Panel welcomes Kullen and youth advisors

Guests discuss career paths, college experiences

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

The organization displayed this Tuesday morning by hosting a panel called "How Education Changed My Life" at Calvert High School in Prince Frederick. Speakers were Del. Sue Kullen (D-Calvert), college access provider for Washington, D.C., public schools Trayon Brady, former principal and newly appointed supervisor of secondary sciences for Calvert County public schools Yovonda Kolo and youth pastor at Chesapeake Church in Huntingtown Mark Howard, all of whom attended college and many of whom have advanced degrees.

Recognized special guests in the audience included Calvert County Board of Education member Tracy McGuire, SoMD CAN board members Matt Scassero and Bonnie Green, Calvert High guidance counselor and SoMD CAN liaison Roberta Reeves and Calvert High School Principal Susan Johnson.

"I hope this program gives you some insight as to what your life could be out of high school," said SoMD CAN advisor Shelby Potts, before introducing the speakers and moderator, Calvert High School senior Jasmine Brown.

Brown's first question was to Kullen, asking "Did college change who you are?"

Kullen answered yes, despite the fact that for a while she grew up considering careers she could have without a college degree as her family was far from wealthy and could not afford four years of college.

"I needed to make good grades, I needed to apply for every grant on the planet … and then I got on the gerbil wheel and graduated in 3.5 years," said Kullen, who later described working 40 hours a week while in college as well.

Kolo said that her background was similar when asked if she ever ran low on money while in college.

"I didn't have money, my family didn't have money … I received student loans, I worked and I did a lot of student activities," said Kolo, continuing that even with an unstable financial situation "money doesn't determine if you pass or fail."

Getting away from the economic side of higher education, Howard was asked if he ever changed his major while in college. He said that though he did not, doing so should not reflect negatively on a student.

"[To some people changing your major] means you're fickle or can't make up your mind … I had some friends who made great decisions to change their major," he said.

When Brady, a 2000 Patuxent High School graduate, was asked what about his career path he would change, his answer may have surprised some audience members. He said that he felt he returned home to Calvert County too early after graduating college.

Brady explained this saying that even though "Calvert County is my home and always will be," it was not the right area for what he was looking to do at the time.

This sentiment went along with Kullen's advice to the students present: "Stretch a little bit outside of your comfort zone.

" … [While working my way through college] I felt a sense of confidence that there was something wonderful out there for me," said Kullen, who continued that to her, "that internal piece of comfort was ‘I can stop this at any time,' but I kept going."

She also said that as an adolescent she never could have seen herself in such a public role as she hated public speaking.

"If I thought I'd be doing this in high school I'd kind of chuckle … it evolved over time … and it came from confidence in myself," Kullen said.

For Howard, who always knew he wanted to be involved in Christian ministry, the fact that his job is an actual career is hard to believe for him.

"I love my job. Probably what I like is I get paid to serve people; I get paid to work with students," said Howard. "People ask ‘what's your job?' … and they don't believe it."

Kolo agree that day-to-day interaction with young people makes work worthwhile, saying "The best part is working with students; working with you and building those relationships."

Like Kullen, Brady said that his current position is not exactly what he used to imagine himself doing, as he grew up wanting to be a professional athlete.

"But a wise man once told me ‘being a professional athlete isn't a job, it's a hobby you're really good at,'" said Brady, continuing that though he still dreams of being a sports agent, with his current position he believes that everything has worked out for the best.

"Now I'm providing a dream for others."

lbuck@somdnews.com