Nearly 100 local youth prepare for success by attending the "What's Next?" Summit - Tackling Career and College Readiness

When the doors to Sam Houston High School opened at 9 a.m. on November 5 for the "What's Next?" Summit-Tackling Career and College Readiness, nearly 100 eager attendees filled the halls for one special purpose-to learn how to take the next step toward educational and career success. And, one lucky attendee even won a free laptop computer.

The summit, hosted by District 2 Councilwoman Ivy R. Taylor, provided an interactive and informative way for youth and young adults to challenge themselves and answer the question "What's Next?" regarding college and career planning.

"The 'What's Next?' Summit was a great opportunity for students and young adults in our community to help plan their future career and educational goals. The success of the summit was in large part because of the community partners that attended and provided valuable resources that many San Antonio students and youth may not always have access to," said Councilwoman Taylor.

Educators, community leaders and fellow youth facilitated breakout sessions about the necessity of the college experience, the transition from high school to college, resume writing and more.

"I think that the summit was successful," said Elyse Escobar, a senior majoring in Speech Pathology at Our Lady of the Lake University and a volunteer at the summit. "The youth can take what they learned and apply it to their own lives. I hope that each of the students will do well in the future and take the information and run with it."

The summit was especially memorable for one lucky individual. Proudly wearing a white University of Oklahoma shirt, Robert J. Thomas could not help but smile at the end of the summit. Thomas won a laptop donated by Jay Tex Systems in a raffle drawing at the event.

"I am glad I won this computer," said Thomas of the George Gervin Academy YouthBuild. "I have never won anything in my entire life. With this computer, I plan to go to college to continue my career in music. This summit really helped me to where I can find a great college I can go to in order to pursue my dreams."

The "What's Next?" Summit was made possible thanks to in-kind donations from Trinity University, Texas A&M University of San Antonio, University of Texas at San Antonio, University of Houston, University of Texas in Austin, Our Lady of the Lake University, Hutson-Tillotson University, Texas Southern University, Alamo Colleges, St. Edward's University, Generation Texas, City Year, Jay Tech Solutions, and Girls, Inc. Special performances included Devon Wilson of DevSoul and poetry by FreshInk Poetry Slam Club.

Guest speakers included Pastor Keely Petty of Bethel International Christian Fellowship; Dr. Ron Kelley, CEO of Konfident Enterprises; and Principal Darnell White of Sam Houston High School.

For more information about the "What's Next?" Summit, call the District 2 Northeast Office at 207-0970 or visit http://www.facebook.com/D2YouthSA and http://twitter.com/#!/D2YouthSa .