ASLOT Honors Sierra Leoneans for academic Success in Texas
Dallas, Texas, USA; July 13, 2018. This year, nine exceptional individuals employed in various professions and ten high school graduates were recognized by the Association of Sierra Leonean Organizations in Texas (ASLOT) for their academic and career achievements. The conferring ceremony took place at Brookhaven College in Dallas, Texas on July 7, 2018.
Pastor Dr. Simpson Campbell who has achieved a Ph.D., in Divinity at the United Graduate College and Seminary International was one of the 19 awardees. Rosaline Abioseh Jones, another member of the ASLOT community was also in attendance, justifiably prideful of her achievements.
ASLOT President Reuben Ndomahina
The ceremony occurred in a traditional setting, alluding to that of a university commencement ceremony in the United States. In addition to the Keynote speaker, four other speakers spanning various disciplines delivered speeches to accentuate the importance of education to students transitioning into college.
Speakers at the commencement spoke with passion, full of hard-earned wisdom providing thoughtful guidance to graduates. Students were able to vicariously experience the realities of pre and post graduate life, from members of the community who possess the experience.
The Guest speaker, Dr. Christopher Emdin, spoke about the process of transitioning, with special attention to high school graduates who are preparing to enter into colleges and universities. This process of transitioning stresses the cultivation of many relationships, including that of students and professor, as well as the students and the parents, he explained.
Guest speaker Dr. Emdin
Dr. Emdin also stressed that graduation is a time of celebration as wells a period marking the end of one phase in their academic journey and could be the beginning of the next phase. It is therefore a very proud moment for the graduates, parents and teachers who have all played their parts in the greater scheme of things, he went on.
The Guest speaker advised graduates to persevere and triumph through this tumultuous journey. As he succinctly stated, it is through God’s guidance that we as individuals determine who we are so that we are able to develop our capacity to be aware of whatever and knowledgeable in our pursuits. Knowing our roots may allow a propagation of greater self-compassion and empathy towards others, Dr. Emdin advised.
Award receipients
As information technology becomes an increasingly essential aspect of our daily lives, Dr. Emdin admonished graduates to explore the use of technology as a means to access information, and to prioritize this venture as vital to achieving their goals. He further advised graduates to seek mentorship as a multidimensional approach and make wise decisions in determining a suitable mentor.
One of the speakers, Mr. Ishmael Sesay from the University of Texas in Arlington, urged the High school graduates to maintain an aura confidence and drive in regards to their academic pursuits and career pathways.
Mr. Sesay added that even though some individuals may feel a degree of uncertainty or anxiety with respect to selecting a college major, however going into college knowing what future ambitions you would like to pursue should be paramount knowledge, and high school should have provided students with the opportunity. Mr. Sesay then expanded on this point stating that it is imperative to decide what you would like to major in prior to attending college, because, as he put it, you cannot graduate from college with a degree in “undecided”.
Contrasting other speakers, Mr. Sheika Kanu who is a collage graduate, now currently in the workforce, shared his experience. He expressed concerns for students deciding academic majors expressing that the decision is theirs and theirs alone, while also advising them to be “realistic” by additionally searching the market for fulfilling and financially rewarding careers.
Audience
Over the past few years (ASLOT) has been honoring and awarding Sierra Leoneans who have achieved academic and career successes. The ceremony of conferring certificates has been performed in the previous years at the University of Texas in Arlington. This year the ceremony was moved to Brookhaven College, a community/junior college located at the center of the city of Dallas, Texas.
High school and college graduation ceremonies as well as professional acknowledgments, have become an integral facet of the annual programs in the Association of Sierra Leonean Organizations in Texas (ASLOT). The organization believes that honors are bestowed as recognition of outstanding academic achievement and as a means to further encourage Sierra Leonean parents to motivate their children to strengthen their education.
By Sanpha Sesay, The Texas Chief
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