Gamma Pi's Project ENRICH Kicks Into Gear with Opening Program

To hear the young students tell it, they really did not want to be there in the first place. Many of the upperclassmen who took the podium during Saturday morning's Opening Program for the 2012-2013 version of Project ENRICH at Bowie State University recalled how their parents "forced" them to participate in the program, taking away their precious freedom to sleep in and live carefree for one Saturday morning every month. But they also added this in retrospect: it turned out to be a great, fun experience and has helped them grow into more confident, prepared students as they sail towards college. That is the dominant story line for Project ENRICH as the program begins a new year.

About 60 parents and students gathered at Bowie State's Center for Learning & Technology for the formal opening of Project ENRICH for the current academic year. Instead of the customary keynote speaker, this year Program Director Brother Willie Hines decided to focus on the "voices" of students in the program. Students highlighted the program with their own testimonials, partly as an affirmation for parents who have supported them throughout Project ENRICH and also as encouragement to incoming freshmen.