2010-11 CSSC Award Winners

2010-11 Peer Leader of the Year Award

CA Johnson High	Diamond Herbert
Allendale-Fairfax High	Fateish Graham
WJ Keenan High	Jonathon Gilyard
Sumter High	Dennis Davis
Spartanburg High	Oshay Davenport
Lake Marion High	Da’Shirelle Washington
Cross High	Kieshana Rock

Male Peer Leader of the Year Award

Tabaris Smith

Orangeburg Wilkinson High School

Female Peer Leader of the Year Award

Shakera Griffin

Eau Claire High School

Educator of the Year Award

Carla Brabham

Eau Claire High School

College Going Culture School of the Year Award

Orangeburg Wilkinson High School

CSSC PEER LEADERS

One of the unique characteristics of College Summit South Carolina is the passion our students give to building a college-going culture within their schools. From the inception of the program in 1993, our Peer Leaders have shown exceptional enthusiasm and commitment as they encourage their classmates to pursue their college dreams. 

During the 2011-12-11 school year, College Summit South Carolina's Peer Leaders will be:

• Making SAT/ACT care packages for all students who will be taking the SAT/ACT throughout the school year
• Encouraging and assisting fellow classmates that students are filling out and completing their college application forms and FAFSA applications.

Want to hear more about our Peer Leaders?

Check out 2009-10 PL of the Year Tekoa McBride's Peer Leadership @Youtube.

Hear 2009-10 PL of the Year Shantasia Green's story @Youtube.

2011 COLLEGE SUMMIT SUMMER WORKSHOPS

50+ Students. 20+ Volunteers. 4 Days. 1 College Campus. This meant so many great things in only one weekend. From June 23 through June 26, 2011 College Summit South Carolina embarked on its peer education journey by sponsoring a summer workshop on the campus of Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, N.C.

One of College Summit’s unique experiences in helping students get into college and building a college-going culture within schools is the Summer Workshop. We believe that the most influential person in the life of a seventeen year old is another seventeen year old! 

College Summit brings up to 20 percent of a partner high school’s senior class together with students from other partner high schools for a four day- three night experience on a college campus. These Peer Leaders engage in fun, interactive activities that help them with professional and personal development.  They focus on the following five goals:

• Completing a Practice College Application

• Compiling a “Best Fit” College List of approx. 5-10 colleges/universities

• Learning about the 5 major forms of financial aid and importance of self-advocacy

• Completing a working draft of a Personal Statement

• Working on  Communication and Public Speaking skills

During the Summer Workshop, Peer Leaders interact with both staff members and volunteers (all either currently in college or college grads) who are passionate about the  Peer Leaders’ success.  

Some of the highlights of College Summit South Carolina’s workshop at Johnson C. Smith University:

• Great Participation: 50+ students were trained during Summer Workshop 

• Local Volunteers: Almost 100% of our volunteer staff were  local professionals

• Local Alums: 100% of the  Alumni Team was from the Carolinas

• Record Number of Schools: Eight high schools were represented at this workshop (the most in College Summit SC history!)

After the workshop, Peer Leaders were entrusted with the responsibility of  using the information they had received to guide, direct and influence their fellow peers at their respective high schools.

ALUMNI

Alumni play a special role at College Summit South Carolina. They are proof that going to college IS possible. Even though a student may fear their chances of getting into college, knowing someone that has achieved that goal is oftentimes just the inspiration they need to pursue their dreams. College Summit South Carolina Alumni aren’t just influential at summer workshops. They are positive role models throughout the year.

In July 2009, College Summit South Carolina teamed up with the National Alumni Department to launch the Alumni Ambassador program. This program is specifically designed for students who are transitioning from their senior year in high school into their freshman year of college. Candidates complete numerous hours of professional development and College Summit related service to earn the title "Alumni Ambassador."  In its’ initial year College Summit South Carolina  had 7 Alumni to complete the program.

College Summit South Carolina will be looking for another cohort of Alumni Ambassadors in Fall 2012. If you are interested, please feel free to contact David (D.C.) Howard via e-mail at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)