Author: Michelle Dryden

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Local News

Stogie Kenyatta brings his hit one-man show, ‘The World is My Home,’ to Princeton for fundraiser

PRINCETON, N.J. — Powerful and poignant, heartfelt and

Stogie Kenyatta
— Provided photo
humorous, Jamaican-born, Brooklyn-bred Stogie Kenyatta celebrated our common humanity with his popular one-man show, “The World is My Home, A Tribute to Paul Robeson”, in Princeton this week.

For the first time, Kenyatta brought his nearly 20-year-old play, as a fundraiser, to the birthplace of the man whose life he celebrates. Proceeds will benefit an At the Well Conferences, Inc. program — From the Fire: Leadership Academy for Young Men.

Kenyatta wrote this entertaining and educational story about an historical African-American figure that he admires. He said Robeson is the most unique of our heroes.

“We have great academia, great athletes and intellectuals…He succeeded in all of those,” said Kenyatta.

Robeson fought globally for social justice for blacks, Jews, Welsh, and Spanish workers. Kenyatta’s play spans from the horrors of the slave trade to the shame of the Holocaust.

He uses theater as a vehicle for social change.

Stogie Kenyatta performs at Nassau Presbyterian Church in Princeton Tuesday.
— Photo by Michelle Dryden

The play journeys from the artistic wonders of the Harlem Renaissance and the Jazz-Bebop era to McCarthyism, blacklists, racism and lynching.

“This passion piece is more than a show for me; it’s a prayer for the forsaken and forgotten enslaved Africans who found enough forgiveness in their tortured souls to live, love and laugh,” Kenyatta states.

This show is about the triumph, tragedy and mistreatment of Robeson, who Kenyatta describes as an American genius.

He not only promotes diversity, brotherhood, tolerance, and education; but he challenges us to examine the notion that “if we accept the fatherhood of God; then we must accept the brotherhood of man,” Kenyatta explains.

Robeson shows us that in spite of our differences, we still have more in common than we do in conflict, he said.

Kenyatta said he titles his play “The World is My Home,” because Robeson spoke 15 different languages, and he would travel to these foreign countries and communicated in their languages.

He said like Robeson’s life, his play serves as a cultural ambassador inspiring us to greater understanding, achievements, and nobility.

“This is a spiritual mission for us. The objective of the show is to inspire. The goal is to awaken, enlighten, and uplift,” he stated.

“The World is My Home” is winner of Hollywood Beverly Hills NAACP Award for best one-man show, and number one solo show in the United States and the Caribbean.

There have been almost 400 shows, and the play has been to 16 different countries.

Kenyatta has also appeared in television, films, soaps, and sitcoms. He was classically trained at the Afro-American Studio in Harlem, Henry Street Settlement, and Al Fann Ensemble. He studied Screenwriting and Political Science at California State University, Long Beach, and privately with Ivan Markota at the Van Mar Academy.

The event was held at Nassau Presbyterian Church in collaboration with Witherspoon Street Presbyterian Church, where Paul Robeson’s late father, William Robeson, was the former pastor.

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Local News

Danny Glover will headline as keynote speaker at summer leadership programs for minority students at Princeton U.

Danny Glover will speak at From the Fire: Leadership Academy for Men to minority boys at Princeton U. Sunday.
— Provided photo
PRINCETON, N.J. – Actor, producer, and humanitarian Danny Glover will join other celebrities and notable speakers who are scheduled to address young minority students attending leadership programs at Princeton University Sunday.

At The Well Conferences, Inc. will be offering two leadership academies for black boys and girls who are in the ninth to 11th grades. The program for young women is in its eight consecutive year on the campus of Princeton University, while a similar program for young men is in an inaugural stage, beginning this year. These academies started July 22 and will run through Aug. 3.

The young women’s premiere program called At the Well Young Women’s Leadership Academy is designed for current 10th and 11th grade girls. The new program for young men is called From the Fire: Leadership Academy for Young Men, and it offers guidance for boys in the ninth to 11th grades.

