Atlanta Falcons Youth Foundation: Promote Physical Activity in Schools

Atlanta Falcons Youth Foundation Announcement

EXCERPTS:
The Atlanta Falcons Youth Foundation is excited to announce the launch of "60 Ways to Play 60," a global campaign to identify, harvest and promote innovative ways schools can get more students engaged in daily physical activity.

Please register on the site so you can submit entries or nominate organizations you want to enter - and be sure to browse the entries yourself and vote for the ones you like best.

Just as important, we hope you will distribute this information to everyone in your network. Good ideas can come from anyone and any place, so it's critical that as many individuals as possible get an opportunity to participate. We want as many ideas and as many voters as possible.

AN AFFILIATED FUND OF THE ARTHUR M. BLANK FAMILY FOUNDATION
4400 FALCON PARKWAY
FLOWERY BRANCH, GA 30542
TELEPHONE: 770.965.3115
FACSIMILE: 770.965.3185
WWW.AFYF.ORG
Contact: John Bare
Atlanta Falcons Youth Foundation
404.367.2062
JBare@Falcons.NFL.com

PRESS RELEASE

EXCERPTS:

"Giving Georgia's kids access to physical fitness activities is critical to reducing childhood obesity in our state," Falcons Owner Arthur M. Blank said. "The Atlanta Falcons Youth Foundation is keenly focused on this issue, and we think this new campaign will further our efforts in a meaningful way."

The "60 Ways to Play 60" campaign on Changemakers.com seeks new or early-stage
innovative ideas for schools to adopt. The campaign especially encourages entries from kids, but also from parents, teachers, school administrators, coaches, community program administrators and others.

The Atlanta Falcons Youth Foundation has pledged $1,000 to the innovation drawing the most votes of support from the online Changemakers community, and the Foundation expects to consider grants to help Georgia schools adopt the strongest ideas. Representatives from the first 20 Georgia schools submitting ideas will be invited to a Falcons game during the 2009 season, courtesy of NetMOVE, the official mover of the Atlanta Falcons.

Grady HS Art Students Create Dinosaur Feet for GPB

Grady HS Art Students & GPB Collaborate on Dinosaur Project

Is it a bad dream or have you been seeing dinosaur feet all over Metro Atlanta? You are not dreaming. The feet are as real as possible for being the appendages of creatures long gone from earth. The feet are 4' tall; one pair organge; one pair green. They have been spotted on top of cars, at soccer games, church parking lots, at a children's museum and at other dinosaur friendly locations. They were created to draw attention to Georgia Public Broadcasting's Dinosaur Week, September 13-18, 2009.

Students in both the set design and sculpture classes at Grady High School, under the leadership of Art Chair, John Brandhorst, crafted the feet. Sophomore Iris Schaer took a leading roll in the initial phases of the project. The feet were sketched out, carved and molded from styrofoam then painted and treated with two coats of urathene to create a resilient surface.


Mr. Brandhorst accepted the commission from Georgia Public Broadcasting in order to provide his students with a real and connected project that mirrors industrial design projects in the real world of work.

Check out the slide show to see complete process for making dinosaur feet.



The structures are modeled after the feet of characters Buddy and Tiny from Dinosaur Train, the new PBS pre-school program created by the Jim Henson Company. The show combines a child's love of trains and dinosaurs while encouraging basic scientific thinking and skills along with learning about natural science, history and paleontology.


Check out the great offerings from GPB Television, Radio and Education as we all celebrate Dinosaur Week!





Thank you to John Brandhorst for the photographs documenting the creation of the dinosaur feet by the Grady HS students.

GA HS Sports: McEachern HS & Woodstock HS

McEachern HS & Woodstock HS

Beyond the Game

Friday night is Football night for most Georgia high schools. Georgia Public Broadcasting and Score Atlanta are collaborating to cover the 2009 high school football season from the first game to the season championships at the Georgia Dome. Check out the Football Fridays in Georgia website for stats, interviews and live streaming of the game.
We are all proud of our student athletes and their accomplishments on the field each week. Here are some facts and programs you might not know about our featured schools.

