The College World Reporter

COLLEGE WORLD = REPORTER=AE=20
Vol. 1 - No.=20 = 2 = &= nbsp; &n= bsp; &nb= sp; &nbs= p; =20 February=20 = 2009

PLEASE NOTE FOR = BEST VIEWING=20 RESULTS: When using MSN/HOTMAIL, must click = SHOW=20 CONTENTS after opening. Best viewed on Yahoo using the = ALL-NEW=20 Mail version. Best viewed on AOL using the Standard = version;=20 after opening click SHOW IMAGES and LINKS. If using = Gmail,=20 check bottom left corner and if "message clipped" message = appears,=20 click View Entire=20 = Message.

DATE

EVENT

Mar.=20 5, 1770

Crispus=20 Attucks=20 becomes one of the first casualties of the = American=20 Revolution.

Mar.=20 13, 1773

Jean=20 Baptiste Pointe DuSable,=20 Black pioneer and explorer, founded the city of=20 Chicago.

June=20 17, 1775

Peter=20 Salem,=20 a Minuteman, fights in the battle of Bunker=20 Hill.

Feb.=20 2, 1807

Congress=20 bans foreign slave trade.

May=20 27, 1837

The=20 Institute for Colored Youth, which later became = Cheyney=20 University of Pennsylvania, the first = historically Black=20 college, and the oldest historically Black = institute of=20 higher learning in the U.S. is = founded.

May=20 24, 1854

Lincoln=20 University of Pennsylvania, the first = degree-granting=20 historically Black college in the U.S. is=20 founded.

Sept.=20 22, 1862

The=20 Emancipation Proclamation is = announced.

Jan.=20 1, 1863

President=20 Abraham Lincoln issues Emancipation=20 Proclamation.

Jan=20 24, 1865

Congress=20 passes 13th Amendment, which on ratification = abolished=20 slavery.

June=20 19, 1865

Blacks=20 in Texas notified of Emancipation Proclamation;=20 Juneteenth now marks this event.

Jan=20 9, 1866

Fisk=20 University is founded in Nashville, = Tennessee.

Mar.=20 2, 1867

U.=20 S. Congress enacts charter to establish Howard=20 University.

Nov.=20 28, 1868

14th=20 Amendment, granting Blacks full citizenship = rights,=20 becomes part of the Constitution.

Mar.=20 30, 1870

15th=20 Amendment ratified, guaranteeing voting rights = to=20 African Americans.

July=20 2, 1872

Elijah=20 McCoy=20 patents his first self-lubricating locomotive=20 engine. The quality of his inventions = helped coin=20 the phrase "The Real = McCoy."

Dec.=20 9, 1872

P.B.S.=20 Pinchback=20 from Louisiana becomes first African American = governor=20 in U. S.

Feb.=20 14, 1879

B.=20 K. Bruce=20 becomes first African American to preside over = U. S.=20 Senate.

Dec.=20 2, 1884

Granville=20 T. Woods=20 patents telephone = transmitter.

Apr.=20 7, 1885

Granville=20 T. Woods=20 patents Synchronous Multiplex Railway=20 Telegraph.

Sept.=20 13, 1886

Alain=20 Locke,=20 literary critic and first African American = Rhodes=20 Scholar, is born.

Oct.=20 11, 1887

Granville=20 T. Woods=20 patents telephone system and = apparatus.

May=20 14, 1888

Slavery=20 abolished in Brazil.

July=20 5, 1892

Andrew=20 J. Beard=20 patents rotary engine.

July=20 9, 1893

Dr.=20 Daniel Hale Williams=20 performs first successful open-heart=20 operation.

Sept.=20 18, 1895

Booker=20 T. Washington=20 delivers famous Atlanta Exposition=20 speech.

May=20 18, 1896

Plessy=20 vs. Ferguson, U. S. Supreme Court upholds the = doctrine=20 of "separate but equal" education and public=20 accommodations.

Oct.=20 20, 1898

The=20 first African American owned insurance company, = North=20 Carolina Life Insurance Company, is = founded.

May=20 23, 1900

Sgt.=20 William H. Carney, first African American = awarded=20 Congressional Medal of Honor for valor at Fort = Wagner,=20 S. C., 1863.

Nov.=20 6, 1901

James=20 Weldon Johnson=20 and J. Rosamond Johnson compose "Lift = Every Voice=20 and Sing", widely regarded as the Black national = anthem.

Feb.=20 12, 1909

NAACP=20 founded in New York City.

Apr.=20 6, 1909

Matthew=20 A. Henson,=20 Black explorer, becomes first to reach North=20 Pole.

Sept.=20 29, 1910

National=20 Urban League founded in New York = City.

July=20 25, 1916

Garrett=20 Morgan,=20 inventor of the gas mask, rescues six people = from=20 gas-filled tunnel in Cleveland, = OH.

Aug.=20 26, 1920

19th=20 Amendment, giving women the right to vote is=20 ratified.

Feb.=20 19, 1923

In=20 Moore vs. Dempsey decision, U. S. Supreme Court=20 guarantees due process of law for Blacks in = state=20 courts.

Jan.=20 29, 1926

Violette=20 Nealy Anderson=20 becomes the first Black woman lawyer to argue a = case=20 before the U.S. Supreme = Court.

Aug.=20 23, 1926

Carter=20 G. Woodson,=20 educator, historian and author, inaugurates = Negro=20 History Week.

May=20 16, 1927

William=20 H.Barnes=20 becomes the first African American certified by = any=20 American Surgical Board.

Dec.=20 6, 1932

Richard=20 B. Spikes=20 patents automatic = gearshift.

July=20 22, 1939

Jane=20 M. Bolin=20 from New York City, appointed first African = American=20 female judge.

Mar.=20 9, 1941

Amistad=20 defendants freed by U.S. Supreme = Court.

Dec.=20 22, 1943

W.E.B.=20 DuBois,=20 first African American elected to National = Institute of=20 Arts & Letters.

Dec.=20 13, 1944

First=20 African American servicewomen sworn into the=20 WAVES.

June=20 21, 1945

Col.=20 Benjamin O. Davis, Jr.=20 becomes first African American to command U.S. = Army=20 Corps base.

Apr.=20 10, 1947

Jackie=20 Robinson=20 first African American to play baseball in major = leagues.

Jan.=20 12, 1948

Supreme=20 Court rules African Americans have right to = study law at=20 state institutions.

July=20 12, 1949

Frederick=20 M. Jones=20 patents air conditioning unit used in food=20 transportation vehicles. =

Dec.=20 10, 1950

Dr.=20 Ralph J. Bunche=20 becomes the first Black to be awarded the Nobel = Peace=20 Prize.

May=20 17, 1954

U.=20 S. Supreme Court declares segregation in public = schools=20 unconstitutional in Brown vs. Board of Education = decision.

Sept.=20 7, 1954

Washington,=20 D.C. and Baltimore, MD public schools=20 integrated.

Oct.=20 27, 1954

Benjamin=20 O. Davis, Jr.=20 becomes first African American general in the = U.S. Air=20 Force.

Dec.=20 5, 1955

Dr.=20 Martin Luther King, Jr.=20 organizes Birmingham bus = boycott.

Oct.=20 3, 1956

Nat=20 King Cole=20 becomes first Black performer to host his own TV = show.

Sept.=20 24, 1957

Federal=20 troops enforce court-ordered integration as nine = children, who become known as the Little Rock = Nine, integrate Central High School in = Little Rock,=20 AR.

May=20 4, 1961

Freedom=20 Riders=20 begin protesting segregation of interstate bus = travel in=20 the South.

