DeSoto Eagle Eye

Well congrats are in order for the choral department, which participated in the District solo and Ensemble Saturday February 6, 2010 and won first place division ratings. The students include: Emmanuel Allen, Johnny Brantley, Rollins Gilmore, Twyla Hawkins, Taylor Johnigan, Alexandria Jones, Tu’Kevia Jones, Racquel McBay, Chalay Moore, Jeremy Shedd, Ke’Asha Stanley, Audrey Tillis, Kortnie Walker, Atteona Ware, Fredrick Williams, Breanna Wright, Jessica Burroughs, Andrew Cooper, Issac Jenkins, Aaron Spencer. These students will be traveling to Austin in May to participate at the state level.

By definition, historically black colleges and universities (HBCU’s) are institutions of higher education that were established before 1964, with the intent to serve the black community. In the United States to date, there are one hundred and five historically black colleges and universities. These institutes of higher education include public and private two and four year universities, as well as medical schools and community colleges.

Ironically, all of the historically black colleges and universities were established in slave states, with the exception of these establishments in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. Texas’ very own Prairie View A&M University was even built on a former slave plantation. This university is amongst many other historically black colleges and universities which carry rich history in the evolution of higher education for African Americans, dating back to the late days of slavery and postwar civil war. It seem as if one would be proud to attend an HBCU, however, this does not seem to be the case amongst many students who are seeking to enter college.

“I would not attend an HBCU, because the majority of them hold terrible reputations, such as being a low standard, low quality school,” said senior Dominiqua Wilburn. Wilburn has plans to attend either Texas A&M Commerce, or Stephen F. Austin University, and has never considered applying to an HBCU, due to the rumors and misconceptions she has perceived about the schools. However, most rumors and misconceptions that are perceived by many students are far from the actual truth of HBCUs.

“ I am not sure why this [students gaining the wrong misconception about historically black colleges] would exist.” Said principal Dr. Cheryl Ensley. “All one would have to do is look around in all facets of the community to find successful individuals from various college settings.” Ensley graduated from Grambling State University, a notable HBCU located in Grambling Louisiana. During college, Ensley experienced a nurturing, and emphasizing environment, along with constant opportunities to prepare her for post college life. Along with Ensley, many other successful, career oriented individuals have also attended HBCUs.

“Attending an HBCU was an unparallel experience.” Said community physician Dr. Katasha Perry. “Never in my life was I exposed to a number of highly successful and educated minority, and it made my dream tangible.” Perry attended Prairie View University and graduated with biology major. From there, she attended Thomas Jefferson University: Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia Pennsylvania. She then graduated with a masters in medicine and began practicing in 2005. She is currently a family physician in the community. Although there are many highly successful individuals such as Ensley and Perry who graduated from HBCUs

, there are still many rumors that have students hesitant to be a part of an HBCU.

According to surveys conducted by schoolguides.com, there are many misconceptions and myths that lead to the untrue rumors about historically black colleges and universities. These myths included statements such as: “Black Schools do not prepare you for the real world.” “Because HBCUs have lower admission standards and costs less than many of the competitive and highly competitive instructions, they must be lesser quality institutions,” “Being in an all black environment is artificial, and limiting.” and “HBCUs are party schools.” However, although these rumors may seem like they could be arguable, they are far from the actual truth.

Realistically speaking, the majority of individuals disagree that HBCUs do not prepare their students for the real world. “There were numerous job fairs and classes to prepare students for their after college life,” Said Dr. Ensley. Moving along to the misconception about costs, most HBCUs lower their prices so that everyone is given an opportunity to succeed in college, despite their financial backgrounds. Dr. Perry contradicts the myth about “being in all black environment is artificial and limiting,” by stating that there “is a profound great social experience that underscores the rich and diverse history of African Americans.”

Lastly, the misconception about HBCUs seems to be the furthest from the truth according to Ensley, and Perry. “Just about all schools offer the option of partying, but it is up to the student to stay determined and motivated towards their goal,” said Perry.

In the end, in response to those students seeking to attend a historically black college or university or any college for that matter should do their research before actually applying. “When choosing a college, be sure that it is a fit for you and your desired major,” said Ensley. “It is important to be sure that your major is offered and that the setting will be conductive to learning,”

Written By: Eboni Monroe Editor-in-chief

At 211F, water is hot. At 212F , water boils. The only difference is one degree. By raising standards just by one notch, a great difference can be made. This is the concept behind the brand new motivational program at the campus that has students raising the heat to be successful academically, while demonstrating pride and responsibility through character.
` The program itself was proposed as a district wide initiative over the summer by district Superintendent Tredwell. Along with our campus, all public schools in the community will be turning up the heat a notch in order to push the student body, teachers and staff, past the minimum level of excellence. “We can all push ourselves to the limit.” said Principal Dr. Ensley. Along with staff support, the program has also gained much support from students at the campus.
“The new 212F program has been implemented into the district in a very clever and efficient way.” said junior class president Odion Mowoe. Introduced on the first day of school, the program has lifted off to a more positive start than imagined. Along with the theme of Eagle Pride and Responsibility, a new, more positive attitude is spreading through the air at the campus. Mowoe feels as if the new program gives students the motivation to turn up the heat and walk the extra mile in order to be successful in whatever they set out to accomplish. However, there are still some students that believe that the new program may have an ineffective outcome.
“I really don’t think that the new 212 iniative will make much of a differecene, students will mainly do what they always been doing” said junior Alicia Marcus. With the new 212F program being the first district wide motivational program being introduced at the beginning of the school year, there are a few doubts about the outcome of the success of this program. Some students are even reluctant into participating in turning up the heat for themselves. However, principal Dr. Ensley believes that with positive peer pressure and reinforcement, the small percentage of those individuals who don’t feel the urge to participate in this program will surely vanish. Although the program was thoughtfully revised by the district, it is up to the student body here at the campus to make the program successful.
“The program itself is very dependent on the students.” said Ensley. Along with acknowledging , and showing Eagle pride and responsibility, Ensley believes that the program could be an easy success at the campus. Students such as sophomore Gabrielle Lawson believes that the program should work without a doubt. “The program should work because not only are students becoming more motivated, it also influences teachers to increase comprehension.” said Lawson. Along with the students, teachers and staff members are also experiencing the new wave of motivation.
“Teachers and staff do something different every year, and each year it gets better. Along with catchy little slogans, teachers and staff are doing their best to motivate and encourage students no matter what.” said senior Dominiqua Wilburn. Teachers have definitely motivated their teaching mechanisms to get students more motivated to do well in not only TAKS, but be successful in the course, and improve personal character. The majority of senior classes have started the year fresh to motivate and prepare seniors for college applications, and mastering the SAT and ACT tests in order to guarantee college acceptance and success for the class of 2010. Underclassman teachers are not only instilling the core information needed for the course in order to master TAKS and the course itself, but are also drilling themes of good character and responsibility into their students’ head. Thus far, the program has given its supporters a positive outlook.
“The program is working wonderful. Students are definitely turned up the heat a degree, and students have embraced the idea that one little degree can make all the difference.” said Ensley. Already starting with a positive lead, students and staff are expected to keep the motivational spirit throughout the school year. By turning the heat up a notch, students and staff at the campus can accomplish the necessary skills needed to once again make our campus exemplary and produce successful, motivated young adults all at the same time.

Written by: Eboni Monroe, Editor-in-chief