McEachern High School

2400 New Macland Road

Powder Springs, Ga 30127

www.mceachernhigh.org

When asked about the historic setting for McEarchern High School, Principal Regina Montgomery talked about meeting folks who attend grades 1-12 at this school in its earlier days. She has also met families that go beyond that to enroll their children and even grandchildren in the current McEarchern. A statement from the website school website states that "our traditions are based on a quality education and high standards for all." A McEachern alum describes his experiences at the school as being the product of a top notch facility and outstanding teachers and providing him with all the tools he needed for success.

What is now McEachern High School began in 1908 as the Seventh District Argricultural and Mechanical (A & M) School. The donation of land and the financial support of John Newton McEachern and other community leaders made the original building project possible. In 1933, the A & M School closed and a consolidated Cobb Co. school was created, later named for John McEarchern. Visit the school website to learn more of the history and to see photographs from each era and school programs.

McEachern offers programs and services to students in grades 9-12 in academics, fine arts, athletics and organizations. Students in grade 9 meet most of their classes in the Freshman Center. In the spring of their 8th grade year, rising Freshman are registered for the Center. This program allows teachers and students to be in tune with educational needs and fosters habits of success at this critical juncture of high school education.

Woodstock High School

2010 Town Lake S Drive

Woodstock, GA 30189

www.cherokee.k12.ga.us/Schools/woodstock-hs

Woodstock High School opened in 1996 with freshman and sophore classes. Each year, a new class of freshman was added until the full 9-12 education program was implemented. Current students can select from tech-prep to advanced placement courses. The 1998-1999 school year marked the begining of varsity sports at Woodstock. Their teams are know as the Wolverines.

Freshman students and their success are still an important part of Woodstock High School today.The Wolverine Academy (Freshman Academy) was created in the 2008-2009 school year. It allows 9th grade students to make the transition to high school while offering the structure they need to perform well academically and socially through a supportive school environment. Wolverine Academy leadership is provided by an Assisstant Principal, Graduation Coach, Guidance Counselor and Careers Facilitator. Statistics provided by Woodstock High School indicate that the passing rate for freshman has increased from 72% to 84% after just one year of the program. Visit the Wolverine Academy website for more details on the program and to learn the names of the Outstanding Freshman for the Week.

Day of Discovery for GA Education Leaders

Multi-Media Campaign Dedicated to Childhood Obesity in Georgia

Stopping Childhood Obesity in Georgia

Student health and well being are factors that contribute to school success and ultimately high school graduation. Aetna and Georgia Public Broadcasting invite you to the launch of a multi-media campaign dedicated to Childhood Obesity Prevention.

Follow Georgia Graduation Stories on Facebook.

Student's Art for an Important Cause

Georgia Student Wins Contest to Prevent Youth Gambling Problems

Cedric Brown is the 1st place winner in a contest sponsored by The Pathelogical Gambling Project sponsored by the social research lab at Georgia State University. In a drawing using acrylics, Cedric spoke to the idea that gambling is a destructive influence. Because he is interested in a career in visual arts, Cedric felt it was best to take advantage of this opportunity. He also said that since he is now a high school graduate, he is no longer eligible for as many opportunities available for young people. Hearing about the opportunity to participate in billboard campaign, Cedric said he "would take my last shot". As a first place winner, Cedric received a cash prize and will see his artwork on display on four billboards located throughout Georgia.

Followers of the Georgia Graduation Stories blog will recognize Cedric as one of the seven young people who traveled to China in 2008 as part of the Metro Atlanta's Boys & Girls Clubs' (Youth Art Connection) Beijing Program. Check out the posts under the Beijing Program labels.
You can also see the online version of the recently released China Book.

Cedric is a 2009 graduate of DeKalb County's Redan High School, and he will be attending Georgia Perimeter College this fall.

THE CONTEST

The Billboard Campaign on Youth Gambling Prevention was one strategy of the Pathological Gambling Project at Georgia State to prevent early onset of gambling problems among Geogia's youth. The Project used social marketing networks to address the fact that young people are at high risk for this problem.

