Vincent Recieves Gates Millennium Scholarship

I am so grateful to be a Gates Millennium Scholar. The Gates Millennium Scholars program, established in 1999, was initially funded by a 1 billion dollar grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.My college education is now completely covered at whatever institution I choose to go to. This is truly a dream come true.

I came home from my 6 hour train ride from the Bakersfield conferences to receive a large package. Inside was a tri-fold informational folder with a letter and award of gold inside with my name on it.

After a rigorous nomination, recomendation, and applicaiton process, I was of the seven percent that was selected who demonstrated outstanding academics, leadership, and community service. Now I need to choose a college, its getting hard with all these choices.

Vincent Receives African American Achiever Award

On February 20th, 2008 I was presented with the African American Achiever Award from Foothill College of Los Altos Hills. I was nominated by Ms. P. Redd, counselor of the class of 2010 and advisor of the Black Student Union of wich I currently serve as President.

I am very grateful for being awarded for my efforts and will continue to strive to make the world a better place on my journey towards higher education.

Go Bears!

Well I just got into 1 of my three top choice schools. I await acceptance to Middlebury and to Harvard. Today I went to Berkeley and purchased a track jacket.

This is all so exciting for me.

If I get into Harvard, I will be returning my jacket on Monday.

Vincent Staffs Region 8 Conferences

For the first 3 days of his spring Break March 24-27, Vincent rode amtrack to Bakersfield to staff 2 conferences. The Youth Action Summit of Kern (Similar to the Action Summit of California, but just for that region) and the Leaders in Life Conference.

I havent gone through the intense summer training that the other counselors went through and at first i was a little weary of my ability to teach curriculum. I went down there expecting to make posters and things of that nature.

The first day I co-facilitated with Menelick. I was so glad that he was there by my side. Menelick has been so helpful to me since I joined the State Council. The other counselors and the Gamma supported me the entire time and I walked away feeling accomplished. I thank Willie and Megan for bestowing those responsibilities upon me because they helped me to grow.

Legislators were present at the dinner at the first conference and received our proposals. How great is that?!

Vincent Represents California to Pakistan, Russia and the UK

At YASC, the Youth Action Summit of California, students from all over the State came together to discuss world issues. We then developed action plans to carry out at the local level.

Vincent Jones via a world wide web uplink presented the work from the Hunger and Poverty Committee.

Vincent left the conference in Ontario inspired and increasingly motivated to make a difference.

Vincent Sings the National Anthem

Put your right hand over your stomach.

On Friday March 20th, ASB Vice President sang the national anthem at his school's HATS assembly. HATS stands for Hands Across Time and Space and is a multi-cultural assembly. It is the most popular assembly of the year. Over 5000 eyeballs watched with glee as Vincent evoked chills upon the student body.