BALTIMORE — Morgan State University; Coppin State University; University of Maryland Eastern Shore; the University of Chicago; Johns Hopkins University; and Lincoln University were all spotted at Edmondson-Westside High School recently. Clothes, hats, sweatshirts, t-shirts and other apparel displaying the mascots and colors of these and several other colleges and universities were among the items worn by the school’s faculty and staff in observance of College Colors Day.
Edmondson-Westside High School counselor Phyllis White-Coley and student Xavier Clark.
Edmondson-Westside High School principal Karl E. Perry, a graduate of Coppin State University and West Virginia University, showed his school spirit by wearing the colors of his two Alma Maters.
“This allows us to highlight the colleges and universities we graduated from to our students,” said Perry. “This observance also allows us to expose our college experiences to the students, and what they will have to do to get into college.”
College Colors Day is an annual celebration dedicated to promoting the traditions and spirit that make the college experience great by encouraging people across America to wear apparel of their favorite college or university throughout the day.
“This was a marvelous experience for everyone,” said Perry. “I applaud Phyllis White-Coley for the part she played in this event being held at Edmondson-Westside High School.”
White-Coley is a counselor at Edmondson-Westside High School, and assists students with the college application process.
“I am new to the school as the lead counselor,” said White-Coley. “My co-workers were energized by the need to make an impact on Edmondson-Westside High School and Baltimore City. The counseling team and I wanted to bring a burst of energy and excitement around college and career readiness.”
Previously, White-Coley served as a counselor at Renaissance Academy, where she implemented several programs at the school to assist in the college application process. She is also the founder of the Pure Potential Enterprises, a nonprofit organization made up of three divisions: Clear Vision, Le Pearls, and Collegiate and Career Counseling.
“This was a fun way for the staff and students alike to share stories about their college days and experiences,” said White-Coley. “We joined thousands across the world in sharing this day.”
College Colors Day took place Friday, August 30, 2013 and coincided with “back to school” and the kick-off of intercollegiate athletics. The observance also celebrates the achievements of colleges and universities, and acknowledges their fundamental importance.
Dora Calhoun, a graduate of Morgan State University and the school’s psychologist said, “This event evoked school spirit. It also helped to initiative conversations with our students about our college experiences and motivated them to start thinking about college. It inspires them to move beyond high school to college.”
She added, “A number of students made posters and found college logos and mascots and hung them up around the school. They also went on college websites. Hopefully, the students will go back to those websites and submit applications. It was fun day of learning.”
Xavier Clark who attends Edmondson-Westside High School said, “I loved College Colors Day. “It was awesome. It gave me information regarding choices for college.”
Morgan Warfield-Reich teaches English at Edmondson-Westside High School and heads the Drama Club. She is a 2009 graduate of the University of Chicago. “My grandmother and mother grew up in this area,” she said. “I was a first-generation college student. My parents were amazing and supportive, but they did not know about the resources that were available. I used the resources that were available to me in public education to go on to attend the University of Chicago.”
She added, “I am proud of where I went to school and what I did. I take pride in knowing I got my education and paid for it. I tell the students that there are incredible things they can explore about themselves in college. Higher education helps them to plunge the depths to challenge their abilities.”