2003 Program Highlights
The Stand & Deliver program extends beyond the classroom
with large group symposiums and special events that bring together all
17 sites to one location. This year’s events included two symposiums
featuring various prominent members of the corporate community as well
as experts from the fashion industry. We also hosted the fourth annual
Stand & Deliver “Night of Eloquence” at the New
Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark.
Symposium I-Financial Literacy
The first symposium, which took place on March 4, 2003, focused on “financial
literacy.” In an interactive and engaging session, two members from
First Union Bank engaged the students in an interactive dialogue on the
importance of fiscal responsibility. Specific areas included what it means
to manage money, balance a checkbook, save for the future and avoid falling
victim to high-interest credit card companies. “Stand & Deliver”
participants enjoyed the opportunity to learn about money management while
they asked critical questions regarding preparing for their future.
Symposium II-Communication All-Star
The second symposium, entitled “Communication All-Star,” took
place on March 25, 2003. This event gave participants the opportunity
to put into action the tools and techniques they have learned from the
“Stand & Deliver” program while getting valuable feedback
from panelists brought in from various facets of business.
Over 60 young adults gave brief, 2-3 minute presentations and were evaluated on the overall effectiveness of their presentations with specific criteria including delivery, stage presence and communication style (both verbal and non-verbal) and the persuasiveness of their message. This event was videotaped for use as a tool in future “Stand & Deliver” workshops. In addition, 14 young adults were awarded $250 prizes for their outstanding performances. Students were evaluated on their verbal communication (rate, volume, pitch) as well as their non-verbal communication (eye contact, hand gestures, posture).
THE FOURTH ANNUAL STAND & DELIVER "NIGHT OF ELOQUENCE"
At the conclusion of the program, “Stand & Deliver” held its fourth annual “Night of Eloquence” in the Victoria Theater at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, 11 young adults were given the opportunity to “stand & deliver” before an audience of their peers, as well as community leaders from the Newark area. We had over 300 people in attendance to applaud our young adults as they presented original oratories, interpretations of poems and short stories. Overall, the evening was truly a memorable event.
In addition to the presentations that took place that evening, “Stand & Deliver” presented a “Stand & Deliver Communication Excellence Scholarship” to six students who demonstrated youth leadership and communication excellence in both their weekly workshops and in writing. (Check out our “Communication Corner” to see the winning essays) The six students who received the “Stand & Deliver” scholarships were:
- Lynda Lloyd—West Side High
- Ameerah Brailsford—St. Vincent Academy
- Shatiah Frazier—Essex County Vo-Tech
- Aliyah Iyonah Williams—West Side High School
- Markell Wilson—Malcolm X Shabazz
- Randy Mitchell, II—Science High School.
If you would like to learn more about the Stand & Deliver program, please call the Project Director, at (973) 233-9890.
