Spring Break: Urban Prep Students Visit LSU and Southern University

By Dominick Williams Managing Editor, Bronzeville Campus

This year, a group of juniors (plus two seniors, who were admitted into the school) were invited to attend a spring break college tour in Lousiana. For many of us, this would be there first time getting on a plane or even leaving the state as well as staying on a college campus. We had so much fun from the time we boarded the plane to the end of the trip. The students were greeted by LSU officials when arrived to the airport and then boarded the shuttles for an hour-long bus ride to Baton Rouge Louisiana where their college tour experience would begin. Once we arrived at the hotel it was time to get checked in and changed for our welcome reception dinner with LSU Director of Admission, Mr. Phil Verpil and LSU student ambassadors. Following the reception, the student ambassadors took everyone on a shuttle tour of the campus visiting the den where their tiger lives on campus, various campus buildings and their state of the art REC Center. Students were able to play basketball and various games to end the shuttle tour. For the first full day, students were shuttled to Southern University where there were presentations about the admissions process, information about the university, a student panel, a tour of the campus and bowling. Students were also able to bowl in the student center. When we returned to LSU, we received a VIP tour of the amazing football stadium on campus. We toured the locker room and field. Since the LSU Women’s Basketball Team won the championship, we were forunate to have close up spots to see the celebatory parade in honor of the team’s victory. Students received beads, sunglasses and other LSU paraphernalia. On our last night, students accompanied by chaperones enjoyed the hotel pool and hot tub before packing up for their last day at LSU. Students on the last day were able to visit the LSU School of Medicine and Nursing.

Urban Prep Students pose with Lousiana State University Student Ambassadors during their shuttle tour and at Southern University.

Students talked to doctors, nurses, and even got a chance to use the medical dummies in different simulations similiar to exercises that nursing students do in class. During the simulation, students were given directions on how to listen to their dummy’s heart and breathing patterns. In some scenerios the medical dummy would talk; yes they talk now. From the simulation, students would learn that their medical dummy was showing signs of having a ride-sided stroke. Overall, the students enjoyed their trip and were not ready to return back to Chicago. Wait… Oh did I mention we almost had a chance to see the ladies of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Neophyte presentation along with other NPHC organizations on campus? We arrived at the end and was about to see a taste of the college party scene. All in all, everyone had a great time, we learned a lot, and were given a unique and special opportunity to travel to Lousiana during Spring Break. It was truly a time to be alive. There were two seniors who attended the trip, who later accepted their offers to attend Lousiana State University this fall The trip truly came full circle and is testament to our Creed which states “We Are College Bound”.