Welcome to College Summit
California
For Students & Alumni
Q&A with Monique Washington, Peer Leader 06-07 from Leadership Public School in Richmond, CA
Monique was featured in an article in the Contra Costa Times shortly after attending the workshop, citing her commitment to be a leader of change in the culture of her school. She is the model for what College Summit strives for in Peer Leaders: Monique has emailed 30 of her friends to encourage them to get involved in the College Summit program. (To read the article, click on the link below). She was kind enough to exchange a few emails with the College Summit staff shortly before her Senior year at Leadership:
When and where did you attend a workshop?
I attended the workshop in July at University Of Pacific in Stockton, California.
What was your favorite moment from the College Summit workshop?
My favorite moment of the workshop was I got to have my one-on-one conversation with my college counselor, and she was telling me that I had so many options to go to college with the GPA of a 2.0. I never thought that I would have so many options. I left the program with 13 different schools listed and some that I never thought I would be able to go to. I never thought I would be able to apply to Howard University, Loyola Marymount University, and Saint Mary’s College. I was so happy and surprised, but there is still some business that I have to take care of to continue my path to success.
What has changed in your life since then?
What has changed in my life is my personal attitude. When I first showed up to College Summit I was doubting myself in many ways. I always had the thought that I wanted to go to college but I never thought I would make it and if I did, it wouldn't be anywhere special. I now know that I am going to go back to school and will do all I have to do to get where I want to go. I have a new attitude and a brighter thought about myself and I know that I can and will do whatever it takes for me to become what I want.
Will the environment at school be different now, after the workshop?
I have not started school yet (it starts next week) but I’m sure when I get there, there will be a lot of conversation with the two groups that attended College Summit. I know that I will not be playing around as much as I used to because I have business to take care of.
What would you say to someone who was thinking about College Summit, but wasn't sure?
I would tell them that College Summit is one of the best programs that I have attended and it will change their minds about going to college if they didn’t have a plan. It will help them lay out a map to success that will help tremendously in many ways. I would share my story with that individual and let them know what college Summit did for me. I would also let them know that it is a great opportunity to meet new people and learn a lot about college and what it takes to get there.
What are your plans for college now?
My plans for college now are to work hard in this last year of High School, study and take all the tests that I need to take to get into the best college that I can. I am going to do as much research as I can to find out about any programs that I can get into that will benefit me on my way to college. I am already receiving letters from numerous colleges, so I am looking forward to attending a college in the fall of 2007.