Aug.=20 5, 1962

Nelson=20 Mandella,=20 South African freedom fighter, imprisoned. = He was=20 not released until 1990.

Sept.=20 30, 1962

Under=20 protection of federal marshalls, James = Meredith=20 enrolls as the first African American student at = University of Mississippi.

June=20 12, 1963

Medgar=20 W. Evers,=20 civil rights leader, is assassinated in Jackson, = MS.

Sept.=20 15, 1963

Four=20 African American girls killed in Birmingham, AL = church=20 bombing.

June=20 24, 1964

Carl=20 T. Rowan=20 appointed the Director of the U.S. Information=20 Agency.

Oct.=20 14, 1964

At=20 35, Dr. M. L. King, Jr., becomes youngest = man=20 ever to win Nobel Peace Prize.

Feb.=20 21, 1965

Malcolm=20 X=20 assassinated in New York.

Mar.=20 14, 1965

Montgomery=20 bus boycott ends when municipal bus service is=20 desegregated.

Mar.=20 21, 1965

Dr.=20 Martin Luther King, Jr.=20 leads voting rights march from Selma to = Montgomery,=20 AL.

July=20 13, 1965

Thurgood=20 Marshall=20 becomes first African American appointed U.S. = Solicitor=20 General.

June=20 13, 1967

Thurgood=20 Marshall=20 becomes first African American appointed to U.S. = Supreme=20 Court.

Apr.=20 4, 1968

Dr.=20 Martin Luther King, Jr.=20 assassinated in Memphis.

Nov.=20 5, 1968

Shirley=20 Chisholm=20 of Brooklyn, NY, becomes first African American = woman=20 elected to Congress.

Feb.=20 13, 1970

Joseph=20 L. Searles=20 becomes first African American member of NY = Stock=20 Exchange.

Nov.=20 26, 1970

Charles=20 Gordone=20 becomes first Black playwright to receive the = Pulitzer=20 Prize.

Jan.=20 4, 1971

Congressional=20 Black Caucus=20 formed

Jun.=20 2, 1971

Samuel=20 L. Gravely, Jr.=20 becomes first African American admiral in U.S.=20 Navy.

Apr.=20 8, 1974

Hank=20 Aaron=20 breaks Babe Ruth's career all-time home run=20 record.

Jan.=20 16, 1978

NASA=20 names Black astronauts: Maj. Frederick D. = Gregory, Maj.=20 Guion S. Bluford, and Dr. Ronald = McNair.

Apr.=20 12, 1983

Harold=20 Washington=20 becomes first African American mayor of=20 Chicago.

Aug.=20 30, 1983

Lt.=20 Col. Guion S. Bluford=20 becomes first African American astronaut in=20 space.

Sept.=20 17, 1983

Vanessa=20 Williams=20 becomes first African American woman to win Miss = America.

June=20 5, 1987

Dr.=20 Mae C. Jemison=20 becomes first Black woman = astronaut.

Mar.=20 31, 1988

Toni=20 Morrison=20 wins Pulitzer Prize for = Beloved.

Feb.=20 22, 1989

Col.=20 Frederick D. Gregory becomes=20 the first African American to command a space = shuttle=20 mission.

Aug.=20 10, 1989

Gen.=20 Colin Powell=20 is nominated Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff, = the first=20 African American to hold the = post.

Jan.=20 13, 1990

L.=20 Douglas Wilder=20 becomes first African American U. S. governor = (Virginia)=20 since Reconstruction.

Sept.=20 12, 1992

Dr.=20 Mae C. Jemison=20 becomes first African American woman to travel = in=20 space.

Oct.=20 16, 1995

Million=20 Man March=20 held in Washington, D.C.

Nov.=20 4, 2008

Barack=20 Hussein Obama=20 elected first African American president of the=20 U.S.

SPECIAL BLACK HISTORY MONTH=20 = EDITION &nb= sp; =20 Important Events In Black=20 History

IN THIS = ISSUE=20

Editor's=20 Commentary

CWR=20 News

Leaders, = Mentors, and=20 Role Models

The CWR = Career=20 Zone

The = Empowered=20 Student

Success = Strategies=20 From Sheryl =

GET THE CWR = DELIVERED TO=20 YOUR EMAIL INBOX EVERY=20 MONTH

=20

SPREAD = THE=20 WORD!

FORWARD THE CWR=20 TO YOUR FRIENDS AND=20 = ASSOCIATES

RESOURCE = Links

(New) MTV=20 Internship=20
FastWEB=20
Fund My=20 Future=20
(New) = Project On=20 Student Debt
U.S. Dept. of Ed.=20 Home=20
Direct Loan=20 Servicing
College.gov=20
Open = Office=20 Software
PARLO - Learn A=20 Language=20
Workforce=20 Management=20
(New) Student Loan=20 Help=20
Yahoo=20 Widgets=20
SUMMER=20 INTERNSHIP=20
(New) Find=20 Internships

________________________

Black History=20 Quick Links

Celebrating=20 Black History 365=20
African-American = Migration=20 Experience=20
Association of=20 African American Museums=20
The Black=20 History Museum=20
Black History=20 Study Guide=20
The Triumph=20 Over Slavery=20
Black History=20 Month on History.com=20
Black History=20 Month on Biography.com=20
Celebrating=20 Black History=20
Black History=20 Hotlist=20
Fact=20 Monster=20
Black=20 Inventors=20
Black=20 Scientists=20
Civil Rights=20 Movement Timeline=20
The Great=20 Debaters=20
Top Black=20 Museums=20
HBCU = Connect=20
Scholastic=20 Black = History

________________________

February=20 Happenings

Monthly=20

AMD/Low Vision Awareness = Month=20
American Heart Month=20
Black History Month=20
Chocolate Lovers Month=20
International Boost Self Esteem=20 Month=20
International Expect Success=20 Month=20
Library Lovers = Month =20
Marfan Syndrome Awareness = Month=20
National African American History=20 Month=20
National Bird Feeding = Month=20
National Caffeine Addiction = Awareness=20 Month=20
National Children's Dental Health=20 Month=20
National Hot Breakfast = Month=20
National Mend A Broken Heart=20 Month=20
National Parent Leadership = Month=20
National Pet Dental Month =
National Senior Independence=20 Month=20
National Time Management = Month=20
National Weddings Month=20
Plant the Seeds of Greatness=20 Month=20
Relationship Wellness = Month=20
Spiritual Teachers Month=20
Wise Health Care Consumer = Month=20
Worldwide Renaissance of the Heart = Month=20
Youth Leadership = Month

Weekly

Children's Authors = and=20 Illustrators Week: 1-7
International = Coaching Week:=20 1-7
National Parent = Recognition=20 Week: 1-7
Solo Diners Eat Out = Weekend:=20 1-7
Women's Heart Week:=20 1-7
International = Networking Week:=20 1-7
Boy Scout = Anniversary Week:=20 3-9
International Snow = Sculpting=20 Week: 4-8
World Special = Olympics Winter=20 Games: 6-13
Congenital Heart = Defect=20 Awareness Week: 7-14
Celebration of Love = Week:=20 10-16
Children of = Alcoholics Week:=20 10-16
Random Acts of = Kindness Week:=20 11-17
National Engineers = Week:=20 15-21
International = Friendship Week:=20 17-23
National Eating = Disorders=20 Awareness Week: 22-28
Telecommuter = Appreciation=20 Week: 24-3/1
American Crossword = Puzzle=20 Week: 27-3/1

