NCR Alumni Leader Antoine Tate Gives Back
In 2007, Antoine Tate was a rising senior and Peer Leader at Crossland High School. Two years later, he is a successful rising sophomore at Penn State and a College Summit-NCR Workshop Alumni Leader.

In July 2007, Antoine Tate was a rising senior at Crossland High School in Prince George’s County attending a College Summit Workshop. He had recently lost a classmate to violence and was determined not to become another statistic himself. Two years, and one significant New York Times article later, Antoine is a successful rising sophomore at Penn State and is a College Summit-NCR workshop Alumni Leader. He describes his extraordinary journey in his own words:

I, Antoine Tate, have embarked on an incredible journey. The summer of 2007 was unquestionably a defining time period in my life. I never expected that a young, African American male like me would enter a new environment and experience a sensational program that he would never forget.  I had the privilege of participating in the College Summit workshop at Howard University in July 2007. My experience there has helped me mold my future. I became a College Summit Peer Leader as a high school junior entering my senior year. While attending the program, I met many people with whom I continue to have strong relationships.

Friendships were not the only positive aspect to come from the program. I was introduced to Sarah Rimer, a New York Times reporter who was eager to write an article about my life and experience at the workshop because of a personal statement I wrote while there, which was about black stereotypes.

On July 27, 2007, the article was published, and I must admit, I felt like a celebrity. Many people texted me, emailed me, contacted me on Myspace and Facebook, and called me, congratulating me on my achievement. My life only got better when I received a phone call from Tom Harrison of College Summit explaining that a great man named Raymond Kurlak offered to pay for my tuition for college. Can you say amazing? As a side note, I neither cried at my own grandmother’s funeral (rest her soul), nor when Scar killed Mufasa in the Lion King, but when I heard the news about the scholarship, my heart filled up with happiness which overflowed into an abundance of tears. I could not manage to grasp hold of the situation.

And it was that day, July 27, 2007, that established me as unstoppable force. Okay, maybe that’s a stretch, but it did prove to everyone, including myself, that I was capable of achieving great things in life, taking advantage of every opportunity and gift from God. And my success and achievements did not end on that date, they continued to excel.

When I returned to Crossland High School in Prince George’s County Maryland for my senior year, things got better. I created a relationship with the principal as well as the other staff members. I received much support and feedback for the article, and to my surprise, not only was I featured in the New York Times, but I managed to grace the Dallas Morning News as well. I went from Washington, DC, to New York and then to Texas. I traveled all over the country and didn’t know it!

In addition to finding out about the Dallas article, I learned that I was nominated to represent Crossland High School as a State Page. My job was to assist the Maryland Senators and House Representatives in any way possible during their month-long meetings in Annapolis, MD. Apart from the State Page Program, I was also contacted on various occasions to publicly speak at different events, all of which helped me develop my public speaking skills. Nothing can describe how fortunate I was to experience such a dynamic senior year.

When I think about it, nothing can describe my dynamic freshmen year at Penn State either! I had a fantastic time and because of my senior year experiences, I have a better understanding of the meaning of adulthood. Despite the typical temptations, negative peer pressure and challenges of college life, I was able to stay true to my beliefs and remain Antoine Tate, while at the same time creating friendships with my peers.

I became actively involved on my campus and am studying to major in Communications. I joined the Black Student Union, the Multicultural Recruitment Team, the Debate Team and the Chancellor’s Special Program. In addition to those clubs, I expressed interest in the Greek life as well. On April 24, 2009 I became an official member of the Greek organization, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Joining the organization as a freshmen was definitely a huge accomplishment. My professionalism led to my fraternity brothers voting for me to become the Pole March (President) of my chapter. College is definitely the place for me.

I always thought that I was destined for great things, but College Summit has definitely helped me BELIEVE that I am destined for great things. My experience as a Peer Leader was so impactful, I decided to come back as an Alumni Leader and give back to College Summit what College Summit gave to me: knowledge and success.

Being a Peer Leader was one thing, but being on the other side is completely different; it’s ABSOLUTELY BETTER! Interacting with the high school students during workshops this summer was a blessing. I met many people in the process and created very close knit bonds with my fellow Alumni Leaders, workshop staff, and the students. It’s amazing that, in four days, a student can create true friendships and learn about college. I loved when kids entered a workshop not liking it, but left in tears. It’s a moment that I’ll always cherish. My bond with the staff was just as special as my bond with the students. My goodness! I love all of those people. Without my wonderful co-workers, this summer would not have been so magical. I love the College Summit family with every part of my heart.

Here I am, back at Penn State, waiting for a new phase in my life. Who knows what God will bring to me this time? Until then, I’ll wait patiently, while continuing to make a difference on my campus. So far, I’m headed in the right direction.

Watch a clip where Antoine tells his story.