Jones and Walker after Saturday's discussion with the fellows
More than 75 high school students from across the country gathered at Hampton University Nov. 17-19 for the 10th Annual High School Summit sponsored by the William R. Harvey Leadership Institute. Students who expressed an interest in attending HU were invited to attend. Throughout the weekend, students participated in social, team-building and group-work activities that revolve around leadership training. They also interacted with current Leadership Institute fellows. The high school students also interviewed on-site with the admissions department, and nineteen students were accepted.
Johnson showing his HU pride
George Johnson was one of the aspiring fellows who applied and was accepted. He heard about the summit through the educational talent search at Phoebus High School. “It said HU so I wanted to be a part of it,” said Johnson. “I've been about HU since my ninth grade year, I knew I wanted to go here.” Johnson was a member of HU's Summer Transportation Institute in 2003, participated in band camp, and was awarded the most outstanding leader award within his group during the summit. “Not everyone is born a leader, but you can acquire what you need,”
said Johnson. Kiira Harper, from Long Island, N.Y., is another student who was accepted. HU was her first choice. “The leadership weekend was a really good experience. Not all colleges do this and I got to meet a lot of people from different areas,” said Harper. Harper received a leadership award for her group during the summit. She didn't want to go home, and wished the experience lasted longer.
One of the highlights of the weekend was keynote speaker Edwin Walker '78, deputy assistant secretary for policy and programs for the Administration on Aging with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. He helps develop policies and oversees the operations of programs that positively effect life for older Americans and their families. Opel Jones '00, director of the Leadership Institute, was pleased to have Walker as the summit speaker. “He was chosen for his accomplishments in his chosen career field and his leadership capabilities at such a young age,” said Jones. Walker, who received a bachelor’s degree in mass media arts, was equally proud to have been asked to speak at HU. “Everyone in our family comes to HU, it's our family tradition,” said Walker. Walker shared how he went from working in the media to the law sector to the health sector. “I was encouraged to succeed without limits,” he said. One of the current Leadership Institute fellows who enjoyed Walker's speech was Kristen Cozart. Cozart said she was shy and uncertain before coming to Hampton and is now a member of the student recruitment team. “The Leadership Institute has helped me find myself,” said Cozart. “I've met so many wonderful people.” She plans to take her leadership skills and apply them in law school after she graduates.
The Institute was created in 2000 to further prepare students to make a positive difference in the workplace and community by ethically applying the principles of leadership.
There are currently 86 leadership fellows. “I am extremely proud of the current fellows,” said Jones. “For the incoming leadership fellows, I expect nothing less. We will continue to raise the bar by getting more involved on campus, increasing the participation in the student leadership summit for high school seniors, and performing a variety of service learning internships.”
-Nina Stickles |
