What set DST aside from all the other for me was best described below by DST_philoso4......
~~~2. Do not say you want to emmulate another individual. Deltas
are leaders, not followers. We need people not only to follow
all the paths that have been blazed, but also to make new
ones. There are always new issues to be addressed~~~
Like many of you that have posted, a member of Delta Sigma Theta also touched my life. Growing up in the south and coming from a low income family, people tend to judge by what you have and don't have instead of who you are and what you are capable of. It took one of YOUR members to make me see the light at an early age. I had been a mediocre student up until I reached her classroom. Being the only African American in her classroom, she was determined that I would leave her class as the top student. She had a sign that was posted on the front of her desk that read, " LEAD--FOLLOW--OR GET OUT OF THE WAY." Remember the little note pads your assignments used to be written in? Well I always had an extra assignment to do. I remember when I found out I was the only one doing extra work; I decided to complete only the work the class was assigned to complete. When I received the homework back, I had 50%. When I questioned her, she simply stated that I had completed half of the assignment so I received half of the points. On top of that she gave me detention. IMAGINE THAT
. During detention she told me that the situation I faced in her classroom would be like what I would face in the world. True I would stand out because of the color of my skin, but she wanted me to stand out because of my character, and education. That day I went home feeling like someone other than my mother really cared about my future and me. I was always taught the importance of education, but I really took it to heart when a caring "outsider" brought it to my attention. Mrs. Wicker decided to give me the test they gave to the students that would participate in the gifted program for that calendar year. She told me that if I did not make it into the program, not to be discouraged and that I was still smart. On the day of the test, the principal came to the classroom and called out the top 3 students name in my class as well as mine. I remember hearing some of the kids snicker as I left my desk. Before I walked out the room, I looked at Mrs. Wicker and she mouthed, "you can do it." I took the test came back to the class and the wait began. Before I left school that day, the principal came over the PA system and asked Mrs. Wicker to send two students to the office. My name happen to be one of the names he called. When I reached the office, I was informed that I had been chosen to participate in the Gifted program. I was shocked and excited all at the same time. I ran back to the room and gave Mrs. Wicker the biggest hug a 4th grader could give. When the year ended, I can gladly say that our relationship did not. In fact, I had to attend the 5th and 6th grade in the same school and she kept close tabs on me. I moved to the Midwest after completing the sixth grade. Being that I still have family in the south, when I graduated from high school, I sent her a graduation announcement. She was not able to attend because of a scheduling conflict. She did call me and tell me she would make it up to me. When I asked how I only graduate from high school once, she simply said, " I will see you in four years when you graduate from college." When I enrolled in college, she made it clear that I was to do nothing less than my best or else she would see me sooner than graduation. Even being as old as I was and her being 1500 miles away, I knew she would make good on her promise. When the time came for me to graduate, I called Mrs. Wicker and told her she needed to book a flight to Chicago, IL for June 2, 2000. She told me she would be there. This was in February. In March I learned that she was undergoing treatment for breast cancer. As the months rolled on I was not sure if she would be able to attend the ceremony or not but if she did not I would surely for give her. My family got in two days before graduation and I had not heard from Ms. Wicker. On the morning of my graduation, I received a phone call from her and she was crying and congratulating me on a job well done, ya da ya da. I assumed she was not coming. When I walked across the stage, I heard my son yell my name so I looked in the direction of where he was sitting. I was trying to make out the person whose lap he was sitting in. As I walked down the steps, it hit me like a tone of bricks. I never return to my seat, I ran straight to Mrs. Wicker and again gave her the biggest hug. That was the best gift I could have received for graduating. Her seeing me receive my diploma was total gratification for me. When she was done hugging me she asked so where are you going to get your PhD? Just like and educator
.
My motto is nothing is worth having if it is not worth working hard for. I have done research and I continue to do research. I 've had the pleasure of communicating with many members of your organization; the experiences were unforgettable. With the same compassion as Mrs. Wicker, each member displayed faith, kindness, professionalism and business sense that have only enhanced my desire to become a member of your organization. I am cognizant that I do not need to be a part of an organization to make a difference within my community or the world for that matter. However, I know great minds think alike and therefore Together Everyone Accomplishes More.
FLKING "The distance a man travels is not as important as the direction."