Fall 2020 November The TRiO Newsletter A Monthly Newsletter Update on the TRiO Programs of Pitt Community College “So much has been given to me I have not time to ponder over that which has been denied.” -Helen Keller In this issue >>> TRiO Talks with Portia Bright-Pittman Many people spend their whole She believed this was what she was TRiO Talks with Portia Bright-Pittman……..1-2 feels threatened even when you lives attempting to find their meant to do—and it did not involve don’t feel like what you’re doing is purpose in life—that one thing blood; however, Pittman says God threatening anybody.” TRiO Talks: Gratitutde Challenge…………….2 they feel they were created to had other plans for her. She says people should push do…the special ability that will inspire and assist others. Former through adversity. “I’ve faced so Thankful Thoughts…….…………..…………...2 Discovering Destiny many hardships that could have PCC TRiO student and published She soon began volunteering with knocked me down, but I kept author, Portia Bright-Pittman election campaigns, encouraging Student of the Month…………………………..2 believes she has found that pushing forward.” the community members to purpose in the area of politics. exercise their right to vote. Her She says that people should defining moment came when she Meet the Staff………………………………….. 3 continue to strive for their goals was working as a campaign even through adversity. “Someone Bulldog Days manager for a candidate for the Staff Spotlight……………………………………3 might be slamming a door in your Pittman started at PCC right after North Carolina House. An elected face, but trust and believe, if you’re high school with goals of official tried to challenge her meant to be there, a window is WOW: Interview with Kim Moody……………..3 becoming a medical assistant. efforts of getting people to vote. going to open, another door is Although she completed the Although she felt threatened at first, going to appear and you’re going to certification process, she soon she soon realized that if an elected Virtual Campus Life……………………………..4 be able to have access to that room- realized it was not her calling official felt the need to challenge and you’re going to have a position when she saw that she could not her, then she had to be doing at the table.” The Ruby Letter …………..…………………….4 stand the sight of blood. She something right. It was at that returned later to PCC to pursue a moment she realized that she had a This is not to say that Pittman career in substance abuse purpose in politics. Upcoming TRiO Events………………………...4 believes in passively waiting for counseling. After witnessing so doors to open. She says that it is many people from her community Pushing Through Adversity Virtual Suggestion Box………………………….4 suffer from substance abuse, she not enough to just show up, but you Pittman believes, “When you are wanted to reach out by talking operating in your gift, there is Continued on page 2… them through their situations. always going to be someone who Editor’s Note Thank you for taking the time to read our monthly newsletter. We’ve made a few changes this semester including some new features to highlight our TRiO students. In this “new world” that we live in, we want to provide an outlet for students to be educated, enlightenend and empowered so they can educate, enlighten and empower others. With that said, we have a page dedicated to our students. This section will feature TRiO Talks--a discussion forum for students to discuss their opinions on various topics, the Student of the Month and TRiO’s Lit, where students can publish their literary work or share what has inspired them. Thank you for your support! We hope you enjoy reading it just as much as we have enjoyed creating it! 1 -Amy L Staton Amy L. Staton can be reached at [email protected] TRiO Talks with Portia Bright-Pittman, cont. have to take the necessary steps City Council member, Dr. Pittman knows first- TRiO Talks to get the desired outcome. Calvin Mercer. hand the impact of having a mentor and The Balancing Act Pittman says the idea was being a mentor. “If Besides working for the state planted when she would see you don’t have anyone You can be featured in the next issue of The government, Mrs. Bright children coming in to visit pouring wisdom into Pittman wears several other the North Carolina State you, you really don’t TRiO Newsletter—Here’s how: hats including radio talk show Legislative Building where have anything to pour In our opening quote by Helen Keller, the host and published author. She she currently works in awe out into anyone else.” legendary educator expresses gratitude for all that has even started her own of the artifacts tied with a she