2008 Woodie Awards
My Humble Opinion
Define your success from one goal to the next
Ashley McDonald
Opinions Editor
Issue date: 3/31/08 Section: Forum
Receiving a scholarship, being accepted to your top choice college, finally getting into the Greek organization that you have been dying to get into, graduating from college and finally getting that dream job--all of these things are notable accomplishments; when they happen, there is certainly a cause for celebration.
But once you have marveled in the success of such accomplishments, what do you do next?
People often measure themselves based on how many degrees they have, by affiliations with certain organizations or by the number of affiliations they possess. But what happens once you have accumulated all of these "resume builders"?
On March 29, I attended the 25th annual Nelson J. Senter Scholarship Luncheon in TSU's Women's Building auditorium, hosted by the Eta Beta Sigma chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.
This event honored six high school seniors who are to receive scholarships as they attend their respective colleges.
The speaker at this luncheon was Jamie Jenkins, principal of Nashville's Whites Creek Comprehensive High School and member of Phi Beta Sigma.
Jenkins told listeners how grew up in the projects of east Nashville and rose above the odds to receive four college degrees. He went on to become the youngest principal in the Metropolitan Nashville Public School system at the age of 31.
During his speech, he spoke on lighting a fire in yourself to motivate you to accomplish all of your hopes and dreams. He said success showcases accomplishment, but greatness is remembered.
Success is subjective. Each person's success is based on the goals he or she has set in life. If a person's ultimate goal in life is to graduate from high school and get an $11 per hour job, then an associate's degree and a $15.00 per hour job is success to him or her.
But for someone who dreams of receiving their doctorate and being an expert in his or her respective field, a master's degree and an associate professorship is not going to cut it.
But once you have marveled in the success of such accomplishments, what do you do next?
People often measure themselves based on how many degrees they have, by affiliations with certain organizations or by the number of affiliations they possess. But what happens once you have accumulated all of these "resume builders"?
On March 29, I attended the 25th annual Nelson J. Senter Scholarship Luncheon in TSU's Women's Building auditorium, hosted by the Eta Beta Sigma chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.
This event honored six high school seniors who are to receive scholarships as they attend their respective colleges.
The speaker at this luncheon was Jamie Jenkins, principal of Nashville's Whites Creek Comprehensive High School and member of Phi Beta Sigma.
Jenkins told listeners how grew up in the projects of east Nashville and rose above the odds to receive four college degrees. He went on to become the youngest principal in the Metropolitan Nashville Public School system at the age of 31.
During his speech, he spoke on lighting a fire in yourself to motivate you to accomplish all of your hopes and dreams. He said success showcases accomplishment, but greatness is remembered.
Success is subjective. Each person's success is based on the goals he or she has set in life. If a person's ultimate goal in life is to graduate from high school and get an $11 per hour job, then an associate's degree and a $15.00 per hour job is success to him or her.
But for someone who dreams of receiving their doctorate and being an expert in his or her respective field, a master's degree and an associate professorship is not going to cut it.
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