Enrichment

Greetings Prospective Eagles,

FierceEagleDiva has returned to the nest. This week so far has been very busy and thrilling. On Monday, I went to a Centennial Honors Forum. At this forum, two alumni of N.C. Central University, now University archivists, shared the history of Durham, NCCU, and former alumni of the university. They also offered insight about Durham during the era of Black Wall Street and Haytide. Two questions I wish I had of asked were: What was it like during that era for African Americans, and why is this era not prevalent in our society today? Before the forum, I never knew how vital an entity NCCU was to the social, financial, and cultural history of Durham. I also learned a lot about Dr. James E. Shepard, and how greatly he and his family sacrificed to create this great institution. One of my goals next week is to visit the Shepard House on campus; it's literally right beside my dorm (Ruffin Hall). There's so much history in this community waiting for me to find it and explore.

On Tuesday, I went to my first choir rehearsal here. The NCCU choir is called Worship and Praise Inspirational Mass Choir (WPI). I first heard the choir at the Senator Edward Kennedy memorial service last Thursday. Their singing spiritually moved me. . .I knew I had to be part of the choir and I'm glad I've joined it. We have weekly rehearsals on Tuesdays and Thursdays. We have two performances this weekend and I can't wait to perform! I'm tellin' you, this choir is filled with soul, passion, and love.

Tomorrow, I'm going to a meeting on campus about a march/rally to reinstate usury laws by capping interest rates at 10%. The actual rally will occur in Charlotte on October 2. I hope I can be part of this movement that can provide economic relief to many families in need. I'm really serious about getting involved in acts of service in my community and abroad, to improve our society for the prosperity of our futures. Every individual has a personal responsibility to be the change they want to see in the world, and I take that responsibility with pride, joy, and integrity. Well until next time, I'm out. FierceEagleDiva has left the nest.

Making a Difference Through Service

Greetings Prospective Eagles,

FierceEagleDiva has returned to the nest. Last weekend, I participated in N.C. Central University's first "Make a Difference Day." Besides the incentive of 15 hours of community service credit, I got to get involved in my new community with my peers. We picked up litter off the road and we planted grass seeds. Some of the dignitaries that came to NCCU were Mayor Bill Bell and N.C. Representative Larry Hall. I served my community dually as a volunteer and as a reporter for The Campus Echo. When I wasn't picking up trash, I was taking pictures and interviewing volunteers. My article about "Make a Difference Day" was published on The Campus Echo website today, http://www.campusecho.com/. This is my third published article!

Last Friday, I was officially accepted into NCCU's Global Studies program. I want to use this concentration to study International Relations/ Peace and Conflict. Tomorrow, I'm going to meet with my advisor to choose some courses for the spring semester and start constructing my global studies pathway. I'm so excited to start studying in this concentration!

Yesterday, I went to a forum called, "U.S. Constitution in the Age of Obama: Conversations Across Generations." The forum was about the relevance of the Constitution during the current presidency of Obama. The seasoned scholars/attorneys that expressed their legal insights, were: Julius Chambers (former NCCU chancellor), Anita Earls (Attorney for the Southern Coalition for Social Justice), and Professor Irving Joyner (professsor at NCCU Law School). The other panelists included a political science professor, and some of NCCU's undergraduate and law students. Some of the topics they discussed were: different interpretations of the Constitution, whether there is still a need for affirmative action, and redistricting in terms of electing minority public officials. It was truly a treat to witness and analyze the opinions of such prestigious scholars and aspiring scholars.

I'm so proud to be a student at NCCU because it offers so many programs to become even more enlightened about society. Tonight, I'm going to a tribute service for Senator Edward Kennedy. This program will recognize and pay homage to his service in the government and society. These programs are really starting to make me think about how I impact society, and how these acts are positively changing my community. I still need to be more active in inspiring teens to not only be involved in the national political arena, but also local/regional political affairs. The service we do now in our youth will only contribute to the prosperity of our lives and our nation when we are adults. . .we are truly the future. Well until next time, I'm out! FierceEagleDiva has left the nest.

