MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Friday was the United Way’s Youth Day, a chance for kids to talk about college, careers and achieving dreams.
Kids learned about everything from financial aid to personal money management, but they told WREG they also talked about resisting temptation at their own schools and striving for their futures.
Sean Poston told WREG he had big plans for his future.
“I know I want to go into engineering. I really want to be a music producer,” he said.
Poston, a senior at White Station High School, is the student chairman of Youth United Way.
“I got into it my 9th or 10th grade year. I’ve been an E-Board member, and then I recently became the chair for this school year.”
Friday, students got information about FAFSA, scholarship opportunities and information about how to stay motivated and succeed in school.
“It’s basically a series of workshops on college admissions, financial literacy, teaching them about essential life skills to help prepare them for the future,” Karlisa Kuykindall, Youth United Way Program Coordinator, said.
But keeping your nose to the grindstone is far from easy, especially in high school.
“Gangs and violence and those kinds of things are very influential. But it’s really just about staying focused and being determined,” Barksdale said.
That is why Poston said it’s important to keep your eye on the prize, because he is not going to let anything or anyone stand between him and his dreams.
“You’ve got to think about what you want for yourself, because at the end of the day, you’re the only person who can take care of you.”
For more information about the United Way, click here.
