We conversed about LIFE by Maria Melon

Someone asked me tonight, “What’s the purpose of life?” I stood quiet, anxiously listening to what was going to come next but nothing came out of his mouth. I asked him, 'what's your purpose in life? Once you find your purpose then you can answer your  question.' I explained to him that everybody has a purpose in life, we are all put in this world for a reason; whether it’s to help and inspire others, be creators, innovators,  whatever it may be but believe that there isa purpose. Once we have fulfilled our purpose, everything that comes after, whether it’s our children or the younger generation, will live to fulfill their purpose….and that is LIFE.

I am a Product of EOP by Maria Melon

I sit in my class with other students, mostly traditional and the topic of EOP continually comes up. Most of my traditional classmates either get mad about the EOP Program, don’t know what it is, or  simply think the EOP program is unfair. But all I can think is, 'What isn't fair about the program? It’s not fair that society is built to keep us “EOP students” out of college! If it wasn't for EOP, we wouldn't have the opportunity to attend and afford college! You're mad because those who are not as privileged are able to get the same education as you?? Now that's not fair!

I love that I am a part of the my EOP family because not only has it helped me and guided me through my college experience these past four years but the staff members treat you as if your apart of their family. EOP Counselors help find each student free tutors for classes they are struggling with,help with searching for classes each semester, help spread information about internships, and most of all, EOP Counselors are an ear to listen when you need it. The complex is like our home away from home, it’s that comfort zone for a lot of students.

I am currently a Senior due to graduate in May. I've been a part of the EOP family since my freshman year (Fall 08’) at the University and I am so grateful to those who made this program possible! It allowed students like myself, who are not so privilege, to still be able to make it to college and graduate! So the next time you find yourself in a classroom and the topic of EOP comes up, let’s remind student's who do not know or understand our program, what EOP has done for us individually and as a collective family. I am proud to be EOP.

Proud to Be EOP!

To whom it may concern,         

           

E.O.P is more than just three letters to me.  Through this program I’ve learned so much and grown into a better man.  Being that neither of my parents were able to enroll in college I take pride in being able to get this far (sophomore year at the University at Albany SUNY).  Without the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), myself and many other determined individuals would never get our chance to shine.  I use to think that college wasn’t for me.  I thought I would end up on the streets selling drugs like most of my friends.  However, because I chose a different path, a different future, I was able to stay focus and work hard.  After applying to several colleges and being turned down by some or not being able to afford the others I began to lose hope.  I was just going to give up on college all together.  E.O.P was able to save me and put me back on track to what is now my destiny.  I write this letter not to speak about my personal struggles but to show you that there are many others like me who are just waiting for their chance to shine.  I am currently at sophomore status with the college credits I’ve obtained from high school and honestly couldn’t be happier to be here at University at Albany.  As a sophomore, a 3.6 G.P.A having, African American man I write to inform you that E.O.P does produce and will continue to produce success stories.  Don’t let the diamonds in the rough go unfound like I almost did.  Doesn’t everyone have the right and deserve the chance to shine? Thank you for your time and I look forward to meeting with you soon.

Sincerely,

Tre Branch

Proud to be E.O.P

If you are what you eat, than what am I? by Vicki Okung

I am Sunday breakfast. I am homemade hash browns with corn beef (Dad’s idea). I am Momma’s thick oatmeal, made to perfection, never too much water or too little, with butter to make it creamy, and just a little bit of sugar to make it sweet. I am eggs: scrambled eggs, fried eggs, or omelets with spicy peppers, mushrooms, and onions.  I will accommodate to whatever kind of eggs you like and will do a good job at doing so. I am Eggo waffles, for when momma is just a little too tired.

I am hope. Seeing me on the kitchen table brings a smile to everyone’s face. They all bow their heads, close their eyes and pray for me. They thank God for another Sunday breakfast, together. They pray that Momma’s hands will stay strong enough for next Sunday dinner. They thank God for daddy’s idea of corn beef fried in hash browns. They thank God for Vicki’s fried egg, Timma’s scrambled egg, and Eno’s omelet. They pray for the nourishment necessary to get through the day, and if this is the last meal they consume all week, they pray to God it keeps them nourished.

I am daddy’s hash browns with corn beef. Homemade. Mommy spent an hour cleaning me.  She never grows impatient, because she knew that if potatoes aren’t cleaned it will spoil the rest of the dish. She slowly peels those skins of my back, careful not to miss a spot. Sometimes missing and catching her fingers and cutting her fingers. She peels and shreds until her fingers are numb. She never complains because I am worth the sacrifice. She fries me till the perfect crisp, and adds a spoon of corn beef.

