Quentin's Experiences

When I was heading to Furman on Monday, I knew that I was not only representing myself, but I was representing an entire school district. The campus was so beautiful,and the dorms... Oh baby those dorms were nice. Playing Mafia was fun and I am the Undisputed Silent Killer of Mafia, I like hanging out with all the girls and boys (especially Katie, Aryana, Nina and Syiah). On Monday, we took a tour of downtown Greenville which was nice, and we got to talk to a couple of City Council members about their lives.

Tuesday-Thursday were days that I believed changed my focus on public service, especially on Tuesday when we actually went to the Frazee Dream Center, where we got to hang out with underprilvaged kids and at the Tribune Mercy Center where people who are struggling try to get back on their feet.

I left EPL with a whole new feeling on life, and I hope to bring my "Teen Vote" project to greater heights.

To Kelly, Alexis, and Brooke: Thank you for this opportunity. Already missing both Reece and Keda so much. Hope to see all my fellow EPL-ers in March (especially Katie, Aryana, and Nina).

Quentin Smalls

Aryana's Experiences

Sunday morning I woke up, and the last thing in the world I wanted to do was go away from home again. I was exhausted from a week of late nights at Girls State and saw Emerging Public Leaders (EPL) as just another camp that would drain on my mental and physical reserves.  In that respect, I was right, but my experience here has been so much more than that of a traditional summer camp.  It's only been three and a half days since the group arrived here, but I've already had experiences that will last a lifetime.  The physical and mental challenges it provides are worth the work.

I came to EPL with a broad range of knowledge of national politics, but my education in state and local government was sorely lacking.  The very first seminar the group attended was a lesson on state and local government by Dr. Glen Halva-Neubauer.  He did a fantastic job preparing us to meet with Greenville
City Councilwomen Jil Littlejohn and Amy Ryberg Doyle later in the day.  It was incredible to listen to these two women's experiences navigating the world of local politics while juggling families and careers.  We even were briefly able to meet Greenville's mayor, Knox White.

Another activity that was particularly enjoyable was our visit to the Frazee Dream Center.  This organization holds an after-school program and a summer camp for at-risk kids in 5K through 5th grade.  The EPL students and staff volunteered at their summer camp, and we were able to read with the kids, play some games like kickball and Simon Says, and help them with crafts.  It was such a gratifying experience to be able to encourage these kids and give even the smallest bit of help that I could.

One of the things they don't mention when you apply for EPL and when all of the information and forms are sent is how great the people here are.  Our two counselors are our friends as well as our leaders, and the eleven other EPL-ers here are fabulous to be around.  The first night we were here, we played an impromptu game of freeze tag in the dark that lasted for 45 minutes.  Needless to say, we were worn out by the time we were done, but it helped us get comfortable with each other.  Mafia, an EPL tradition, allowed us to laugh with each other and become much closer.

Another bonding experience was the pool party at Furman's president's house, White Oaks.  The challenge of setting up a volleyball net brought us together to solve a problem (This sounds cliche, but it was incredibly difficult to find a way to make that net stay up!), and it was nice to be able to let loose and splash around with everyone.  I especially loved playing with our advisor's children.  Dr. Culclasure's kids were swimming with us and took a particular liking to Hollis which manifested itself in an amusing game to watch:  Douglas chasing Hollis around the pool with a toy sword and a water gun.  The kids were a ton of fun, and the younger ones, Bailey and Anders, were adorable.  Having the opportunity to get to know our advisors outside of a strictly academic setting was a beneficial experience.

Today, we attended a seminar on ethics, and all of our bonding time led to an environment where we felt comfortable having a lively and highly polarized discussion about ethical decisions.  I have never been a part of a debate where people defended their positions so forcibly and poignantly, and I attribute that to the friendship between everyone in the program and the fact that everyone here is very smart and informed on issues.

My final observation is that Furman's campus is gorgeous.  The school is in a fantastic setting with a picturesque lake and lush woodlands surrounding it, and the architecture is attractive.  Many of the campus' gardens are breathtaking, but my favorite is the rose garden next to the dining hall.

EPL is a program that has a lot to offer, and I'm excited for the rest of the week!  I hope it's just as good as the beginning half.

