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For 16-year-old Krissauna Austin, walking down a runway is one of the last things she would envision herself doing. But following the Flawless Young Ladies Conference, the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s TRIO Upward Bound student strutted down the cat walk, wearing a big smile and exuding self-assurance. 

“My inner self gained a lot of confidence after Gina Walker’s class,” said Austin, a sophomore at Madison Senior High School. “I didn’t feel inhibited.” 

Austin and approximately 40 Upward Bound BEM (Belleville, East St. Louis Charter, Madison) and EC (East St. Louis and Cahokia) high school students participated in the Flawless Young Ladies Conference May 2 at the East St. Louis Higher Education Campus. 

The conference included workshops, a featured speaker and a luncheon. Motivational and self-help speakers encouraged the students to be their best possible selves.

“The conference was very eye opening,” said Ashley Allen, an Upward Bound BEM student and sophomore at Madison. “It taught me that college wasn’t going to be easy; there is a lot of stuff you have to let go of to follow your dreams; and to embrace your inner you.”

Gina Walker of East St. Louis, CEO and founder of Inspired Inc., was one of the workshop presenters. In her class, “Removing the Mask” she had participants look at themselves in the mirror.

“I saw things I didn’t like, and some things I did like,” Austin said. “I didn’t like the dark circles under my eyes. I saw a lost girl because of the obstacles in my life right now.

“I liked my cheeks because they’re big and round. And my skin tone suits me perfectly. I liked that I saw I have a bright future ahead of me.” 

Austin added that she had planned to go to college, but now realizes she will have to work hard to make it a reality. She attended “Women’s Survival Kit for College,” taught by Samara Chapple, of the SIUE East St. Louis Center Director’s Office. 

“I can say I want to go to college as many times as I want,” Austin said, “but I have to go through the various steps to get there. Ms. Chapple said when you hit a roadblock, you have to know how to push through and keep going.”

 Chapple has a master’s in sociology from SIUE and a bachelor’s in sociology from Clayton State University in Georgia. A sample of what she shared in her presentation included:

• Utilize support services on campus such as counseling, study groups, tutoring and workshops.
• Create a doable class schedule and go to class!
• Speak in class. Do not be intimidated if you do not know the right answers. It is the process of finding the solution that is important. 

Other presenters at the conference:

• Regina Everett, director, Health Information Management and Compliance, Affinia Healthcare
• Devon Moody Graham, consultant and entrepreneur
• Dr. Nicole Gugliucci, astronomer and SIUE postdoctoral fellow
• Anetrise Jones, CEO, Growing Scholars/STEAM Elite Scholars Academy
• Gina Washington, director, SIUE East St. Louis Charter High School
• Ann  Brown, youth development consultant
• Regina Everett Mary Kay consultant
• Regina Farrell, facilities manager, Purina 

Tawana Watson, Toastmaster International Club, Veteran’s Administration, was the keynote speaker. She spoke about “How I Overcame Depression.” 

“It was easy to connect with the presenters, because they talked about how they struggled,” Allen said. “Ms. Watson has been through a lot and has overcome poverty, too. She said how she did it for her child, and as her child grew up, she grew up into a better person. It let me know that if she did all that, I can overcome, too.” 

Gloria Banks, Upward Bound counselor, spearheaded the Flawless conference. “I thought it was needed to allow girls to focus on issues pertinent to them and network with professional women who could be future mentors or employers.” 

Working with Banks were also Upward Bound staff members: Janell Smart, counselor; and Pam Morton and Kraig, both teachers. 

Upward Bound helps youth prepare for higher education. Participants receive instruction in literature, composition, mathematics, and science on college campuses after school, on Saturdays and during the summer. Upward Bound is committed to developing a program which will excite, motivate and prepare high school students from the program’s target areas. The quality services provided will prepare the students for successful high school completion and entrance into post-secondary programs. It is designed to serve low-income and/or potential first-generation college students.

Photo:

Krissauna Austin (left) and Ashley Allen