Graduates from the high school’s first three classes participate in its inaugural college fair
January 24, 2012
Members of Empowerment Early College High School’s first three classes returned to campus on January 6 to share the benefit of their experience with current students.
Members of Empowerment Early College High School's Classes of 2009, 2010, and 2011 returned to their alma mater on Jan. 6 to share their wisdom at the campus' inaugural college fair.
More than a dozen graduates took time out during their winter break to talk with current students about the colleges they are attending and what the high school students should expect after they graduate.
"Our students work hard to make a positive impact in the community," said Empowerment Principal Traci Stewart-Jones. "Their commitment to giving continues even after they've graduated."
Alumni presenters came from The Art Institute of Houston, Dillard University, Lamar University, Houston Baptist University, Prairie View A&M University, Sam Houston State University, Texas Southern University, Stephen F. Austin University, and the University of Houston.
Stephon Roy, a member of the Class of 2009 and a Linda Lorelle Scholarship winner, now attends Houston Baptist University, where he is pursuing a degree in business.
"Participating in this (college fair) is my way of giving back to the school that has given me so much," he explained. "I wanted to let students know that college is possible. Empowerment taught me the importance of a good education, but more importantly, they taught me to give back to my community."
Ninth-grader D'Vaundra Carter said she appreciated the feedback she received from Empowerment alumni. "I am interested now in Prairie View A&M," she said. "I was thinking about going there before, but since the Empowerment students came, it helped me make a decision. They gave me good information."
Empowerment ECHS is the district's second early college high school campus. It opened in the fall of 2005 and celebrated its first graduating class in 2009.
