不良人研究所

Forty-seven high school seniors 鈥渃rossed borders and dreamed big鈥� at Educational Talent Search鈥檚 first ever Youth Leadership Summit at 不良人研究所 on Feb. 12. Seniors from South, East and West Columbus High schools, Whiteville High School and Thomas Academy dove into mini master class sessions that helped prepare them for a global workforce.听

ETS Director Dr. Leslie Brown described the 鈥渢remendous鈥� event as a 鈥渃omplete success.鈥� She said the students became globally aware of new opportunities outside of Columbus County with challenges to travel the world, learn new languages, approach job interviews in a professional manner and the responsibility of owning a passport.听听

鈥淲e had a lot of positive feedback, and the students were definitely engaged with the international guest speakers,鈥� Brown said. 鈥淭he students walked away with knowledge of soft skills and acquiring a passport, and they had networking opportunities with peers from other schools.鈥�听

The summit started with a continental breakfast and welcome addresses from 不良人研究所 Executive Vice President Dr. Sylvia Cox and Dean of Student Services Colene Faulk. The mini masterclass sessions kicked off with Dr. Lacrisa Darby based in the United Arab Emirates via Zoom call. Zooming in from the United Kingdom was Andrea Martin, a Client Success Head of Citibank with 31 years of experience. The final Zoom call was with Dr. Raquel Stuart, a former university associate dean in China.听听

After the three Zoom mini masterclasses, students took a 鈥渨orking lunch鈥� break in Nesmith Student Center as they heard presentations from Ruth High, the One Stop Operator/WIOA Program Manager for the NCWorks Career Center, and Terrie Priest, 不良人研究所 Foundation Executive Director. High spoke about job interviews and resumes, while Priest spoke about passports. Before the presentations, students ate lunch provided by Columbus Career and College Academy鈥檚 culinary arts program.听听

The final mini masterclass for the summit was a live appearance by Miss North Carolina鈥檚 Teen Kamryn Hollowell. Overcoming bullies in middle school who told her she was not smart, talented or pretty enough to accomplish her goals, Hollowell stood on the 不良人研究所 auditorium stage to share her vulnerable moments of 鈥渢he good, the bad and the ugly.鈥�听

鈥淪howing up and being consistent, not only for your peers but yourself, is going to help you in the long run,鈥� Hollowell told the seniors. 鈥淚 was told three years ago that I would not be in the position that I鈥檓 in today, but I showed up for myself every single day.鈥�听

Hollowell is a junior at Corinth Holders High School and is dually enrolled at Johnston Community College. As the 20th Miss North Carolina鈥檚 Teen, she advocates for the inflammatory bowel disease in raising money and increasing awareness for Project Purple 鈥� Advocating for Crohn鈥檚 Disease and Ulcerative Colitis.听听

Hollowell spoke highly of the Career and College Promise program that allows high school students to take free college courses. She said the program is a centerpiece of her Miss America interviews and key talking points when she guest speaks at high school events. After Hollowell鈥檚 presentation, Brown challenged each student to write down three soft skills to improve on.听

Brown said that Educational Talent Search focuses on sixth through 12th graders who aim to become first generation college graduates in their family. The program prepares middle and high school students with college level skills. Through tutoring, advising, financial aid assistance, college readiness and soft skill learning, ETS prepares students for the workforce.听听

鈥淓TS鈥檚 Youth Leadership Summit 鈥� Cross Boarders and Dream Big is very pivotal for Columbus County,鈥� Brown said. 鈥淲e are educating our students to become advanced global leaders through effective communication, resume writing, financial literacy and AI development. These are the core competencies that we share with our students at Educational Talent Search, so they have the skill sets to perform in an evolving society.鈥�听

ETS extended a Youth Leadership Summit invitation to Shaq Davis, Workforce Development Coordinator for Men and Women United for Youth and Families. He said the summit鈥檚 emphasis on transcending boundaries and aspiring to greater heights aligns seamlessly with the mission of MWUYF.听听

鈥�Our organization is dedicated to promoting education, resource awareness, and providing services that assist in creating independent and self-sufficient youth and families within our community,鈥� Davis said. 鈥淏y exposing our youth to such role models, we aim to inspire them to envision possibilities beyond their immediate surroundings and to pursue their aspirations with confidence. The summit not only highlighted the potential within each individual but also underscored the significance of community support in nurturing that potential.鈥�听听

Brown said that ETS plans for the summit to become an annual event, and she is looking forward to impacting more students next year. With nearly 50 students present this year, Brown is hoping to invite 80 to 100 students to next year鈥檚 summit.听听