September 2018 Issue

Sista’s Keeper

I AM my Sista’s Keeper

September 2018 Vol. 6, Issue 1

College Prep Timeline Black Women In History: Dorothy Counts Scoggins

6-Year Anniversary Issue

Kyra March Making Her Mark At Harvard University

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6 Years Down ...

Still Our Sista’s Keeper

H

’ey sistas! We have made it the 6-year anniversary & I can’t say enough how much I appreciate your continued support of the magazine.

Editor ’s Letter

Even though we have faced some challenges recently, we are still here & still the ONLY magazine promoting sisterhood & self-esteem to teen girls!

As always, if you want to contact me of have any questions about the magazine, email me at: laporsha@ sistaskeepermagazine.com or visit our website: www.sistaskeepermagazine.com Remember the purpose of Sista’s Keeper: to build you up as young women so you can be comfortable enough in yourself to help your sisters, cousins, friends, etc.

I hope that you enjoy this issue and remember: “I AM my Sista’s Keeper”

In Loving Memory of Daniel Lee Lowry Jessica Pacette Shereene Hill-Veal Thank you for always supporting Sista’s Keeper!

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Owner/Publisher

@SistasKeeperMag

September 2018

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Taking Harvard

By Storm Kyra March is a freshman African-American Studies and Women’s Studies major at Harvard University who is from Darlington, SC.

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hen Kyra March was accepted into one of the most prestigious colleges in the world, she knew that a whole new world was opening up for her. She was initially accepted to her dream school, Spelman University, but received a full scholarship from Harvard.

“I got into both schools but Spelman didn’t give me any scholarships and Harvard gave me a full ride,” she says.

“I came for a visit and liked the diversity of the people, things to do and activities at Harvard.”

She started classes on September 4th and says that being at Harvard hasn’t hit her yet. “I don’t feel a lot of pressure yet but I’m getting adjusted. I’m not quite homesick yet.”

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Balancing Act

“I didn’t know a lot about Black History because it was not taught to me. When I Kyra has been able to balance school and left, I immediately shared the information,” she says. extracurricular activities by having great “This information has the power to time management. restore and motivate against what we are “I like to write out everything I’m doing, told that we can and can’t do. They shared information with me so I can help those planning and using my time wisely,” she who want to learn more.” says.

“I check to see if everything is available She plans to volunteer with Phillips with my classes and do things in advance by checking dates so I can get help if I need Brooks House Association, a student-run, community-based, nonprofit public service it.” organization affiliated with Harvard.

Being In The Know

Kyra is interested in social action, social justice and speaking creatively on issues that affect black people & girls. This came after visiting a Civil Rights museum in Atlanta.

Getting Experience Kyra has many career interests, such as being an author, acting and directing so she wants to shadow her African-American Studies professors and other black teachers and professors.

She plans to become a professor and start a non-profit organization in her Darlington, SC community where she can mentor.

When setting goals for herself and pursuing her dreams, Kyra visualizes what she can see herself doing.

“I find resources and activities so that I can get experience,” she says. “I think about what I want to do and see what steps I can take.”

Trust Your Process

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September 2018

Kyra’s advice for young girls aspiring to go to college and pursue their dreams is to

Connect w/ Kyra @majorminor__

About Kyra Name: Kyra Imani March Age: 18 Birthday: April 9 Hometown: Darlington, SC College: Harvard University Year: Freshman Major: African-American Studies & Women’s Studies Favorite Movie: Coco Favorite Food: Pizza Favorite Color: Red Hobbies: Singing, listening to music,watching Netflix, going out to eat What’s on your iPod? H.E.R., Ella Mai, Chris Brown & Beyoncé

follow God’s plan & not your own.

she has gotten closer to as she got older.

“If it was up to me, I would’ve been somewhere else but this journey that I am on is for me,” she says.

“I was able to build a relationship with them before I left for college. I also have a best friend that lives near me named Makaya and another friend at Harvard named Codi.”

“Trust your process because everything happens for a reason. I have many passions and I add to them everyday; AfricanAmerican history and culture, love, family, and social justice.

I am always learning and growing. If you want to do something, learn your craft and do what you have to do.You don’t have to be put in a certain box.”

Kyra has an older sister named Thilaysia and a younger sister named Shaniya who

Being Her Sista’s Keeper Kyra’s definition of being her Sista’s Keeper is always supporting and being there for your sista.

