THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, June 30, 1994 TAG: 9406280126
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 16 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JON GLASS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: 940630 LENGTH: NORFOLK
It took her seven years to finish, but Coppage, 37, last December earned a degree in social work from Norfolk State University.
{REST} Now the Roberts Village public housing resident is working part-time with troubled teens and the homeless. She soon hopes to become financially self sufficient.
Coppage's success story was one of many celebrated during a festive banquet last Saturday at Norfolk State, held to honor 60 public housing students who graduated from high school this year and others who have gone on to college.
The Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority and the Norfolk Resident Organization sponsored the third annual event, two hours of music, food and inspiration.
Despite seemingly insurmountable obstacles, youth who live in public housing can succeed if they set their minds to it, Coppage, who emceed the banquet, and other speakers said.
``If you keep a positive mind and stay strong, I know you'll meet your goals,'' Coppage said. She noted that she had ``done every menial job, from cleaning toilets to waiting on tables'' in her long struggle for a college education.
A video featuring the class of '94 grads offered this message: ``Success is measured not so much by what you achieve but by the obstacles you overcome.''
That theme was echoed by Nina Robinson, Miss Hampton Roads and an NSU graduate. She grew up in what is now the Calvert Square housing project and works as the infection control supervisor at Norfolk Community Hospital.
``See yourself as a survivor, not a victim of circumstance,'' Robinson said. ``You have to dispel all of the stereotypes that are said about people in the projects - you're just like anyone else.
``Because of your accomplishment,'' she added, ``you are a source of pride and inspiration for your peers, your friends and family and the community.''
``Despite the perception that there is not a significant number of graduates who live in public housing, we do have a large number who graduate every year,'' said Charles Peek, president of the Norfolk Resident Organization. ``It's increasing each year, and the students are doing more than just getting by.''
Records compiled the past three years by Norfolk Public Schools on public housing residents show slight improvements.
Statistics for the class of '93, the latest available, revealed that the percentage of public housing students graduating is up over the past two years and the dropout rate down.
Slightly more than one-third of the 92 students who graduated maintained a C grade average.
Excluding transfers, that equated to 13 percent of the 357 public housing youngsters who entered ninth grade in fall 1989 and should have graduated this spring. That was an increase from 10 percent in 1991.
Still, more than a third of the total - 34.7 percent - dropped out. And 63 percent of those who earned diplomas had D averages.
The Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority, the Norfolk Resident Organization and the Norfolk Council of PTAs awarded $9,700 in scholarships to students from public housing - seven who graduated high school this year and seven now in college. The recipients:
Ebony T. Sorrell, Young Terrace, $1,000. Plans to major in accounting at Norfolk State University.
Lanetta A. Gordon, Bowling Green, $500. Plans to study physical therapy at Old Dominion University.
Ishmael D. Campbell, North Wellington, $1,500. Plans to study electrical engineering at Old Dominion University.
Tammie T. Greenidge, Diggs Town, $200. Plans to study fashion design at Johnson and Wales University.
Marvette L. Austin, Grandy Village, $1,000. Will attend Christopher Newport University and plans to become a psychiatrist.
Rosita D. Burrus, Tidewater Gardens, $1,500. Plans to study pre-law and accounting at Old Dominion University.
Nicole S. Norman, Tidewater Gardens, $500. Plans to study business at NSU.
Lanelle E. Walcott, $500, a biology major at NSU.
Kimberly A. Peterson, $500, studying criminal justice at ODU.
Sirena D. Lee, $500, a chemical engineering student at Virginia Tech.
Peggy J. Johnson, $500, enrolled in interdisciplinary studies at ODU.
Travonnia D. Stuart, $500, studying criminal justice at ODU.
Danielle C. Roberson, $500, studying at ODU to become an obstetrician.
Sharon A. Flowers, $500, studying at NSU to become an obstetrician. by CNB