Inspiration

Greetings Prospective Eagles,

FierceEagleDiva has returned to the nest. Last weekend, I returned home for labor Day weekend. I spent three days: exercising (primarily running), driving, reading, doing a little bit of homework, and a WHOLE lot of eating. All in all, I had a BLAST just spending quality time with my family.

I started reading The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffengger (yes, it's also a movie), and I'm absolutely transfixed by it. I'm only in the beginning of the novel, but the main plot of Henry, the protagonist, time traveling through his life and the life of his wife, Claire, is very intriguing. Hopefully when I go home again, I can can rent the DVD (I love Walmart's Redbox movie rental service).

I think my greatest joy this weekend was driving in my little, white Cavalier. After not driving anywhere for three weeks, you start to miss the freedom of driving. There is no greater joy than to take the wheel and zoom away to wherever you want to go. I love to stick one of my arms out the window and feel the cool breeze of the country air.

Today I joined NCCU's Student Activities Board (SAB). This program aides in creating and advertising various events that occur on campus, such as, football games, pre-dawns, convocations, etc. I'm ready to get started working on various committees in SAB. I'm really looking forward to the football game against NCCU's rival, N.C. A&T University. That game is sure to be hype and full of school pride.

I'm currently working on an article for The Campus Echo about NCCU's "Make a Difference Day." It will take place this Saturday, in which NCCU students and volunteers will perform service projects in the surrounding community (i.e., picking up trash, painting, gardening, etc.,). I'm really excited about doing my part to improve the environment and my community through service. When you have been blessed with so much, you have a DUTY to give back all that you've received through service and charity. My family and I have truly been blessed, and I must continue to share those blessings with others. I'll be sure to fill you guys in on the projects we perform in next week's blog (stay tuned).

Today was a very awe-inspiring day for me because of President Obama's address on education, and the swearing in of Justice Sotomayor to the Supreme Court. Students have a personal responsibility to gain an education, not just for themselves and their families, but for the prosperity of our nation. My roommate and I discussed how ridiculous it was that some schools prevented students from watching the address, for fear of President Obama expressing his political ideologies to students. His speech was in no way bias to any race, gender, or political affiliation. This speech was meant to inspire all students across the nation and internationally to strive for academic excellence. . .that message I will carry with me not only this year, but for the rest of my educational career.

Well until next time, I'm out! FierceEagleDiva has left the nest.

Adjusting

Greetings Prospective Eagles,

FierceEagleDiva has returned to the nest. Since we last talked, I have been working on an article for The Campus Echo about N.C. Central University being ranked 10th out of 80 national HBCUs by the U.S. News & World Report. Of the top 10 schools, we were the only public institution. In North Carolina, we are the #1 HBCU! It's such a huge accomplishment for our school, especially since this is NCCU's Cenntennial year.

Tomorrow I'm going to get an upperclassmen mentor to further aide me in trasitioning to college life. As fun as college is, sometimes I get overwhelmed with trying to fit in with my peers and embracing all the information that is crucial to my academic success. There are times when I'm doing homework in my dorm, that I miss watching Family Guy and The Boondocks with my brother. Sometimes I reminesce about how much fun my summer was with my friends back home. As much as I miss my friends and my family, I know other freshmen are experiencing the same feelings I am.

This weekend is labor day weekend, so I'm headed back to "Z" town (i.e., Zebulon). I can't wait to go to church and see people I haven't seen in what feels like ages. We're gonna' have a cookout this weekend and I know I'm gonna' throw down on some hot dogs, shrimps, hoagies, mashed potatoes, corn on the cob, etc., . . . I could go on for days. As much as I miss home, I love this campus and the rich history that makes it so prestigious.

Last week, the Honors program held a welcome back/kick off dinner. My peers and I recieved so much information about future opprotunities for academic enrichment, such as, studying internationally and nationally. This weekend I spent alot of time pondering about where I'd like to study abroad if I'm blessed with the opportunity. I've pretty much narrowed it down to England and Australia.