I am Momma’s favorite, oatmeal, always prepared just right. Carefully, she measures the oats and proportionally measures the correct amount of water to add, too much or too little water would make for unwanted oatmeal. Once I am perfectly cooked, she smiles and adds a hint of sugar, but never too much to spoil the meal. Finally, she adds a spoon of butter to make me thick and creamy.

Eggs define everyone in the family. Timma is the scrambled egg, as she has many different parts too her personality. Eno is an omelet, filled with onions, peppers, and mushrooms because she is a vegetarian. Nobody told her egg was considered meat. Finally, Vicki was a fried egg; Plain and simple, and kept to herself.

I am Sunday breakfast. I am the homemade hash browns with corn beef (Dad’s idea). I am Momma’s thick oatmeal, made to perfection, never too much water or too little, with butter to make it creamy, and just a little bit of sugar to make it sweet. I am eggs; Scrambled eggs, Fried eggs, Omelets with spicy peppers, onions, and mushrooms. I am what everyone anticipates for weekly. I am Sunday breakfast.

My idol By Molly Silvanic

If I could eat lunch with anyone, who would I choose? That question is and always has been a popular interview question. It allows the interviewers to get to see whom the interviewee admires and the interviewee gets to show off who they aspire to be.

I went for an interview a few weeks ago and I was asked this popular question. Without thinking I replied, "My mother, Terry."The woman who was interviewing me began to look sentimental, her face changed from a stern and strong look to puppy eyes, relaxed, and compassionate look. She looked me in the eye and said "I'm sorry about your mother, that must have been very hard for you." I looked back at her and said, "Oh no, my mother is still alive and well. Thank you though!" Her face changed from that sentimental look to a confused look, I could tell she did not understand. Her brown bushy eyebrows were raised and her dark brown chocolate colored eyes began to study me. Her pink chapped lips parted and she said " Oh no you must have misunderstood me, if you could have lunch with anyone in the world, dead or alive, rich, famous, etc. who would you choose?"With a confidence in my voice and a smile on my face I replied again, "I would have lunch with my mother." And before she could cut me off and insist that I didn't understand her question, I explained. "My mother is a single mother of 2 children, my brother and I. I was adopted when I was a baby and brought to her wonderful home where she cared for me and loved me my entire life. Nights when our power was shut off, she was on the phone arguging to give us one more night of heat, days when our kitchen barely had any food she would cook everything we had for my brother and I. She would allow us to eat before she herself was able to. Knowing we always had bills to pay, she would work everyday in a job where she was mistreated, judged, and overworked. I understand many people choose rich or famous people, Beyonce, Obama, whoever. But my mother is my idol, she is my hero. My mother has given me the confidence I need as a woman to succeed, to survive. She has shown me the difference between being a woman and a girl. She has taught me how to be a lady. That is why I value and look up to my mother. A person who I have never met and just seen on the television screen or heard on the radio could not teach me the things that my mother has." And with that the interviewer looked like she had understood. She continued asking questions while each of my answered were cleary spoken, truthfully answered, and strongly believed. I am my mothers daughter.

A Letter from your new Editor Molly Silvanic

EOP is stronger than ever. Our complex is filled with support, diversity, and success. There was many journeys abroad this past summer all over the world and all over the United States. Many of graduates have gone on to Grad Schools all over New York or have taken internships across the border. The blog this upcoming semester will be filled with stories of each success each EOP student has accomplished including stories from our incoming freshman class. EOP is not a our label, it is our misson.

Maria Melon My Life Changing Trip to Paris

When I first came to the University at Albany I became interested in studying abroad. Although I didn’t know where I would go or when I would go, I knew it was a part  of my college agenda. I started looking into different programs throughout my junior year until I finally came across the AIU Paris program. I was so excited; I automatically knew that Paris was my calling! During the summer of my junior year I was on my way to Paris for six whole weeks and I couldn’t have asked for a better summer. While I was in Paris, it didn’t feel real until the day I visited the Eiffel Tower. Being able to be there in person and see the tower for yourself is amazing! At that exact moment, it hit me IM IN PARIS!!!

Everything in Paris is so different; the language barrier was a bit difficult so I would walk around with a translation book to help me understand. The program that I was in was based on Fashion and journalism. Thankfully my classes didn’t consist of sitting in a lecture center for 45 minutes listening to the professor just lecture. My classes were actually hands on. For class we would have to design outfits, model the outfits, take photos of people and places throughout Paris, and visit museums. I loved both my classes because they allowed me to show my creative side. While in Paris taking these two courses I realized that this was what I wanted to do with my life, this is what I enjoyed. So when I returned to campus this semester I changed my psychology major to a minor and decided to focus on journalism and English so that I can prepare myself as a writer. Thanks to my study abroad experience I found my calling in life, I am interested in becoming a Fashion journalist for one of the prestigious fashion magazines in New York.