“We are offering guidance and instruction that encourages these students to see the power within them and others,” states Toby Sanders who is the co-founder and director of curriculum of From the Fire. He also holds a Master of Divinity degree from Princeton Theological Seminary.

From the Fire: Leadership Academy for Young Men focuses on leadership development, mentoring, and rites of passage. The girls’ leadership program concentrates on developing leaders through academic, social, and career segments.

Speakers at these conferences will provide encouraging messages to inspire, uplift, and motivate the young men and women throughout the two weeks.

For the men, the leadership component will provide transformative education, while the mentoring activities will offer a form of “deep caring” to overcome widespread indifferences to these most vulnerable young men, states Linda Peavy, director of communications for At the Well Conferences, Inc.

She also states that the rites of passage leadership sector of the program will be a journey of self-discovery that unlocks the hidden resilience of the boys as fundamental to their manhood.

Meanwhile, At the Well Young Women’s Leadership Academy encourages the girls to participate in small group projects that build lasting bonds.

Nicole Ari Parker will address the girls leadership academy segment of The At the Well Conferences, Inc. programs at Princeton U.
— Provided photo

The girls have a curriculum that includes critical reading, essay writing, and leadership workshops.

Academics are intense, and there is nightly tutoring with teachers who are also Princeton University professors.

Workshop topics include financial literacy, body image, entrepreneurship, health and wellness, and self-esteem.

The girls’ academy offers a safe place for them to share the challenges of their daily personal and school lives.

“For the first time in forever, I am able to read books in a day and actually understand what I am reading because I am using these techniques you have taught me. I will continue to use these skills throughout my career,” said Dahnielle Milton, a 2017 alumnus of the program.

The curriculum and programming for these conferences are research-based and is designed by educators and leaders with decades of experience in young adult education and social change activism.

It is rooted in the spiritual and intellectual traditions forged in the justice struggles of African Americans.

Dynamic speakers are the highlight of the leadership component of the programs.

The program chair for From the Fire is Delroy Lindo, who has appeared in memorable film performances such as The Cider House, Heist, Clockers, Crooklyn, Malcolm X, and Ramson.

Delroy Lindo will chair the men’s leadership academy at From the Fire program.
— Provided photo

Lindo hopes “…that the experience of From the Fire will give students a boost to take the next steps in whatever goals they have planned for their lives.”

From the Fire will also feature additional speakers who include retired NBA players Charlie Ward and Jason Richardson, Hon. Ras J. Baraka, mayor of Newark; Artist Hank Willis Thomas; Attorney Kevin Harden; Life Coach Pervis Taylor; MacArthur Fellow and Music Educator, Aaron Dworkin; and Bishop Donald Hilliard, pastor of Cathedral International.

Also, other speakers from the Academy for young women will include actress Erika Alexander; the D.L. Hughley Show co-host Jasmine Sanders; Scholar Julianne Malveaux; Motivational Speaker Brandi Harvey; 2016 Democratic National Committee Chief Leah Daughtry; Dr. Michele Reed; QVC inventor Lisa Ascolese; Attorney Renee Hill; and Supermodel Liris Crosse.

Currently, 100 per cent of the women Academy alumni have been accepted to colleges.

Jacqueline Glass, the Academy founder and Princeton Theological Seminary alumnus states, “The Academy lives out our mission to empower young women locally to become effective leaders globally.”

Both programs are unique to Princeton University and to an Ivy League campus.

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Local News

Trenton residents show resilience after arts festival shooting

The Trenton community continues to come out to the Levitt AMP Summer Music Series/concerts to support these social events.
— Photo by Michelle Dryden

TRENTON, N.J. – A few weeks after the arts festival shooting in Trenton, hundreds of residents continue to come out for events in the City, saying that they will not let that incident stop them from enjoying themselves.

The community has been enjoying similar outdoors and indoor events such as the weekly Levitt AMP Trenton Music Series every Thursday that began June 28 to Aug. 30 at 5 to 8 p.m. in Mill Hill Park.

This 2018 Levitt AMP concert series started a few days after the Arts Festival tragedy in Trenton. It was one of the first major events in the City that would attract a sizeable crowd following that problem.

