37th Annual Convention Recap
John P. Robinson
Rosheena D. Hairston and LL Cool J
“The convention is great. I’ve seen a lot of college students, interacted with a lot of college students and Affiliate members. Just going around seeing all of these African Americans succeeding has been great.”
— John P. Robinson, 2011 NSBE Golden Torch Award Pre-College Initiative Student of the Year (Male)
“It’s such a pleasure to win this award. I’ve wanted this award since I first heard about it when I joined NSBE in the seventh grade. My cousin has won the Male Student of the Year, and I also have a friend who won the Female Student of the Year. I think it’s just such a great honor to receive it. I’ve let nothing deter me.”
— Rosheena D. Hairston, 2011 NSBE Golden Torch Award Pre-College Initiative Student of the Year (Female)
“NSBE, it’s an honor to be here. Engineering is definitely the key to a successful future. You are the stars, and the future definitely belongs to you.”
— LL Cool J, NSBE Golden Torch Awards Guest
Last fall, the college students who organized this year’s Pre-College Initiative Conference started making big promises to NSBE Jr. They said the 2011 PCI Conference would be a “powerful” part of the 37th NSBE Annual Convention. They said the conference would help NSBE Jr. members and other high school and middle school students become academically excellent, skillful in technology and leaders in their communities. They promised that this year’s conference would be special and that being in St. Louis would be a whole lot of fun.
And beginning this past March 23rd, they delivered!
In the many, many engineering, science and math workshops and competitions; on the tours of universities, companies and science centers; up on stage leading the regional chants during General Session; at the NSBE Golden Torch Awards ceremony and the PCI-only entertainment events; all around the America’s Center convention complex and beyond, NSBE Jr. members were out front and engaged, making this year’s PCI Conference one to remember!
A few of the highlights follow.
PCI Technology Exposition
This giant indoor playground — featuring interactive exhibits from companies, universities, the U.S. military and other organizations — was a popular spot for NSBE Jr. members such as Danielle Young, who gave us a quote right after trying her muscle at the pull-up bar at the United States Navy exhibit.
“I’m going to go to Boston University for the medical program. I’m going to be a cardiac surgeon,” said Danielle, a seventh grade student and member of the San Antonio City Wide NSBE Jr. Chapter in San Antonio, Texas. “I like the convention so far.”
At the SCOPE Missouri exhibit, Elizabeth Thomas, a NSBE Jr. chaperone from Beaumont, Texas, said she was attending her first NSBE Annual Convention.
“I feel like it’s very informative, great information, great networking,” she said.
“I think it’s really good,” said Thomas’ daughter, Evelyn, as she took a break from a SCOPE competition in which students built towers made of newspaper. “They have great exhibitions. I wish the Career Fair was a little longer, but it was nice. NSBE is a really good organization.”
Evelyn, an eighth grader at Odom Academy in Beaumont, later appeared onstage during the NSBE Golden Torch Awards ceremony as the winner of the MathCounts – USA competition.
Career Fair and College Fair
Friday morning was PCI time at the NSBE Career Fair. Exhibitors from big corporate and government employers — more than 200 of them — reserved an hour to meet with middle school and high school students and discuss their future careers. Then, at noon, many pre-college students took their resumes next door to the Graduate School/College Fair, to meet recruiters from universities and colleges across the country.
Chevron Donates $50,000 to SEEK!
On March 24, 2011, in St. Louis, Mo., Chevron Corporation made NSBE’s day. The company announced during the Thursday General Session of NSBE’s Annual Convention that it would donate $50,000 to the Summer Engineering Experience for Kids (SEEK) program in Oakland, Calif., this year.
“Chevron’s social investment focus is intended to promote economic development by supporting programs that improve access to science and math education, particularly in underserved communities,” says Matt Lonner, Chevron’s manager, Global Partnerships and Programs. “One of the ways we achieve this vision is through support of programs such as SEEK.
“We are excited to partner with NSBE to bring this opportunity to the Oakland Unified School District,” Lonner adds. “We need to encourage more underrepresented students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math; which are all areas of tremendous growth for future careers.”
A big NSBE shout-out to Chevron Corporation, for helping us put more students on the road to successful careers in engineering!
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