Preaching the values of education
Samantha Patterson
Issue date: 2/17/09 Section: News
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Although this is Whitmore's first Super Sunday, the California State University system and several churches have been participating for the past four years.
The service began with praise, song and dance as attendees clapped and cheered to the sound of gospel music to the beat of drums, bongos and the melody of an organ.
Whitmore stood and sang while contributing to the praise.
The church acknowledged several SJSU faculty members, students and alumni, along with Associated Students President Vosa Cavu-Litman, who were present in the audience.
Youth Pastor Ben Guerrero took the podium and greeted everyone before "The Ambassador of Praise" choir sang. Whitmore took the podium soon after to speak about Super Sunday.
After a warm welcome, Whitmore spoke to the congregation about planning for college. He ensured them that more money in the form of student aid would be available and told them not to be discouraged if they are the first generation, like himself, to attend college.
"The idea of going to college really starts in the fifth or sixth grade," Whitmore said. "I mean, somebody has to have that in their head and then take the right sequence of courses through junior high and high school to be ready to go to college, so we need to have that dialogue early with their parents as well as with the students so they can encourage their young person to come."
"Our youth is our present and they definitely are our future and by showing that we believe in them," said Maria Lopez, an administrator at Maranatha and an SJSU alumna. "It helps them believe in themselves. By bringing the president in, it shows that we have people in higher positions that want to help them out at San Jose State."
Although SJSU's application deadline has closed, Whitmore encouraged students to apply to neighboring CSUs such as Cal State East Bay and Cal State Monterey.
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