Since then, “I think every concert we have had, a little more people came out,” said Tom Gilmore executive director of Trenton Downtown Association (TDA).

Gilmore explained that they have increased security measures at the concert events even last year — prior to the recent Arts Festival incident.

“We reviewed our security plan that we had for last year, and last year we even upped it because there were some situations where people where driving cars into public events,” he said.

Nevertheless, the recent tragic event at the Arts Festival also had an impact on security improvements at the music concerts, Gilmore said.

He said that the TDA deliberately makes sure the concerts are early evening events, so people can feel safe.

“I think everybody here feels relaxed,” said Sgt. B. Stokes. “The police presence definitely helps. That other event is not gonna stop the good things from happening in Trenton.”

Another resident said he was being brutally honest when he commented that he believes the Arts Festival issue was “staged.”

“I think it was done on purpose,” said Ron Horton. “There’s never been an issue. It’s a pleasant event. Why would something like that happen on that particular night, at that particular place? It makes no sense.”

However, Horton also said he feels safe at the Levitt AMP music concerts even after that tragedy.
Similarly, there is music, vendors, and art outdoors and inside at First Fridays block parties at Front and Warren streets, and attendees at these events have also been saying they do not want to live in fear.

“I don’t have fear of anything,” said Tim Johnson. “This is a much more mature crowd. I think people need to stop letting fear kinda parlay and take away from them enjoying themselves.”

Folks have been saying that it is important that we do not let the violence win, and that we should still come out to support positive events.

Jeffrey Augustin, who was vending at First Fridays, said business is good, and that “Trenton does not let anything stop us. We still keep on going.”

Among other outdoor events in Trenton this summer, is also Capital City Farmers Market during the days on Thursdays from 11a.m. to 2p.m. until October. This outdoor event also features live music from noon until 2p.m. through August.

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Art & Life

Local Thai-Burmese congregation members get ‘yes’ to their prayers

Thai-Burmese members at FBCT in Trenton. L-R: Precious, Valerie, Martha, Christal. They prayed for the soccer team trapped in Thailand cave recently.
— Photo by Michelle Dryden

TRENTON, N.J. – Pray Meh is from Burma, a country near Thailand, and is among more than two dozen Thai-Burmese congregation members at First Baptist Church of Trenton, (FBCT) whose prayers have been answered for the safe rescue of the Thai Wild Boars soccer team and their coach from the flooded Tham Luan Nang Non cave complex in Chiang Rai, Thailand.

Although many of the Thai-Burmese members at FBCT said they are not cavers themselves, what was happening in their country certainly affected them because of their Christian beliefs to show love to humanity and community.

“They are very-loving people, and so when anything happens in their country they are affected because they are a family-oriented people,” said Rev. Nadir Powell of FBCT.

So, while the Thai Navy SEALS were preparing for their dramatic rescue efforts inside the cave, the Trenton-area Thai-Burmese members of FCBT were praying for a safe and timely rescue, and were trying to stay upbeat at Great Adventures with Rev. Powell who thought the trip would help them cope.

FBCT leader, Rev. Calvin Nadir Powell, supports the Thai-Burmese members of his church during the saga in their country.
— Photo by Michelle Dryden

They have been following the developments of the story, and were exercising their faith.

“Of course when I found out that they found the boys I was really happy, “ said Christal Hla. “I was happy that everyone was alive. But one of the rescuers died in that cave, and that’s sad. It’s gonna take a long time to get them out of the cave. I am hoping they’ll make it out safe – all of them.”

The comments were nearly all similar. They were very prayerful and faithful even though they understood the rescue would be treacherous.

Martha Hla also said she was worried about the situation, and was hoping they will make it out safely. She believed God would show a miracle, and said we can all support them with our prayers.

Kahmiya Win was concerned that the boys cannot swim, and was hoping the Thai Navy SEALS and other rescuers would find another way to get them out.

She also praised the diver who died while trying to help the boys and their coach.

“It’s sad that one passed away. But he kinda gave his life helping others. It’s kinda good, but it’s probably not.”

However, the recent success of the rescue where all 12 boys from the Wild Boars soccer team and their coach have been saved is definitely a great outcome for the Thai and Burmese folks at FBCT.

