Columbia Urban League honors high school African American seniors; hard work pays off

Being that it is Black History Month, it is only fitting that we recognize our dedicated African American seniors for going beyond the average spectra of society. They are seen, they are loved and they are recognized for their devotion and time throughout their high school years.

The Columbia Urban League is honoring and awarding African American seniors for their academics and the arts. I had the pleasure of interviewing a couple of outstanding students who received the award. It is amazing to be able to even have an opportunity as such. The CUL couldn’t be more timely considering it is black history month to shine a light on African Americans. They do it every February.

The CUL looks at GPA and other extracurricular activities students do around the school.

The students excel in academics and/or the arts.

I asked our varsity basketball player, Jalen C., what he hoped to gain from the experience of the CUL awards ceremony and he said, “Just seeing everybody in the same position as me really and seeing how far we can go in life.”

While having intelligence, Kayla T. is also a lover of marching band and certainly does not shy away from her sense of humor as she is asked what she was looking forward to about the upcoming event. “Um, I’m excited for the food,” she jokes. “I guess to see others like my peers who are just like involved in it.”

When asked about time management Kayla T.explained, “I guess like just like time management and making sure that like I have time to do what I want to do and time for things that I need to do…everything gets done.”

All in all the students are excited about the event to see their fellow peers and to fellowship and eat! Of course they were also equally as excited to receive their awards.

In spite of all of this there are plenty of ways to be honored and recognized, like getting scholarships by just being African American at scholarships.com.

The Columbia Urban League also gives out other generous scholarships for African Americans. You can learn more at www.culsc.org