The Project has the support of Gov. Sonny Perdue through his annual proclamations issued the 1st week of March on gambling prevention. MARTA message boards in their train stations and college radio stations are other outlets for this important message.

For more information, contact
Ayana Perkins, MA
Intervention Coordinator
GSU Pathological Gambling Project
404.663.1506
asperkins7@student.gsu.edu


Follow Georgia Graduation Stories on Facebook.

Road Trip Rolls Out the Final Episodes in a Popular Series

New Episodes Available for Students & Educators from this Award Winning Series

The producers of Road Trip, the award winning program with the tag line “staying in school is worth the ride” have completed episodes #11 and #12 of the 12 episode series. It is now available on GPB broadcast schedules and on the web for streaming.

In this new episode (#11), All That Matters, Daniel encounters a female student's bubbly, self-confident aunt, who insists that since she dropped out as a teen, her niece should consider it too.

Featured Road Trips

Tour of Moultrie Technical College's HS Horticulture and Construction programs

Tour of Sandersville Technical College's Commercial Truck Driving and Welding programs

Tour of Bainbridge Technical College's Industrial Maintenance program

In the new episode (#12), Home Again, a teen, overwhelmed by choices, is troubled by what to do after his fast approaching graduation from high school.

Featured Road Trips
Tour of East Central Technical College's Telecommunications Technology and Recreation Vehicle Technology programs

Tour of West Georgia Technical College's Digital Video Production and Sports and Fitness Management programs


Created by the Technical College System of Georgia in partnership with Georgia Public Broadcasting and in association with the national Stay-in-School initiative, Road Trip is now an official hit in the world of educational programs and is among winners that represent the best work in the industry.

Students Experience Homelessness in Atlanta

"HOMELESS FOR A WEEK"
STUDENTS EXPERIENCE A DIFFERENT LIFESTYLE

Students ages 12-14 who attend The Paideia School exchanged their classroom for the downtown urban environment of Atlanta, Georgia. The topic was homelessness, and the students wanted to know about a lifestyle different from their own and about people they see on the streets. These Middle School students spent 5 days and 4 nights based at Hurt Park armed with just $5.00 for the week, one set of clothes and shoes that did not fit and worn thin by someone else. They spent their days visiting area food banks and shelters.

Georgia Public Broadcasting Reporter Rickey Bevington and Videographer Charlene Fisk met up with the students and provided the video from the interviews. One of the young women reflected:
"It is sad to see homelessness. It is heartbreaking to know that you are riding in your car within your comfortable life while there are people out on the streets struggling".

What Will Middle School Be Like?

ADVICE FROM THE EXPERTS

Is everything my older brother told me true? Will I have too much homework? Will the older students really stuff me in a locker?

Students at Stockbridge Middle School(SMS) worked with their Graduation Coach, Ronda Kustick, to create a video that addresses the fears and myths 5th grade students might have as they prepare for that all important transition from elementary to middle school. Mrs. Kustick knew the importance of these new 6th graders make a successful start to their middle school career. She created the project and worked with her current students to involve them with the full production, from script to filming, in a partnership with a team from Georgia Public Broadcasting to get out the important messages.

The student hosts for the video explain some of the differences from elementary school, i.e. changes classes, what homework is really like, the opportunity to take Connections Classes (Technology, P.E., Chorus, Band, Music and Art). No one in this group has ever been stuffed into a locker, and everyone at the school is ready and willing to help the new students. The Graduation Coach along with academic and sports advisors are just some of the folks available to answer questions. Advice from Robert, one of the actors: "Listen to what the teachers say because they mean well and they are preparing you for high school".

STUDENT AND PARENT REACTION
What did this year's SMS students think about the video project esperience?
Mandy:
"Filming a video is one of the most amazing things I have done. Our patience and acting skills were tested. There were many things we had to do, but it was enjoyable and exciting."

Imjei:
"I learned that it takes a lot to make one movie. It was all an amazing experience, one that was fun and interesting. It was tiring doing our lines over and over, but worth the experience. It's very cool to be a kid-celebrity in school. I enjoyed the chanllenge and the worth-while experience".