Daily

National Freedom Day - 1=20
Super Bowl Sunday - 1=20
Women's Heart Health Day - 1=20
Groundhog Day - 2=20
Self Renewal Day - 2=20
Candlemas - 2=20
African American Coaches Day - 3=20
National Girls and Women In Sports Day - 4 =
USO Day - 4=20
Weatherman's (Weatherperson's) Day - 5=20
Chinese New Years Day - 7=20
Boy Scout Anniversary - 8=20
Grammy Awards - 8=20
Man Day - 8=20
World Marriage Day - 8=20
Daytona Pole Day - 8=20
Tu B'Shevat - 8=20
National Shut-in Visitation Day - 11=20
Satisfied Staying Single Day - 11=20
Abraham Lincoln's Birthday - 12=20
Valentine's Day - 14=20
National Have A Heart Day - 14=20
World Congenital Heart Defect Awareness = Day - 14=20
League of Women Voters Day - 14=20
Race Relations Day - 14=20
Daytona 500 - 15=20
President's Day - 16=20
National PTA Founders Day - 17=20
World Human Spirit Day - 17=20
International Residence Hall Student Staff = Recognition Day - 18=20
Iwo Jima Day (Landing) - 19=20
World Day for Social Justice - 20=20
Academy Awards - 22=20
George Washington's Birthday - 22=20
Iwo Jima Day (Flag raised) - 23=20
Mardi Gras Fat Tuesday - 24=20
Ash Wednesday - 25=20
Inconvenience Yourself Day - 25=20
National Chili Day - 26

Sources: ResidentAssistant.com, Brownielocks.com = and HolidaySmart.com

________________________

<= /TR>

COMMENTARY: Why We = Still Need=20 Black History Month I felt = compelled to=20 write this commentary because there appears to = be a=20 growing number of people who believe there is no = need to=20 continue to celebrate Black History Month. =

First = of all,=20 Black History Month is, or should be, an = American=20 celebration, for all Americans, not just for = Black=20 Americans; a time when all people in this = nation=20 and around the world recognize the = achievements and=20 contributions of people of the Black Diaspora. =

Although Black = History Month is a time that Black = Americans take=20 pride in our history, our pride should not = be=20 mistaken as a feeling of superiority, no, that = is not=20 the case; while we take pride in our own=20 accomplishments, we still respect the = accomplishments of=20 other cultures.

It is = a time for=20 reflection on the enormous sacrifices those who = came=20 before us, of all colors, have made; to = honor and=20 respect those sacrifices, to share in those = experiences,=20 and for everyone to learn, in a historical = context,=20 from the experiences of Blacks in the=20 Diaspora.

However some, = and many=20 of these naysayers are Black, feel that = with the=20 election of the honorable Mr. Barack Obama = as=20 President of the United States, with a number of = Black=20 elected mayors in major cities, a Black governor = in the=20 state of New York, and significant = achievements in=20 business, technology, finance, and practically = every=20 field by Blacks, that as a people, we have = reached=20 the proverbial mountaintop that Dr. King = referred to in=20 his famous "I Have A Dream" speech.

Then=20 there are those who give the impression that = they are=20 ashamed or embarassed by our history, they want = so badly=20 to be assimilated into the dominant culture, = they feel=20 that any discussion of Black History may be=20 offensive.

As a=20 result of this kind of thinking, some have even = gone so=20 far as to suggest that we no longer need=20 Historically Black Colleges and=20 Universities.

So, do=20 we really need Black History Month any = more? The=20 answer to that question is absolutely and = unequivocally,=20 yes!

I say=20 that because our history is rich with the = achievements=20 of people like Carter G. Woodson, W.E.B. DuBois, = Dr.=20 Martin Luther King, Jr., Crispus Attucks, = Reginald=20 Lewis, Benjamin Banneker, Harriett Tubman, = Frederick=20 Douglass, Marva N. Collins, Malcolm X, Cathy = Hughes,=20 George Washington Carver, Kenneth I. Chenault, = Booker T.=20 Washington, Dr. Ben Carson, Madam C.J. Walker, = Dorie=20 Miller, Thurgood Marshall, Granville T. Woods, = Matthew=20 Henson, Mary Church Terrell, Joe Louis Clark, = Dr. Daniel=20 Hale Williams, Sojourner Truth, Jean Baptiste = Pointe=20 DuSable, Charles Drew, Dr. Mae C. Jemison, Mary = McLeod=20 Bethune, John H. Johnson, Maggie Lena Walker, = Garrett=20 Morgan, Dr. Ralph J. Bunche, Constance Baker=20 Motley, Earl Graves, and L. Douglas Wilder, = and=20 many, many other Black history makers.

All of=20 these great Black Americans made significant=20 contributions to our world society, not = just to the=20 Black community, but they were not included in = most=20 American history books. If you are reading = this=20 and you do not know who most of the great = Black=20 Americans on the list above are, and what they = achieved,=20 that is one of the reasons that we still = need Black=20 History Month.

We=20 also learn much from the ugly=20 and violent history of the Civil = Rights=20 Movement, which includes the Birmingham church = bombing,=20 the march from Selma to Montgomery, and = the march=20 on Washington, as well as the brave people, = white and=20 black, many of whom gave their lives in the = struggle to=20 win civil rights and equality for everyone, = not=20 just Black Americans.

I=20 refer to such people as Medgar Evers, Emmett = Till, Rosa=20 Parks, the Little Rock Nine, James Chaney, = Andrew=20 Goodman, Michael Schwerner, and Viola = Liuzzo. =20 Do you know who these people are, and the = sacrifices=20 they made? If you do not, that is why we = still=20 need Black History Month.

It is=20 the belief of this publication, that for = all our=20 citizens to be fully educated about = American=20 history, they must possess a knowledge = of all=20 of the peoples and cultures that have = contributed to=20 this great nation that we call, = America.

That=20 is why in March we will recognize the = contributions of=20 women during Women's History Month. In May = we will=20 recognize the contributions of Americans of = Asian=20 descent during Asian-Pacific American Heritage=20 Month. In September we will recognize the=20 contributions of Americans of Latino origin = during=20 Hispanic Heritage Month. And in November = we will=20 honor the original Americans, during Native = American=20 Heritage Month. There is a cultural = knowledge gap=20 that must be closed, and recognizing the = contributions=20 of all ethnic groups to American society and the = global=20 community that we live is an important way to = bridge=20 that gap.

Several years = ago, I had=20 the privilege of creating, producing, and = hosting a=20 multicultural television program with = the mission=20 of improving race relations. I selected a = panel to=20 work with me that consisted of a Latino state = government=20 official, an Asian American Sociology professor, = and the=20 former director of the Little Rock Racial and = Cultural=20 Diversity Commission, who was white. I = learned so=20 much working with these very diverse and special = individuals about their cultures, but one thing = was=20 really profound to me, and that was how much = more we=20 were all alike, than we were different; I think = we all=20 shared that same feeling. Having that kind = of=20 multicultural interchange proves that knowledge=20 eliminates the fear caused by ignorance, and = positive=20 dialogue promotes understanding.

We=20 acknowledge and applaud the progress that has = been made=20 in race relations in the United States, and = continuing=20 to celebrate Black History Month, and the fact = that it=20 is embraced by so many Americans of all = ethnicities, is=20 proof of that progress.

However, we must=20 never forget the lessons we have learned from = our=20 collective history, so that we do not repeat the = mistakes of the past, and that is one of the = foremost=20 reasons that we should continue to celebrate = Black=20 History Month.

