Young Voices Rising

We welcome two powerful student voices for day two of the Takisha A. Davis Scholarship Stipend essay reading and hear how they turn family, faith, and discipline into real college plans. We also share ways to support HBCU-bound scholars through voting, donations, and the upcoming South Texas HBCU Summer Send-Off. 
• day two format for the scholarship essay reading and why the competition feels tough 
• South Texas HBCU Summer Send-Off details in San Antonio and what support students need 
• Common Black College Application overview and why it helps students apply to multiple HBCUs 
• Gregorio Armand’s essay on pushing forward through hard work, creativity, and relationships 
• cybersecurity motivation rooted in protecting people after seeing a family hack 
• choosing St. Philip’s College as an HBCU option close to home and financially practical 
• Mariell Curb’s essay on breaking generational cycles through education and mechanical engineering 
• Tuskegee preparation through internships and a summer bridge program for engineering students 
• leaving a mark on campus through clubs, mentoring, leadership, and showing up 
• why each contestant believes they deserve your vote 
Please remember to vote, and if you have already voted or have tried to vote, the voting link is actually not active right now, but on Sunday or Monday, it will be back up. If you are interested in being a vendor or interested in supporting our scholars, use that link up to the top of the screen, or just send me a DM and I will gladly tell you how you can support. 

Transcript

Day Two Welcome And Voting Plan

SPEAKER_10 0:00

Yeah, yeah, step up. Oh, let's go fans on the end of the story. Here's start with your favorite. Stick into the future on your screen.

Monique Robinson 0:55

Welcome, welcome, welcome to day two, guys. Day two of our Takisha A. Davis Scholarship Stipend essay. Now, this year is kind of different than our previous years because I have no clue. Like they're all so good, but y'all know me. I can't judge, but maybe one year they'll let me. Now, if you haven't been watching, we have been hosting young people from pretty much everywhere this year. Uh, yesterday you noticed we have some young people from California, from Chicago. I even think it was one from Florida, but I maybe that's coming up soon. But before we get our young people on, I have to let you know that in a couple weeks here in San Antonio, pray I hit the right button.

HBCU Send-Off Event And Donations

Monique Robinson 1:48

In San Antonio, we will be hosting our annual South Texas HBCU summer send-off. It will be June 27, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Davis Scott Family YMCA. Now, um we do need donations, resources, and anything that you wish to celebrate our young people here in San Antonio. But if you can't make it and you are not in San Antonio, if you look above my head to the top of the screen, that's actually a QR code that is connected to our Givlify, and we will gladly, gladly, gladly accept your donations because we got to get our young people, you know, prepare them right. So after our first commercial, I will bring on two more of our lovely um contestants. And this year they are leaving no crumbs. I guess I'm trying to talk like the young people. But you guys, please remember to vote. And if you have already voted or have tried to vote, the voting link is actually not active right now, but on Sunday or Monday, it will be back up because we wanted to make sure that we included everyone, everyone who is currently in the competition, and we won't begin cutting individuals or deleting people from the competition until everyone's essay is read. So after this commercial, you will meet our next two contestants in the Takisha A. Davis Scholarship Stipend.

Why The Voting Link Is Paused

SPEAKER_03 3:39

Are you interested in attending an historically black college or university? Hello. My name is Robert Mason. I'm president and founder of the Common Black College Application. Our application allows students to apply to over 50 historically black colleges and universities at the same time for only $20. HBCU graduates have been some of the most renowned individuals in their respective fields since 1100. In addition to that, our faculty and staff are truly committed to your success and they have the vested interest in seeing that you do. That coupled with the academic rigor and the fact that you would establish lifelong relationships are just some of the many benefits of your attending and historically black college university. So if you're interested in completing the Common Black College app, visit our website, the CommonBlack College App.com to apply now. Thank you and get educated.

Monique Robinson 4:37

Welcome back. Welcome back. Now, um, I told you guys when I came back I was gonna have two guests with me. So who do I have to grace me with their presence today?

SPEAKER_04 4:50

Hi, my name is Gregoria Armand. I'm going to the school where your future starts here, St. Phillips

Common Black College Application Ad

SPEAKER_04 4:56

College in San Antonio, Texas.

Monique Robinson 4:58

Awesome, awesome. In my backyard. That's what I like. All right, Miss Uh, who's this lovely young lady that we have today?