The reverend of the FBCT was a crucial support for them during that time. He said that they asked him to pray for them.

“So, one of the teenagers came to me and showed me the clipping about (the Wild Boars soccer team and their coach who were trapped in the flooded cave). She told me to let us pray for them. I said to myself, that’s nothing but the love of God,” said Rev. Powell.

According to Rev. Powell, most of the Thai and Burmese people who come to his church are God-fearing, God-loving people who have experienced religious persecution for being Christians in their homelands.

“Most of them who come here are already a part of the body of Christ,” said Rev. Powell. “So they come and want to serve, and they just want to do God’s work. They are praying people.”

The Rev. Powell also explained that the Thai-Burmese people are conditioned to care about human lives because of their plights of life experiences in their countries.

Hardships in human lives really affect them because “some of their families came out of refugee camps, and some came out of villages that were ransacked by the military, but there is just a natural God love in them,” said Rev. Powell.

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Local News

First female carpenter to represent N.J. in SkillsUSA national competitions

Brittany Pochick is the first female carpenter from MCTS to represent N.J. in SkillsUSA national competition. Seen here in the wood shop using her carpentry tool.
— Lori Perlow photo

HIGHTSTOWN, N.J. — For 18-year-old Brittany Pochick, her love for mixed media art has evolved into carpentry, and has been therapeutic, especially because she excels at her crafts.

Pochick graduated from Hightstown High School this year, and is a first-year student in a two-year carpentry program at Mercer County Technical Schools (MCTS).

“She is the first female carpenter in the program to represent New Jersey at the national level competitions after winning first place in her school district and also placed first at the State level competitions for the SkillsUSA programs,” said Lori Perlow, former community liaison at MCTS.

Not only is Pochick a talented first-year carpenter, but she is also an entrepreneur with a mixed media art studio and an online business, Perlow said.

Both special student as well as a nontraditional one, Pochick uses her art and craft as therapy to deal with past traumatic life experiences, and she thrives in this male-dominated profession.

With her grandmother and her mother’s support, when Pochick was 7-years-old and needed therapy, she started exploring mixed media art forms.

She later started her business that became a legitimate or legal business when she was only 12, she said.

Currently, her mixed media altered art include “paintings, assemblage art, metals, steam punk pieces, work with paper, laces, fabric and textiles,” Pochick said.

However, as she got older she became more interested in woodwork and carpentry, which is an extension of her love for mixed media art, she said.

It started when she first entered in a Home Depot store.

“The first time I ever went into a Home Depot, I loved the smell of wood, and I like working with my hands and building things. I guess I have a little engineering in me,” she explained.

Brittany Pochick with her instructor, Mark Nace, reading a blueprint together.
— Lori Perlow photo

Pochick has been woodworking for about four years now and says she definitely knew she would like it because she likes to use wood and tools to create something amazing.

She said that even though most people find it challenging, she mostly likes building roof rafters. She said the most challenging thing for her to build in carpentry is stairs.

“For SkillsUSA, I’ll be framing out a small modular house. They may have us do interior work such as roofing, trimming and painting,” she said.

Pochick cautioned that she really does not know what she will be building for the actual competition because she will not get the blueprint until the day before the event.

However, she is confident in her skills and believes she will do well.

She said she is especially skilled at building things that others find difficult to build such as rafters because she has strong math skills and she is good at visualizing blueprints before she actually builds the items.

“She was the type of student who was very project-oriented,” said Doug Shunk, her former counselor at Hightstown High School.

“She liked creating a project and see it sit in front of her. She was very enthusiastic. She told us she wanted to get out from behind the desk and jump into the hands-on projects that we offer here (at MCTS),” Shunk said.

Perlow added that the collaboration between Hightstown High School and MCTS is very important because in the case where Shunk was Pochick’s counselor he was able to encourage her to come to the MCTS program.

Apart from relieving anxiety and stress, Pochick said her carpentry has been financially beneficial to her and that she is especially proud of her doghouse that she built this year.

She said she likes doing roofing and the finishing touches on her work where she uses the miter saw for trimmings.

