ASLOT Awards of Academic Accomplishment:

Students and Professionals Celebrating Excellence

Dallas Fort-Worth, Texas; June 14: It was a new day in the Dallas Fort Worth metropolitan area of Texas. For the first time in the community Sierra Leonean High School graduates, college under and post graduates who have achieved an academic excellence at their schools and universities were recognized and honored by the Sierra Leonean community. The recognition awards were also extended to Sierra Leonean professionals who have excelled in their professions.  (Photo: Dr. Fatima Gibson)

The program was organized by the Association of Sierra Leonean Organizations in Texas (ASLOT) in collaboration with the University of Texas in Arlington (UTA) African Program.  Attendees consider it as a new model of excellence award program established by ASLOT.

People from all works of life attended the program. Dr. Fatima Gibson, an American born citizen whose parents are of Sierra Leonean descent was the keynote speaker, while Dr. Alusine Jalloh, the Director of African program in the university was the Master of Ceremony. Certificates of recognition, pins and a small token were given to the graduates and young professionals to honor their achievements.

To honor the recipients, ASLOT brought in speakers from the University of Texas in Arlington, Dr. Eric Bolsterli, Assistance Dean in the College of Liberal Arts at UTA and Ms. Emily Milan, Assistance Director of the University advising center at UTA, to speak about the value of education, the awardees’ future exploration, and the process of setting goals for success. There topic of discussion was “Exploration-Career and Success.”

In their PowerPoint presentation, Ms. Emily Milan, the Assistant Director of UTA informed graduates that the world is opened to them to move forward with their journey and live their dream and that everything is possible in life. She chooses exploration of the planet, Mars, to exemplify her presentation. Despite the challenges scientists still continue with the mission. The Mars rover was repurposed after it landed on Mars due to initial difficulties. As it was indicated on the presentation, scientists were still able to gather data on Mars successfully because of their earnest desires to achieve their goal.  Life will throw your curve balls but you can always recalibrate and continue to work towards your dream.

Ms. Milan admonished graduates to be enthusiastic in pursuit of their goals and be proud of whatever they are doing. “It is your responsibility to engage with your professors for your college progress and managers in your place of employment”, she advised the awardees.  She said, “Curiosity will lead them to discovery and innovation, but can only accomplish their goals by staying focused on what they are doing.”

Dr. Eric Bolsterli, Assistance Dean in the College of liberal Arts at UTA centered his motivational address on how graduates should understand their long journey, stressing that this is just the beginning of their continuous expedition which will also lead them a continuous learning process.  He informed them to always remember, where they are coming from, and what interests them.  It is wise for students to think about how they can apply themselves in choosing a career path and look forward to what is that interest them when setting goals, if they want to achieve them. Dr. Bolsterli advised professionals to be steadfast and never stop learning as every human being is created to continue learning throughout the life.  “To all of you graduates, do your homework, do not limit yourselves in searching for careers and be a good minded person to think broadly”, Dr. Eric Bolsterli concluded.

The guest speaker, Dr. Fatima Gibson brought in her brother, Dr.  Kamara to give reinforce the topic about how to preserve, work hard and do not lose focus on your goals. Dr. Gibson and his brother both spoke about the value of passionate interest in life and the different directions people take in order to achieve their goals. Both of them told the audience their life story as an example.

Dr. Kamara informed the audience that his grade in school and the first 2 years of college were not that great. He was very good at extra-curricular activities (Basketball and football) in high school. His parents wanted him to be a doctor. What changed was when he attended a summer program at the Baylor University of Dentistry. He realized that if he wanted to become a dentist then he has to do better. He came back from the program determined to improve his GPA. He took lots of credit hours ended up with very good grades and vastly improving his GPA. Today he has a dental practice, dental assistant’s school and tech Startup Company.

Dr. Gibson stated that it is not uncommon for every student to exhibit fear and sometimes never know which way to go.  Referencing her career, Dr. Gibson never thought of becoming a dentist after her initial college education majoring in psychology. She said, she was bewildered in the beginning trying to find which way to go.  My path was rigorous, she said, but still focused since I believe life has to be balanced in one way or the other.

Dr. Gibson explained to graduates that her career journey was a long one considering studying effectively and doing extra curriculum activity, playing basketball at the same time was really a challenging task. She said that students can change the direction of their journey at any time and make adjustment to reach their destination with clear ambition. Dr. Gibson advised students to be firmed in their purpose and try to avoid their dreams being crushed down the road. My accomplishment was due to dedication and focus driven.

Earlier, the Honorable Consul General, Mr. Patrick Jackson gave a brief historical background of the Association of Sierra Leonean Organizations in Texas (ASLOT). The organization was established in 2010 and became active in 2011 in the advent of the Sierra Leone 50^th Independence anniversary when the entire community came together to celebrate. The purpose of forming ASLOT is to better improve and foster relationship between the different organizations and to make improvements in the lives of our community.

Honorable Jackson informed audience that ASLOT is a non-profit organization that does not have to do with any political agenda. He said that, the organization works in collaboration with other non-profit organization and has a forge a partnership with Restore Hope during the Ebola epidemic that continues to this day.

Ms. Margaret Coker (High School graduate) read a poem to fellow graduates on perseverance. Ms. Winifred Clarke-Osumbor, Ms. Florence Coker-Campbell, and Ms. Zainabu Koroma presented the certificates and the pins to the graduates.

Dr. Alie Patrick Koroma and Dr. Thomas Sawyer presented plaques of appreciation to our Speakers and to Dr. Alusine Jalloh for his dedication to Sierra Leonean causes and his assistant to the Sierra Leonean community here in diaspora and in Sierra Leone especially in the area of Education.

In his vote of thanks, Dr. Alie Patrick Koroma thanks all the speakers for an excellent presentation and the African Program for hosting the community. He also informs the graduates to use this opportunity to network with other graduates and members of the community. He reiterated that education is a very profitable investment in life and that graduates should return home to reflect on the various speakers’ speeches.

This program of recognition of Sierra Leonean graduates in the United States will be an annual event for the Sierra Leone community in the Dallas Forth-Worth area in Texas, Dr. Koroma reaffirmed.  Victoria Porter, the granddaughter of Honorable Mr. Patrick Jackson led both the national anthems of the United Sates and Sierra Leone.

By Sanpha Sesay

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