Emerging Public Leaders -- Xzavier Killings

EPL 2011 has made a great impression on my life. Since registration the campers, counselors, and staff have all created friendships and bonds that otherwise could never have been fathomed. The workshops: including a peak performance course, social etiquette lesson, informational tour around downtown Greenville, and many more have all taught us different aspects of leadership that we didn't already know. Along with receiving lectures from college professors around South Carolina we also had the chance to meet with the former Governor and Secretary of Education Richard Riley. To name a favorite activity thus far is nearly impossible but two events that have really inspired me to take action have been our poverty and ethics lesson. We had the chance to help and assist impoverished kids with reading and arithmetic and just seeing the instant impact that positive leaders have on young developing minds really made me think about the things i could be getting involved in in my community to help the future generation. Along with helping the less unfortunate we also were taught what the word ethics means and what it stands for. Have you ever thought about the absolute definition for the word? Most likely not because there is no absolute definition but many definitions composed into a common, not absolute, perception. Now before i  criticize public leaders for their decisions i will take into account the ethical standpoint from which they are viewing. All in all EPL has been a wonderful experience that has clarified my point of view in many gray areas and i am grateful for this opportunity. I cant wait to see what else is in store. Stay tuned the best is yet to come!

A Reflection about Emerging Public Leaders 2011 by Nina

I had no idea what to expect when I arrived at Furman University a few days ago...My parents dropped me off and I began EPL with a Ropes Course that made me feel comfortable with all of the other participants that are now known as my friends :) Everyday has been interesting and enlightening. Day one began a little early in the morning  but we all woke up pretty quickly. The first day we focused on both local and national government. All of us left every session more aware of how local and state governments work as well as how the United States government operates. Ms. Dorianne Norwood spoke to us about the components of our national government and led a group discussion. My group then went on to downtown Greenville and spent some time with two very motivated members of the City Council of Greenville. It was a wonderful learning experience for all of us. The second day, yesterday, was very entertaining and humbling. We went and visited a number of under-privileged children at the Frazee Dream Center. We read to the children and played with them. The game "Simon Says" was definitely a crowd pleaser. The kids were so energetic and willing to try new things. Afterwards we attended a session led by Dr. Ching and we discussed when the maldistribution of money began. After the session, we went on to visit a very giving ministry located in Downtown Greenville. The pastor who gave us the tour was very inspiring and intelligent. Today we have focused on both ethics and becoming a leader. Former Secretary of Education under Bill Clinton, Mr. Secretary Riley spoke to us and gave us wonderful advice. He was both informative and relaxed. We all shared some laughs which made the luncheon very enjoyable. The advisers are also both great and helpful. From teaching us the intense game of "Mafia" to chasing us in a very intense game of tag, they have been more than fun! So far, my week at EPL has been awesome!

Katie Ryan

I love to learn, and I love to see children get excited about learning.  Going to the Frazee Dream Center was such a great opportunity to help kids learn, and to teach them that learning is fun and cool.  I loved just sitting there and listening to them read, and then challenging them to read something harder.  All the kids need are a little encouragement, and for someone to believe in them.  Those children may not be in ideal situations, but I know they can do great things if someone tells them they can.  The Frazee Dream Center helps those kids know that they are loved and that they can do great things.  Being with those children gave me a greater appreciation for the gifts I have been blessed with.  I love the 4 concepts that Frazee teaches: work hard, respect authority, love everyone, and forgive quickly.

Austin- EPL Blogpost

I've attended multiple camps and events designed to hone leadership in the younger generation, and I can honestly say that, thus far, Emerging Public Leaders has been the most influential. As soon as I stepped foot on Furman's beautiful campus, there was a feeling of welcome and unity. I really enjoyed the team building activities on the ropes course on the first day, and I feel like the activities helped ease the transition from being strangers to friends. When I first heard about focusing on the concept of leadership through service I was somewhat skeptical, but after volunteering at the Frazee dream center and visiting the Triune Mercy Center I realized that service is a vital component of being an effective leader. So far I have really enjoyed my time and Furman, and this school has definitely climbed to the top of my list of colleges I want to attend. The city of Greenville is beautiful, especially the downtown area. Overall, the guest speakers have been wonderful, the counselors have been cool, and my fellow emerging leaders have been awesome.
-Austin Ambrose

Mafia+Tag=New Friends and Good Times :)

Walking into a room with eleven complete strangers is quite an intimidating ordeal, but when those eleven strangers become good friends after only, literally, a few hours together, it is mind-blowing!!  While waiting to begin the Ropes Course on the beautiful Furman campus on the first day, we all timidly made small talk and tried to find out a little about each other; however, after several Ropes Course challenges we were quickly hugging and cheering each other on.  Even more rewarding was the game of tag we played later in the night.  We set off with no real intentions when beginning the game, just a way to get some energy out, but it was the best bonding experience I've ever had!  By the end of a 30-minute game of Toilet Tag we were exhausted, covered in sweat, but had formed unbreakable bonds!  Another favorite game of this 2011-2012 EPL group is Mafia, and let me just say I am undisputedly the Mafia Queen!  After just a few rounds of the game, we were all laughing, smiling, screaming and having a great time.