has—even though she was born deaf, blind pushlishing company, Bright hunger to know more. and mute. Her powerful statement of not having Books. With children being -Amy L. Staton exposed to constant bad [email protected] time to “ponder over that which has been denied” She gives credit to the late Jim news like school shootings, speaks volumes about her character. Rouse, owner of the iconic she had to give them Greenville radio station and something to help them We are living in some of the most difficult one of the first African- learn how the process of circumstances in modern history--pandemic, racial American owned radio stations lawmaking works. “By injustice, political unrest—just to name a few. in Pitt County, WOOW 1340 knowing how the process Let’s take a moment to focus on what has been AM. “He gave me an actually works, they are given to us as opposed to dwelling on what has opportunity and he showed me better able to advocate for the ropes…” Pittman now themselves.” been denied. hosts her very own radio talk show, The Press Release, Personal Inspiration We bring to you…The Gratitude Challenge. In where she uses her gifts of Pittman says her older the link below, let us know what you are grateful information and connections to brother, James, is her for. You may share a sentence or two… you may relay important information to biggest inspiration. Even Portia Bright-Pittman write a poem… a short essay.. or even pictures of the community. after enduring incarceration family and friends. Lets flood the next newsletter for 18 years for a crime he with gratitude! Bright Pittman has recently did not commit, he still given birth to her very first found the time and Please submit your responses here: children’s book, There Ought compassion to instill core to Be a Law, which she co- values of self-respect in his Gratitude Challenge Submission authors with former Greenville little sister as well as encourage her to strive for her goals—no matter what. Thankful Thoughts Student of the Month Gratitude Quotes and Thoughts of Thankfulness from TRiO Staff Laura Hutchinson Kim Waters By Tamedra Edwards, TRiO SSS Tutor “Gratitude turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, A Few of My Favorite Things… chaos into order, confusion into clarity...it Career Goals: Medical Billing and makes sense of our past, brings peace for Coding today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.” Food- Michaelangelo’s Pizza Favorite Hobbies: landscaping, build and -Melody Beattie Music Genre- heavy metal, classic furnish miniature doll houses Vanessa Pippen rock “You don’t have to wait for a greater life to be Advice for her peers: “Make a goal, make grateful. Be grateful and you’ll have a greater a time frame for your goal. Start little and Movie- The Green Mile (1999), The life.” then work towards the goal. I did not do -Jim Kwik well in high school. It had been thirty years Pursuit of Happiness (2006) before I started here at Pitt Community Actor/Actress- Sean Connery, Julia College. In three days after starting, I made Kimberly Moody it my goal to belong to Phi Theta Kappa Roberts, Angelina Jolie "A Grateful heart is a magnet for miracles" and this semester I hit my goal plus a few unexpected ones that came along. Never Quote- “A woman is like a tea bag- I am thankful for my family, friends, home, take your eye off your goal. Stay in constant food, education, safety, faith, love, freedom, contact with your instructor, especially now you can’t tell how strong she is until health, employment. since we can’t see them face-to face during you put her in hot water”- Eleanor the pandemic. Ask for help if you need it. I have found that every person I have come Roosevelt in contact with at PCC only want to help you succeed, they are very supportive and I will never leave home without friendly. my… Phone and Debit Card 2 Meet the TRiO Staff Director of TRiO Programs Mr. Travis Kinsey Student Support Services Educational Opportunity Centers Ms. Kim Waters, TRiO Counselor Ms. Vanessa Pippen, EOC Coordinator Ms. Amy L. Staton, Tutor Coordinator/Academic Specialist Ms. Kimberly Moody, Outreach Specialist (Pitt Co.) Ms. Christine Humphrey, Administrative Assisitant/Data Specialist Ms. Sandra Saunders-Smith, Outreach Specialist (Edgecombe Co.) Ms. Tamedra Edwards, Academic Tutor Ms. Ashlie Lilley, Outreach Specialist (Martin Co.) Jaimyn Gaskins, Administrative Assistant/Data Specialist Staff Spotlight: Mrs. Kim Moody Mrs. Moody is a TRiO Educational Opportunity Center Outreach Specialist for Pitt Community College. Her duties as an outreach specialist involves community outreach to individuals who wish to obtain a post-secondary education.