I am=20 Donell Edwards, member of the human race, also a = Black=20 man, a proud American, and a citizen of the=20 world.

Respectfully,

Donell=20 Edwards

Founder/Editor/Publisher

The=20 College World Reporter

CWR=20 = News

Dear CWR Readers,

We would like to thank you, our = readers, for the overwhelming response we have = received=20 to The College World = Reporter. We=20 also want to assure you of our commitment to = continue to=20 explore more ways that we can empower college=20 students. There will be many exciting = announcements=20 forthcoming.=20

In this very special issue dedicated to = Black=20 History Month, we have attempted to provide you = with=20 ample information, links to resources, and an = extensive=20 listing of many of the accomplishments of Blacks = in=20 history. We hope these=20 resources will assist our readers to = establish=20 their own Black History research and study=20 programs. And look for supplements from = the CWR=20 during Black History Month with additional = information=20 about Black History.

As you read this issue = of our=20 publication, you will also notice several = other new=20 features which will appear on a regular=20 basis.

We = have added=20 an extensive calendar of daily, weekly, and = monthly=20 dates of importance, to assist readers in = their=20 monthly planning.=20

We are very proud to introduce Ms. Terry = Pile,=20 Principal and Senior Consultant with Career = Advisors of=20 Mercer Island, Washington, our new resident = expert on=20 career advice. Ms. Pile is one of the foremost=20 authorities on career planning and development = in the=20 nation. Look for Terry's insightful advice = each=20 month in the CWR Career Zone section of = The=20 College World Reporter.

Coming in March, our special Women's = History Month=20 issue, filled with the outstanding achievements = of women=20 and highlighting their very important role in=20 history. There will also be some special = surprises=20 in store for readers.

Thank you again for your support, and = spread the=20 word, tell your friends and associates about = The=20 College World Reporter. Better yet, = use the=20 forward email button at the = bottom of=20 the page and send them a copy along with your=20 greetings.

Watch for our = special Black=20 History Month Supplement in your email inbox in=20 February.

The=20 = Editor

= WORD = POWER=20

How are the 'Current' = events in=20 your life? In other words, how are = things
"flowing"=20 with you? Expand and use your vocabulary = by=20 realizing that context impacts definition. = As we=20 each become a vessel toward contributing to = world peace,=20 remember that most people are NOT trying to = insult=20 you. We hear and react based on our=20 experience. Control your words... don't = let your=20 words control you.

Sporty King - M.L. = (Master of=20 Learning), Speaker, = Author, Poet

www.sportyking.com

CWR=20 = EXTRA

=20 EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH MISS FRANCE=20 2009

Chloe=20 Mortaud

By = Donell=20 Edwards =20

When most people=20 think of France, symbols of French culture = like=20 the Eiffel Tower or the Louvre probably = come to=20 mind. Now there is a new symbol = of the=20 beauty and majesty of France, her name is = Chloe=20 Mortaud, and she is Miss France 2009.=20

Although she is not the first Black = Miss=20 France, she is the first Miss France to = hold dual=20 citizenship, French and American. = Her mother=20 Brenda is an African American from = Mississippi,=20 and her father Jean Marie is a white = French=20 man. Her mother and father met on a=20 humanitarian trip in Africa and they are = still=20 together.

Ms. Mortaud holds the distinction of = being=20 the first Miss France to break with = tradition and=20 openly discuss race, which is a rather = taboo=20 subject in French society.

France abolished slavery over 160 = years ago=20 and has officially declared itself to = be a=20 colorblind society, and is one of the most = modern=20 countries in the world, and is a leader = among=20 European nations. However, in a = country with=20 over a million Blacks, affirmative = action is=20 banned, and the political system and = the=20 ruling elite class remains mostly = white.

One of the top priorities for Ms. = Mortaud as=20 Miss France is improving the image of=20 France as a country that embraces and = fosters=20 ethnic and cultural diversity. = She=20 cites herself and her ascendancy to the = title of=20 Miss France of one example of the progress = that=20 France has made in race relations.

Let's get to know Miss France, Chloe = Mortaud,=20 personally, in this exclusive interview = she=20 granted to The College World=20 Reporter.

CWR: = Congratulations=20 on being crowned Miss France 2009, we at = The=20 College World Reporter are very proud = of=20 you. Please tell our readers about=20 yourself.

Miss France: I = am 19,=20 my mother is American, she came from = Mississippi=20 (USA) and grew up in Los Angeles = (CA). =20 My father is French and was born in=20 Normandy. I have a little brother = and we all=20 live in Albigeois Midi Pyrennees, which is = in=20 south France near the border with = Spain. I=20 am an International Trade student in=20 Toulouse. I chose this field because = it was=20 interesting, and I like learning about = other=20 countries. I like to go see movies, = go out=20 with my friends, shopping, everything a = teenage=20 girl likes to do.

CWR: I = understand=20 there were 37 contestants competing for = the title=20 of Miss France, were you the only Black=20 contestant?

Miss France: = There=20 were other Black contestants, I was not = the only=20 Black.

CWR: I read = that you=20 are multi-lingual and that you speak=20 Chinese. Why do you feel that it is=20 important to speak several = languages?

Miss France: I = speak=20 French and English fluently, I am just = learning=20 Chinese, I do not speak it fluently. = I=20 believe that nowadays you have to speak = another=20 language if you want to travel, and be = open to=20 other countries, and be = understood. It is a=20 good thing to know another one, another = language;=20 when you learn another language you learn = about=20 the country.

CWR: Will you=20 be visiting many other = countries?

Miss France: I = am=20 going to America for the inauguration of = President=20 Obama. I might go back to America to = visit=20 all my family. I may also go = back to=20 Thailand (where 80 contestants engaged in=20 preliminary competition Miss = France).

CWR: You have = stated=20 that you consider African American Oscar = winning=20 actress Halle Berry to be your role = model. =20 What is it that you admire most about Ms.=20 Berry?

Miss = France: I=20 think she did good things for everyone, = she was=20 the first African American woman to = receive an=20 Oscar for best actress.

CWR: Do you = have=20 aspirations to become an actress = someday?

Miss France: = Why=20 not?

CWR: Other = than Halle=20 Berry, if you could meet any famous person = in=20 history, from the present or the past, who = would=20 it be? Why would you like to meet = them and=20 what would you ask them?

Miss France: I = would=20 like to meet Dr. Martin Luther King, he = did a lot=20 of things for the Black community. I = would=20 say to him, that a Black man is now the = U.S.=20 President. Things have changed a lot = thanks=20 to him. And I would like to meet the = Dalai=20 Lama, to share peaceness with = him.

CWR: Who are = some of=20 the people your peers, other college = students and=20 young people in your age group, who are = some of=20 the people in your country and around the = world=20 that they consider role models?

Miss France: = Well,=20 there is the Dalai Lama, Che = Guevara.

CWR: Since you = are a=20 college student, you are really a student=20 ambassador and represent the student = population of=20 France. Do you feel that it is = important to=20 have a college education?

Miss France: = Education=20 is important to me because you have more = choice=20 when you have a college education than = when you=20 don't.

CWR: How = do you=20 feel that your college education has = prepared you=20 to fulfill your role as Miss France, for = example,=20 being an international spokesperson and=20 ambassador, making public appearances, = doing=20 interviews, meeting dignitaries from other = countries, traveling all over the world, = and being=20 a positive role model?

Miss France: I = don't=20 know. It may have given me another = way to=20 look at the competition. I saw it = like an=20 opportunity to learn about life, people = and=20 me.

