GUIDE RIGHT
National College Signing Day: Emphasizing Academic Achievement
who make a selection for college, and go on for athletics, but you know, we really need to be promoting something beyond just athletics. There’s nothing wrong with athletics, but most of our kids aren’t going on athletic scholarships… they’re going on academic scholarships, and what they’re doing in that accom- plishment is no less important than the kids who may be signing for (athletic) scholarships.” Some chapters initially have been re- luctant to host National College Signing Day, Ward said, because they feared that the students wouldn’t want to do it, but through the years, he’s found that they really look forward to it. “They really enjoy having that presence to provide where they’re going to school…it’s just really something that’s kind of gained momentum as the years have gone on, and I think initially kids thought it was kind of corny or something, but now I think they look forward to it, and it’s great just from a positive standpoint, to show positive things that the youth are doing.” Although the initiative is called National College Signing Day, Ward stresses that it’s an occasion to celebrate and encourage young men who are also attending a vocational or trade school, as well as the military (where they might also obtain a college education). “That’s one of the things that’s important for us to do…we want to acknowledge any progress, because some of them go into the military, vocational schools, skill/ trade; we acknowledge all the accom- plishment, so it’s not just the ones who go to traditional colleges or universities.” Ward advocates for each chapter to send a press release to local media to cover National College Signing Day. The message he would like the public to take away is, “…how our Black kids are achieving, and also showing that (the
By Damon Peebles
An anticipated occasion...it often results in jubilation and tears of joy, from the young men as well as their parents.
T his time of year, high school students across the country are celebrating the accomplish- ment of graduating from high school and making decisions for the next big step in their lives. For the members of Guide Right, these accomplishments are celebrated with Kappa League’s National College Signing Day. National College Signing Day is an ini- tiative of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, In- corporated’s National Guide Right Com- mission (NGRC), where graduating high school seniors of Kappa League sign a commitment letter, and publicly an- nounce the college, vocational school or military branch they intend to attend, in the same manner that athletes announce the colleges or professional teams they have committed to, for sports. It's an anticipated occasion, and no matter how each chapter commemorates it, it often results in jubilation and tears of joy, from the young men as well as their parents. The initiative, which is now in its fifth year, is led by Brother Terry L. Ward, from the Northern Province (Michigan), who says, “We hear so many negative things about what the youth are doing, and I think that this is something that allows them to kind of proudly display where they’re going to school, and what they’re proud of. They’re proud of their accomplishment, (and) their parents are able to be proud of what they’ve done, so it’s picked up each year.” NGRC Chairman, Kevin Burnett wants not only to celebrate the Kappa League seniors who are going on to college, but he also stressed the importance for the younger members in the program to wit- ness and be inspired by it. “We have this deal where we really celebrate athletes
Above: Alpharetta-Smyrna (GA) Alumni Chapter League Senior Jaeden Brame signs Guide Right Commitment letter to attend Georgia State University, while his mother looks on. Charlie Walton-Clark signs his letter to enlist in the United States Navy. Gonteze Goings emotionally signs his letter to attend Tuskegee Univer- sity with his mother's support. Opposite page: Justin Helms receives hug from his father after an emotional speech, thank- ing him for his encouragement
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