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| Students arrive at Coliseum |
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| Dr. Burke welcomes students |
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| Students gathering health information |
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| Dr. Truth addresses audience |
Baton
Rouge, LA – Today in Lafayette, the Southern University Ag Center welcomed
students, faculty and staff from schools in Avoyelles, Evangeline, Lafayette,
Pointe Coupee, St. Landry, St. Martin and Vermillion Parishes to its 13th
Back-to-School Summit for 8th graders at the Blackham Coliseum. The theme for this year’s event was “Reach for the Star in
You!” Danna Andrus "Dr. Truth" served as Keynote speaker; other
speakers included Kwame I. Asanté, Attorney
and Mentor;
Byron Starks, Coach and Mentor; and Den Hussey, Motivational Speaker served as
MC. Highlights included a surprise visit by Mini and Mickey Mouse, and zydeco
performance by Leon Chavis, recording artist. Also prominent at the event were
welcoming greetings by Senator Elbert Guillory, LA State District 24; and
Chancellor Leodrey Williams of the SU Ag Center.
Michael
D. Jackson, retired NFL (Baltimore Ravens) Wide Receiver, stated in his
presentation that “wisdom is the application of acquired knowledge.” He further
emphasized to the students, the importance of listening to teachers and
applying the information to set goals, aim high and reach for the stars.
Almost
three thousand student attendees received informational brochures along with
school supplies from various agencies while learning from motivational speakers
and video presentations. Topics of
discussion included a wide range of healthy living tips, from sexual conduct to
drug abuse. The goal of the program is to give young people health alternative
choices in life. The program targets eighth-graders because they are on the
edge of becoming teenagers. Also in attendance were participating agencies and
programs from around surrounding parishes that turned out to show their
support.
This
annual summit is organized by the Southwest Center for Rural Initiatives, the
satellite arm of the Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension
Center, under the leadership of Dr. Wanda Burke. Its mission is to improve the
socioeconomic wellbeing of citizens in rural communities within a ten-parish
region of Southwest Louisiana. The Center, located in Opelousas, performs
functions consistent with the SU Ag Center’s mission of conducting basic and
applied research and disseminating information to the citizens of Louisiana.
For further
details, please contact Wanda Burke at
225-771-5184 or (337) 943-2410; via email at wanda_burke@suagcenter.com
# # #
Contact:
Bridget
Udoh
(225)
771-5714
bridget_udoh@suagcenter.com
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