Ag Center youth, family exposition promotes education, motivation

Louisiana youth had the time of their life June 15-16 at the Southern University Ag Center as they traveled to Baton Rouge to join others for the Youth and Family Exposition, a two-day educational event. The event was jam-packed with exciting seminars, exhibits, tours, demonstrations, and a presentation by Southern University alumnus Egeenee Daniels, a veterinarian at the University of North Texas and with NASA.

“The only person who controls your destiny is you, therefore, stay in school, stay away from drugs and think positive,” was one of the motivational charges Daniels gave the youth.

The Southern University graduate gave personal situations to drive his point home. He told a personal story of when, at the age of 15, he was in an automobile accident in which he lost his father. Being the eldest of five children, he was left to grow up in a hurry. He also credited Kirkland Mellad, Ag Center’s vice chancellor for research, for his success as a mentor and guide during Daniels’ college years.

More than 300 participants attended the expo themed “Launching for Success” which encouraged positive self esteem, character, leadership, public speaking, and academic performance. Volunteers and agents from the various parishes were recognized for their contributions towards the success of a year of youth development, culminating with this event. Educational seminars included: etiquette, discovering the urban forest, abstinence awareness, video and digital photography, computer madness, the future of young blacks, and poultry.

Informational sessions covered opportunities at Southern University, financial fitness, healthy eating, positive body image for youth, and active reading strategies for the elementary students. The event was organized by SU Ag Center associate specialist for youth development Wanda Burke.