On a somber night in December 2009, I experienced the culmination of a very tumultuous moment in my life. I was experiencing turmoil within my family, school and relationships with others. My father was terribly ill, my grades were not the best, and I just did not have anyone to turn to. The stress from all these things led to strong suicidal thoughts, which I nearly carried out on that December evening. Right before I took my own life, I thought about my family, friends, and all who had impacted my life. I realized that everything I needed was already here and thus, I didn't go through with it.

Since then, I have prospered from that terrible moment in my life in a myriad of ways. The ethical and moral leadership skills I learned from MJYF helped me become the person I am today - the person whose life could have been changed in an instant. I used the skills I learned in MJYF to become a State Officer for the Georgia Technology Student Association in March 2010. In September 2010, I learned that MJYF nominated me for the Posse Scholarship, a full-tuition, leadership-merit scholarship. After three months and countless hours of intense interviews, I became one of 10 students accepted to Boston University on the scholarship. In September 2011, my leadership skills were called upon again as I competed against six other applicants for the position of vice president of my residence hall association, which represents over 1700 students at Boston University. I won and as VP, I assist in public relations for my dorm and represent my fellow hallmates in BU's student government.

I share this story - my story - to remind myself that patience, perseverance, and leadership will lead anyone to better days regardless of the adversities you may face. I hope the readers of this piece will think and do the same.

According to Posse's website, the concept of a Posse works for both students and college campuses and is rooted in the belief that a small, diverse group of talented students - a Posse - carefully selected and trained, can serve as a catalyst for increased individual and community development.

Below are some quotes from the graduates about their Posse and MJYF experiences:

Montanez Baugh (Maynard Jackson High School): "The Maynard Jackson Youth Foundation  Leadership Academy offered me information, resources, and opportunities that played a vital role in my experience as a Posse Scholar. Every meeting offered tips and pointers that developed wonderful leadership skills that enabled me to step up to the demands required in each Posse interview. I was able to maximize my potential as a leader, be self-motivated and resourceful, and express myself through my actions and writings. I'm proud to say I will be attending Bard College in upstate New York. I intend to major in Biology."     

Makalani Mack (Carver School of the Arts): "So far I've become even more excited to be a Posse scholar. When my family came up from Florida for the holidays, I became overjoyed to see just how much it affects them and how proud they are of me. I will be attending Brandeis University in Waltham, MA, ranked number 31 in the country - it is the top ranked Posse Atlanta school. I am the first [in my family] to go to a school of this caliber. The kind of feedback I've gotten from relatives, friends, teachers and others has impacted and encouraged me to want to go even further. MJYF taught me great interview skills and also leadership - which helped with my Posse process. The Kiwanis Key Leader retreat we attended with MJYF also taught me how to better interact with different groups of people." 

Elmer Moreno (Mays High School): "Posse is a great support program for college. Most senior high school students go through a lonely process when transitioning to college. I will have a support family consisting of the Atlanta Posse Foundation team and eleven other scholars who will be attending Syracuse University in the Fall of 2012. I plan to major in either Engineering or Business Management. The Maynard Jackson Youth Foundation (MJYF) has played an important process in my Posse experience and in my life as well. Posse is a leadership-based scholarship. When going through the recruitment rounds, I used much of the knowledge that MJYF provided me through its diverse and unique leadership sessions. From MJYF, I learned many lessons, but personally one I will never forget is that "leadership is a process, not a position."  

Dominic Stegall (Mays High School): "I will be attending Bard College in Annondale-on-Hudson, New York. I will be studying Economics and Finance. MJYF played a huge role in me being successful with Posse simply because it taught me to interact with others. One of the main characteristics that helped me get Posse was being an outgoing person - MJYF really brought that out in me. With the trip to D.C I learned to really talk and socialize with others. I would simply like to thank Ms. Jemia and Mr. Murray for all their time and giving me the opportunity of becoming an MJYF Scholar." 

Congratulations MJYF Fellows/Posse Scholars on your success!!!