“It means getting to know them and making sure they’re straight, no matter the terms or distance,” she says. “You should always have her back.”

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Holland Hall Votes To I.M.A.G.I.N.E. Jasmine Jasmine Lewter is a freshman Animal Science major at North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University from Kannapolis, NC

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unning for Miss Holland Hall at North Carolina A&T State University was not just about a title for Jasmine Lewter. She wanted to make a positive living environment that she and her fellow residents could be proud of.

Her winning campaign, “I.M.A.G.I.N.E. Jasmine” which stands for “Inspire-Maintain-Advocate-Get involvedInclude-No negativity-Enhance”, shows her plans to provide an inclusive feel in her dorm.

“I want all of our residents to feel included and be friends to some degree,” she says. “We should have a positive atmosphere that feels like ‘home’.”

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Welcome To College

is voter registration, which was part of the inspiration to run for a campus residence hall Jasmine says that she struggled some when queen. She plans to get involved on campus she first got to college but now she has finally after getting academics in order because she been able to adjust. does not want be held down by schoolwork.

“I want to join a poetry club and join “I’m getting used to checking my email & something to ease the stress of college life so I Blackboard every day so that I can be prepared can take a breather sometime.” for class,” she says.

AGGIE PRIDE

“I also had to get used to walking everywhere and the new expectations on me as Jasmine takes pride in her decision to a college student.” attend NC A&T, a Historically Black College/ University.

Jasmine has been able to balance school and extracurricular activities because her first “I always knew I wanted to go to an HBCU priority is school and making good grades. so it was never a question,” she says. “I only applied to a couple colleges; Lincoln “My education comes first, then clubs and University, Spelman College and A&T. I activities,” she says. “My GPA is important wanted to be close to home and also go to a as a freshman & I need to prioritize it over place would help me grow.” everything else.”

“I felt that A&T would help me be who Some of Jasmine’s interests and passions I was made to be. I have grown up around Aggies and around the campus.”

Vet Your Life A career goal for Jasmine is to become a veterinarian with her own practice and clinic.

“I definitely want to be my own boss,” she says.

To pursue this dream, she plans to take business management classes. “Being a business owner is a lot of work but my dad is one so I can also get advice and experience from him.”

Don’t Believe The Hype

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Jasmine’s advice for young girls aspiring to go to college and pursue their dreams is not to

About Jasmine

Connect w/ Jasmine @justjazzie17

Name: Jasmine Mekala Lewter Age: 17 Birthday: October 1st Hometown: Kannapolis, NC Favorite Movie: Lonely Hearts Favorite Food: Macaroni & cheese Favorite Color: Red & lavender Hobbies: Writing books & short stories, reading What’s on your iPod: Trap music, pop rock & R&B

let anyone discourage them. “I changed what I wanted so many times because of naysayers who discouraged me from other ambitions,” she says.

“Don’t let others tell you what you don’t want to do. You have to be in charge of your future. Don’t believe the hype because it may look like it’s fun but it’s not always what it’s cracked up to be.”

Being Her Sista’s Keeper Jasmine has two older sisters who she is very close to; Jaia, a 21-year-old senior at Howard University and Jela, a 20-year-old junior at American University and a previous “Sista’s Keeper Scholar”.

“I absolutely love and adore them. We are close and I’m proud of that; we are best

friends,” she says.

“We are close in age so there is not a big age gap. I love having siblings and I don’t understand how anyone could be an only child. We have tight knit family and I will never replace that or take it for granted.”

Jasmine’s definition of being her “Sista’s Keeper” is being able to listen to them and not judge.

“To be a good sister, you should be allinclusive; you can offer to sit with them if they’re alone. You can tell when something is wrong and include those not already included,” she says.

“You should address that they’re there and that they are visible. I don’t want anyone to feel invisible. I try to create an environment of being friends and family.”

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Education Feature

Getting Ready This college prep timeline provided by Minnesota Office of Higher

7th & 8th Grade • Begin thinking about the high school classes that will prepare you for college. Take the most difficult classes you can handle.

• Ask your parents or teachers to help you develop good study habits.

• Practice setting and reaching goals.

• Volunteer in your community.

• Take interest and skills assessments to help you think about possible career options.

• Talk with your school counselor and parents about careers that interest you want to explore.

• Create a tentative high school class plan.