Mrs. Kustick reports that the video was well received by all the rising 6th graders and their parents who got to view the video in early May.

For more information on this project, contact:
Ronda Bowe Kustick
Middle School Graduation Coach
Stockbrige Middle School
770.474.5710

View the video.

Slide Show from Stockbridge Middle School

Jump Start on College Credit for Georgia High School Students

DeVry University Offers Passport2College Program This Summer

Georgia High School students who will be entering their junior or senior year in the fall of 2009 need to check out DeVry University's Passport2College Program being offered this summer. Qualified students who enroll in the program will earn college credit, getting a jump-start on their college education. There is no tuition cost for the Passport2College Program, but qualified students are responsible for the cost of the textbooks.

Application Deadline: June 8, 2009

Students with an interest in the areas of business and/or technology and a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher should see if this opportunity fits their needs.

For more information:
Visit the DeVry website
Email bwright@DeVry.edu
Call 404.270.2800 or 800.221.4771, ext. 2742800

MetLife 2009 Ambassador in Education Award for Arts Educator at North Atlanta High School

Georgia Art Educator Recognized for Community Service

MetLife's Ernest L. Foster and National Civic League President Gloria Rubio-Cortes present the 2009 MetLife Foundation Ambassadors in Education Award and a $5,000 check for the school to art educator Natalie Brandhorst (center).

Natalie Brandhorst was recently recognized in a ceremony at North Atlanta High School for the work she has done with her students to build bridges between the school and community. View the Georgia Graduation Stories blog for April 14th and the Atlanta Public Schools press release for May 13th for more details on the MetLife Ambassador in Education Award and the accomplishments of Ms. Brandhorst and her students.


Thank you to Joe Manguno, Media Relations Specialist for Atlanta Public Schools, for supplying the photograph.

NASA Offers Education Programs for Students

NASA Online Learning Community and Summer Studies Available to High School Students


High School students interested in careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) are encouraged to visit the NASA Education website. NASA is accepting applications for the Interdisciplinary National Science Program Incorporating Research Experience (INSPIRE) program. Eligible students will have the opportunity to participate in an online learning community that allows them to interact with their peers and with NASA scientists and engineers.

Students selected for the online learning community will then have the option to compete for placement in programs for the summer of 2010 held at NASA facilities and participating universities throughout the country.

Schedule for Application Process

Activity	Deadline
Applications for the INSPIRE Online Learning Community accepted:	May 1 to June 30, 2009
Students selected for the Online Learning Community will be notified:	Sept., 2009
Eligible Online Learning Community members provide additional documents to compete for optional 2010 summer experiences.	Fall, 2009
Online Learning Community members selected for summer experiences notified.	Spring, 2010

Georgia Student Media Festival

Student Work Judged at Annual Media Festival

May 1, 2009, over 160 judges assembled at Georgia Public Broadcasting to begin the process of reviewing work from over 1,100 of Georgia's K-12 students. This 33rd year of the Georgia Student Media Festival (GSMF) allowed groups of educators, media specialists, instructional technology specialists and university students to review the student produced media projects that had already earned high scores in competition at both the local building and system levels. The projects are organized into categories that include: Live Action, Animation, Sequential Stills, Electronic Picture Book, Electronic Photographic Essay, Interactive Stills and Website.

Student projects submitted to the state level of competition are awarded rankings of Superior (96-100), Merit (90-95) or Participation (Below 90). Projects are judged on their own merits for excellence in production, writing, creativity, lighting and impact. Students whose work earns a Superior at the state level will be entered into competiton at the International Student Media Festival (ISMF). Deborah Hargroves, IMSF Coordinator, says that Georgia is always well represented at this highest level of competition.

These instructional technology and media projects provide students with a creative outlet, along with:
*opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of technology
*an outlet to extend the learning beyond the classroom
*opportunity for self-expression
*another pathway for student success

Michelle Linderman

Deborah Gray (Gwinnett Co. Schools) and Michelle Lenderman (Bibb Co. Schools) served as C0-Chairs for the 2009 GSMF. Dr. Gordon Baker, Director, Libraries at Clayton State University Library, served on the leadership team. Joni Jones (Rockdale Co. Schools) designed the GSMF website.

