HBCU Information Session for High School Students

From left are: Rasheena Wilson, President of the Greater Orange NY Chapter of The Links Incorporated; Frank DenDanto III, Town of Wallkill Supervisor; and DeShanda Carter, Legislator, District II.
From left are: Rasheena Wilson, President of the Greater Orange NY Chapter of The Links Incorporated; Frank DenDanto III, Town of Wallkill Supervisor; and DeShanda Carter, Legislator, District II.

By Jennifer L. Warren

MIDDLETOWN – It was a moment that transformed her life in a manner that Shyenn Garris is eternally grateful for and deeply passionate about sharing with others.

The Washingtonville high school graduate, Garris, had just set foot onto the Howard University campus where she was taking a tour. It was almost immediate; the tangible magic had been woven.

“I felt something inside, like I was meant to be there; there was just an indescribable pull,” said the now rising junior who has been on an incredulous, collegiate journey at the Washington, DC Historically Black College or University (HBCU) for the past two years. “Nothing prepares you for college, but actually being there and experiencing everything about it.”

On Left Heaven Cunningham, a graduate of the HBCU, Cheyney University in Pennsylvania and member of the Denson Admission Group, speaks to as well as provides resources to guests at Saturday’s information session.
On Left Heaven Cunningham, a graduate of the HBCU, Cheyney University in Pennsylvania and member of the Denson Admission Group, speaks to as well as provides resources to guests at Saturday’s information session.

It was that very mindset that incited District 11 Legislator, DeShanda Carter, to hold Saturday’s first HBCU Information Session for Orange County Students and Families event inside of Middletown’s Wallkill Community Center. Something close to her heart, the exposure of HBCU’s is also very personal to Carter, as she distinctly recalls her oldest son-without the needed-diverse resources and exposure to a vast array of colleges- had to go to make the trek to Queens to take a college tour. Seeking to assist parents-as well as students- with navigating the intricacies of that process, Carter helped create an organized tour of seven HBCU schools to become familiar with over seven days. The integral community connections and support soon ensued. Town of Wallkill Supervisor, Frank DenDanto joined in the mission, providing the Wallkill Community Center site, inclusive to participants from all over the Orange County, for the milestone Information Session, which included a collaboration of multiple agencies.

“It was really amazing,” said Carter about the success of the event which she co-hosted with Moniysha Maldonado. “I was very happy with the companies that participated: Cobra Performing Arts drumming group from Harlem, Legacy Youth Travel who came all the way from Michigan, the Denson Admission Group, and the Community Foundation that educated guests about available financial grants; “I’m very happy with how it went overall and hope to do more similar events in the future.”

Providing guests with the deep history of HBCU’s, including their academic excellence, available scholarships and career pathway options, while delivering critical, free college resources, the event further displayed the potency of community leaders coming together to address a blatant gap in diverse, collegiate offerings for local youth. It’s an investment well worth prioritizing and supporting according to Supervisor DenDanto.

Some of the many people involved in making Saturday’s first ever, free HBCU information Session for Orange County students and families a success gather together during the event which aimed to not only introduce families to the rich history of HBCU’s and provide critical college planning resources, but them up for tours of some of the many Historically Black Colleges and Universities that exist.
Some of the many people involved in making Saturday’s first ever, free HBCU information Session for Orange County students and families a success gather together during the event which aimed to not only introduce families to the rich history of HBCU’s and provide critical college planning resources, but them up for tours of some of the many Historically Black Colleges and Universities that exist.

“We (Carter and I) wanted to make a big push forward for large, multicultural populations to have access to higher education opportunities,” explained DenDanto. Specifically, we wanted it to be aimed at HBCU’s which are grossly underrepresented, even at college fairs; there is a large African-American and Latin population in this area, so we wanted to have the opportunity to have robust dialogue about underrepresented populations and what they might be interested in when it comes to higher education.” He added, “This event was an excellent first step in this discussion.”

With about 80 people in attendance, many who could be spotted actively engaged in energetic discourse with volunteers representing different HBCU’s as well as the mesmerized response to the drum unit performance, the interest seeds were firmly planted. For many, they hold the potential to create the precious personal growth that Garris has undergone during her two year tenure at Howard and continues to flourish daily.

“I truly think what sets HBCU’s apart is their commitment to community and service with all of the volunteering opportunities they provide, the deep connection students feel to their culture and just the overall sense of family and connection with things like Homecoming, Battle of the Dorms and Spring Fest, said Garris, who enjoyed proudly representing her institution while sharing her story with students and their families. “I truly feel like Howard chose me; they saw something in me I didn’t even see in myself, and I’m now able to grow into the person I want to be.” Reflecting further about her HBCU journey, Garris captured the experience in four words.

“It’s been a blessing.”

Some of the many people involved in making Saturday’s first ever, free HBCU information Session for Orange County students and families a success gather together during the event which aimed to not only introduce families to the rich history of HBCU’s and provide critical college planning resources, but them up for tours of some of the many Historically Black Colleges and Universities that exist.
Some of the many people involved in making Saturday’s first ever, free HBCU information Session for Orange County students and families a success gather together during the event which aimed to not only introduce families to the rich history of HBCU’s and provide critical college planning resources, but them up for tours of some of the many Historically Black Colleges and Universities that exist.
Shyenn Garris, a rising junior at Howard University and graduate of Washingtonville Hogh School, as well as participant in the Denson Admission Group, was on hand volunteering her expertise at Saturday’s first ever HBCU Information for Orange County students and families event, held at the Wallkill Community Center.
Shyenn Garris, a rising junior at Howard University and graduate of Washingtonville High School, as well as participant in the Denson Admission Group, was on hand volunteering her expertise at Saturday’s first ever HBCU Information for Orange County students and families event, held at the Wallkill Community Center.
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