By Da’Tarvia Parrish

Livingstone News Service

SALISBURY — As school systems near the end of an academic year, parents often contemplate summer activities to keep their children engaged.

Two Livingstone College seniors — elementary education major Jenna Wright of Salisbury and social work major Terrell Richardson of Wilmington — are taking part in summer education opportunities that will last them a lifetime.

The Walton-United Negro College Fund K-12 Education Fellowship is a leadership and talent development initiative that aims to build a robust pipeline of high-achieving African-Americans engaged in education reform. The program selects undergraduate juniors from historically black colleges and universities to participate in leadership development and paid intern placement programs that partner with K-12 reform enterprises.

Wright, Miss Senior 2017-18, will work with the Children’s Defense Fund Freedom Schools Partner, Chicago Collegiate Charter School in Chicago. As an operations intern, Wright will manage student recruitment and enrollment while in residence at the University of Illinois.

“I expect to gain greater knowledge of educational reform procedures since education policies and practices are ever-changing and I want to improve my networking skills and experience in working with people from various socioeconomic backgrounds,” she said.

Richardson, the 2017-18 Student Government Association president, will spend his summer at the central office of Friendship Charter Public School in Washington as an associate in the Office of Extended Learning. His duties will include governance of academic and enrichment programs for 10 campuses, and he will work with a team to implement a summer capstone project.

“Being accepted is a huge honor,” Richardson said. “This program serves a dual purpose because it helps to prepare me to become a solid leader and gives me the opportunity to serve others. Dr. Jimmy Jenkins stresses, ‘Education is the surest vehicle to upward mobility.’ So I recognize the importance of an opportunity as this, and I will do my best to learn as much as I can from it.”

All Walton Fellows will convene in Washington on May 30–June 4 for a student leadership conference at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center, then disperse to their internship sites from June 5 to July 27. Their experience will include education case competition, career coaching, and alumni and networking opportunities.

The United Negro College Fund financially supports all Walton Fellows.