Deborah Gray (GSMF) and Marylyn Stansbury, Director of Education & Outreach, GPB

Some of the Judging Stations

The Georgia Student Media Festival is sponsored by the Georgia Association for Instructional Technology, Inc. (GAIT), and the Georgia Library Association (GLA), in partnership with Georgia Public Broadcasting (GPB).

Georgia Educator Recognized for Community Outreach

Art Educator Builds Bridges Between School and Community

The MetLife Foundation Ambassadors in Education Award recognizes outstanding educators in the public school system. Recipients of the Award are middle and high school educators who are building partnerships and communicating beyond their school for the betterment of the entire community. It is a project of the National Civic League and sponsored by the MetLife Foundation.

The winners for 2009 were announced recently, and a Georgia educator was among those 25 educators selected to receive the Ambassadors in Education Award.

Natalie Brandhorst, Art Educator at North Atlanta High School, was cited for encouraging her students to engage in their community through art projects. Her students take on issues such as environmental sustainability and hunger. Ms. Brandhorst will receive a $5,000 grant because of her role in building bridges between the school and the community.

Atlanta Public Schools and the National Civic League provided the following information in recent press releases:
Recently, Ms. Brandhorst worked with students, parents and local Girl Scouts to raise awareness about hunger in Atlanta. Students and scouts used the school kiln to make hundreds of cermic bowls as part of an Empty Bowls hunger education project. For the culminating event, members of the [North Atlanta] community brought canned goods to the school.
Ms. Brandhorst was also recognized for partnering with area artists and local businesses to provide her students with quality art supplies.

Clarkston High School Student Presentations

Student Presentations at Clarkston High School

Students at DeKalb County's Clarkston High School are preparing for the spring round of their presentations. These presentations are based on an individual student's interests or career exploration and are developed over an extended period of the school year. The presentations may take the form of PowerPoint, speaches, demonstrations or fashion show just to list a few of the options. Clarkston High School Guidance Counselors and Graduation Coach advise the students and coordinate the presentations. Community members from such fields as the arts, medicine, law, engineering, and business are invited to serve as Judges over the week long schedule of student presentations.

Thank you to Joi L. Chester, Graduation Coach at Clarkston High for sending along the news of the presentations and the picture of students with Tom Roman, Communities in Schools of GA.

GPEE Bus Trip Across Georiga: Snapshot of the Riders

Strengthening the Pipeline to Graduation

For 16 years, the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education has established a "bus route" into communities and classrooms all over Georgia, lifting up and celebrating success in education. GPEE reports in their "rider's guide" that in 15 years, more than 1,750 riders have participated in these Bus Trips, making almost 260 stops in more than 120 school systems and communities, covering a total distance of more than 24,000 miles.

Fall, 2008, two buses, with riders from classroom teachers, administrators, pre-service students along with business and community leaders set out to discover what Georgia schools need to do provide "top-notch educational opportunities for all students". Under the banner of Strengthening the Pipeline to Graduation, the 16th Annual Bus Trip Across Georgia took off again.

Snapshot of the Riders

North Route Chair, Jackie Parker. Jackie is Vice-President, Glrobal Inclusion & Diversity and Head of Corporate Philanthropy for Newell Rubbermaid.






Students majoring in education and college administrators were among the Bus Riders. Colleges and universities represented on the North Route included: Kennesaw State University, Macon State College, Fort Valley State, Clayton State University and Dalton State College.

Andrew Cameron, Senior Program Director with Amazing Young Minds and Atheletes Corp. represented the High School for Recording Arts/Studio 4.







Leanne Maule, 2009 Georgia Teacher of the Year
Leanne was chosen from a pool of 141 applicants that were selected as Teacher of the Year by their individual school districts.
Ten finalists were chosen based upon the scores of the essays on their applications, and interview process and observations in their school.


Andrea King and Susan Grigg are the Georgia recipients of the 2008 Milken Awards.

