central High School (ETS) Tierra Finney-Northeast High School (ETS)

Top Right: Ayana Williams-Southwest High School (ETS) -Westside High School Bottom Left: Janiya Ford-Northeast High School (ETS) Jayla Moore-Southwest High School (ETS) Mona James-Westside High School (UMBS)

Top Right: Katoria Kitchens-Westside High School (UMBS) Saniya Clowers-Northeast High School (ETS) Bottom Left: Anne Williams-Northeast High School (ETS) Nadra Johnson- Southwest High School (ETS) Kennedy Randall-Northeast High School (ETS)

Top Right: Jordan Farrar-Northeast High School (ETS) Amari Stubbs-Northeast High School (ETS) Bottom Left: -Westside High School Jordan Lowe-Westside High School (UMBS) Tarjai Grayer-Westside High School (UMBS)

Top Right: Precious Hopkins-Southwest High School (ETS) Bottom Left: Jahrik Browner-Southwest High School (ETS) Jasmine Martin-Southwest High School (ETS)