CWR: In doing = research=20 for this interview I discovered that you = are=20 referred to as Black, bi-racial, of dual = American=20 and French citizenship, and a U.S. = national. =20 Do you have a preference, or do these = labels have=20 any affect on you?

Miss France: I = am=20 happy to be, like, a different woman, with = a=20 double nationality, I am happy to be both = French=20 and American.

CWR: You have = stated=20 publicly that you want to "advertise = France's=20 diversity on the world stage." And = that you=20 will join with your First Lady of France, = Carla=20 Bruni-Sarkozy, in "promoting affirmative = action=20 and diversity throughout the = nation." Why is=20 this so important to you?

Miss France: I = think=20 that France has developed in a good way so = that=20 you can see now that by me, that Black = people are=20 more and more better, growing up faster = and faster=20 every year. I want the other = countries to=20 see that France is a good country and that = you can=20 live in France no matter what color you = are and=20 have a good life. There is not a lot = of=20 discrimination and all that.

CWR: How has = your life=20 changed since becoming Miss France?

Miss France: A = lot of=20 change, people recognize me in the = streets. =20 It is weird. I have a new house, a = new=20 apartment. I have been on a lot of = TV=20 shows.

CWR: Based on = your own=20 personal experience and observations, = describe=20 what life is like for the average person = living in=20 France. And what things do you = consider to=20 be the most important about life in = France?

Miss France: = There are=20 a lot of things that are important in = France, but=20 it differs whereas your education. = For my=20 parents what was important was our=20 education. My mother wanted me to go = to the=20 best college and do a Masters so I could = have a=20 good and wealthy job later. For my = father it=20 was my pleasure, he wanted me to do what = will make=20 me happy. Students here don't have = much=20 help, so a lot of them have to work, = indeed I had=20 to work too, to pay for my = apartment. I=20 think what makes France so special, is the = way=20 people live here, their culture, and their = history.

CWR: Your = biography=20 states that you have an interest in = helping=20 children and working with UNICEF, and also = helping=20 in the fight against cancer. What = have you=20 done or what do you plan to do to help = children by=20 working with UNICEF, and what have you = done or do=20 you plan to do to help in the fight = against=20 cancer?

Miss France: = Well, I=20 have a project to fight cancer, = called: Tout=20 le monde chante contre le cancer = (Everybody's=20 singing against cancer). And with = UNICEF I=20 want to help children to read, to get them = a good=20 education, so they can choose what their = life will=20 be all about.

CWR: What = would you=20 like people in other countries, = particularly=20 students, to know about France?

Miss France: = France is=20 a really wonderful country where you can = live and=20 you can do lots of things, there are a lot = of=20 things to do and a lot of things to see, = all of=20 the history, the future, all those young = people=20 doing wonderful things to see, to learn=20 about.

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The College = World=20 Reporter would like to thank the = Paris=20 France chapter of The National Black = Chamber of=20 Commerce for their assistance in arranging = this=20 interview with Miss France.=20

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LEADERS, = MENTORS, AND=20 ROLE = MODELS

The=20 College World Reporter is very proud to present = this=20 month's Leader, Mentor, and Role Model, Ms. = Jean=20 Aniebona. She has an international = practice=20 and received her certifications from the = Postgraduate=20 Center of Mental Health from the City University = of New=20 York and Blanton-Peele Institute.

Ms. Aniebona has appeared on radio and = television,=20 and has collaborated on articles for numerous=20 publications. She has conducted many = seminars and=20 workshops on subjects such as: The Effect = of=20 Ethnological Factors on Character Development = and=20 Interpersonal Dynamics, Grieving Our Losses, = Critical=20 Incident Debriefing, and Challenging Issues in=20 Relationships.

She is a faculty member at Postgraduate = Center for=20 Mental Health, adjunct professor in the = Psychology=20 Department of the City University of New York = and was a=20 senior supervisor in the Department of = Psychiatry=20 (Substance Abuse Unit) at Bronx Municipal=20 Hospital. She was also a supervisorm of = the Member=20 Assistance Program at the Office and = Professional=20 Employees International Union, and is an = honorary member=20 of the Association of Marriage and Family = Therapy and is=20 listed in Who's Who of American Women.

For our readers interested in a career in=20 psychotherapy or who want to know more about the = importance of mental health, you will find Ms.=20 Aniebona's comments very enlightening. = Let's meet=20 our Leader, Mentor, and Role Model for February, = Ms.=20 Jean Aniebona.

CWR: Tell us about = your=20 professional background and experience.

Ms. Aniebona: I am a = psychotherapist/consultant in private practice = in New=20 York City. My specialties are individual, = group,=20 couple and family treatment. I have been = in=20 private practice, teaching, and leading = workshops for=20 thirty years. I consider this quite an=20 accomplishment particularly since I am an = African=20 American. My parents were not = professional, but=20 all of my siblings are.

CWR: Can you = describe some=20 of your duties, what someone in your position=20 does?

Ms. Aniebona: One of = my many=20 roles within my practice is critical incident=20 specialist. I respond to government = institutions=20 and corporations when individual(s) are in = crisis and=20 they need guidance.

CWR: What=20 education, skills, special training and = experience=20 is required for a career as a = psychotherapist?

Ms. Aniebona: A = graduate=20 degree in social work, psychiatry, or = counseling,=20 postgraduate training in clinical work, = internships are=20 part of the clinical training, continuing = education=20 through workshops and seminars, and experience = as a=20 patient in psychotherapy, which is = optional. I=20 firmly believe that the experience of being in=20 psychotherapy is an essential learning tool for = the=20 practicioner.

CWR: What can = undergraduate=20 college students do to prepare for a career in = your=20 field?

Ms. Aniebona: They = can take=20 courses in psychology, sociology, social work = and=20 counseling. Also, for private practice, = business=20 courses are helpful. And they can = volunteer as an=20 advisor who is closely supervised.

CWR: What are the = best=20 sources for students to research what career=20 opportunities are available in your industry, = and when=20 should they begin doing research?

Ms. Aniebona: They = can begin=20 in high school to do research by contacting = professional=20 associations and speaking with people in those=20 organizations to learn about their experiences = in the=20 field.

CWR: Taking into=20 consideration your family upbringing, community=20 influence, secondary and college education, = cultural=20 growth and development, and total life = experience, what=20 would you say has contributed most to your=20 success?

Ms. Aniebona: My = family has=20 been inspirational in leading the way forward = with their=20 words and deeds to move me forward. I had = the=20 advantage of knowing people already in the field = who by=20 their example urged me to continue. My = brother is=20 psychotherapist/consultant who is also a retired = U.S.=20 Army Colonel whose counseling and = supervision is=20 centered on posttraumatic stress disorder.

CWR: You stated in a = previous response that you consider your success = "quite=20 an accomplishment particularly since I am an = African=20 American woman." Does this mean you feel = there is=20 a need for more African American women in your = field,=20 and if so, why?

Ms. Aniebona: I feel = there=20 is a stigma in the Black community that prevents = us from=20 taking care of our mental health as we = should. As=20 a group, we are not encouraged to seek help for = mental=20 problems. Instead, particularly in the = past and=20 maybe not as much today, we have been told to = pray, read=20 the Bible, and have more faith, instead of being = encouraged to seek professional help. = These two=20 methods of help do not have to be separated;=20 spirituality and psychotherapy can go = together. =20 Another important reason given for avoidance of=20 psychotherapy is based on what some patients = have told=20 me, is that some African Americans fear that = someone=20 from another race may not really understand them = and=20 their problem, and may not be able to relate to = their=20 problem in the context of their ethnicity.