From the website:

The Milken Family Foundation National Educator Awards program provides public recognition and financial rewards to elementary and secondary schoolteachers, principals and other education professionals who are furthering excellence in education. By honoring outstanding educators, the program strives to attract, develop, motivate and retain talented people to the challenge and adventure of teaching.

Best Practices on View in Georgia Schools: GPEE Bus Trip Across Georgia

Strengthening the Pipeline to Graduation

What is a more universal symbol for education than the big yellow school bus? For 16 years, the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education has taken that symbol and established a "bus route" into communities and classrooms all over Georgia, lifting up and celebrating success in education. GPEE reports in their "rider's guide" that in 15 years, more than 1,750 riders have participated in these Bus Trips, making almost 260 stops in more than 120 school systems and communities, covering a total distance of more than 24,000 miles.

Fall, 2008, two buses, with riders from classroom teachers, administrators, pre-service students along with business and community leaders set out to discover what Georgia schools need to do provide "top-notch educational opportunities for all students". Under the banner of Strengthening the Pipeline to Graduation, the 16th Annual Bus Trip Across Georgia took off again. The North Route included stops at Central Education Center (Newnan), 12 for Life/Southwire/Carroll County Schools (Carrollton), Advanced Academy of Georgia (Carrollton), Marietta High School (Marietta), Pickens County Middle School (Jasper), D. Scott Hudgens, Jr. Early Learning Center (Lawrenceville) and East Jackson Elementary School (Commerce). The South Route included stops at Huntington Middle School (Warner Robins), Schley Middle/High School (Ellaville), International Studies Elementary Charter School (Albany), Funston Elementary School (Funston), Hand-In-Hand Primary School (Thomasville) and Lowndes High School (Valdosta).

Jackie Parker, Vice President, Global Inclusion and Diversity, Corporate Philanthropy at Newell Rubbermaid served as Chair for the North trip.
Julie C. Smith, Director, External Affairs for Verizon was the Chair for the South Trip.











Now is the time to think about Georgia schools and programs that are working hard and being successful at meeting the education needs of all the students. Is there a best practice in your school or a story of outstanding community support that would be helpful to share with others? Nominate your school for the 17th Annual Bus Trip Across Georgia. Wednesday, March 25, 2009 is the deadline for returning nomination forms to GPEE.

XV Annual Bus Trip Across Georgia

The Bus Stops Here - To Highlight Success

The 15th annual Bus Trip Across Georgia pulled into the last stop of 13 school visits in October, 2007. You can join the tour via a short video from Georgia Public Broadcasting's Digital Library or for a longer tour from the website of Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education. The Bus Trips are annual events with a rich history of highlighting achievement and best practices in Georgia's schools. Representatives from business, colleges and universities, government and education ride both the North and South routes and in the process are inspired to match their prior knowledge with the reality of the classroom.

The Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education, founded in 1990, is a non-profit, independent organization with a focus on efforts to shape policy and to reform public education in Georgia. It also serves as a source of information and research for individuals and groups interested in learning more about policy and issues that effect Georgia's schools.

Dates have been selected and the routes planned for the XVI Annual Bus Trip Across Georgia. Contact the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education if you want more information on the North route (October 28-30) or South route (November 18-20).

Defying the Odds - Update from Producer

Producing Defying the Odds

By GPB Executive Producer Pamela Roberts

2008 Update

Four years in the making, Defying the Odds is one of the most ambitious television projects ever undertaken at GPB.

Ten years ago I began to produce the documentary television project for Georgia Public Broadcasting which would become known as Defying the Odds. My charge was to follow students who had been chosen as first graders to receive a full college scholarship by the Merrill Lynch Foundation. Randomly selected as part of the high school graduating class of 2000, the 25 students attended Capitol View Elementary School, located in one of the poorest parts of Atlanta’s inner city. Since more than 50% of this population typically drops out before graduating from high school, Merrill Lynch hoped to inspire these students to defy the odds and fulfill their highest education potential.

