May 22, 2008 10:16 am US/Pacific
Guiding Students to Higher Education
Jefferson Award Winner: Joseph Jones
(CBS 5)
It's the end of the day and Joseph Jones is coming home from his work with the Association of California School Administrators. But on this Monday, like most every Monday for the last fifteen years, he'll be right back out the door to go to his volunteer job.
Joseph is the director of the Vallejo School District's Willie B. Adkins scholars program, a successful college readiness program for high school students. He graduated from the school district in 1969, and says times have changed.
"Back in the old days when I went to college in Hayward, we just filled out an application and the next thing you know, we got the letter and on we went," he says. "It's much more complicated and difficult."
The scholars program helps students prepare for the numerous entrance and placement exams, explains how to access financial aid and scholarship opportunities, prepare resumes, and improve the social skills needed to make a good impression. Joseph says these are the kinds of things his high school teacher and coach did for him, after his parents died when he was a young man.
"(He) drove me to Hayward, we went to the admissions office, I filled out my application, he took me down to the financial aid office and introduced me to folks down there, and did all those things," he explains.
So now, Joseph is doing the same for this next generation.
He adds, "It's not enough to tell people to go to college, it's not enough to point and direct them to go, it's not enough to give them literature and tell the to go to a web site. We take them to the college campuses, we physically take them every year."
The scholars program takes students to local colleges as well as historically black colleges of the south, where they can try out many of their new skills
"Coming into the program, I didn't have very good communication skills," says senior Jedidiah Flowers. "I didn't like to talk in front of people. But having him, my mentor, he helps me not to be shy in front of people."
Senior Xavier Crawford concurs: "There's a nurturing environment here and it builds your self-esteem more than if you are not in the program."
"We love Dr. Jones," adds senior Prejon Bynum. "He does a lot for us and the community. He comes out of his own pocket to help us out and forces us to break through stereotypes."
These seniors say they never would have considered going away for college if the program hadn't shown them the way. Now they are planning their majors, including biology, chemistry, business, and economics.
At an annual recognition night, parents proudly watch the seniors graduate from the program. But no one is happier than Joseph Jones.
"It's a lot of people pulling for these kids. It's not just me," he says. "It's the wonderful children we have in Vallejo, and in our community, that deserve an opportunity, and that's all they ask for is an opportunity, show them the way. Somebody showed me the way!"
For helping to show hundreds of Vallejo students the way to higher education and opportunity, this week's Jefferson Award in the Bay Area goes to Joseph Jones.
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