PCT Scholars work in small groups to prepare for college-level writing during the Posse Writing Program.

Pre-Collegiate Training Prepares Scholars for Leadership, Academic Success

Summer 2015 | Los Angeles

During Pre-Collegiate Training (PCT), new Scholars explore what it means to be change agents, develop team building and cross-cultural communication skills, and hone their academic skills.

Scholars participated in a five-week writing program using activist Angela Davis’ Are Prisons Obsolete? as the main text. Each Scholar produced a response paper about the criminal justice system after working with their Posse and a volunteer writing coach during peer review sessions, group conversations, and other activities to develop as a community of critical thinkers.

“I feel that everything I have learned in Pre-Collegiate Training helped me to understand the text from a different perspective and analyze it in a new way,” said Nathand Carter, who will attend Bucknell University in the fall.

PCT Scholars explored their individual passions and commitment to social justice in a range of political, cultural and social spheres. In May, they experienced this first-hand by participating in a beautification project at Normandie Avenue Elementary School in South Los Angeles.

The event, hosted by Southern California-based nonprofit Big Sunday, is geared toward uplifting communities through service. Together with Normandie Avenue Elementary parents, students and staff, Posse Scholars worked together to paint murals and break ground on a school garden.

“It was great seeing the kids be so excited to make their school look better for their peers,” said Anthony Diep, who will attend Kalamazoo College. “It was really inspiring.”

Posse Scholars appreciated the chance to give back, fueling their desire to continue service work at their respective campuses.