Trail Blazers Reading Event
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By REAP student - Zanele Mutepfa
Tuesday March 10, 2009, inspired, goal oriented and determined REAP students filled the Metro Council Chamber Room. There were students whom were musicians, poets, future entrepreneurs, young speakers and just students with a dream.
REAP in partnership with the Portland Trail Blazers and the Portland Children’s Investment Fund held a phenomenal event, “The Future is Now”, that gave young students a voice. The voice that extended to our mayors, the Portland Trail Blazers, CEO’S, principals, parents, and most importantly, our community.
In the beginning was the reception part of the event, which is when students sat around tables with adults whom were in different occupations. This allowed students to discuss school and ask questions of various needs. They were able to receive words of wisdom from different people and various perspectives. I myself was sat at a table with Deputy Intended of Department of Education, Ed Dennis and Antonio Harvey, alum and radio broadcaster for the Portland Trail Blazers. At our table we discussed schools and the economy. Mr. Dennis reported to us that the school board was changing the graduating requirements. For the class of 2012 and those who come after them, one would have to be eligible to read and write at the high school level of grade ten. This stirred a well rising conversation full of different opinions. By the end of the conversation, majority of the students had agreed with the idea. Many stated that it was necessary for such a requirement. This would give students a drive and the understanding that “just showing up to class and passing with a D” is not considered learning at all. I myself feel that it is an insult that D’s are passing grades and can get a student a diploma, but I very well favor being challenged and I take that as a compliment. Teachers and schools challenging us, helps us believe that they know we are capable of anything no matter how high the difficulty level may be. The conversation was very mind opening and helped many understand the importance of their education and the value of their intelligence.
The session was over before we were ready and moved to the formal half. In this point of the event, we were able to hear the life stories of the students and some adults who shared words of encouragement. Students had separate themes such as, Make It Better, Rise With Us, Sounds of the Future, and I was the closing student with, The Future is Now. Zainab Hassan of Reynolds High School opened with a speech of the dreams she has of herself working in the field of medicine. Justice Gibson of Grant High School shared the vision he has for himself becoming one of the best entrepreneurs. He spoke about how he’d watch famous well of business people on TV and acknowledged the fact that he desired to do the same. Along his side were Reggie Watkins and Robert Watkins whom filled our ears with the sounds of the future. Robert rapped as his brother Reggie made beats on the table, making the audience forget that this was not from a radio. They were very talented young men whom put a fun zest in the event. I, Zanele Mutepfa was the concluding student to speak. My theme was the future is now. I shared my life story full of obstacles, because I am not too different from the rest of the students whom were in that room. I know that everyone has a story and has gone through many things, but those stories should not be excuses to why we cannot succeed, but our motivation to keep us driven. We do not magically become our dreams ten years from today, instead we begin our journeys now.
Sunshine Dixon, Board Chair of REAP spoke after me to encourage our souls to never give up and remember that anything is possible.
Michael Ruffin of the Portland Trail Blazers concluded our event with words of inspiration. He too, related to our stories and acknowledged the fact that he too was one of us at a point in time. He spoke about how important it is to never give up even when things do not always seem bright, to always remember that nobody keeps you from success but yourself.
Many people left the place speaking about how impressed they were. REAP is doing the most important duty in the world, which is impacting positively the lives of children, for we are the future.
On behalf of the REAP students, I would like to thank all our guest whom were a part of this event. I would like to give a special thanks in honor of the Portland Trail Blazers for giving us Mr. Ruffin to speak and support us.
Last but most important, thank you REAP Inc. for giving us the youth, a voice. “The future is a figment that lies before our eyes in each second and each moment, meaning every blink plays a part to what lies ahead. The future is now.”-Zanele Mutepfa
Tuesday March 10, 2009, inspired, goal oriented and determined REAP students filled the Metro Council Chamber Room. There were students whom were musicians, poets, future entrepreneurs, young speakers and just students with a dream.
REAP in partnership with the Portland Trail Blazers and the Portland Children’s Investment Fund held a phenomenal event, “The Future is Now”, that gave young students a voice. The voice that extended to our mayors, the Portland Trail Blazers, CEO’S, principals, parents, and most importantly, our community.
In the beginning was the reception part of the event, which is when students sat around tables with adults whom were in different occupations. This allowed students to discuss school and ask questions of various needs. They were able to receive words of wisdom from different people and various perspectives. I myself was sat at a table with Deputy Intended of Department of Education, Ed Dennis and Antonio Harvey, alum and radio broadcaster for the Portland Trail Blazers. At our table we discussed schools and the economy. Mr. Dennis reported to us that the school board was changing the graduating requirements. For the class of 2012 and those who come after them, one would have to be eligible to read and write at the high school level of grade ten. This stirred a well rising conversation full of different opinions. By the end of the conversation, majority of the students had agreed with the idea. Many stated that it was necessary for such a requirement. This would give students a drive and the understanding that “just showing up to class and passing with a D” is not considered learning at all. I myself feel that it is an insult that D’s are passing grades and can get a student a diploma, but I very well favor being challenged and I take that as a compliment. Teachers and schools challenging us, helps us believe that they know we are capable of anything no matter how high the difficulty level may be. The conversation was very mind opening and helped many understand the importance of their education and the value of their intelligence.
The session was over before we were ready and moved to the formal half. In this point of the event, we were able to hear the life stories of the students and some adults who shared words of encouragement. Students had separate themes such as, Make It Better, Rise With Us, Sounds of the Future, and I was the closing student with, The Future is Now. Zainab Hassan of Reynolds High School opened with a speech of the dreams she has of herself working in the field of medicine. Justice Gibson of Grant High School shared the vision he has for himself becoming one of the best entrepreneurs. He spoke about how he’d watch famous well of business people on TV and acknowledged the fact that he desired to do the same. Along his side were Reggie Watkins and Robert Watkins whom filled our ears with the sounds of the future. Robert rapped as his brother Reggie made beats on the table, making the audience forget that this was not from a radio. They were very talented young men whom put a fun zest in the event. I, Zanele Mutepfa was the concluding student to speak. My theme was the future is now. I shared my life story full of obstacles, because I am not too different from the rest of the students whom were in that room. I know that everyone has a story and has gone through many things, but those stories should not be excuses to why we cannot succeed, but our motivation to keep us driven. We do not magically become our dreams ten years from today, instead we begin our journeys now.
Sunshine Dixon, Board Chair of REAP spoke after me to encourage our souls to never give up and remember that anything is possible.
Michael Ruffin of the Portland Trail Blazers concluded our event with words of inspiration. He too, related to our stories and acknowledged the fact that he too was one of us at a point in time. He spoke about how important it is to never give up even when things do not always seem bright, to always remember that nobody keeps you from success but yourself.
Many people left the place speaking about how impressed they were. REAP is doing the most important duty in the world, which is impacting positively the lives of children, for we are the future.
On behalf of the REAP students, I would like to thank all our guest whom were a part of this event. I would like to give a special thanks in honor of the Portland Trail Blazers for giving us Mr. Ruffin to speak and support us.
Last but most important, thank you REAP Inc. for giving us the youth, a voice. “The future is a figment that lies before our eyes in each second and each moment, meaning every blink plays a part to what lies ahead. The future is now.”-Zanele Mutepfa
