April 5, 2009 — On Saturday boys age 13 to 18 got eye-opening information on what a difference going to college can make in their lives. The information was given to them by members of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, men who care about making a difference in local boys' lives and are willing to help them achieve goals.
"I thought as long as I had a high school diploma I could get a good job," said 13 year-old Sterling Gaston. "A lot of this stuff I didn't know."
The fraternity's local chapter, Iota Sigma Lambda, held "Go to High School — Go to College," a national program that all chapters are expected to host to encourage boys to get degrees.
Dr. Kendall Griffith, a member of Alpha Phi Alpha, cardiologist and director of the V.I. Cardiac Center (VICC), donated the use of the conference room at the center for the program. He also gave the 14 boys participating a tour of the center. He spoke to them from the health standpoint of finances and health care.
Rameek Croskey, chapter chaplain and a teacher at John H. Woodson Junior High, gave the boys a breakdown of how much more money they can make getting advanced degrees and showing them wages at the poverty level.
"Anytime we talk about money and show those pay scales and break it down for them, we get their attention," said Reuben Molloy, chapter treasurer.
Croskey asked the boys why people commit robberies. One said because they are jealous of what some people have, and another said when they don't have something they take it from those who do.
"Do you see lawyers carjacking and teachers robbing jewelry stores?" Croskey asked.
He went on to tell the boys that when they get a degree, they make their own decisions and control their own lives and don't end up in jail, where they have others controlling them.
"We don't want you to be at the poverty level," Croskey said. "We don't want you to be in a position where you don't have enough money for food and housing."
History and research shows individuals who finish college have a better quality of life, Molloy said.
Jermaine Dennis, counselor at Speak the Word Ministry, told the boys how to begin to prepare for college starting as early as their freshman year.
"We want to inform kids there are people out there to help them achieve their goals," said Gary Moore, chapter director of educational activities. "A lot of us are from a variety of different backgrounds — they see we're like them."
He added, "One thing is for them to go to college, but we want to see them finish college."
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