CWR: So in your = opinion, if=20 there were more African Americans providing=20 psychotherapy services, you feel that instead = not doing=20 anything about depression and other mental = health=20 issues, more African Americans may possibly = seek=20 help from someone they can relate to = better.

Ms. Aniebona: Yes, I = do. There is a great need in the African = American=20 community for more African Americans to enter = the field=20 of psychotherapy, because of the reluctance of = many of=20 us to seek help for various reasons, = including=20 those previously mentioned. Seeking = and=20 receiving treatment may possibly reduce the = incidences=20 of domestic violence and other critical = incidents=20 related to mental health issues.

CWR: What personal = advice=20 for success would you offer to our = readers?

Ms. Aniebona: Be = tenacious=20 regarding your goals and seek out=20 = leadership.

Jean Aniebona = -=20 = Psychotherapist/Consultant

The CWR Career = = Zone

Don't=20 Let The Job Application Screen You=20 Out =20

By=20 Terry Pile, GCDF=20

Reprinted from The = Mercer=20 Island Reporter

The job application is an = important=20 marketing tool for selling your benefits, and = just like=20 a resume or cover letter, it requires some = forethought=20 and savvy. Unfortunately, many job=20 seekers give little thought to the = content=20 they provide and unwittingly knock themselves = out of the=20 running. It helps to know what employers = are=20 looking for on an application, how it is being = used and=20 how much information you legally have to = provide.=20

Sally Sullivan, = Executive=20 VP of Human Resources at the Puget Sound Blood = Center=20 suggests, "The employment application serves = several=20 functions in addition to describing your=20 qualifications. It provides the employer = with=20 details that are not typically on a resume such = as=20 salary information. It is a convenient way = to=20 gather names and phone numbers from prior jobs = to check=20 references. The application also serves as = an=20 important legal document. When signing the = application, the candidate verifies the = information is=20 true and accurate."

The following tips = are=20 designed to keep your application a contender in = the=20 employment race.

=20 Appearance: The job = application=20 is the employer's first impression of you. = Coffee=20 stains, crossed out words and poor spelling are = a real=20 turn-off.

John Barich, owner = of=20 Sahara Pizza, said, "When I am looking at = applications,=20 I pay attention to neatness and accuracy. = Have=20 they followed directions? Did they fill in = all the=20 blanks? If the applicant has paid = attention to=20 these details, it gives me an idea of the type = of=20 employee he or she will be on the job."

It is a good idea = to ask=20 for two applications or make a copy of the=20 original. Use one as your rough draft and = save to=20 your files so you can remember how you = responded. =20 If you are filling out an application at the job = site,=20 be sure to bring correction fluid or a pen with = blue or=20 black erasable ink and a pocket = dictionary. =20 Keep significant dates, addresses and phone = numbers on=20 index cards or a master application. = Neither your=20 resume nor your memory will have all the = information a=20 job application requires.

=20 Content: Just like a = resume, the=20 job application must speak to the job. = When the=20 application asks for the name of the position = you are=20 applying for, "any" is not a response that will = get your=20 very far. If there are multiple jobs for = which you=20 are interested, fill out an application for = each. =20 Focus only on the skills that qualify you for = that=20 particular job.

Job applicants get = frustrated when asked to summarize years of work = experience on three lines. Don't get lazy = and=20 write "see resume attached" in the space = requesting=20 experience. It is more effective to = selectively=20 list the skills from each work experience that = are=20 relevant to the job for which you are = applying. =20 For example, an employer who is hiring a = bookkeeper=20 doesn't need to know that you taught students to = read in=20 a previous teaching position, but they would = like to=20 know you taught math, an indication you are good = with=20 numbers.

Illegal=20 questions: The laws have changed=20 regarding the type of information employers = can and=20 can't ask. Illegal questions still appear = on=20 applications by employers who are uninformed or = haven't=20 updated their forms. It is important that = job=20 seekers know what information need not be=20 revealed.

With the exception = of jobs=20 that have age requirements, birth and graduation = dates=20 are no longer required on applications, to = prevent age=20 discrimination. If you are uncomfortable = leaving=20 blanks, put the month and day of your birth and = "yes" or=20 "graduated" in the space for the date of=20 graduation. An employer may ask for = ethnicity or=20 veteran status but it is not mandatory to supply = this=20 information. Again, there are exceptions = such as=20 certain government posts.

An employer may = ask for=20 your social security number in order to conduct=20 "background checks." Sullivan suggests, = "If you=20 are uncomfortable giving your social security = number,=20 leave the section blank or put a line through = it. =20 Many employers are fine with that and won't = require it=20 unless you are a finalist for the = position."

Money=20 Matters: Employers often ask for = your=20 salary at your last job. This question can = be a=20 stumbling block, especially if you made a lot = more or a=20 lot less than the job you are applying for is=20 offering. The employer may infer you are = too=20 expensive or too inexperienced and automatically = rule=20 you out. Linda Jack, Human Resources = Manager at=20 Biotrace International suggests a safe response = such as,=20 "received market rate." If the employer = asks you=20 what your desired salary is for the open = position, it is=20 appropriate to respond with "negotiable" of=20 "flexible."

Finally, reread = your=20 application carefully to make sure you have = filled=20 everything out accurately. Proofread for = spelling=20 and grammatical errors. Be sure to sign = and date=20 it. Don't give the employer any excuses to = screen=20 you out for a job for which you are = qualified.

About the author. = Terry Pile=20 is principal and senior consultant with Career=20 Advisors. Terry has over twenty years of=20 experience in corporate, government, non-profit = and=20 entrepreneurial settings. Terry's areas of = effectiveness include working with individuals = to=20 identify their strengths and passions and = develop a=20 career destiny within their current company or = for=20 future employment. Terry has a Master's = degree in=20 Education from Indiana University and a = Certificate in=20 Career Development from the University of=20 Washington. She is certified by the Center = for=20 Credentialing and Education as a Global Career=20 Development Facilitator (GCDF).

About Career Advisors. = Career=20 Advisors is a collaboration of skilled career=20 development and human resources professionals = who=20 provide private career counseling to individuals = in=20 transition. Career Advisors also works = with small=20 and mid-size companies who pride themselves = on=20 having a fair and compassionate approach to = talent=20 management, and who strive to be the employer of = choice=20 in their field.

Career Advisors

8441 SE 68th Street #332

Mercer Island, WA 98040

Phone: 206-236-5697

http://www.careeradvisorsonline.com/

THE=20 EMPOWERED STUDENT =20 Outstanding=20 Examples Of Determination and=20 = Commitment

The College World Reporter salutes = our=20 Empowered Student of the Month, Jermar=20 Jackson. Among Jermar's outstanding=20 attributes is a great sense of selflessness, = awareness=20 and acceptance of responsibility, and a total = commitment=20 to his family and his career. Jermar is = currently=20 preparing for an upcoming tryout with an NFL = team, and=20 he has our full support and best = wishes. I=20 just have the feeling that we will be = seeing Jermar=20 Jackson playing on Sunday's in the NFL real = soon.

I Am My Brother's Keeper! - = Part 2=20

By Donell Edwards

In last month's Empowered Student we = introduced=20 Jermaine Jackson, scholar, husband, and father, = from=20 Muskegon, Michigan, and Princeton = University. =20 Jermaine and his twin brother both = left their=20 home in Muskegon, Michigan and enrolled at the=20 University of Dubuque in Dubuque, Iowa.

