CEDAR HILL – Seventy women, all professional and community leaders from Cedar Hill, hosted tables at the First Annual Radiant Luncheon for over 450 female students. The luncheon was held at Trinity Christian Church on May 23. It was the conclusion of a mentoring program sponsored by the Inspire School Program.
During the 2012-2013 school year, the program provided 22 volunteer facilitators who worked with both boys and girls at Cedar Hill High School, Bessie Coleman Middle School and Trinity Christian School. The volunteers helped students develop key character traits like respect, value and purpose while promoting positive decision-making. Separate year-end celebrations were held for the boys and girls.
The keynote speaker of the girls’ event was Ashley Criss Ashley, the creative director of Class Act Culture. Criss talked to the girls about “Living Your Dreams.”
“You can’t let your situation determine your attitude and outlook in life,” Criss said as she described her childhood growing up in a poor neighborhood in Kansas City. “You have greatness inside of you.”
During the luncheon, students chatted with their professional table hosts about school and careers. Sapphire Dixon, a Bessie Coleman eighth grader, spoke on behalf of the students when she said: “The program was great. I really enjoyed it.”
“Cedar Hill ISD is truly grateful to have such tremendous community support from individuals, businesses, and nonprofit agencies who would donate their time, money, and resources to benefit our students,” said Director of Student Support and Community Services Dr. Chanda McGhee. “We are honored to see the support of the INSPIRE Mentoring Program and know that our students will reap the benefits.”
