WLDSSA sponsors city youth in college prep day
Steve Tapley, WG'07
Issue date: 11/20/06 Section: Insider
On Saturday, November 11th, The Wharton Latter-day Saint Student Association (LDSSA) sponsored a College Prep Day for Philadelphia high school students. The event's organizer, Matt McConkie (WG'07), was inspired to set up the event because of his work with many of the youth. Every week, Matt teaches a class called Seminary for the young men and women in his local church congregation. He noted that many of the students do not have the same privileges and opportunities that he did when he was younger.
Matt, working with other members of the LDSSA and local LDS church leaders, identified approximately 50 youth who would greatly benefit from the experience. In addition, a curriculum and event schedule was developed. One LDSSA club member noted, "Many of these kids don't have examples in their homes who can teach them about going to college. Other teens are immigrants from Africa where the opportunity for higher education is extremely limited compared to that in the United States." With the targeted youth in mind and curriculum established, Matt set the over arching message of the day's events. First, "You can do it!" and second, "There is help available." LDSSA club members rallied behind the event and its mission.
The day started early for club members who drove to each high schoolers' home to pick them up. With over 50 youth, spread out all over Philadelphia, the driving assignments required a lot of coordination, not to mention a little help from Mapquest. The students were then escorted through Huntsman Hall for a keynote address followed by a couple of break-out workshops.
Securing the keynote speaker for the event was a difficult task. Event organizers believed it was important to secure someone who better related to the kids and their life circumstances. Mr. Auchmed Corbett, an African-American lawyer and prominent leader in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was identified as the perfect candidate. However, due to scheduling conflicts, Mr. Auchmed Corbett was unavailable to be there in person, but was video taped. His primary message during his talk was "education provides both temporal and spiritual blessings to them and their family." He also encouraged the kids to seek mentors who will teach and coach them as they pursue higher education.
Matt, working with other members of the LDSSA and local LDS church leaders, identified approximately 50 youth who would greatly benefit from the experience. In addition, a curriculum and event schedule was developed. One LDSSA club member noted, "Many of these kids don't have examples in their homes who can teach them about going to college. Other teens are immigrants from Africa where the opportunity for higher education is extremely limited compared to that in the United States." With the targeted youth in mind and curriculum established, Matt set the over arching message of the day's events. First, "You can do it!" and second, "There is help available." LDSSA club members rallied behind the event and its mission.
The day started early for club members who drove to each high schoolers' home to pick them up. With over 50 youth, spread out all over Philadelphia, the driving assignments required a lot of coordination, not to mention a little help from Mapquest. The students were then escorted through Huntsman Hall for a keynote address followed by a couple of break-out workshops.
Securing the keynote speaker for the event was a difficult task. Event organizers believed it was important to secure someone who better related to the kids and their life circumstances. Mr. Auchmed Corbett, an African-American lawyer and prominent leader in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was identified as the perfect candidate. However, due to scheduling conflicts, Mr. Auchmed Corbett was unavailable to be there in person, but was video taped. His primary message during his talk was "education provides both temporal and spiritual blessings to them and their family." He also encouraged the kids to seek mentors who will teach and coach them as they pursue higher education.
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Brett Hilton
posted 11/21/06 @ 4:14 PM EST
This was a great story. An excelent example of how Wharton School MBA's reached out to Intercity Philadelphia youth and provided a vision of what life can be with some direction and education. (Continued…)
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