Eighteen student leaders from Knox County recently attended a leadership summit at Berea College on Saturday, April 12, 2014.
The summit, sponsored by Berea College’s Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) and College for Every Student (CFES), provided opportunities for students to hone their leadership skills, dream about their goals and aspirations, and meet a movie star who has realized his dreams.
“These students gave up a beautiful Saturday because they understand the importance of a college education, dreaming big and becoming a leader,” said Khristian Abner, who chaperoned the trip. “This was a day well-spent for our students.”
After spending the better part of the day learning about leadership, the students met Muse Watson, a television and movie star visiting from California. Watson has appeared in more than 40 feature films and more than a dozen television shows. He is best known for his long-term role as Mike Franks on NCIS.
Watson shared with students that his dream of becoming an actor started at Berea College, when he was a student participating in theatrical productions. He encouraged students to never give up on their dreams and to live a life that allowed them to give to others.
These students from both Lynn Camp Schools (LC) and Knox Central High School (KC) attended the summit: Knox Central: Kammey Bargo, Monika Cedillo, Victoria Flinn, Cherish Gray, Danielle Grubb, Sydni Hammontree, Amber Leddington, Brandi Mills and Jade Trosper. Lynn Camp: Christopher Barton, Amanda Garland, Lindsey Gentry, Cameron Gray, Chandler Miracle, Jasmine Miracle, Lauryn Thompson, Maegan Wilder and Brooklin White.
Berea College has been awarded a seven-year GEAR UP grant from the U.S. Department of Education (2011-2018) totaling $149,408,000 (50 percent federal funds and 50 percent non-federal funds).
Back row standing (left to right): CFES Program Director Angel Acosta, Kammey Bargo, CFES Program Director Janell Bechdol, Danielle Grubb, Muse Watson, Maegan Wilder, Brooklin White, Lindsey Gentry, Cameron Gray, Lauryn Thompson, GEAR UP Service Coordinator Kelli Moore.
Middle row (left to right): Cherish Gray, Jade Trosper, Brandi Mills, Chandler Miracle, Christopher Barton, Jasmine Miracle.
Bottom row (left to right): Victoria Flinn, Monika Cedillo, Amber Leddington, Sydni Hammontree, Amanda Garland, Jasmine Miracle.