SPEAKER_07 5:09

Hello, my name is Mario Curb. I graduate from Little Method Science Academy, and I plan on going to Tuskegee University, and I just last one. Oh, I'm from Chicago, Illinois.

Monique Robinson 5:25

Awesome, awesome. Now, guys, I have our young people, and I try to step back when they get to reading their essay. So um, I don't know who is gonna go first, but this is how this is gonna go. Uh, whoever decides to go first will read their essay and they will have a dialogue, and then the next person will go. And I have to remove myself from the screen because this is their moment to shine. So good luck, guys, on your essay, and good luck on your feedback questions to each other. And after that completes, I will return. Good luck. Thank you.

SPEAKER_04 6:07

Hi, my name is Gregoria Arman. I'm an 18-year-old senior at Samuel Clemens High School in Shirts, Texas. I was raised in a household where accountability and responsibility and perseverance were practiced daily. As one of three children, I learned early that effort and discipline are necessary to stand out and accomplish my goals. My parents emphasized business ownership, preparation for unexpected challenges, and the importance to making a strong first impression. These values have shaped both my character and ambitions. I plan on studying cybersecurity at an HBCU named St. Philip's College in the fall of 2026. As an HBCU scholar, I plan to rise and push forward even when the finish line shifts by working hard, being creative, and building professional relationships. The first way I plan to push forward when the finish line shifts is by working hard. I've already had an experience of the finish line shifting a couple years ago. During the spring semester of my sophomore year, I was informed that cybersecurity program in my school would no longer be available. I enjoyed all these classes and planned to graduate with one of my endorsements being in cybersecurity. All of my cybersecurity classes instantly became an elective, but I didn't have time to pout nor get upset. I decided to enroll in the audiovisual class and join our Clemens Broadcasting Network. I quickly became a leader in the program and host our broadcasts. My videos were broadcasted throughout the school as I interviewed students and organizations, leaders and athletes, student council members, and the robotics team. I worked hard and became a very familiar face around the campus. There is a saying that hard work beats talent when talent refuses to work hard. Despite losing my cybersecurity endorsement, I worked hard to successfully accomplish something different. I am still going to major in cybersecurity at St. Philip's College. The second way I plan to push forward when the finish line shifts is by being creative. I grew up with parents that always spoke about becoming entrepreneurs. My oldest sister, Anaya, sells crochet items on Etsy. My other sister, Kenya, has led her baking business since she was 13 years old. I started a power washing business and a clothing design business during my junior year in high school. I always had to be creative in the way I name and advertise my business and how I present the designs on the clothes that I sell. The CBN broadcast that I lead and participating in the school band since I was 12 years old allow me to express my creativity. The four-year cybersecurity program at St. Philip's College is new, so I am prepared to continue being creative by taking

Meet Today’s Scholarship Contestants

SPEAKER_04 9:12

additional classes that supplement what I learned. So I may earn an internship or job that I like. The last way I plan to push forward when the finish line shifts is by building strong relationships. I believe in the famous quote that it's not about what you know, it's about who you know. I belong to a mentoring group called the Alpha Gents Mentoring Program. Through the mentoring group, I've met many San Antonio leaders that provide wonderful opportunities for young people. Through the program, I've met one of my future cybersecurity instructors at St. Philip's College, Mr. Jeremiah Owat, who has encouraged me by sharing the benefits available within the career field. Cybersecurity is a very diverse profession, so I plan to meet different gatekeepers and leverage those relationships to gain skills that I can use throughout my career. As I complete my final year of high school, I'm very excited about what my future has in store. Through hard work, creativity, and building professional relationships, I look forward to taking full advantage of my HBCU experience. Thank you.

SPEAKER_07 10:31

Okay, some questions I had were what are some jobs that you're looking for in cybersecurity?

SPEAKER_04 10:39

In cybersecurity, I plan on being uh I plan on protecting many many different uh security systems. There's many jobs in cybersecurity, especially living in the San Antonio area. So I plan on protecting, especially one reason why I plan on protecting is uh a couple

Gregoria’s Essay On Pushing Forward

SPEAKER_04 10:57

of years ago, my parents got hacked, and seeing them in a vulnerable uh situation was not a good experience for me. So being able to protect those who can't protect themselves, especially with social media and uh the internet robots, everything growing in this in this field, cybersecurity is a great way to protect people that can't protect themselves. That's one thing that I wanted to do.

