October 2012 Core Focus

Whoo!!! Today was chock full of activity!

We started at the Blackshear Garden, where Bro. Anthony provided an overview and the candidates received their ROPP Garden Projects. Candidates will have a choice of: a) planting a vegetable bed at the community garden, b) planting a flower and/or vegetable bed at home or c) creating an inside herb garden at home.

Afterwards, we headed over to the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity House, where Bro. Dr. Eric shared some Alpha history and shared an academic preparedness presentation.

At the Alpha House, ROPP candidates received General Information packets about the 2012 Quiz Bowl and learned that the Drum Majors of Round Rock accepted the challenge to compete. Candidate Devoreaux was selected to be the 2012 ROPP Quiz Bowl Team Captain.

Once, we finished at the Alpha House, we headed over to H-T U for a tour and lunch! The A Phi A Delta Chapter President took time from his busy schedule and showed the guys around and joined us for lunch.  He's a double major (Comp Sci and Mathematics) and in the middle of studying for his GRE.
It was a great day!

Iron Sharpens Iron- It's Going DOWN!!

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!!!

ROPP Orientation/ September Core Focus

The ROPP 2012-2013 year has officially begun and the first day of September was full!
The four ROPP candidates, parents and ROPP leaders met for the first time. Candidates received an overview of program requirements and scheduled activities for the year.

Core Focus: WORLD RELIGION
ROPP Candidates took a close look at the core beliefs of Christianity and the AME denomination. They reviewed the AME Motto: "God Our Father, Christ Our Redeemer, the Holy Spirit Our Comforter, Humankind Our Family", The Apostles Creed and learned that there are 25 Articles of Our Faith.
Candidate Davonte was the first to complete a puzzle that reflected The Apostles Creed AND recited it from memory. It helps to be an engaged church member! He will receive a $5 gift card to a local restaurant for his accomplishment.

After focusing on our own religious beliefs, we ventured over to The Friends Meeting of Austin, where Quakers welcomed us to learn about their beliefs and style of worship. After sitting in the meeting circle with them, we participated in a brief "silent worship" and several candidates were moved to share their gratitude for the opportunity. We all agreed that the Quakers were very nice and that the experience was a valuable one!

ROPP returned to the Nueces Mosque on the UT campus for a second year. Candidates were allowed to tour the facility, which included their conference room, recreational areas, Wudu (cleansing) space and prayer hall. In the prayer hall, Sana, a Muslim student, shared a presentation of Islam, which covered their beliefs and requirements.After Sana spoke, the Imam (priest), answered questions about Muslim dress and customs. ROPP candidates learned that shoes are removed before entering most areas in which Muslim business/ prayer is being conducted. Candidates were invited to help themselves to a wide range of pamphlets that explain common questions of Islam. Upon leaving, we were offered tasty cupcakes!

Core Focus CHALLENGE for September:

- Select 10 AME Articles of Faith to explain in your own words. Use at least 3 sentences for each.
   (www.ame-church.com is a good resource)
- In a short essay, describe the similarities and differences between Christianity and the Quaker and Muslim religions we experienced.

DUE DATE: 9/30/12, Midnight

2012-2013 ROPP Calendar

Below is a tentative ROPP calendar for 2012-2013.
Not reflected on the calendar are three major events that are currently in planning stages:
- Robotics Workshop at UT Arlington
- Quiz Bowl (Fundraiser)
- Basketball Tournament (in conjunction with YPD)

ROPP CALENDAR 2012-2013

August 2012         
19- ROPP Participant Orientation (Pastor, ROPP Team, Parents, 
               Participants, BFF, Mentors, Interested Persons)- 1:00 PM
30- ROPP Team Mtg

September 2012- Religion/ Spirituality           
1- Core Area Event  8:00AM- 2:00PM
17- ROPP Team Meeting-  6PM     
  
October 2012- Academic Planning           
6- Core Area Event (Participants)- 8:30AM- 12:30PM
22- ROPP Team Meeting (Pastor, ROPP Leadership, Mentors)-  6PM
November 2012- Sexual Health           
3- Core Area Event  (Participants)-  8:30AM- 12:30PM
11- Quiz Bowl Practice Session- 2:00
17- 2012 ROPP Quiz Bowl!- 4:00 (Candidates arrive at 2:00 PM)
19- ROPP Team Meeting (ROPP Leadership Only)-  6PM 
      
December 2012- Hygiene/ Etiquette/ Barbering           
1- Core Area Event (Participants)- 8:30AM-12:30PM
10- ROPP Team Meeting (ROPP Team)-  12:30 (After Church)
15- An Evening Out (ALL ROPP Participants)

January 2013- Automotive Care           
5- Core Area Event (Participants)- 8:30AM- 12:30PM
21- ROPP Team Mtg- 6PM

February 2013- Black History            
2- Core Area Event (Participants)- 8:30-12:30PM
9- An Evening Out (ALL ROPP Participants)
18- ROPP Team Meeting (ROPP Leadership, Mentors, Finale Volunteers)- 6PM
           
March 2013- Program Wrap-Up           
2- Last Day for Make-up Challenges (with Approval)
18- ROPP Team Meeting (ROPP Leadership, Mentors, Finale Volunteers)- 6PM

April 2013-Closure/ Finale Prep           
1- ROPP Meeting (ROPP Team, Finale Volunteers)- 1PM

May 2013         18-19- Graduation Weekend

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!