While Emily K seniors are completing their college applications, junior Kleyser is making an application of his own. Kleyser, a student at Josephine Dobbs Clement Early College High School, was nominated by his school to take a rigorous exam as a qualifier for North Carolina Governor’s School. Kleyser passed the exam at Early College, which then moved him to the next phase of the application - writing the required essays.

As of last week Kleyser’s application is complete and has been submitted. Emily K wishes Kleyser good luck in his quest for a spot, knowing that even to be considered is an honor!

Emily K students took time out from the work at hand to share in the congratulations of Coach K’s 903 win. Taking up a good part of the 2001 Final Four floor that serves as our gym, almost 70 students and staff members stood in the formation of a 903. Volunteer Marissa Streyle offered her photography services and showed first class patience as we worked to clearly become a 9, a zero and a 3 from a distance.

Lesson Learned #1 – the number nine was the easiest for some reason.

Lesson Learned #2 –Emily K Scholars are unmatched in terms of study skills but we need a bit of work on parade formation.

Congratulations Coach K. If we work as hard in the classroom as you do in your preparation we will become championship winners too!

John Brown is coming! That’s the word on the street. The famous jazz musician will make a much-anticipated visit to the Emily K Center for a program that will be part mini-concert, part workshop and all fun.

John is a bassist, a composer and an educator. He’s been performing professionally since his teens in the U.S. and abroad with artists like Wynton Marsalis and Diahann Carroll, as well as giving performances with the North Carolina Symphony. John constantly seeks opportunities to work with students and to study himself. He’s attended the Lincoln Center Institute in New York City and is now a certified instructor using their model of music instruction.

John has been selected by the North Carolina Arts Council to assemble performing groups connecting arts and education, so children are exposed to and have the opportunity to make music. The program is expected to be lively, interactive and a fitting end to a successful first semester of programming at EKC. Can’t wait for your visit John!

Pioneer Scholars kicked off an exciting new partnership last week designed for aspiring Emily K techies called Technology Without Borders.

The group brings together committed undergraduate students from UNC Chapel Hill, and a number of EKC 4th through 6th graders for a digital literacy workshop. The Techies from UNC arrived last Monday armed with 12 laptops and began the process of teaching EKC students to produce their own music.

The Technology Without Borders program aims to increase access and understanding of technology programs in the Triangle area. Not only did the EKC students learn valuable skills transferable to their daily school work, but the laptops were made available to the students throughout the week for additional use.

The pilot program will meet a number of times prior to the end of the year and will hopefully pick back up in the spring when even more EKC students will have an opportunity to take part in the program.

Emily K juniors and seniors visited the Duke campus this weekend to take part in a Leadership Roundtable. Hosted by Crazies Who Care for the Emily K Scholars to College students, the event included a roundtable with a number of current undergrads. The college students shared stories and guidance about activities they pursue on campus. Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach, Joy Cheek, was among those who spoke to the high schoolers. After the roundtable, Scholars attended a women’s basketball game and participated in the half time knock-out competition. Needless to say, a good time was had by all.

S2C Seniors

Emily K seniors continued on their path toward college admission by participating in a Mock Interview Evening held at the Emily K Center. Armed with up-to-date resumes, each of the seniors went through four rounds of practice interviews with local professionals taking the part of admissions counselors.

After each interview the students received feedback and recommendations. “The most beneficial part of this process was giving our students permission to brag about themselves a little,” said Ashlea Hitchcock, Programming and Partnerships Coordinator,  “For years they have been taught to be humble, but for this occasion they need to communicate why they are special and why they will be an asset once they arrive on a college campus. It takes a bit of practice to do that well.”

Each of the seniors had prepared sample questions and answers for themselves beforehand and paid particular attention to dress and timeliness. “We’ve been working toward this time for years,” said Emily K senior, Brianna Azar, “We want to make sure that we’re really well prepared so that we will have the opportunities we’ve dreamed about.”  While the students took part in the interview exercise their parents were able to attend a financial aid program put on by the Center.