• Enroll in a summer enrichment program.

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In 9th & 10th Grade • Take interest and skills assessments to help you explore careers options.

• Review your high school class plan. Take the most difficult classes you can handle. Stay focused on your schoolwork.

• Talk with your school counselor about career options and the education required for those careers. • Sign up for classes that will earn college credit • Talk with your parents during your junior year about saving and paying through Advanced for college.

Placement, International Baccalaureate, • Talk with friends, Postsecondary teachers, counselors Enrollment Options or and your parents about College in the Schools. college.

• Check if your school requires 10th graders to take the PLAN to prepare for the ACT.

• Explore internships and apprenticeships.

• Enroll in a summer enrichment program.

• Participate in extracurricular activities.

Want to go to college?

It’s never too late to prepare...

For more information, visit: http://www.ohe.state.mn.us/mPg. cfm?pageID=1176 September 2018

For College

Education

Education will show you what you need to do to get ready for college.

In 11th Grade • Attend college and financial aid events.

• Mentor others and have a mentor for yourself.

• Take the PSAT in the fall to prepare for the SAT, and to identify areas where you need improvement.

• Consider possible career options and investigate the type of education that is needed.

• Request materials from schools that interest you and visit their websites.

• Arrange campus visits to those schools that interest you.

• Participate in extracurricular activities.

• Request admissions and financial aid forms.

• Sign up for classes that will earn college credit during your senior year through Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, Postsecondary Enrollment Options or College in the Schools.

• Register for and take the ACT and/or SAT in the spring.

• Review your high school class plan. Take the most difficult classes you can handle.

Stay focused on your schoolwork. Make sure you are meeting your high school graduation requirements.

• Enroll in a summer enrichment program.

• Get a job to earn and save money for college, or explore your skills through an internship or apprenticeship.

• Research private scholarship options.

Feature

In 12th Grade • Visit the colleges that interest you. It’s okay to go more than once.

• Select the schools to which you will apply.

Make a list of deadlines for each school.

• Have your high school transcript sent to colleges which you’ve applied.

• Prepare a portfolio if you’re interested in the arts. Some fine arts college programs require one.

• Take or re-take the ACT and/or SAT in the fall.

• Attend a financial aid event.

• Search and apply for scholarships. But be aware of financial aid search companies.

• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid online.

• Review your high school class plan to make sure you are on track to graduate.

• Participate in extracurricular activities • Get a job to earn and save money for college, or explore your skills through an internship or apprenticeship.

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Black Women In History

Dor�hy Counts

Photographer Douglas Martin won the 1957 World Press Photo of the Year with this image of Counts being mocked by a crowd on her first day of school.

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September 2018

Scog�ins

Black Women In History

One of the first African-American students admitted into Harding University High School in Charlotte, NC

1956: 40 black students applied for transfers at a white school after the passing of the Pearsall Plan in North Carolina 1957: At 15 years of age, Counts was one of the four black students enrolled at allwhite schools in the district (Harding High School) Harassment started when the wife of John Z. Warlick, the leader of the White Citizens Council, urged the boys to "keep her out" and at the same time, implored the girls to spit on her, saying, "spit on her, girls, spit on her."

Dorothy walked by without reacting, but told the press that many people threw rocks at her—most of which landed in front of her feet—and that many spat on her back.

More abuse followed that day. She had trash thrown at her while eating her dinner and the teachers ignored her. The following day, she befriended two white girls, but they soon drew back because of harassment from other classmates. Her family received threatening phone calls and after four days of extensive harassment, which included a smashed car and having her locker ransacked, her father decided to take his daughter out of the school.

The family moved to Pennsylvania, where Counts attended an integrated school in Philadelphia, and later earned a degree from Johnson C. Smith University. She has spent her professional career in child care resources.

2008: Harding High School awarded Counts an honorary diploma 2010: Counts received a public apology from a member of the crowd which harassed her in 1957 2010: Harding High School renamed its library in honor of Counts-Scoggins, an honor rarely bestowed upon living persons.

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Sista’s Keeper

I AM my Sista’s Keeper

September 2018 Vol. 6, Issue 1

College Prep Timeline

Jasmine Lewter

Black Women In History: Dorothy Counts Scoggins

6-Year Anniversary Issue Made NC A&T Holland Hall

I.M.A.G.I.N.E. Jasmine