Now, she is looking forward to representing New Jersey in carpentry, and to her performance at the SkillsUSA annual national competition in Louisville, Ky, on Thursday.

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Local News

NJSPRA announces new officers to share critical school districts information

TRENTON, N.J. — Whether it’s news about students participating in the Scripps National Spelling Bee competition, or an unexpected crisis on school premises, the New Jersey Schools Public Relations Association (NJSPRA) is prepared to disseminate that information to the public.

To fulfill this responsibility, NJSPRA recently held its annual meeting in Trenton, where it announced its newly elected officers for 2018-19, who include school communications professionals, supervisors and superintendents.

Lori Perlow of Cherry Hill, Communications Manager at Camden County Educational Services Commission.
–Provided photo

“Our members play a vital role in the day-to-day operations of their respective school districts,” says Lori Perlow, NJSPRA president.

“Between the ongoing need to share the good news happening in our schools and the unexpected crises that we’re faced with, our members are always prepared to effectively communicate critical information on behalf of their districts,” she says.

Thus, the new NJSPRA officials are:

– Lori Perlow, president (2-year term). She is communication manager at Camden County Educational Services Commission.

– Nancy Dries, treasurer (2-year term). She is the communications coordinator at Millburn Township Public Schools

– Kia Bergman, secretary. She is the outreach coordinator at Hillsborough Township Public Schools.

– Daniel Alston, vice president. He is the supervisor of innovation, design and communication at Middletown Township School District.

– Sarah Bilotti, vice president. She is the superintendent of North Warren Regional School District

– Maren Smagala, vice president. She is district communications coordinator at North Hunterdon – Voorhees Regional High School District

– Nicholas Diaz, superintendent advisory committee. He is superintendent of Union Township Schools (Hunterdon County)

– Judy Palermo, chair. She is the public information officer at Piscataway Schools.

In addition to the elected officers, Diaz will also lead the newly formed superintendent advisory committee, and Palermo will chair the new sponsorship committee.

The NJSPRA is a state chapter of the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA). It is nationally recognized for its efforts on behalf of school public relations professionals. Members represent school districts and independent public relations agencies throughout New Jersey.

For more than 25 years, NJSPRA has provided professional development, resources and support in all facets of communication to education communities throughout New Jersey.

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Local News

Local 74-y-o woman graduates from college with B.A. degree

Maise Daughtry, 74, of Trenton graduates from William Paterson University with a Bachelor’s degree.

TRENTON, N.J. — For most senior citizens it is time to relax and forget about working and getting an education, but for Maise Daughtry it was time to think about earning college degrees.

Daughtry, now 74-years-old, enrolled at Mercer County Community College (MCCC) in 2001, and later earned two associate’s degrees in Music and then in Liberal Studies. And, recently she earned her bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies with a minor in Sociology from William Paterson University (WPU) via MCCC’s satellite campus partnership.

“I’ve always been a person who’s interested in education, but of course your track doesn’t go the way you think you should go,” says Daughtry.

With the “heavy urging” of her mother, who could not afford to send Daughtry to college, she began working for the Social Security Administration (SSA) as a teenager, and remained there for more than 37 years.

While working at the SSA, Daughtry got married and had a son and a daughter and also now two adult grandchildren.

Then, she could have retired at age 35, but she did not “because I didn’t know what to do with myself,” she said.

So, one day when she heard a co-worker on the phone speaking about her son’s enrollment at MCCC, she got the brilliant idea to become a student too.

“I thought, ‘that’s what I can do.’ So I went to school,” said Daughtry.

After 17 years of studying at MCCC and WPU combined, Daughtry recently obtained her Bachelor of Arts, and graduated with honors at a ceremony at MCCC.

Maise Daughtry, 74, stands with staff from William Paterson University after earning her bachelor’s degree.

She had obstacles and interruptions during her time studying. She fell ill with kidney and other health problems.

“But I never gave up the longing to go back to school,” she says.

Instead, she adjusted her schedule from being a full-time student to becoming a part-time one.

While studying among other students, Daughtry was always the oldest. She said she spent most of her time sitting next to 20-somethings.

