Tuesday, February 07, 2006

What has disappointed you?

What are some things that have disappointed you? I have heard that there is so much money for financial aid that is available for students but it goes not awarded because students do not apply for it. I thought that was nonsense. My friends and colleagues said that our students won't write the essays to enter the competition for money. Not true I said. Most may not qualify because of the high grade point standards. This led me to do this: I wanted to have several scholarships to award to students who write the best essays about life issues and how they are affected. I attached a small scholarship amount because we are so involved with other company activities that put a financial pinch on us but still I wanted to do something to honor my brothers. The award is only for $300.00. But this amount could still buy two to three college books, or a small refrigerator, a trunk for packing and storing clothes and toiletries to take to college with you. Well, guess what? My friends were right. Many have said that their companies put out money for scholarships and folks just don't apply. My husband and I planned for our daughter. We waited five years. So when she was born because we are college graduates we wanted to assure that our child would be able to attend too. So after her birth we began the arduous task of saving for her to go to college through bonds. But guess what? She is sitting at the computer writing and looking for scholarship opportunities daily. We still want her to understand that you have to work for things. So the scholarship will be awarded to the student who wrote a great essay and wins because he is the only one who took the time to write. The contest ends on February 15th. Why should we hold another one next year with an increase in money when no one will apply? My friends said this would happen and I am very disappointed. By the way the information was mailed to every high school counselor in the area which would have been about 7,000 potential students. See link: The McKinley and Sylvester Jackson Scholarship Award


What has disappointed you?

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

You didn't ask for advice, but I am going to give you some. Don't listen to your friends. Secondly, plan to promote your scholarship award differently the next time around.

I don't think the lack of response should be interpreted as lack of student interest. It's about timing and getting your information into the right hands. I'll email you some ideas.

What disappoints me? Adults who disrespect children.

Anonymous said...

I applaud you for your efforts to help children further their education. Don't give up! You have no idea what impact you will make on the student's life who will receive the scholarship.

Remember that many children are not blessed to have parents to talk to them about college - or who prepare for their children financially. Some educators could also do a better job of encouraging children to go to college. Black children continue to get shortchanged when it comes to encouragement, preparation and access to information.

Look upon this as a beginning and start building on it. You are making a difference. Stay encouraged!

Brotha Buck said...

Rose, I hate to admit this, and hope my daughters don't discover it here. But when they entered college, neither of them could write an essay. One of my daughters actually got mad at me after I read her illegible, 3rd grade level attempt at an essay, and didn't talke to me for awhile. She did get into college, both of them. I did my best at giving them both good informaton, but eventually, I felt that they had to want it for themselves as bad as I wanted it for them.

Brotha Buck said...

I forgot to mention, neither stayed in school because "it was too hard." Sigh.

chele said...

Your heart is in the right place and if it means anything you have inspired me to do the same thing.

BostonPobble said...

Okay, so, like everyone else, I am going to comment on the scholarship thing and not the disappointment thing (a very touchy subject this evening.) Kids don't know where the money is. All the adults say "if you look for it, it's there" but most kids don't know how to look for it. They don't even know to go to the school counselor and ask. I recently helped a young friend find scholarship money because she didn't even know where to start ~ and she HAD asked her school counselor. TTG you and your husband have saved for and are teaching your daughter about college monies. You are rare, not just as parents but as adults. OH! And here's a disappointment that won't make me start crying again tonight ~ school counselors who only tell the "good" students about scholarship monies.

Rose said...

Bostonpobble: You are certainly right. I have heard as recently as this evening that school counselors only tell the "smart ones", many of them can find scholarships on their own. At my job, I have aasked my staff to tell everyone in their workshops and networking meetings to discuss scholarships and what to do...plus next year I will be ready...on second though I can do that next month-offer a workshop on scholarships and writing essays...

Dr. Deb said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Dr. Deb said...

Personally: When someone I care about fails to come through on a question or a favor I ask of them.

Socially: Hatred. It feels like I sigh in disappointment everyday.

Shawn said...

I think the biggest disappointment I've had recently was being short changed money owed to me by a friend I did some work for. They short changed me on purpose. It wasn't an accident. I lost all respect for that person at that moment.

Organized Noise said...

My most recent disappointment was the loss of someone I thought was a good friend because she couldn't accept the fact that I am in a relationship with someone other than her.

Clay said...

i agree w. dcs .. sometimes you shouldnt listen to your friends. i try to not be disappointed -- if i really pushed i try to think of it as it wasnt meant to be, but that is extremely hard sometimes

Fresh said...

Off-topic in response to your comment on Uptown Blog:

Hurry up Rose...changes are happening fast...the reason I am trying to document them. I hear your area is also going through changes ;-) I need to get there ... met some nice folk from that area. ;-)

Jez Chill said...

True, there is alot of scholarship money out there. The most lucrative scholarship I was pursuing, I didn't get as a freshman. So I just followed up after the next semester, and took advantage of the remaining scholarship that someone lost due to poor grades. I say this just to suggest there are numerous opportunities to find scholarship money.

Anonymous said...

When you lie. That is a big disappointment to me. Do you get pleassure out of lieing? Do you feel good about yourself when you lie? Does your ego get better? I hate it. If you lie.... whats the point to live? Sure..there are those little what lies thare are no big deal...big deal to me. But there are some... that I find a big deal...

Jdid said...

its a sign of the times that kids want everything handed to them and dont want to work for stuff i guess

E said...

Oh wow...definitely don't give up. I know I would've loved to have taken advantage of it in my day..:-)

You're doing a good thing Rose.

Anonymous said...

Teman saya pernah terkena kutil kelamin di sekitar bibir vaginanya, sangat mengerikan. di sekitar vagina tersebut di tumbuhi daging kaya kutil dan itu banyak sekali pokoknya menakutkan sekali. Tapi setelah minum obat Penyakit kutil kelamin wanita dari herbal, dalam waktu 2 hari sudah kering. Mantap banget virus HPV ini sehingga nanti kedepannya khsusunya untuk kaum pria dapat menjaga diri agar terhindar dari penyakit ini obat alternatif herbal paling manjur

Anonymous said...

Teman saya pernah terkena kutil kelamin di sekitar bibir vaginanya, sangat mengerikan. di sekitar vagina tersebut di tumbuhi daging kaya kutil dan itu banyak sekali pokoknya menakutkan sekali. Tapi setelah minum obat Penyakit kutil kelamin wanita dari herbal, dalam waktu 2 hari sudah kering. Mantap banget virus HPV ini sehingga nanti kedepannya khsusunya untuk kaum pria dapat menjaga diri agar terhindar dari penyakit ini obat alternatif herbal paling manjur