Page 21 - The Scepter - Summer-Fall 2018

Top Teens of America
Vivien Coe Richards TTA Academy

2018 HBCU Tour – Visit 1
Texas Southern University, Houston, Texas

Est. 1947
“Excellence in Achievement”

The 2018 Top Teens of America HBCU Tour kicked off with an enthusiastic beginning at Texas Southern Uni-
versity in Houston, Texas. A contingent of 40 Top Teens from across the country and 8 chaperons were wel-
comed to the university by Dr. Bernell Peltier-Glaze, Associate Dean – Academic Affairs in the College of Educa-
tion and several doctoral candidates. The Top Teens Academy participants received admissions and recruitment
information and TSU paraphernalia.
The highlight of the tour was a presentation by Archon Roderick Paige, former United States Secretary of Educa-
tion in President George Bush’s administration. Dr. Paige spoke passionately about the necessity of Top Teens to
be “better than average” and about the awesome opportunities that are available to them to be anything they want
to be. He admonished them to not allow their circumstances to determine their destiny or their future. In that
regard, he encouraged the Top Teens to consider attending a historically black college or university and recom-
mended Jackson State University, his alma mater, and Texas Southern University. He assured them that attending
a HBCU would prepare them to be productive citizens and to lead in society. The building that houses the Col-
lege of Education on the campus of Texas Southern University is named for Dr. Roderick Paige.

Top Teens Motto:

“Participation Is Our
Foundation As

Leaders of Tomorrow”