EEYP Spring 2023 Recap
Expose Excellence Progress Report for 2023
Students Impacted- Goal: 500 Current: 250
Schools Reached- Goal: 50 Current: 30
Volunteer Opportunities- Goal: 8 Current: 3
Community Outreach Events- Goal: 24 Current: 15
Family Engagement Events: Goal: 5 Current: 1
INTENTION is the key word we would use to describe the semester we've had at Expose Excellence! We kicked this year of with a BANG hosting our 2nd BHM Program, visiting the state Capitol, and rewarding seniors with a scholarship. As we entered the new year with new goals off the heels of the great year we had in 2022, we're excited to share everything we've accomplished so far.
Youth Spotlight
Quantez Jackson is one of ten 2023 Chakilla and Judge Lewis White College Scholarship recipients. He will be attending Angelo State University in the fall and majoring in Kinesiology. See the rest of the recipients in the newsletter!
January
Willowridge Semester 3
The EEYP held its leadership program at Willowridge High School for the third time. Topics included resume and portfolio building, mock interviews, and mental health. Students received a completion certificate signed by District Attorney Brian Middleton. The program concluded with a ceremony where professionals were invited to meet with students and discus potential career paths. Some fields that professionals represented were technology, business, visual art, medical, theatre, and law enforcement.
February
Black History Month Poetry Contest
A poetry contest was held for all Fort Bend County students. The theme was culture and students were asked what culture means to them. There were 3 poems that stood out to the judges and were selected as the winners. First place was Natalia C. from Clements High School, second place was Pascal G. from Willowridge High School, and third was Judah S. from Elkins High School. Thank you to all students who participated and congratulations to the winners.
Exposing Black Artistry: Culture
We hosted our second Black History Month event, Exposing Black Artistry: Culture. Attendees participated in a collaborative art piece and experienced food, art, and music of the African diaspora. Winners of our annual poetry and art contests received awards and the final art piece is displayed in the halls of the Fort Bend District Attorney's Office. Jerk chicken, jollof rice, corn bread and beef empanadas were served from Fort Bend County black-owned restaurants. There were performances by the Elite Caribbean Stars Sky Dancers, The Ensemble Theatre, and a masquerade performance.
Valentines Day at Willowridge
The ladies of Moms demand action generously donated candy grams to all the students of the EEYP Willowridge leadership program.
March
CASE For Kids Symposium
The EEYP attended the CASE for Kids Symposium held by the Harris County Department of Education. Topics included building community partnerships, after school program development, and communication. It was a great opportunity to create relationships with organizations that share a similar mission
Youth Art Month 2023
EEYP encouraged students from all over Fort Bend County to submit their works of art to be featured on Facebook and Instagram for Youth Art Month. We received over 45 submissions from all over the county. Thank you to all students who submitted.
Art in the Bend
students who submitted their art work for youth art month were entered into a contest to share their artwork at Richmond's annual art festival featuring professional artists. Twelve EEYP students were selected to showcase their artwork at Art in the Bend.
Capitol field trip
Over Spring Break, twenty LCISD students were selected to visit the Capitol in Austin during the 88th Legislative Session. We got a tour of the historic Texas State Capitol building, had lunch with Ron Reynolds and Dr. Suleman Lalani, and ended the day at the Bullock Texas State History Museum!
CAFB Light of Hope
Child Advocates of Fort bend invited EEYP to join their light of hope event. We handed out swag items to the attendees and enjoyed free ice cream, popcorn, and a movie!
Chakilla and Judge Lewis White Scholarship
Thanks to a generous donation from Chakilla and Judge Lewis White, the Expose Excellence Youth program Foundation will award 10 Fort Bend County high school seniors with scholarships for their first 2 years of college.
April
STAAR Tutoring
This spring, EEYP sponsored virtual STAAR test tutoring for students taking the English 1 and Algebra 1 EOC for free. These two subjects have the lowest passing percentage throughout Fort Bend County.
Fort Bend Drug Symposium
The EEYP Coordinators attended the 8th annual Fort Bend Drug Symposium hosted by the Fort Bend Community Prevention Coalition. We learned effective methods to prevent teen drug & alcohol use. Coordinator Raven also won 3rd place in the “Decoding Drug Emoji” game!
Exchange Club Field Dedication
The local exchange clubs kicked off Child abuse prevention month with a field dedication in front of the historic courthouse. each blue flag represents a child abuse case in fort bend county.