“But you know what? It’s been amazing,” she said.

She talks about “the kind of respect” from younger students, “and the professors, oh my goodness, they always said they were happy to have me in class because I participate, and that often turns the tide of discussion because the younger students didn’t always see things in a certain light, but I could because of my life experiences.”

She adds, “That’s what being older brings.”

Daughtry was a student in Samantha Oras, adjunct professor of Women’s and Gender Studies in Fall 2017.

Oras said, “She was a fantastic addition to the class, and her life experiences enhanced the discussions…She brought an historical perspective of women’s lives throughout 7 decades”

Given her experiences, Daughtry has advice to other senior citizens who are considering college.

“Well of course there could be, and in my case there were health issues, which can play a role in you being able to continue. But somehow or another, I was always able to ride it out and keep going. I didn’t let that stop me…I just lived in the now. Live in the now,” she advises.

She also said that in general she feels good and that is because of her positive outlook and her faith in God. And, she talked about the support of her family and friends who encourage her.

Her other interests includes being a classical musician and singer who plans to keep performing until she can no longer do so.

Daughtry said she also likes to cook, and her family loves her sweet potato pies, candied yams and apple crisps.

“These are the hits. My family’s favorites,” she said.

For now, she said she would like to “work with our young black men who are incarcerated for minor crimes…and also to work with the elderly, placing them in homes. Those are some of the things on my heart,” she added.

Next, Daughtry plans to start work on a graduate degree in liberal studies soon, and hopes it will take her two to four years part-time to earn it.

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Local News

Mercer County program helps autistic children prepare for air travel

Families are at Trenton-Mercer Airport with their special-needs children where they participate in LIFT, a program that introduces the children to airport experiences.
— Mercer County photo

TRENTON, N.J. — About two dozen families introduced their special-needs children to the airport experience at Mercer County’s inaugural program called Let’s Investigate Flying Together (LIFT) exercise at Trenton-Mercer Airport (TTN), recently.

The 90-minute program took participants through the experiences of entering the airport, getting boarding passes, going through security, sitting in the passenger hold area, and collecting their luggage through baggage claim.

“Our goal was to help families prepare for a positive flying experience from Trenton-Mercer or any other airport,” said Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes. “This first exercise went very smoothly, and we hope to offer additional LIFT events for people with special needs who could benefit from an airport exposure program.”

LIFT was organized by the County of Mercer, TTN, and the Mercer County Special Services School District to allow children with autism to become familiar with TTN, airport procedures, and the federal Transportation Security Administration (TSA) process before taking an actual airplane trip.

For the first LIFT event, airport officials and Special Services School District staff members were on hand to answer questions and help participants understand the airport procedures.

Worldwide Flight Services, Mercer County Sheriff’s Office and Sky Lounge at Ewing restaurant were also present at the event.

The participating families feedback will help shape future LIFT programs. Overall, participants said they enjoyed the airport experience and would consider traveling from TTN.

“Thank you for organizing this event! Frankly, I have some anxiety regarding flying with my son…exposing him to the process and environment before we actually fly will lessen that,” states one parent.

This parent offered a special thank you to the TSA staff for their desire to learn about the autistic population and how to best assist such travelers, making sure they are safe but compliant.

“Everything went well,” wrote another parent. “My 4-year-old enjoyed his first experience in an airport.”

Some participants said they were disappointed that they were not able to board an aircraft, but organizers expressed hope that an aircraft could be made available for future LIFT exercises.

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Local News

Trenton mother of 3 — student speaker at MCCC 2018 Commencement

WEST WINDSOR, N.J. — Latasha White, a mother of three sons and a non-traditional student at Mercer County Community College (MCCC) has proven that success can happen at any age, and was selected as this year’s commencement student speaker.

Latasha White is the student speaker at MCCC 2018 Commencement ceremony at West Windsor Campus.
— MCCC photo

MCCC’s 51st Commencement ceremony took place Thursday, May 17 at 6 p.m. on the West Windsor Campus, where White, who enrolled at 33 as a day student, was among more than 1,000 students who graduated.

