ROPP 2012-2013 Is HERE!

The ROPP Leadership Team for 2012-2013 is in place and the candidates have been selected.
We are ready for God to bless us with another strong year of bonding, learning and growth!





ROPP Leadership Team:

Rev. N. Jordan Mkwanazi- Pastor
Sis. Lisa Grant Davis- Director
Bro. Dr. Eric McDaniel- Consultant
Sis. Yolanda Gary Fisher- Administrative Coordinator/ Financial Secretary
Sis. Deborah Franklin- Youth/ YPD Liaison
Bro. Gerald Rowland- Character Development Mentor
Bro. Anthony Johnson- Outdoor Skill Development Mentor

2012-2013 ROPP Candidates:

Gabriel Eliacin




Davonte Lawson




DaJour Richmond



Devoreaux Shoaf

2012 ROPP Graduation Weekend


ROPP Graduation Weekend was full and rewarding. On Saturday, candidates completed their final challenges of the year: Preparing a meal, learning some sewing and ironing basics and participating in a financial literacy workshop led by the neighborhood Wells Fargo branch manager. Everyone agreed that the brunch was delicious! Omelettes, french toast, potatoes o'brien, fresh fruit, sausage, bacon and Canadian ham, hot coffee, orange juice and fresh squeezed lemonade!

The next day, the candidates' graduation was marked by a ceremony during the 10AM worship hour. Graduates received gift bags with a load of goodies and their year in ROPP was complete.

ROPP graduates are eligible to be invited to serve as Jr. Mentors for future ROPP candidates. More
information will be provided as this new aspect of the ROPP program is developed!

ROPP I GRADUATES:
DIANTE ORTIZ
D'WAZAUHN WASHINGTON
IMANI ROSS
JABARI DAVIS
KAYLAN HENDERSON
QUINCY BROWN
CONGRATULATIONS ROPP I!! YOU DID IT!!



 
 
 








  





WRAPPING UP ROPP I !!




What a year it has been!
The last couple of months have been consumed with adjusting to major changes in the life of our church and end-of-year activities, but the 2011-2012 year has been an awesome and exciting year for all us ROPP-ites!

Hey, do you remember:
- Visiting the mosque and the Catholic church?
- Memorizing our own Apostle's Creed?
- Hearing the real deal about college life at UT and HT?
- Talking about sexual health and dealing with our sexual decisions at the Ballage's?
- The ROPP Quiz Bowl?
- Watching The Pact?
- Planting seeds in the Blackshear Community Garden?
- Learning about dining and dating etiquette from Sis. Lindsey?
- Ridin' in the limo to Galaxy Cafe?
- Learning about basic car care from the ROPP men?
- The interior design workshop from Ms. Cooks from San Antonio?
- Memorizing your Black History Speech? Reciting your Black History speech?
- Hanging out with your mentor(s)?
- Completing your ROPP Challenges?

Well, all this and more was part of a great first year for ROPP! You have set the bar high for what an organization of young men and women can do when they work together and show true dedication. I am so very proud of you! Let's see if ROPP II can hang.. =D

As we prepare for graduation, let us continue with the same spirit of excellence!
Prepare your reflection boards for display on Graduation Sunday. However you want your board to reflect your ROPP experience is fine. Bold colors are suggested. Your name should stand out boldly.
Ms. Yolanda has most of the photographs on this blog printed. Just get with her if there are some you'd like to use!

Graduation Weekend:

5/19- ROPP Graduation Saturday, 8-3
5/20- ROPP Graduation Sunday, 10AM Worship- Wear your ROPP shirt, khaki bottoms, black shoes

Invite your family and friends to join us for cake and punch after church!

February Core Focus: Black History


The ROPP Core Focus for February is Black History.
On Core Focus Day, ROPP Candidates got an exclusive peek at the history of several of Metropolitan's long-standing families. Candidates held one-on-one conversations with senior Metropolitan members, and discussed significant events in their lives and that of the church.
Judge Richard Scott shared what it was like to campaign, be elected and serve as the first Black judge in Travis County. Sis. Ada Harden shared many of the photos and memorabilia she's collected throughout her artistic and civic endeavors. Bro. Gerald Rowland and Bro. Olden Jordan shared stories about their military service and spiritual growth. Sis. Carrie Henderson and Sis. Janie Henderson created an impressive exhibit that featured several elaborate quilts, family photographs and teaching tools from many decades ago. The ROPP candidates eagerly soaked up their rich history and were proud to be affiliated with such distinguished people!

