Success Stories
Courtney Frazier
While I was a sophomore at Simeon High School, a few of my friends and I were concerned that most of the afterschool and weekend programs in the community was geared toward younger children or sports, so we decided to create a program ourselves. This endeavor was of course more challenging then we thought, however, we were motivated to see it through after we agreed that our name would be United Sisters of Civilization or USoC for short. We chose that specific name because we were united in our goals, and because MAGIC told us they would be our sponsor. After two years of research, observing other programs and fundraising—we began the first co-hort of USoC. Over forty girls ages 13 to 19 spent sixteen weeks in classes on health, financial literacy, culture, science, femininity and doing community service projects that we designed. The weekly meetings gave me an opportunity to improve my critical thinking skills and develop a sense of discipline necessary to succeed. It also gave me an honest account of what you have to endure during your journey to meet your goals. I am currently a Junior at Philander Smith College in Little Rock, Arkansas majoring in Early Childhood Education, and employed at Dunbar Elementary School as a tutor. After graduation in 2008, I plan on attending Graduate school.
While I was a sophomore at Simeon High School, a few of my friends and I were concerned that most of the afterschool and weekend programs in the community was geared toward younger children or sports, so we decided to create a program ourselves. This endeavor was of course more challenging then we thought, however, we were motivated to see it through after we agreed that our name would be United Sisters of Civilization or USoC for short. We chose that specific name because we were united in our goals, and because MAGIC told us they would be our sponsor. After two years of research, observing other programs and fundraising—we began the first co-hort of USoC. Over forty girls ages 13 to 19 spent sixteen weeks in classes on health, financial literacy, culture, science, femininity and doing community service projects that we designed. The weekly meetings gave me an opportunity to improve my critical thinking skills and develop a sense of discipline necessary to succeed. It also gave me an honest account of what you have to endure during your journey to meet your goals. I am currently a Junior at Philander Smith College in Little Rock, Arkansas majoring in Early Childhood Education, and employed at Dunbar Elementary School as a tutor. After graduation in 2008, I plan on attending Graduate school.
Felicia Roberts
Felicia, a pre-med student at the University of Chicago, became affiliated with MAGIC and USoC through a friend as a junior in high school. What interested her in this organization was their dedication to the enrichment of the lives of people in the city of Chicago. More specifically, they encouraged the growth of young people in every facet of their lives, helping to equip them with the necessary tools for future success. These qualities have kept her zealous to continue in her affiliation with the organization. In 2004, after her one-year membership in USoC, she became Vice President and still holds the position. Since that point during her senior year of high school, she has had many experiences in the group that will follow her for the rest of my life. Now, as most of the members of the organization are younger than her, she counts it a privilege and blessing to be a person for them to seek for advice, support and assistance, passing down the lessons that she has learned from the previous years of her life.
Felicia, a pre-med student at the University of Chicago, became affiliated with MAGIC and USoC through a friend as a junior in high school. What interested her in this organization was their dedication to the enrichment of the lives of people in the city of Chicago. More specifically, they encouraged the growth of young people in every facet of their lives, helping to equip them with the necessary tools for future success. These qualities have kept her zealous to continue in her affiliation with the organization. In 2004, after her one-year membership in USoC, she became Vice President and still holds the position. Since that point during her senior year of high school, she has had many experiences in the group that will follow her for the rest of my life. Now, as most of the members of the organization are younger than her, she counts it a privilege and blessing to be a person for them to seek for advice, support and assistance, passing down the lessons that she has learned from the previous years of her life.
Tiana Hampton
If you had the opportunity to start out on the ground floor of an amazing organization, would you? Well, I did. My “journey” (so to speak) to discovering who I really am began in 2003 when I joined United Sisters of Civilization (USoC). Working with USoC allowed me to experience challenges that helped develop my leadership skills and team player attitude. MAGIC has provided me with an abundance of information, resources and advice, and taught me how to take advantage of internship opportunities. Because of the success of this experience, I saw first hand how determination and hard work truly paid off. I became the Vice President of USoC and after graduation, became a youth board member of MAGIC. Now that I have a better idea of who I am, I realize that I have a passion for helping people. As a result, I went to school and became a paramedic. I am currently attending Malcolm X College and will probably be in school until I obtain my Doctorate Degree. Making a difference by saving lives helps to better define what life is to me. USoC and MAGIC has and continues to influence me in such a way that without them I may not have been on the promising path that I’m on today.
If you had the opportunity to start out on the ground floor of an amazing organization, would you? Well, I did. My “journey” (so to speak) to discovering who I really am began in 2003 when I joined United Sisters of Civilization (USoC). Working with USoC allowed me to experience challenges that helped develop my leadership skills and team player attitude. MAGIC has provided me with an abundance of information, resources and advice, and taught me how to take advantage of internship opportunities. Because of the success of this experience, I saw first hand how determination and hard work truly paid off. I became the Vice President of USoC and after graduation, became a youth board member of MAGIC. Now that I have a better idea of who I am, I realize that I have a passion for helping people. As a result, I went to school and became a paramedic. I am currently attending Malcolm X College and will probably be in school until I obtain my Doctorate Degree. Making a difference by saving lives helps to better define what life is to me. USoC and MAGIC has and continues to influence me in such a way that without them I may not have been on the promising path that I’m on today.
