it'S aLL aCAdeMic!!

September's Core Focus Day was an enlightening cruise through the halls of academia. ROPP candidates visited two local universities, UT and HT, and received first-hand "real talk" about what it's like to transition into college life at both campuses. Over and over, they heard that they will be required to do a lot of reading!
Challenges will be managing their own time and developing good study habits-all while being sure to take advantage of the full social life waiting for them.

The gentlemen from Huston-Tillotson University, Bro. Dr. Eric's A Phi A fraternity brothers, represent the chapter with the highest GPA in the region! They each had amazing stories to tell about their humble beginnings and how they have been able to meet personal challenges and failures. Despite coming from crime-ridden environments where failure is common, dyslexia, slow academic progress and other challenges, all of the brothers will be graduating with honors this year!

The ladies from The University of Texas at Austin were distinguished Delta Sigma Theta sorors. They, too, shared how they simply had to dig inside to find the strength and determination to success against their challenges. One young lady went to a very poor school, with gangs and high drop-out rates, that was constantly under threat of closure and loss of accreditation. She perservered and studied hard and was still well-prepared for her first year of college. Another thought she was prepared since she took AP courses in school, but found herself completely unprepared to study properly and manage her time. After struggling her first two years, she stands ready to graduate this spring with a 3.2 GPA.

Special thanks to Bro. Dr. Eric for facilitating September's Core Focus Day! It was awesome!

September's Core Focus Challenge requires ROPP candidates to explore two different approaches to higher education pursuits. Here is the link to the Core Focus Challenge:  SEPT CORE FOCUS CHALLENGE, which the candidates received earlier this month. As always, it is due by midnight on the last day of the month!

Fella-Ship!

Three ROPP Candidates and their mentors met up for dinner and conversation. Here are a few snapshots taken when Sis. Lisa crashed the party...for just a few minutes!
Sis. LeBerta was there, too, but not when the camera was out!

 Hey! It's the birthday boy!
Diante agreed to spend part of his birthday getting to know his new mentor, Bro. Milton!

 Quincy (rear), Diante and DY get ready to chow down!

Bro. Ken, Bro. Anthony and Bro. Milton
Bro. Anthony's eating so fast he's a blur!! LOL

Do you have any pictures from when you were with your mentor? We want to see them!
Email them to roppatmetro@gmail.com.

Doesn't take Long

This morning, ROPP Candidate Jabari and his mother, Sis. Lisa, headed over to the community garden.
Here are some pictures and a testimony of how much of a difference we can make in a short period of time!

This is part of the row Sis. Lisa tackled. There was hardly any viable plant life on the row. It was overtaken by weeds and needed to be prepared for fall planting.

This row of tomato plants took a beating in the brutal heat and needed to removed so that new plants could be sown there.

And so, Jabari gets busy. He decided today's contribution will be clearing "tomato row" of all the dead tomato plants and as many weeds as possible. He was able to put much of his grandfather's gardening advice to work: 1) Your hands work better than hand tools for weeding. 2) Be sure to pull the root completely out or it'll just come right back. 3) Stomp the pulled weeds flat and spread them to create a foot path.

Voila! The weedy row is looking much better. Mother Nature said "thank you" for helping her "represent" well. =)

A side view of a cleared out "tomato row." Nice work. The vines Jabari left on the posts bear a lovely lavender blossom that make the garden pretty.

Finally! Well-earned rest. Jabari admitted he was reluctant to go work in the garden, but said afterwards that "it felt good, like working in my own back yard. I was relaxed."

What has your experience been like? Send us your pics when you work in the garden or do community service. We learn from each others' experiences! Send pics to: roppatmetro@gmail.com!

Core Focus Day- AUGUST 2011

The Core Focus for August is RELIGION.
During this month our objective is to learn more about our Christian faith and AME denomination.We are also exploring how we are the same as and different from other religious beliefs and practices in the world.

ROPP Candidates were given two books for their review this month.
One, Politics in the Pews, was written by our own Bro.Dr. Eric. He explained to ROPP Candidates that he studied what factors contributed to some churches participating in politics while others did not.

The second text, An Introduction to Black Church History, will be the primary resource for this month's Core Focus Challenge. ROPP Candidates have been assigned sections as required reading. While they are encouraged to read as much of the book as they can, their assigned section will be the part upon which this month's challenge will be based.

Candidates must choose two out of three of the following:

• A written report
• A PowerPoint presentation
• A work of art

A link to the assignment document may be found here: "August Core Focus Assignment".

The day began with a discussion of the AME version of the Apostle's Creed. Candidates reviewed the major principles in the Creed and recited it together. Afterwards, candidates visited the Nueces Mosque, where they were given a tour of the facility by college students, Pari and Danya, and an overview of Muslim faith and practices by the Imam. Everyone agreed that the hosts were exceptionally nice and they were very well prepared for us, with literature, snacks/water and a very open door policy.

Next, the candidates visited Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, where several youth leaders, their director and Deacon Mario hosted a discussion about life as young Catholics. Several of the young adults gave testimonies about how reluctant they were to get "connected" with God, and how they are now so excited to do His work, through conferences, Sunday School, etc.

Deacon Mario shared a summary of the church's history, which began west of I-35 in 1907.The Hispanic congregants were told by the city they had to move east of 35, similar to the fate of Metropolitan! He shared the passionate tale of the procession of the whole congregation from 3rd Street and Trinity to the current location, children and adults carrying the lumber and supplies from the old location to the new. A child, he said, carried a sculpture of a bleeding Jesus, who Hispanic Catholics frequently use to remind themselves how Jesus can relate to their personal suffering. The sculpture is located near the front of the ornate, modern sanctuary that is now located close to Metropolitan at 1206 E.9th Street.

