Panel examines alarming data about youth

The campus organization known as 100 Collegiate Women collaborated with Teach for America to educate students on the "Mis-Education of Our Youth" in the John B. Coleman library on Nov. 12.
The panel consisted of five individuals, LeKrystal Simon, Jeremy Williams, Clement E. Glenn, Derrick Wilson, and Jeremy Harris, who are all professionals in the education system. They laid knowledge on the students saying that it is not all about worrying about getting yourself out 'the hood' but it's about going back and making a change in your community.
Senior psychology major Chelsea Core put on the event and started the seminar with the statistic that eight percent of children growing up in low income communities graduate college by the age of 24 in comparison to 80 percent of children from more affluent areas, which stuck with the audience throughout the presentation.
"I felt like this is something we don't talk about a lot here at Prairie View. I wasn't trying to make anyone join Teach for America but I wanted to change people's outlook by bringing in different panelist, old and young. I want people to know that it's about making change within you to make that change in your community and if I did that, then I'm good," said Core.
The panelists stressed that just because one may have grown up in a rough environment doesn't mean one has to become a product of their environment. They also stressed that it is imperative that college students educate themselves and learn all that they can to go back and influence the next generation of children in their area.
Each panelist agreed that this generation is all about "me" and everyone is only focused on them making it out, but taught the Panthers in the seminar that if we don't fix the problem, then who is going to make that change?
"I learned that there's more than just 'getting out the hood' but your education allows you to expand your knowledge so you can eventually come back and help your community grow as a whole," said sophomore nursing major Alajasia Apponey.
All students need to go out and make the change that they want to see in the future. We need to uplift the upcoming children so they're better prepared academically.
When asked for advice to leave with Prairie View students, each panelist gave inspiring words.
"Apply yourself, have a vision, and by the age of 30 you can be whatever you want. Envision your success," said Glenn. "It's time for us to change this cycle of our own people and educate ourselves to better prepare the children for the future, so that we all can prosper."