How One Student with a 25% Chance Beat the Odds
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Posted By: MyHBCU Interview on September 06, 2017 Less than a quarter of Louisiana’s Ferriday High School students graduate from a university with a bachelor’s degree, according to 2016 American Community Survey data. How did one student beat the odds and get his start towards a rewarding education at an HBCU? All it took for Kindrell Plains, a student at Ferriday High School, to dream big was one caring band director and a glimpse of black and gold. “It was my high school director, [the late] Mr. Carl Dangerfield who introduced me to the HBCU arena by inviting me to homecomings, events, [and] high school band camps.” Would attending a band camp at Grambling State University inspire your son or daughter? The enrollment is open for high school, junior high, and elementary students (in the 5th grade—usually at least age ten or eleven—as of the fall season of each year.) Besides musical activities, students who dance, flag twirl, or perform in drill teams are welcome to apply. Fill out the online application on their website.) Once Plains saw the Grambling State University Tiger marching band, he knew he wanted to be a part of this university. Would you like to see what he saw? This Youtube video of a performance will show you why Plains couldn’t wait to be part of the Gramfam! The Tiger Marching Band has a long history at Grambling State.According to the university’s website, music is the very foundation of the school. It has offered music courses since 1905. The world-famous band represented the Pageantry of Bands section of the NCAA Hall of Fame and even performed for a presidential inauguration. Ultimately, the energy and skill of the band were the reasons Plains chose an HBCU over a predominantly white institution (PWI). After all, these young black men and women came from high school bands all over the country. Attending college was no longer a vague dream for Kindrell Plains. Right in front of his eyes was evidence that he too could get a quality higher education. He too could march on this field in black and gold. Why should students do campus visits before selecting which university will be their alma mater? There are two strong reasons to visit. First, some colleges record the names of students who’ve seen the campus firsthand. When it’s time to award scholarships or accept admissions, they favor students who’ve demonstrated interest. Second, the visiting students get a sense of the culture of the campus, something that they can’t get from reading the school’s brochure. Plains never regretted his decision. In fact, he said that studying there gave him a sense of the “true essence of a family.” Starting a college career is quite different from finishing one successfully. A study conducted by Harvard University revealed that only 56% of students who begin a program of study at an American college or university graduate within six years. Kindrell Plains completed his studies at Grambling in 2011 with a degree in developmental education. What made the difference for him? Make sure you read the rest of his story on MyHBCUInterview.com, the premier outlet for HBCU students and alumni to share their HBCU experiences.You’ll learn what his career aspirations are, what motivated him to stay in school, and how you can march in his footsteps at a historically black college or university. If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
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MyHBCU Interview
From Langston, OK Member Since May 2011 |
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