Alabama High School Students Participate in In-Depth Humanities Program at UA

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Twelve Alabama high school students are experiencing a slice of college life on The University of Alabama campus this week as part of the 2010 SUPER Emerging Scholars summer institute.

The program, which concludes Saturday afternoon, is a partnership between the UA College of Arts and Sciences and the Alabama Humanities Foundation. It offers rising high school juniors and seniors from various backgrounds specialized academic enrichment in history, literature and the arts, with a focus on critical thinking and writing skills.

“This gives the students the opportunity to really take part in the precollege experience at a flagship institution, and gives them training in critical thinking and writing from some of the best professors that UA has to offer,” said Michael Chambers, program coordinator for the Alabama Humanities Foundation.

Students for the program were selected based on an essay they wrote, recommendations and other criteria. The Alabama Humanities Foundation is holding another institute later this month at Alabama State University.

Dr. Karen Gardiner, director of UA’s First-Year Writing program in the department of English, and Dr. Yolanda Manora, associate professor of English at UA, are serving as co-scholars for the program. They will engage students in college-level academic exercises and assignments.

The students also had the chance to meet and interact with undergraduate and graduate UA students and young professionals and talk about what it takes to successfully navigate the rigorous demands of college life.

Ranisha Gardner, 16, a rising junior from Francis Marion High School, said she has enjoyed staying in the residence halls and meeting new friends.

“It’s given me a little insight about college life, especially how to manage your time,” she said. “I’ve met a lot of great people, and we’re like one big family now.”

Below is a list of students who are participating in the program this week at UA.

Laurell Carter, Francis Marion High School in Marion

Premiese Cunningham, Ramsay High School in Birmingham

Ranisha Gardner, Francis Marion High School in Marion

Jonathan Harrell, Ramsay High School in Birmingham

Earl Johnson, Robert C. Hatch High School in Uniontown

James Kemp, Glen Iris Baptist School in Birmingham

Jasmine Pettaway, Jefferson County International Baccalaureate School in Irondale

Marquesha Ford, Francis Marion High School in Marion

Derrick Spencer, Ramsay High School in Birmingham

Jalen Spraggins, Loveless Academic Magnet Program in Montgomery

Quadrea Turner, Robert C. Hatch High School in Uniontown

Hannah Zahedi, Jefferson County International Baccalaureate School in Irondale

UA’s College of Arts and Sciences is the University’s largest division and the largest liberal arts college in the state. Students from the College have won numerous national awards including Rhodes Scholarships, Goldwater Scholarships and memberships on the USA Today Academic All American Team.