This month in Part 2 of I Am My Brother's = Keeper,=20 we introduce Jermaine's twin brother, the=20 scholar/athlete, Jermar Jackson.

Jermar is the starting quarterback for the=20 University of Dubuque Spartans, and holds every = major=20 offensive record in school history: = Most pass=20 attempts in a career (952); Most pass = attempts in a season (433); Most completions in = a career=20 (473); Most completions in a season (233); Most=20 completions in a game (33); Most yards passing = in=20 a season (2,562); Total offense in a career = (6,863); and Total offense in a season = (2,833).

Jermar has excelled on the gridiron, and = will earn=20 his degree. Now let's meet this month's = empowered=20 student.

CWR: When you chose = to go to=20 the University of Dubuque, why did you and your = brother=20 decide to leave your home environment and go so = far away=20 to school?

Jermar: First of all = we=20 thought, whatever school we was gonna go to we=20 was gonna go together we wasn't gonna = break=20 up. You know we twins, so, whatever school = we was=20 gonna go to we was going together. Because = we=20 didn't want to be apart from each other. = We went=20 on to visit Dubuque, and Jermaine my twin = brother, he=20 loved it. And I wanted to go there and = play=20 football anyway, they told me I was gonna play = as a=20 freshman, and it was an up and coming program = and I=20 wanted to be a part of that, you know, and we = needed to=20 get away from Muskegon anyway, that was good for = the=20 both of us.

CWR: Based on what = you said,=20 you and your brother have been together most of = your=20 life and have not been separated for any long = period of=20 time.

Jermar: Until, in=20 college.

CWR: Did that have = anything=20 to do with your decision to go to college = together; the=20 fact that you are twins, have been together all = the=20 time, knew each other, and spent most of your = life=20 together, did you just want to stay together and = go to=20 college together?

Jermar: Yeah! = We were=20 both gonna go to college anyway. I wanted = to go=20 play ball and he just wanted to go and excel in=20 education.

CWR: Since you are = an=20 athlete, a football player, did you have an = athletic=20 scholarship to Dubuque, or did you have an = academic=20 scholarship, or were there any incentives for = you to go=20 to Dubuque?

Jermar: No I didn't = have any=20 athletic sholarships, I would have if they gave = out=20 athletic scholarships, but since it was a = private=20 university they don't give out athletic=20 scholarships. So I had to go on other = things, as=20 well as grants, loans. We had some = scholarships,=20 it was different ways to get them and we had = like, out=20 of state scholarships, and African American=20 scholarships, and stuff like that and = that=20 nature.

CWR: I know your = main goal=20 is playing professional football, but at some = point do=20 you plan on using your degree in your degree=20 field.

Jermar: Yes, yes I = am, yes I=20 am. And I wanted to be a chef as well = as play=20 football. If I wouldn't have played = football I=20 would have went to culinary arts school and = just ah=20 left it at that. Because I love to cook, = just like=20 I play football.

CWR: Tell us about = your=20 college life. No doubt most of your time = was=20 consumed with practice, conditioning and = training,=20 and playing in games, but outside that, = were you=20 in any clubs, other activities, or did you hold = any=20 positions or offices in your class.?

Jermar: Ah, no it = was just=20 like, football, football is a full-time job, and = that=20 was my club, and that was all year round.

CWR: What would you = say is=20 the highlight of your college life?

Jermar: (After brief = pause=20 and thought) Ah man, ah, hum; I guess I = would say=20 playing college football.

CWR: Going back to = your=20 relationship with your brother, do you feel that = it was=20 an advantage having your brother with you, = especially=20 when you first enrolled at Dubuque? =20 And please explain your answer.

Jermar: Ah, big = advantage,=20 BIG, BIG advantage! Going somewhere away = from=20 home, that far away from home. And going = somewhere=20 with somebody you already been with all = your life,=20 aw yeah big advantage. I was = comfortable=20 when I left, I wasn't uncomfortable because I = had=20 my other half with me.

CWR: For our readers = of this=20 interview, if they are going to college far away = from=20 home, would you recommend that they go somewhere = they=20 have relatives, or attend college with a real = close=20 friend or classmate, if they do not have a = brother like=20 Jermaine, your brother?

Jermar: Yeah, I = would=20 recommend they go somewhere where they will be = going=20 with one of their other friends or if = they got=20 family in that area or close to that=20 area. Because it's always good to = have that=20 comfort level wher you go.

CWR: I have already = talked=20 with your brother Jermaine about this, after you = were in=20 school for about three years, at the age of 20, = you both=20 decided to get married. You were close to=20 graduation at that point, why did you decide to = get=20 married then, rather than wait until after your=20 graduation?

Jermar: You know = what. =20 I ask myself that question all the time. =20 (Laughs) I ask myself that question all = the=20 time. You know (pause); it was just what = we both=20 wanted. We been together since 9th grade = in high=20 school, we was high school sweethearts. We = could=20 have waited. Some people don't have the = advantage=20 to do that. Sometimes you know you go = through life=20 and go your whole life searching for that = one,=20 and in my four years in college I, = we, I,=20 been through a lot and I experienced a = lot. =20 I wasn't gonna find nobody like her. = Nobody to do=20 the things she did, you know and, nobody to = treat me=20 like she treated me. It was bound to = happen.

CWR: You had an=20 entirely different set of challenges than = your=20 brother, because, obviously both of you had to = adjust to=20 being away from home, a different environment a=20 different culture, adjusting to college = life, but=20 in addition to all of that, you had = football. So=20 explain to our readers after your marriage what = other=20 adjustments did you have to make?

Jermar: I had to = make the=20 adjustment of being a man.

CWR: At some point = later,=20 both you and your brother Jermaine had=20 daughters; what further adjustment did that = require=20 of you in relation to continuing and completing = your=20 education?

Jermar: It just put = more=20 emphasis on me making my dream a reality.

CWR: For your = child?

Jermar: Yeah! = For my=20 child. Now I'm living for somebody else = now. =20 Now I've got somebody that, you know, loves me=20 unconditionally, and don't matter what = anybody=20 tells her, I'm still her daddy. She still = gonna=20 love me like she loves me!

CWR: Going back to = your=20 relationship with your brother again, and your = life=20 together for 20 years. After he gets = married he=20 leaves to be with his wife in Indiana at her = college,=20 how has that affected your personal and your = college=20 life, now that the two of you are separated for = the=20 first time in your lives?

Jermar: It affected = me=20 tremendously because you know I never been = apart=20 from my brother for that long. You know we = always=20 been together and he ended up leaving. It = made me=20 stronger though. It was like a, it was = like=20 a, gift and a curse at the same time you=20 know. It made me stronger because I was = apart from=20 my brother and I learned how to do things=20 for myself by myself and how I wanted to do = things. You know it wasn't us together. He = wasn't=20 there helping me out, he wasn't there in my ear = beside=20 me. But at the same time I missed = him.

CWR: Looking back on = your=20 college life, what would you say was the biggest = obstacle you had to overcome going to = college?

Jermar: Oh by far = going to=20 class, because you're your own boss, ain't = nobody else=20 gonna tell you to go to class. You control = that=20 yourself, you paying for this. You ain't = got mama=20 and daddy saying "Get up, time to go to = school!" =20 You ain't got that! It's all about if = you=20 want to go yourself. It's easy to say "Ah, = I'm not=20 going, I'm not going. I'm gonna stay in = bed today,=20 I'll go next time." It's easy to do that, = it's=20 real easy. College ain't for = everybody. If=20 you want to go to college you gotta, you gotta, = you=20 gotta go and you gotta be focused and determined = that=20 you gonna finish because it's easier to drop out = than=20 finish, you know.

