Whites Creek State of the Union

Alumni Media

Whites Creek alums target graduation rate at their old school

Tennessean, The (Nashville, TN)

March 23, 2007 Whites Creek alums target graduation rate at their old school
Author: LEA ANN OVERSTREET / loverstreet@tennessean.com / 259-8205 Author: STAFF
Edition: 1ST Section: North Page: 4M

Estimated printed pages: 3 Article Text: Association's first college and career day focuses on helping students see opportunities By LEA ANN OVERSTREET / loverstreet@tennessean.com / 259-8205

WHITES CREEK —The three-year-old Whites Creek High Alumni Association held the school's first college and career day last week as a way to get more involved with the school's current students.

The association formed in 2004, and its president says it's time he and others give back to the school they love.

"We all have to face the fact that our public schools are in trouble, and Whites Creek is, too. We love this school, and we are determined to give our best efforts towards helping these students see that they are the future," Johnnie D. Bond Jr. said.

"We are an impressive and stellar group of people. We are doctors, lawyers, and we've got alumni running for the Metro Council. We have the strength and power to help this school."

Bond raised the issue of the school's graduation rate as being a problem that the association wants to help combat.

"We want to show these students that we're behind them, and they can be successful when they stay in school," Bond said.

According to the 2006 state report card, Whites Creek had only a 65.8 percent graduation rate. In 2005, it was even lower at 53.7 percent.

'It's our job' "We just want to give back," said Jenean Davis, co-chair of the event. "I really enjoyed my time at Whites Creek, and I realize that the school has changed. It's our job to give back and do what we can to help the students and the school." "We want the students to know that we went to college, we succeeded and we advanced in our careers. They can to," co-chair Christina Perkins said.

The college and career day was unique in that most of the representatives during the event were graduates of the school. "That was something that was important to us. We wanted the majority to be alumni so that the students can see just what Whites Creek graduates can do," Davis said.

Michelle Cummings Steele, director of the Mayor's Office of Neighborhoods, says the day was about giving back to her alma mater. "I want these students to know how important school is. Whether they go into public service or another field, they can do it. They have options," Steele said.

Students are listening And that message was received by many of the students. "I learned that there are a lot of great nursing programs at these colleges and the Army has a real, real good one," Esther McNeil, 17, said. "I could go in the army, get the schooling I need, and there are also great benefits." Fisk University, Belmont University, Tennessee State University, Vanderbilt University School of Nursing, Nashville State Community College and Western Kentucky University were all represented at the event. "I think this really helped lots of students decide if they want to go to college or into another field," Melody Shalander, 17, said. Student Sheketa Plummer, 17, said she appreciated what the alumni association was attempting to do. "They are trying to help us come up in life. I learned a lot," Sheketa said. It's taking some work for the association to come together, but Erica Gilmore, who serves as vice president, says it's been worth it. "We've been working for three years. We've lost some people, but we're always replenishing the association," Gilmore said. "We really want to concentrate on getting more people involved." "We're moving ahead by leaps and bounds, and we're just going to continue giving our support.

It takes the entire community to get behind a school and its students and that's what we're going to do," Bond said. How to get involved Whites Creek High School Alumni Association www.wchsaa.org.

Executive Board 2006- 2008