However, despite our pool party at the President of Furman's house, EPL is not just all fun and games.  During the past few days, we have been challenged by truly enlightening and inspiring experiences.  Each professor who has spoken with us has brought us a different perspective and great insight to college education and exposed us to many of the problems our society faces, from dysfunctional government to poverty around the world.  The many influential people we have met, including two members of Greenville City Council and former Governor Riley, are such inspiring and wonderful people, especially to a Greenville, South Carolina native like me!  However, by far my favorite experience thus far was our visit to the Frazee Dream Center, a Summer Camp/School and After-School program for underprivilieged children in the Downtown area.  The Frazee Center focuses on literacy, a cause very important to me, and reading to the children at the center was a brilliant experience and one which I will be doing again soon!  EPL has been an awesome experience, and it's only Wednesday!!

Oh, by the way, Keda and Reece (our counselors) are pretty cooly fabulously awesome!!! (They paid me to say that :) Haha)

Krystle Ballatore

Monday June 20th 2011 

     I have had a wonderful two days so far! I have made many aweaome friends already. I am inspired by everyone's personallities. On Monday our group went to down town Greenville and met with Jil Littlejohn and Amy Ryberg Doyle. They are both very sucessful and inspiring women. Meeting them was a wonderful experience. Later, us girls explored downtown together. Then met back up with the boys for pizza and ice cream. It was a ball!

Tuesday June 21st 2011

     Today was a life changing experience for me. Our group went to the rehab/helping hand church in Greenville. The building is part of the "homeless triangle"(salvation army, soup kitchen, and the church). My favorite part of the day was going to the Frazee Dream Center. It is truly an amazing place. If/ When i move to Greenville, I would love to become involved there. I worked with two children specifically; Ajarie and Tamiyea. These underprivileged, African American children sadly, are behind educationally and are in need of this summer program. Ajarie was an... average reader for her age and was good at adding and subtracting. However, unfortunately Tamiyea was not as gifted. The highlight of my entire trip so far was experienced at this summer camp with these two children. Ajarie struggled with the word "punctual" in chapter one of her book. I corrected her, helped her sound out the word, and then she announciated the word correctly. Then... in chapter two she rapidly read a sentence which had the word "punctual" in it. She did not struggle or hesitate with the word, like she had once before. Tamiyea struggled with smaller words such as "stripes" and the name "Elizabeth". However, surprisingly enough, Tamiya listened attentively and was also able to comprehend and announciate the -once challenging words- that I helped them to understand. I was highly impressed with the children there and the program itself. The entire group of children was loving and respectful. Hopefully one day these children will grow up to be great contributors to society in the future.     

EPL Blog: By Q.S.

When I first got into the Furman University campus, I thought "Wow". This was going to be a great week. After 15 minutes of searching throughout the entire campus, I founded Alexis. She was very nice and both her and Keda showed me the EPL way very quickly. Then at the Trustees room, I met the other EPL-ers, Cory, Katie, Austin, Krystie, Syiah, etc. At city hall, I met Reece who was a graduate of Furman and Kelly who was one of the staff members here. Tuesday we went to a homeless shelter-church in Greenville and I found out that even children were unfortunate in life. Wednesday, we had an interesting debate on Ethics in the seminar room with everybody getting their two cents (and I mean everybody). Tonight we're going to have a pizza dinner and an admission seminar.

Tomorrow, we will be heading to Columbia and the South Carolina Statehouse. (In a 15% chance we might get to see Governor Nikki Haley.) That's my opinion.

See You Later,
Quentin Smalls

Why I love EPL pt.1

You always run into questions in your life and sometimes the answers are hard to find. What love about EPL is that they not only give you the answers to your questions, but the answers come from experts in their respective fields. In the end of it all you just might be ready to be the person to answer someone else's question.