My first contact with the students came when they were in the 10^th grade, and although they attended high schools across metro Atlanta, they met every other Saturday at the Urban League with retired educator Barbara Whitaker. Dr. Whitaker is a fiery grandmother-like figure who provided tutors, field trips and intense motivational talks for all who would listen. As I sat at one of the student desks that first day at the Urban League, I froze in horror when I realized I couldn’t understand much of what the students were saying. I was a white woman surrounded by the lingo of the inner city, a lingo sometimes described as Ebonics. How was I going to produce a documentary based on the lives of these students when we couldn’t understand each other? At that moment I knew this project would be the challenge of my career.

Over the next four years the students and I came to know each other very well. I followed them all the way through their high school years and into their first year of college or job hunting or jail, depending on their individual destinies. The initial language barrier melted away but it was nothing compared with the cultural barrier. It was jarring to go between their world of the inner city and mine of the suburban middle class. But as I and my camera crew got to know them and to see what they were going through, a bond formed between us that exists to this day. Living in the inner city is like living in a war zone, and my great cameraman Wayne Baumgardner and I lived through that war with them. From prom night to school challenges to the deaths of their friends through violence - we were with them for the whole ride.

As producer I began in 1998 by following all of the students, a dauntless task with so many to cover. Over time I narrowed the group down and ultimately settled on five students whose stories were representative of the overall experiences of these children:

John Finney’s parents were both addicted to crack cocaine and he was severely neglected during his childhood. Often homeless, John was forced to sell drugs beginning in the fifth grade. He dropped out of high school in the tenth grade yet later achieved his G.E.D. John attended Talladega College but dropped out after his brother Edric was killed in a drug-related murder. His father recently died and John lives today with his mother. He holds down odd jobs and writes rap music.

Tiffany Holloway never knew her father and was raised by her supportive single parent mother. Through the federal busing program, Tiffany commuted long hours each day to a better high school away from the inner city. She attended prestigious Hampton University but dropped out her senior year for what she calls “social reasons.” Today Tiffany works as an administrative assistant and is writing a novel.

Tony Meeks is one of only three white students from Atlanta in the original Merrill Lynch program. With an absent father who spent time in prison, Tony was raised by his mother and stepfather. Tony joined a gang in the seventh grade and dropped out of school by the ninth grade. After leaving the gang, he went on to achieve his G. E. D. and briefly attended a local trade school. Today he works in construction and designs websites on the side.

Pam and Mrs. Colquitt

Calvin Colquitt is the only one of the five students who came from an intact two-parent family. He was an honor student in high school and very popular as well. In love with football, Calvin dropped out of Grambling University his senior year when his football career fell apart. But today he has started a successful counseling business for inner city youth which he named Defying the Odds.

Marketa Goodwin was part of the Merrill Lynch program in Houston, Texas but moved to Atlanta in the tenth grade. She was adopted by her aunt and uncle because her parents were both crack cocaine addicts who could no longer take care of her. Marketa’s life turned around in Atlanta and she formed a desire to become a doctor. In 2005 she graduated from Tuskegee University in spite of having a child during her last two years in college. Today she is the mother of two and works as a supervisor in a medical laboratory in Kansas City.

Of the five students we followed in Atlanta, only one - or 20%- graduated from college. This is the same percentage of students from the Merrill Lynch program nationwide who graduated from college. There were ten cities with 25 students in each city, for a total of 250 children who were chosen to be part of the Merrill Lynch ScholarshipBuilder program in 1988. Merrill Lynch ended the program in 2007 and to my knowledge is not doing further follow-up on the students as a whole.

In hindsight it seems to me that this was a grand experiment with one large flaw: the program did not realize or take into account the influence of the parents’ difficult lives upon their children. How can children even contemplate college when their parents struggle daily with drug abuse, lack of education and dehumanizing poverty? Through the course of making this documentary we came to realize that as the family goes, so goes the student. And if we want to help those children, we’ve got to help their parents. This is the deepest lesson of Defying the Odds which first aired in 2002. And sadly, the documentary is just as true today as it was six years ago.

Calvin Colquitt and John Finney

PDF Resource Guide for Educators

PDF Transcript