Gwinnett AKAs to Help High School Females and Males ASCEND To Greatness

The Upsilon Alpha Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated (“UAO”) is poised to launch Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated’s signature youth enrichment program, ASCEND℠ at Summerour Middle School in Norcross on Saturday, January 24.

ASCEND℠ is designed to motivate, engage and assist high school students in reaching their maximum potential, and will focus on Achievement, Self-Awareness, Communication, Engagement, Networking and Developmental Skills. Students in the ASCEND℠ Program will have an opportunity to receive academic enrichment and life skills training to support their journey to college or vocational employment.

UAO President Karan Rhodes said, “In today’s hyper-competitive world, it has never been more critical that we provide leadership development for our young future leaders before they leave high school, in the hopes that they will be able to hit the ground running when they graduate. UAO is so proud to sponsor the ASCEND program within the metro-Gwinnett community to help achieve these goals.”

Chapter members are excited about the opportunity to meet and greet the young women and men selected from a pool of qualified applicants for the 2015 ASCEND℠ class, and also serve as mentors to these next generation leaders. Research shows that mentor relationships have many positive benefits to students including:
• Positive academic outcomes
• Prevention of youth risk behaviors; and
• Enhanced social and mental development

“UAO chapter members are so very excited about the kick-off of our ASCEND program,” said UAO Vice President Andria S. Daniels. “UAO has an engaging, educational and community service oriented program planned.”

The first Greek-lettered organization primarily for college-educated African-American women in Gwinnett County, UAO is a powerhouse of volunteerism and has provided mentoring opportunities for students of varying ages since 1994. Chapter members look forward to many, many more years of providing service to Gwinnett County and “ASCEND℠-ing” with students.

For more information, email ascend@upsilonalphaomega.com , log on to www.upsilonalphaomega.com, Friend UAO on Facebook, or Follow UAO on Twitter at #AKAinGWINNETT.

About Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. is the first Greek-letter organization founded by African-American women at Howard University in 1908. Led by International President Dorothy Buckhanan Wilson, Alpha Kappa Alpha is a sisterhood of national and international stature. Its members share the same high moral, ethical, scholastic, and spiritual standards; and are leaders in their community – inspiring, serving, and empowering all with whom they come in contact while addressing the social and economic ills of our society. For more information about Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., visit www.aka1908.com.

About Upsilon Alpha Omega Chapter
On January 29, 1994, thirty aspiring professional women chartered the Upsilon Alpha Omega Chapter in Lawrenceville, Georgia. The group gathered to implement and support the international programs of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated as they pertain to the needs of Gwinnett County, Georgia. Today, Upsilon Alpha Omega, the first African-American Greek-letter organization in Gwinnett County is over 270 members strong, and has made a significant impact on the community. Karan Rhodes serves as President. Andria S. Daniels serves as Vice President. www.upsilonalphaomega.com, #AKAinGWINNETT #UAOstateofmind