Monday, September 30, 2013

Great Expectations Students Meet, Greet, and Eat

Author Devan Mitchell and Dedra Hampton, Great Expectations Coordinator
A group of about 20 J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College’s Great Expectations students gathered on Tuesday, September 24 to celebrate the success of one of their own and to explore a new mentoring opportunity.

Great Expectations Coordinator Dedra Hampton introduced guest speaker Davon Mitchell, a Great Expectations student and newly published author.  Davon spoke of his journey in foster care, the benefits of his participation in the Great Expectations program, and how he met Nina Wells, a publisher, at a Great Expectation forum a few years ago.  Ms. Wells, impressed by Davon after speaking with him, promised that she would help him publish the book he was writing if he stayed in school and graduated.  Mitchell is on track to graduate from Reynolds this year, and Ms. Wells recently delivered on her promise.  Copies of Mitchell’s new book were distributed to lucky door prize winners at the gathering. 
Dedra Hampton also introduced Sean Scott, an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer working with the Great Expectations Program.  Sean has been charged with developing a new mentoring program to match volunteer mentors with youth to advise and accompany them through higher education and their everyday lives.  The group enjoyed refreshments while exploring and discussing the mentoring needs of Great Expectation students. 

For more information about the Great Expectations program, please contact Dedra Hampton at dhampton@reynolds.edu or 523-5294.