CWR: This = self-discipline=20 that you refer to, was that something that you = had to=20 work hard to achieve, or did it come easy for = you?

Jermar: Ah. = It's=20 something that I always heard, because my = brother is=20 real big on grades, real big on his books, he is = very=20 intelligent. So he always preached it to = me=20 anyway. I am one of those guys where, I = hate=20 school, I just want to play ball. But I = can't play=20 ball unless the school part is taken care = of. So=20 my thing was, if my grades wasn't right, I can't = play=20 ball. And I had everybody on my butt = anyway as far=20 as my mom back home, I got everybody counting on = me back=20 home, and my twin brother and my coaches on my = butt too,=20 you know. So, it was more, it was more, of = ah, of=20 me letting people down than the self-discipline = part, I=20 didn't want to let nobody down. I didn't = want to=20 hurt nobody's feelings, I know I got people = counting on=20 me and I got to handle my business.

CWR: What are your = career=20 plans for the immediate future? What do = you want=20 to do?

Jermar: First of all = I want=20 to finish school, 'cause I only got two more=20 classes then I have my degree. = Because a lot=20 of things have been going on in my life and I'm = young=20 and, it's crazy that so many things have been = going on=20 in my life so early you know. So first of = all I=20 want to finish these two classes and get my = degree, end=20 that chapter, and ah see far how I can make = it to=20 get to my dream.

CWR: Now the dream = is=20 playing professional football, right?

Jermar: Yes = sir.

CWR: You and your = wife have=20 been working hard to promote yourself, and you = have some=20 tryouts coming up, so do you have a timeframe, = or have=20 you given yourself a deadline to reach your goal = to sign=20 on with an NFL or Arena Footbal League = team?

Jermar: You know = what, I=20 have learned that time is something you can't = get=20 back. So, I'm not gonna like really put a = time=20 barrier on anything because if I don't achieve = it I will=20 be disappointed. So, I just got my goal in = front=20 of me in my sights, to just reach it, by any = means=20 necessary, however long it takes it take.

CWR: Do you feel = that your=20 college education has prepared you well for the = next=20 stage of your life, whether that is professional = football or starting a career in your career=20 field?

Jermar: You know, as = I have=20 been going to school and getting my education, I = didn't,=20 I didn't really know how educated I was until I = came=20 back home. And you get out there in the = real world=20 and some things you get and some things you = don't=20 get. Somebody will talk and they will say=20 something like, a big word, or a word that = nobody ever=20 heard of before, but I can understand what = they are=20 talking about. And you don't notice it = until you=20 are out of school and you are gone from that = college=20 atmosphere and you are out in the real = world. So,=20 I guess so. It did prepare me for the real = world, it=20 does do that.

CWR: One more=20 question. What suggestion do you have for = students=20 who have major life-changing experiences while = they are=20 in college, for instance getting married, Have a = child,=20 losing a parent, or running out of money. = What=20 suggestions do you have for overcoming obstacles = of this=20 nature and staying in college?

Jermar: I would say = that,=20 don't really dwell on things that you can't=20 control. And whatever happens, happens for = a=20 reason, you gotta roll with the = punches. You=20 gotta keep going, because if you stop then = what? =20 You don't know who counting on you. = Sometimes you=20 do know who counting on you but; you might be = like a=20 hero back in your town that you don't know.=20 There's probably a little = kid that looks=20 up to you that knows what you doing = and knows=20 your every move, you just don't know it, and if = you stop=20 doing what you doing, you letting that kid=20 = down.

SUCCESS=20 STRATEGIES FROM = SHERYL

I know, I know...I should start an exercise = program, I should fix that hole in the screen, I = should=20 take the car in for an oil change. Am I = the only=20 one that procrastinates? I don't think = so. =20 It's a topic that comes up often in my = seminars. =20 With some research and discussions with = psychologists I=20 was actually able to develop an easy formula to = explain=20 why we procrastinate and then tips to = stop. Great=20 right.

So I call these my items of procrastination = and=20 we'll use an acronym of IDDM. Ready?

I =3D It's gotta be = perfect. =20 People often come and tell me they're going to = write a=20 book. When I ask how far they've gotten, = they look=20 like deer in headlights. They haven't even = started...because they're waiting for everything = to be=20 perfect. If you are an avid reader, like = myself,=20 then you know -- there isn't a perfect book out=20 there. Every book I read has misspelled = words, or=20 a page number missing, a page printed upside = down,=20 etc.

Solution: So what's = the=20 cure? That old saying..."Doing something = is better=20 than doing nothing at all." Get out of = that=20 paralysis and take a baby step. You'll = find you=20 can take another and another!

D =3D Don't tell me! = Isn't it=20 interesting that some people can ask you to do = something=20 and it sounds like a request -- while out of the = mouth=20 of someone else -- we hear it as a = command! I've=20 found people don't like to be told what to do = from 2 to=20 62. How do you change a command to a=20 request? Change your ears...and = words. That=20 is what I love about the power of = language. Here=20 I'll show you. Fill in the blank I should=20 ______. Now say it three = times...feeling=20 guilty? Feeling obligated?

Solution: Now change = the=20 word "should" to "choose" and read the sentence = three=20 times. Feel more empowered? So = that's the=20 solution. When you procrastinate on = something=20 because you feel you heard it as a command, = simply=20 change the word and make it your = choice.

D =3D Dessert first! = I often=20 procrastinate of things because they're no = fun. I=20 like dessert not liver! And returning = phone calls=20 to me runs in the "liver" category! I = understand=20 fully why I don't like it...being a time = management=20 expert -- I know that if I call you and you're = working=20 on something and I interrupt -- it will take you = 22=20 minutes to refocus at that level after my = call. =20 Emailing is my preferred form of communicating = because=20 you pick it up at your convenience. But I = found I=20 was getting a bad reputation for NOT returning = phone=20 calls and they began adding up.

Solution: Do the = thing=20 you're procrastinating on in bite size pieces = then=20 reward yourself. So now I take 10 phone = calls and=20 return them...it only takes a few minutes -- = because all=20 I get is voicemail. I've put the ball back = in=20 their court and then I go give = myself a=20 treat...it may be a cup of coffe, a walk around = the=20 office, a short dance to my favorite music...but = it is=20 OFF my list. Yeah!

M =3D Maybe it'll go = away. No=20 it won't! That thing you're = procrastinating on is=20 like a big fat ugly toad sitting on your = desk. You=20 work around it all day, hoping if you ignore it, = someone=20 else will pick it up and deal with it...whty=20 won't! And you're getting a reputation for = being=20 an ostrich...burying your head and ignoring the=20 situation. That ugly toad will be sitting = on your=20 desk and on your things to do list = tomorrow. So=20 how do you handle this type of = procrastination?

Solution: Eat a toad first thing = every=20 morning! You know the rest of the day is = gonna be=20 better after that! That's right -- the = thing you=20 don't want to do -- just DO it! You will = feel=20 accomplished and energized the rest of the = day. =20 Promise!

=A92008 Sheryl Nicholson

________________________________________________________<= /STRONG>

About the author. CSP = Sheryl=20 Nicholson is an International = Professional=20 Speaker, Trainer and Author, and rated in the=20 top 6% in the profession. = She is=20 considered a people productivity expert and her = articles=20 are published everywhere. For more = information=20 view http://www.sheryl.com/ or = call=20 727-729-4937.
=

The=20 IDDMs of Procrastination=20

By CSP=20 Sheryl=20 = Nicholson

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