College visits provide insight for Amityville students
 | | A group of 21 Amityville Memorial High School students took a three-day trip to visit colleges in Maryland and Washington D.C. Shown is a group of students in front of a monument at Bowie State University. |
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In conjunction with teacher Ray Velez and COMPASS, twenty-one Amityville Memorial High School (AMHS) seniors had the experience of a lifetime when they traveled to Maryland and Washington D.C. to visit three of the nation's most well known colleges for African Americans: Howard University, Morgan State University and Bowie College. Reynolds Hawkins, a social worker and track coach in the district, had a long time vision of the benefits of such a trip, and after careful planning and consideration, and Board of Education approval, the students were on their way. Velez, Hawkins, and staff member Brenda King, along with several district staff members and INTERACT club advisor, served as chaperones.
The two night, three-day trip allowed students to visit and tour each college, and interact with campus students. "I was impressed by how wellspoken our student tour guide was at Howard University," stated AMHS senior Dahlia Facey. "He really gave us a good idea not just of what we could expect from the University, but also of what they expect from their students," which included GPA requirements and average and above average SAT scores for the University's student body. Students also had the opportunity to attend the Homecoming football game at Morgan State, giving them a taste of college life beyond academics. In addition, they listened to a performance by the Morgan State Choir. "It was so inspiring," stated music enthusiast and vocalist Abbigail Facey, also an AMHS senior. "Seeing the choir helped me realize the possibilities colleges offer, and helped me focus more on what I am looking for in a school."
 | | Shown in the photo, Amityville Memorial High School students tour Howard University in Washington D.C. during a trip to colleges sponsored by the community group COMPASS. |
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As a culmination to their college visits, the group visited Maryland's famous National Great Blacks in Wax Museum, where they had the opportunity to broaden their awareness about some of the most outstanding accomplishments by African Americans in history. "Visiting the museum really influenced how I feel," stated Abbigail. "Just seeing how many black people did so well throughout history has inspired me to do well, and try to free people of the negative mentality that African Americans are limited in what they can accomplish," she explained. Added Dahlia, "A lot of people have the impression that black colleges are of a lesser quality than other schools out there, but this trip showed all of us that's just not the case." "That's why this program needs to continue," stated Abbigail. "We are graduating, but I wouldn't want to see anyone in the future miss out on this experience."
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