Rebekah J. Williams
Valedictorian Speech
A Declaration of Divine Power Within
First, I thank God for giving me the gift to not only understand, but execute the knowledge which I have been taught and for allowing this prestigious honor to manifest from that. To the staff: thank you for giving me a place to come and express all the talent I knew lived within me and for choosing me as valedictorian. To my family: thank you for the constant support and encouraging words to never give up and trust God’s plan. Throughout this long, hard journey I have taken several lessons from this experience. Success does not come without sacrifice or struggle. If want something bad enough, you will work hard and overcome any obstacle that presents itself. I am a single mother, but that has not stopped me and it will not stop me from achieving the goals that I visualize for me and my son whom I love so much and do everything for. I believe every person has the power to overcome. YOU are powerful. Don’t let anyone define YOU. Take a hold of your life and create it. If you didn’t believe that before today, believe it now. Don’t settle for less than who you are. Take only the opportunities that will enrich your being and make the best of it, build on it, use that as a stepping stone to bring more blessings into your life. This is my stepping stone. I have a lot of work ahead of me. I will not be defined by occupation as a Surgical Technologist. This is something that I happen to love and will be doing for now. I believe God created us to do many things. He allowed me to persevere through this journey so I can get to the next step. We have to help each other and encourage our youth to be who they are meant to be. We are never too old, too educated, too wise or too smart to go back to school. That just shows you want to be better and build on the intelligence you already have. I’ve also learned that “I’m worthy simply because I am.” We all are. We owe it to ourselves to uphold our lives to the highest standards. Accept nothing but the best. Begin to expect great things and as you do you will create your life in advance. Have faith in God. Show gratitude for what you already have. Say thank you. Celebrate your life and achievements no matter how big or small. Don’t be discouraged. You can only go up from here. Stay focused, think positive thoughts and become productive. Most importantly, love yourself. You have a choice and whatever you choose to think will become your life experience. You are the author of your own life. So, I hope this message has inspired and motivated you in some way to do great things.
Thank You
Valedictorian Speech
A Declaration of Divine Power Within
First, I thank God for giving me the gift to not only understand, but execute the knowledge which I have been taught and for allowing this prestigious honor to manifest from that. To the staff: thank you for giving me a place to come and express all the talent I knew lived within me and for choosing me as valedictorian. To my family: thank you for the constant support and encouraging words to never give up and trust God’s plan. Throughout this long, hard journey I have taken several lessons from this experience. Success does not come without sacrifice or struggle. If want something bad enough, you will work hard and overcome any obstacle that presents itself. I am a single mother, but that has not stopped me and it will not stop me from achieving the goals that I visualize for me and my son whom I love so much and do everything for. I believe every person has the power to overcome. YOU are powerful. Don’t let anyone define YOU. Take a hold of your life and create it. If you didn’t believe that before today, believe it now. Don’t settle for less than who you are. Take only the opportunities that will enrich your being and make the best of it, build on it, use that as a stepping stone to bring more blessings into your life. This is my stepping stone. I have a lot of work ahead of me. I will not be defined by occupation as a Surgical Technologist. This is something that I happen to love and will be doing for now. I believe God created us to do many things. He allowed me to persevere through this journey so I can get to the next step. We have to help each other and encourage our youth to be who they are meant to be. We are never too old, too educated, too wise or too smart to go back to school. That just shows you want to be better and build on the intelligence you already have. I’ve also learned that “I’m worthy simply because I am.” We all are. We owe it to ourselves to uphold our lives to the highest standards. Accept nothing but the best. Begin to expect great things and as you do you will create your life in advance. Have faith in God. Show gratitude for what you already have. Say thank you. Celebrate your life and achievements no matter how big or small. Don’t be discouraged. You can only go up from here. Stay focused, think positive thoughts and become productive. Most importantly, love yourself. You have a choice and whatever you choose to think will become your life experience. You are the author of your own life. So, I hope this message has inspired and motivated you in some way to do great things.
Thank You
Alicia Roberts
Alicia Roberts is currently the president of United Sisters of Civilization (USoC). In her third year of high school she became a member of the organization and has remained dedicated to its mission and vision. She considers it a privilege to work with members of the organization and people of the community in efforts to make improvements in every entity of life. In addition, Alicia feels fortunate that she can encourage, support, advise and assist young ladies of USoC as they make transitions in the journey of life and continue building toward a powerful and productive future. Alicia is also a pre-med student at the University of Chicago.
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