The A-List Next Generation: Bridging the Gap

by Sadiyah Sabree, Senior at the Agnes Irwin School

High School Senior Sadiyah Sabree Reflects on Youth Action’s A-List Event

Saturday, February 25th, 2012

University of Pennsylvania’s Bodek Lounge was abuzz with excitement on Saturday afternoon February 25th, 2012, as 150 high school students eagerly engaged in conversation with over one hundred college mentors from the University of Pennsylvania, Drexel University, Temple University, Bryn Mawr College, Haverford College, University of the Sciences, West Chester University, La Salle University, and Philadelphia University. This was the inaugural event of Youth Action’s A-List: Next Generation community outreach initiative. Youth Action, a youth-led community service organization dedicated to promoting civic and social awareness amongst Philadelphia youth, has planned several programs to address the lack of educational resources for students of color in Philadelphia.

According to the Philadelphia School District, 55-percent of African American and Latino males in Philadelphia who were freshmen in 2006 dropped-out of high school before graduation. This alarming fact is one of the reasons why the A-List: Next Generation was formed. Youth Action members want Philadelphia youth to see college as a viable option. The A-List: Next Generation allows college students to serve as mentors to high-school juniors as they begin to prepare for the college process. The college students converse/advise their mentees about life goals, academic and extracurricular interests, the challenges of being a student of color in college, the college admissions process and college life. The A-List: Next Generation program commenced with an inspirational speech from Morehouse graduate Anthony Miller, who encouraged students to have high expectations of themselves, regardless of public opposition. During the event, high school students were able to network with the college students over lunch, and were also engaged in several panel discussions about financial aid and the process of choosing a major.

Nikki Hardison, A-List program director and student at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business, hopes that the students “were able to connect with a college mentor and learn more about applying to and excelling in college”.

I had the opportunity to speak with a few of the attendees, who spoke very highly of the event. Taylor Curtis, a junior at JR Masterman School, stated that the program helped her learn a lot more about the college process, specifically how to pick a major. She appreciated that the college students were able to speak candidly about their college experience, instead of simply lecturing on the importance of a college education. The A-List Event also helped Taylor expand her thinking on what type of college she wants to attend. The event has reaffirmed her desire to go to a college where she can meet people of diverse backgrounds. Johanna Ouk and Eric Chalmus, students at Parkway Center City and Eastern University Academy, respectively, both agreed that the A-List program gave them a “clearer view” on the college application process.  David Budd, a junior at Triton Regional High School in Runnemede, New Jersey, thought the experience showed him the importance of time management and a lso the feasibility of being involved in schoolwork while maintaining an active social life. After having the opportunity to speak with a few different college students, he has “changed his mind” on a few colleges. Participants Chris Johnson and Austin Brooks, both students at Cheltenham High School in Wyncote, have learned that “college is the platform to success” and is about “more than just partying”. They thought the event gave them “background knowledge” on what will happen once they get to college.

The A-List experience was truly rewarding for the college mentors as well. I spoke with Fatima Conteh, a sophomore at Drexel University, who said that the event definitely exceeded her expectations. The students were more “engaged and curious” than she assumed they would be. She was very pleased with the level of interaction between the high school and college students, and also very happy that she decided to participate in the event.

Students of color in Philadelphia are doing more than just starting flashmobs, posting twitter updates, and partying. Students are also taking responsibility for their education and actively pursuing excellence.

For more information on Youth Action’s future programs, please contact Anthony Phillips, program director, at aphillips@youthactionteam.org, and for more upcoming photos from the A-List event visit www.facebook.com/alistnetwork