 

Coming Soon: ROPP Orientation

The ROPP Orientation for the 2011-2012 year will be held Saturday, July 23rd at 5PM in the lower level of the church.
ROPP Candidates are asked to bring members of their immediate family and support system.
Please contact Sis. Lisa with any questions and to let her know how many guests you plan to bring with you.

See you there!

PRESENTING...!!!

The Metropolitan Rites of Passage Program Candidates for 2011-2012

Quincy Brown - Quincy is the son of Quincy Brown, Sr and Candis Hernandez. He is the great-grandson of one of Metropolitan's beloved former associate ministers, Rev. Elizabeth Brown and Bro. Malvin Brown, and the grandson of Merv and Ardtria Griffin. Quincy is the oldest of five siblings and attends Dessau Middle School. Quincy was once selected as Student of the Year during elementary school. Quincy enjoys playing sports, especially football and basketball, but he has a real passion for singing and rapping. One of his heroes is Michael Jackson. Quincy participates with Metropolitan youth activities, including Easter and Christmas programs, in which he displays and strengthens his public performance skills. More recently, Quincy has been part of the effort to revitalize Metropolitan's hip hop ministry.
Quincy's mentor is Anthony Johnson.

Kaylan Michelle Henderson- Kaylan is the elder daughter of Gerald and Mary Henderson, of Smithville, Texas. Kaylan is the granddaughter of long-time Metropolitan members, Mrs. Carrie Henderson and the late Gerald Henderson. She has a younger sister, Tiffany. Kaylan attends Smithville High School, at which she participates in both athletics, the Student Council and is an active Girl Scout. She is also very active with Metropolitan's YPD. A fun-loving teen, Kaylan loves to hang out with her friends, but she takes advantages of many opportunities to be exposed to experiences that will help her in the future! This last school year, she participated in a entrepreneurial challenge. The business model presented by Kaylan and her partner earned them a 2nd place award and visibility by major local businesses.
Kaylan's mentor is Cynthia Harry.

D'Wazauhn Xavier Washington- "DY", as he is called by his family and friends, is the son of Juan and Lucresha Foster. He is the grandson of longtime Metropolitan member Alphaye Washington and has a large extended family throughout the congregation. DY attends LBJ High school and will graduate with the class of 2012. DY is proud of starting this last school year off strong, achieving the A/B Honor Roll. He is learning productive life skills through his participation with the Boys and Girls Club. DY plays basketball and runs track for the LBJ Jaguars and is looking forward to continuing his participation in sports in college. He has been active with YPD his whole life and regularly participates in Metropolitan youth activities. DY is a big brother to a younger sister, Juanayshia and little brother, Juan.
DY's mentor team is Ken and LeBerta Ballage.

Jabari Davis- Jabari is the middle child born to Malachi Davis and Lisa Grant Davis. He has an older brother, Malachi and a younger sister, Zuri. Jabari  is entering his senior year at John Connally High School in the Pflugerville ISD and would like to attend Huston Tillotson University after he graduates. Jabari achieved Brown Belt level in Shaolin-Do Kung Fu under Sifu Sean Gooden, and enjoys playing basketball for fun and exercise. He also enjoys weightlifting with his friends. Jabari's real passion is rap music, both writing lyrics for himself and others, as well as performing at youth concerts. He spends much of his free time in his at-home studio mixing beats and creating new songs. Jabari was an original member of Da Disciples, a Christian rap group birthed at Metropolitan. Jabari has an eye for business and hopes to be an independent business owner in the future.
Jabari's mentor team is Olden and Joyce Jordan.

Imani Ross- Imani is the eldest daughter of Warner and Dawn Ross, and the granddaughter of Gloria Ross. Imani is an honor student at the Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders where she will begin her junior year in the fall. She is on the school's Track and Field team and a member of its Cheer Club. Imani is courting a number of colleges and universities, but Baylor University in Waco carved a special place in her heart after a recent visit with her mother. Imani has two younger brothers, Warner and Donalvan, and is often seen displaying the perfect example of firm, loving guidance toward them. Imani's membership in her school's Spanish club includes a 20-day language immersion experience in Costa Rica in Summer 2011. Imani participates in Metropolitan's Praise Dance team and YPD.
Imani's mentor is Constance Kennedy.

Diante Lashone Ortiz- Diante is the son of Anthony and Cherri Johnson. Originally from California, Diante generally spends his summers on the west coast with his father's (Fabrice Ortiz) side of the family and his school year in Texas, where his family relocated in 2005. He is a recent graduate of Westwood High School and plans to take courses at Austin Community College, at which he will determine his major course of study.  Diante likes playing basketball and would enjoy the opportunity to flex his leadership muscles as a coach for younger players if given the chance. Diante is an active member of Metropolitan's youth group, having starred as "Jesus" in last year's Easter production and regularly participates in many other activities at the church. Diante has three younger siblings: DaJour, Malcolm and Maya.
Diante's mentor is Milton Howard.

Drum Roll Please...!

Metropolitan's Rites of Passage Program has an official, bona fide logo!!
Many thanks to Thandi Montgomery, the graphic designer, who offered her services to us! Even while working full time in Atlanta and pursuing graduate studies, Thandi took time to hear what we needed and responded with an image that perfectly represents what we want to do: Lift our young people up to higher heights--one at a time!

We were given several color schemes from which to choose and the vast majority of the submitted votes were for the one shown on the header of the blog! Think it was a coincidence that it matches our blog color scheme perfectly? Naaah!
Everything is simply working together as part of God's plan to use us, our time and talent, even the logo, to make a huge difference in our community!

Here we go!