SPEAKER_07 11:23

What made you choose St. Phillips specifically?

SPEAKER_04 11:28

St. Phillips is a great HBCU in my San Antonio area. And one reason why I wanted to be in the San Antonio area is because um to not be much of a financial burden on my parents, because you know how much college can be expensive nowadays, especially it's going up and up each year. And another reason why I chose St. Philips is because it's an HBCU. I I would I love being around like-minded people that think like me, that look like me, that share the same focus as me. Being able to be a part of a community that can set change, especially at an HBCU like St. Philips, is something that I would love to enjoy. Being taught by professors that look like me and share and know the type of experience that I'm going for, that's another reason why I uh chose St. Philips. And the last reason is being able to get a degree from a college that not only is just giving me a piece of paper, but that built me and is the same community that helped raise me is a reason why I chose St. Philip's.

SPEAKER_07 12:33

And what are some other ways that your siblings have inspired you?

SPEAKER_04 12:38

Being the youngest of three, I've looked up to my siblings since I always came out the room. Both of my sisters are very uh very smart. Uh they they're very like-minded. They're they they show black excellence at its finest. So trying to less about compete with them, but trying to be just like them or even surpass them one day, who knows? I want them to succeed, and I'm very, I'm very thankful that I have two sisters that uh that helped me grow. And I I'm very, I'm very thankful for them. So I look up to both of my sisters, and they have helped me tremendously throughout my throughout my growing up and th through all the growing up I still have to do.

SPEAKER_07 13:47

Um, that's all the questions I had. And I'm breaking generational cycles through education. I was brought up in a single-parent household as the youngest girl with two older siblings. Every day at 3 a.m., the alarm echoed throughout the house. It was time for my mom to go to work. Driving the city buses was not the law she dreamt of, but in order to provide for our family, she succumbed to her situation. She was titled that she even then, she could never rest as she still had to take her kids to school a few hours later. Witnessing this as young as I was, I knew this wasn't the life I wanted for myself. My mother instilled community, the golden rule, and the power of education with their mother's venue. To me, success is an endless cycle of learning about myself as well as the world around me, and using that knowledge to do better. As someone who wants to do many things in their life, using education, connections, and knowledge of mechanical engineer as a goal to not only do better in my life, but lift the burden off my mother as she gets old with age, as well as better my community. I know I've obtained success when I am fulfilled not only career-wise, but relationship-wise as well, whether that be between my family or within my community. My long-term goal is to be in a better position than my mom was in. As broad as this goal was, as this goal is, I made little goals based on the career I've chosen to pursue, mechanical engineering. Knowing this type of field I want to pursue to make all my goals happen, I would need college as a foundation. Having this opportunity doesn't make me want to be just a mechanical engineer, though. I want to be one so good it takes three people to replace me. I want to be able to help others with these designs, whether that be 3D printing prosthetic limbs or trying to find new ways to conserve energy. I look forward to being a nice respect for my skill set, known for always giving up my all and being very professional in every pursuit. I will be a forever learner, always gaining knowledge to increase myself and passing the knowledge down to others. Community-wise, I want to uplift them by being a positive role model, good rep, good representative, and reminder that they want these spaces and that it is possible to be in this position one day. I hope to be able to provide an internship that not only increases their exposure to engineering, but teaches them that any profession ties to improving the community to is a profession worth pursuing. I not only want to help future generations, but my mother as well. I know she won't stay healthy forever. Me knowing this education guarantees me that she will be living comfortably, finally being able to relax after years of dealing with the public while simultaneously being a mother. Having this opportunity to go to college means having that foundation to fuel my passion for learning. This opportunity will allow me to make something of myself so I can not only grow academically, but personally and professionally. To fulfill my goal of being a mechanical engineer and later go back to my community with the knowledge I acquired to help them prosper. All my goals seem less like a dream with this opportunity like this as my foundation. Thank you.

SPEAKER_04 17:24

Yes, ma'am, you did a great job. So my first question for you is what things are you doing now that is preparing you for to ski?

