Jacksonville Times-Union blogger William Jackson, a teacher in the Duval County School System, recently reflected on the journey of Fall 2010 FAMU graduate Darryl McClenton (pictured).From his blog post:
I attended my first Florida A&M University graduation.
My journey only took several hours, the accomplishments of Darryl "TopShelf" McClenton his journey started after graduation from Raines High School in Jacksonville, Florida.
I should correct myself the journey is not just his, but his family that supported him to matriculation. His mother Cheryl laboured, not just worked, but laboured to see her sons graduate college and put aside her dreams of a college diploma as so many mothers do to support their children. The eldest is a graduate of South Carolina State University; the youngest attends Tallahassee Community College.
The focus is on Darryl and his accomplishment, graduating Cum Laude from Florida A&M University. What a testament to the foundation of success laid by a solid education from Raines High School, the prayers, sacrifices of a determined mother who worked sometimes multiple 12 hour shifts as a nurse and at times had two jobs. Driving to the University a day early making sure Cheryl saw another son graduate. Just as my mother saw me graduate from college, more mothers need to see their children graduate and more fathers need to support their children's quest to be educated.
There are too many mothers alone, while fathers "claim" to help, do nothing, try to take unearned credit. Thank you to the fathers, stepfathers, grandfathers and men that are stepping in and contributing.
During our journey we talked about the achievements of our children and sacrifices as parents. My oldest is a freshman at Florida A&M and my youngest is a high school freshmen. Cheryl and I share our hopes, dreams and expectations for our children's success and paths in life.
Read the full blog post here.
My journey only took several hours, the accomplishments of Darryl "TopShelf" McClenton his journey started after graduation from Raines High School in Jacksonville, Florida.
I should correct myself the journey is not just his, but his family that supported him to matriculation. His mother Cheryl laboured, not just worked, but laboured to see her sons graduate college and put aside her dreams of a college diploma as so many mothers do to support their children. The eldest is a graduate of South Carolina State University; the youngest attends Tallahassee Community College.
The focus is on Darryl and his accomplishment, graduating Cum Laude from Florida A&M University. What a testament to the foundation of success laid by a solid education from Raines High School, the prayers, sacrifices of a determined mother who worked sometimes multiple 12 hour shifts as a nurse and at times had two jobs. Driving to the University a day early making sure Cheryl saw another son graduate. Just as my mother saw me graduate from college, more mothers need to see their children graduate and more fathers need to support their children's quest to be educated.
There are too many mothers alone, while fathers "claim" to help, do nothing, try to take unearned credit. Thank you to the fathers, stepfathers, grandfathers and men that are stepping in and contributing.
During our journey we talked about the achievements of our children and sacrifices as parents. My oldest is a freshman at Florida A&M and my youngest is a high school freshmen. Cheryl and I share our hopes, dreams and expectations for our children's success and paths in life.
Read the full blog post here.