Xi Xi Omega Celebrates MLK Day

By Debbie McCain Wesley

The Xi Xi Omega Chapter joined with the Youth Cultural Education Organization (YCEO) and the Springfield chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity to co-sponsor a “Guide to College” forum in collaboration with the MLK Community Center at the local Eastfield Mall Cinema on Monday, January 17^th in honor of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s nationally recognized Holiday.

An enthusiastic and eager audience of local high school students and their parents learned about the college search process, application review, essay writing and financial aid. Debbie McCain Wesley, former Associate Director of Admission at Mount Holyoke College and a Sorority member, challenged the students to remain motivated and focused, as they embark upon this challenging process.

Several other AKA members were present and assisted in the successful outcome of the program. A panel of local high school and college students, teachers and parents candidly shared their personal experiences as graduates of HBCUs--Historically Black Colleges and Universities, as well as TWCUs--Traditionally White Colleges and Universities. The participants also received some good advice about what to expect in this process and what factors the graduates had considered in making their final decision.

Program participants were given the opportunity to sign-up for a weeklong tour of historically Black colleges during the upcoming YCEO Black College Tour. They also received Xi Xi Omega scholarship applications that will be awarded this spring at the Chapter’s annual “Hats Off” Tea, a celebration recognizing outstanding achievement in the local community. n