After the Black History exhibit, the ROPP family was joined by Sr. Pastor Mkwanazi for a soul food lunch in the fellowship hall: Fried chicken, sweet potatoes, green peas, macaroni and cheese, cornbread and sweet tea!


This Sunday, ROPP candidates will share the words of prolific African Americans during morning worship. Come listen, be inspired and support this awesome group of young ladies and gentlemen!










JANUARY Core Focus: Car Care and Interior Design

January's Core Focus Day was a bit complicated, for a few reasons!
First of all, the day was split between two core focus areas, rather than the usual one.
Secondly, our schedule was altered to accommodate the homegoing celebration of one of Metropolitan's long- time members.

The day began with an interior design presentation by Ms. Angela Cooks of San Antonio. She spoke to the candidates about basic design concepts, such as balance, color/ mood, budgeting and materials.
Candidates were given color wheels to see how colors complement each other and they each selected color swatches that appealed to them.
After the interior design workshop, the candidates were led in a basic car care workshop by the male mentors, Bro. Ken, Bro. Olden and Bro. Anthony. They got a chance to compare the engine design of various types of vehicles. Several demonstrations were given, including how to change a flat tire, how to measure tire pressure and even the effects of Coca-Cola on battery acid build up!

CORE FOCUS CHALLENGE
A. Interior Design
- Choose an area of your home that you would like to modify.
  Identify at least two of the following design elements you will address:  
  • Unity/ Harmony- considering how one space blends with adjoining spaces
  • Balance- use of symmetry, asymmetry; distribution of visual weight
  • Focal Point- properly attracting attention in a space
  • Color Schemes- the psychological value of color; creating mood with color
Using a video recording device, create a 3-5 minute video that includes the "before" design of the area/room, you in the process of making the change, any materials you use, and the "after" design.
Be sure your parents/ guardians are aware of the changes you are making and approve BEFORE you begin.

Note: The change does not have to be drastic nor one that costs any money (paint, decorations, etc)! That is optional. The point is simply to demonstrate that you understand how each of these elements impacts the design of a space.

B. Car Maintenance
- Record the tire pressure for all four tires on a vehicle and indicate if they are properly inflated (Yes/ No)
- Research how to identify the oil dipstick on your family vehicle.
  Shortly after the motor has run for at least 5 minutes, have someone videotape you removing the
  dipstick and observing the condition of the oil. Speaking to the camera, answer the following questions:
        1) Does the oil look clean or dirty?
        2) Is the oil level full or low?
        3) What type of oil does this vehicle use? (if the information is available)


Submit your video to youtube.com and email the link before midnight, 1/31/12.
If you don't know how, ask one of the other candidates for assistance.

Good luck and have fun!
     

December Core Focus Challenge- 2011


December's Core Focus is dating/ dining etiquette. The core focus challenge has two parts:

1) Write a brief, accurate definition of each word below. If the word has multiple meanings, use the one that best relates to this month's core focus. Use each word in a sentence that demonstrates you understand how it should be used as related to this month's core focus.
Note: Some online dictionaries also have a feature that allow you to hear how a word is pronounced! =)
1. a la carte
2. al dente
3. baste
4. bon appetite
5. chivalry
6. condiment
7. courteous
8. cuisine
9. entrée’
10. epicure
11. etiquette
12. filet
13. fillet
14. garnish
15. gentleman
16. gourmet
17. gratuity
18. hors d’oeuvres
19. lady
20. maître d’
21. palate
22. prix fixe
23. refined
24. RSVP
25. uncouth


2) Invite an escort to join you for ROPP Nite Out. The escort should be a young lady/ gentleman that is considered to carry themselves in a respectable manner. During the evening you will be observed for how well you demonstrate the fine dining skills you were taught. Areas that will be evaluated:
- Dress code adherence (sent in an email)
- Demeanor (no horseplay or excessive silliness)
- Conversation (appropriate subjects, volume)
- Table Etiquette (use of utensils, napkins, chewing, etc)
- Manners (chivalry, "Please", "Thank you", etc)
- Balance (have fun too!)



ROPP Night Out is co-sponsored by The Galaxy Cafe. They have agreed to create a fine dining atmosphere just for us! Please visit them when you can and pass on appreciation for supporting our organization!

The Pact Impact



                                   CLICK ON EACH IMAGE TO ENLARGE IF NECESSARY.