England is appealing to me because it's where Nnamdi, my cousin, lives. I have a very close connection to him and I haven't seen him since I was nine. When I was nine, I visited Nigeria to meet my father's side of the family. That trip showed me how much I take simple necessities for granted. I learned to be even more gracious and appreciative for what I do have. London is such a thriving city that has so much history to share. It'd be a great place to further my studies in mass communications and theatre management. I'd love to visit Buckingham Palace and see musicals on the West End.

I'd like to visit Australia because of its rich history and cultural centers. I've always had an interest in anthropology and I'm fascinated by the Aboriginese culture. I love the varied landscapes of Australia. It'd be an awesome experience to stand atop the Sydney Harbor or to see a performance at the Sydney Opera House. I'm always excited to go to the beach! It'd be great to scuba dive along the Great Barrier Reef and maybe learn to surf?

On a completely different wavelength, on Monday, I went to a screening of the movie, Moonwalker, to commemorate Michael Jackson's 51st birthday. Moonwalker chronicled the music videos he made for his Bad album. I still can't believe the world has lost one of it's best entertainers, if not the best. It was fun to just chill with snacks and be transfixed into another dimension by the King of Pop.

No matter where I may get the opportunity to travel and explore, I know it would be a blessing to further enrich my educational process through international studies. Who knows what the future has planned for me. . .it's endless and bountiful though.

Until next time, I'm out! FierceEagleDiva has left the nest.

Year of Opportunity

Greetings Prospective Eagles,

It is such a joy and privilege for me to blog about my freshman year with you as you embark on your last year of high school. It's crazy to think that just a year ago I was facing many of the decisions you are having to face now: Where do I want to go to college? What do I want to major in? How am I going to get through this last year of high school with out getting Senioritis? What criteria do colleges look for in prospective students?, etc., etc., etc. These are the 4 basic principles for success: FOCUS, ORGANIZATION, DETERMINATION, and RESPONSIBILITY. These four principles will not only aid you in graduating from high school, but also in starting college. Before we even get into the mumbo-jumbo, serious topics about the transition from high school to college, let me formally introduce myself.

I am Amarachi Anakaraonye (I know it's a mouth-full) . . .you can just call me FierceEagleDiva, and I am a PROUD soaring Eagle. Some of my hobbies are singing, dancing, acting, musical theatre, exercising, reading, and writing. I am double majoring in theatre and mass communications.These past three weeks at N.C. Central University have been filled with leisure, hard work, opportunity, and all-around FUN! I am apart of the Honors program, and I am a new member of the campus newspaper, The Campus Echo.

My prospective college choices were: Howard University, East Carolina University, and N.C. Central University. Why did I choose N.C. Central University? As cliche as it may sound, when I visited NCCU for a campus tour and I felt the warm, embrace of this college community, my mind was set on going here. When you come to the campus of N.C. Central you are stepping into a family that is very welcoming and multi-cultural. I have already become involved in so many aspects of campus life. I can't wait to delve into further activities and embark on more opportunities.

Before I sign out, I want to offer some advice that will help you successfully journey through your senior year and hopefully come to NCCU. 1. Play hard BUT don't forget to work hard. 2. Be well-rounded. Get involved in extra-curricular activities, BUT not so many to where you are academically or personally struggling. 3. Always strive to be all that you can be. . . .a leader. Even when some of your peers are slacking off from their responsibilities, make sure you fulfill yours (i.e., respect and integrity for yourself). 4. Start applying for scholarships early, and use your school as a resource to inquire about available scholarships. 5. Follow the 4 basic principles for success: FOCUS, ORGANIZATION, DETERMINATION, and RESPECT. 6. Don't forget most of all to have fun. This is your last year of high school and you rule the school! The greatness of this year is up to you. . .your year of opportunity to be the all-around best you can be. . .don't waste it on apathy.

Well until next time, I'm out! FierceEagleDive has left the nest.