“I wasn’t going to let my age stop me,” said White.

White has not only proven that success can come at any age, but that adults are often guided by strong convictions and a sense of purpose that fuel their success.

With her experience as primary caregiver for her mother who passed away from cancer in 2010, White decided to trade in her desk job in accounting for a profession where she could help people, especially the elderly.

Thus, White has earned an Associate of Science (A.S.) degree in Public Health in May 2018 and will obtain another in Nursing in December 2018 that will prepare her to assist the elderly who are most in need.

As a self-described math and science geek, White’s math professor nominated her as commencement student speaker, describing her as a “remarkable student,” who has exceled in honors courses and the Nursing program.

“My professors were able to see something in me. I began to see myself through their eyes,” White says.

That together with White’s warm and compassionate personality, they add up to a very special person.

“I have always been told that I have the ability to bring positivity and comfort to people,” she said.

“Mercer encompasses what community means to me. I have been met with support and kindness. It has been instrumental in shaping the person I have become.”

To illustrate, White is very involved in campus organizations and activities where she helps others.

She has served as vice president of Mercer’s chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Society; as treasurer of the Student Nurse Association; as member of the Student Government Association; a peer tutor; a member of the Math Club; and she currently works in the Transfer Office, where she often offers peer-to-peer advice.

White believes the possibilities in life are endless.

“Life is about steps, not giant leaps. Mercer is a great stepping stone. It’s a beginning – or a new beginning for non-traditional students like me.”

White hopes her three sons will follow in her footsteps.

Her oldest, 19-year-old Tahj-Malik woods, is also enrolled at MCCC as a music major.

“He has already made his own identity here,” she said, adding that she knows he is proud of her.

Her two younger boys are ages 8 and 9.

“I want to be a role model for my kids. They know they are going to college,” said White.

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Education

Lawrence 9th grader wins international video contest

LAWRENCE, N.J. — A freshman from Lawrence High School was a first place winner from among 5,000 students participating in an international video contest called Population Connection’s “World of 7 Billion”.

Arjun Agarwal is among 18 first or second place winners. He competed in a category that addressed sustainable ideas for feeding a growing population, while educating viewers about the topic. Thus, Arjun’s topic: “Feeding 10 Billion People.”

“I didn’t expect to win because I knew it was a big contest that thousands of other students entered,” said Arjun “I just wanted to create a fun video.”

Arjun’s one-minute winning video is titled, “Eating Up By Thinking Up,” where he tries to persuade populations to think about transitioning from eating meat to a more sustainable plant-based diet.

“It’s a very pressing concern that the meat industry has. There simply won’t be enough land, water, and energy for animals,” said Arjun. “We need a slow transition from meat to plants, because plants use less land, water and energy. The statistics are in my video,” he added.

Arjun’s video suggests that designing vertical farms for growing the plants would help to provide more food for a growing population in a sustainable manner. Later he talked about examples of plants such as “fruits, vegetables, lentils, and beans.”

He also said that he is not sure that vertical farms are the same as greenhouses and if they would have an undesirable effect on the ozone.

However, the panel of 61 judges that included college and high school educators, filmmakers and topic experts were impressed by Arjun’s video, and so he won a $1,000 cash prize.

“These aren’t just great young filmmakers,” said John Seager, president of Population Connection. “All of the winners are inspirational voices for a sustainable and compassionate future.”

Arjun found out about the contest through involvement in his school’s STEM club. He felt inspired to tackle the challenge because he saw hunger firsthand while travelling in India with his parents who are in the food industry and teach nutrition. He also said being a vegetarian himself was also an inspiration.

Other winning students hail from the U.S., Canada, Belgium and Slovenia.

The contest was organized and promoted during the 2017-18 school year by Population Education, a program of Population Connection.

“We select themes each year that not only address timely global issues, but also dovetail nicely with the content in many middle and high school social studies and science classes,” said Pam Wasserman, senior vice president for education at Population Connection.

For more information about the “World of 7 Billion” contest, visit www.worldof7billion.org.

To view winning videos and student bios, visit https://www.worldof7billion.org/student-video-contest/2018-winners/