Exchange Club Spaghetti Cook-off
EEYP youth volunteers assisted in cooking and serving the award-winning spaghetti sauce at the 36th Annual Spaghetti Cook-off hosted by the Exchange Club of Sugar Land. The Fort Bend County District Attorney's Office won first place for the third year in a row!
May
BF Terry Parent Night And Decision Day Donation
The EEYP team attended the BF Terry High School parent night to meet with students and their parents on how to better support the school and community.
Children's Mental Health Summit
The EEYP team attended the Children's Mental Health Summit hosted by Behavioral Health Services. Did you know that the EEYP staff is certified in trust-based relational intervention.
Pet PANTRY
The EEYP partnered with the Houston humane society and EEYP youth volunteers to distribute pet food and supplies to fort bend county residents. Volunteers also distributed pamphlets and information to residents. It was a great opportunity to give back to the community and learn about responsible pet ownership.
Law Enforcement Memorial Day Bash
The EEYP team attended the 3rd annual Memorial Day Bash hosted by Precinct 3 Constable Nabil Shike and DA Brian Middleton. It was a great opportunity to meet the community, watch cool performances and eat great food!
Meet the EEYP Coordinators
Wendi Palomera
Are you Team Nickelodeon or Team Disney Channel?
I enjoy both but I lean towards Nickelodeon! Jimmy Neutron, Sponge Bob, Hey Arnold, Danny Phantom, Wild Thornberrys, Rocket Power... I can go on and on and on!
What experience do you have working with youth?
I was an AVID tutor during all 4 years of college. As a former AVID student, I wanted give back and help students reach their potential and help them succeed in school.
What is your favorite EEYP event/program so far?
I really enjoyed the Texas Capitol field trip. It was a great opportunity for students to meet state representatives and learn about careers in politics. The students asked great questions and were eager to learn.
What do you enjoy most about Expose Excellence Youth Program?
I really enjoy developing programs that are both fun and educational. I like developing curriculums that will teach important topics that students will need to learn and understand in the future. I also liked creating Eep, The Summer Intern!
Raven Forrester
Are you Team Nickelodeon or Team Disney Channel?
This is a hard question! I love Spongebob and I also loved That's So Raven (of course)! I may be Team Cartoon Network...
What experience do you have working with youth?
Well, my first job ever was at Chuck E Cheese! In college, I interned at a school for children with disabilities and a home for teen mothers. I also worked as a Outreach Counselor for the YMCA. I've always enjoyed working with children and helping them excel.
What is your favorite EEYP event/program so far?
I really enjoy our Leadership Program at Willowridge High School. I look forward to spending time with the students every week, and I love seeing what they accomplish after the program.
What do you enjoy most about Expose Excellence Youth Program?
The best part of my experience with EEYP is that my job is fun. I get to interact with the youth in my community, plan great events and activities, and even go on field trips that weren't available when I was a teen. I also deeply appreciate the in-office Spongebob meme usage among the EEYP team.
Chakilla and Judge Lewis White Scholarship Recipients
Out of over 200 scholarship applications, these 10 high school seniors were selected to receive $2,000 to go towards their college tuition. Learn more about the scholarship winners and what they plan to major in below. Congratulations students! We can not wait to see the amazing things they will accomplish.
1.Charles B. - FBISD Mechanical Engineering, Music Minor
2. Ananya B. - Katy ISD Biomedical Engineering
3. Autumn S. - LCISD Biochemistry-Molecular Biology
4. Marissa G. -FBISD Nursing
5. Carlos C. - LCISD Political Science
6. Quantez J. - LCISD Kinesiology/Pre-Physical Therapy
7. Kaiymon H. - FBISD Business Marketing
8. Donovan T. - FBISD Computer Science
9. Stephanie S. - FBISD Computer Science
10. Reese B. - LCISD Aerospace Engineering
READ ABOUT IT IN THE PRESS!
https://fbindependent.com/youth-foundation-in-inaugural-year-awards-k-in-scholarships-p15841-91.htm
Summer Surprise
The secret's out! Expose Excellence youth program and YMCA of Greater Houston are partnering for the summer 2023 freedom tour!
We will be taking 40 students to expose them to the Civil Rights movement and provide them with an adventurous and historical perspective on the significance of these world-changing events.
Thank you to our sponsors and partners:
Moms Demand Action
Fort Bend County Health and Human Services
Board & Brush
Green City Security
ArtReach
Bedrock City Comic Co
Pepsi
Ron Reynolds
The Rustic Brush
