I graduated from Long Beach High School in 1980. To be honest, I didn’t like it.  I loved learning but I didn’t like the teachers and the administrators. There were a select few who I admired but that were not the majority.

With no financial help, I worked my way through college and graduate school and landed a job at a large public relations firm.  I wanted to own my own public relations firm. I set my mind to accomplishing the task at hand and I did.

There were so many obstacles that came my way. But I had a focus.  I was determined to do something with my life and have a promising career.

I wished I had support and help from my High School teachers and guidance counselors.  If anything they discouraged me more than encouraged me.

That is why I decided to form the HJMT scholarship for someone who wants to go into the public relations field that graduated from Long Beach High School.

The other night at academic awards night at the High School, I went and presented the scholarship. It felt so good to see the student and meet her.  Of course, I invited her to be on my Blogtalk radio show. I also gave her a copy of a book I wrote about social media.

“Please stay in touch,” I told her, “I know you don’t know me but I may be able to help you in the future.”  She said she would.  I hope she does.

I told the guidance counselors that night that I will be increasing the scholarship amount but wanted to be able to participate in the judging process.

So, we’ll see what happens next year. I may just have a YouTube video contest. Now wouldn’t that be interesting?