SPEAKER_07 17:39

So during my senior year, I was in an internship called West Monroe, and it was actually a partnership with this other program called Genesis Works where you do you do a summer internship, and they if you do well enough you go into the school years. So basically did kind of like cybersecurity, like I changed different websites, like I changed different um passwords throughout the buildings that Westbrook has throughout upkeep with the conference rooms around the office, and I am currently at Tuskegee University right now doing a summer bridge summer bridge program called the Batch Program for engineering students.

SPEAKER_04 18:41

Yes, ma'am.

SPEAKER_09 18:42

And the second question I have for you is why did you choose an HBCU?

SPEAKER_07 18:55

I'm sorry, can you repeat that?

SPEAKER_04 18:57

Oh, I'm sorry. The second question I have for you is why did you choose an HBCU Okay, so I chose Tatiki University because honestly, I was just I've always been in around people that have been in HBCUs.

SPEAKER_07 19:19

My family has been in a lot of HBCUs like Grambling and it's just like Grambling Morehouse, and it's just always been in me. And I was in between MCAT and Tuskegee for the longest time, but I think why I chose Tuskegee specifically was the way that everybody was so homey, and it just felt like this would be a place that I can not only prosper socially but academically as well.

SPEAKER_05 19:53

Yes, ma'am.

SPEAKER_04 19:54

And my last question is if you had one thing to thank your mom for, what would that be?

SPEAKER_07 20:07

I would thank her for her always not being able to take no. She is a very persistent person and I love her for that. She has always done her best to make sure that I have everything that I need. And even though that this situation has made me like uh really money conscious, she always just takes the extra mile to make sure that I don't need to be that way, and that she from to up until this point and onwards.

SPEAKER_00 20:51

What if your greatest breakthrough was on the other side of your story?

Gregoria On Cybersecurity Goals

SPEAKER_00 20:55

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Monique Robinson 22:00

Television. Um, but however, we are, I had to make sure my volume was on. We are in the middle, day two of our essay reading, and these two did a fabulous job. I kind of watched in the bed. I was cheering y'all on silently, but you know, you probably didn't hear me, but I was cheering. So um, my question, because I always have questions. My question, you know, you can answer in any order that uh you may feel is needed. Uh, how do you plan on leaving a mark on your HBCU once you get there?

SPEAKER_05 22:34

Yes, ma'am. I'll take this question first.

SPEAKER_04 22:37

All right. See, an HBCU is very hard. There's a lot of people that look like you, but one way that I will leave my mark is just by being by being there. A lot of the times people don't people go to college, but they don't really get the full college experience. And when I say college experience, I say they don't go after the different organizations.

Mario’s Essay On Breaking Cycles

SPEAKER_04 23:02

They can um they can join the different groups, the different clubs. That's one thing I want to do. Um, I want to join everything I possibly can. I want to support, I want to lead. Uh, I want to be a part of campus life. I want to mentor, I want to be a part of student organizations. Um, right now I'm actually working on my uh I'm working on my videography career. So I want to I want to go around, I want to go around, take videos, talk about student life, highlight student life, student what students go through. Uh I just want to I want to create when I think about colleagues, when I think about going to HBCU, I think about creating a legacy, not just um, not just going and being somebody in the backgrounds. I want to go over there and I want to elevate the school, I want to elevate the community, and I want to elevate the people around me.

SPEAKER_07 23:51

Okay.

Monique Robinson 23:52

That's that's wonderful.

SPEAKER_07 23:58

And for me, I would also join uh different organizations. Like I know my school has a Rocket Club and Nestie, but I also plan on doing other like social clubs, and there's a lot of life on this campus, so I just plan on just talking to everybody that I see and just being part ambassadors to make sure that my faces is out there and that people know that I am here.

Monique Robinson 24:30

Awesome. Awesome. Well, I I truly, truly enjoyed you both today and reading your essays. Um, my last question before we get out of here today is why should someone vote for you?

SPEAKER_04 24:45

Um I would say vote for me. Um, in my area, uh somebody has been telling me that nobody in San Antonio has ever won this scholarship before. That would be a first. I would love to be the first to represent my city. Um voting for me is it's just voting for a person that doesn't take no for an answer. And uh everything I do is really community driven. The way I was raised was is is around people that look like me, people that share the same experience as me. Um just I promise if you go outside one day you'll see me, one day maybe not, but you will see me in the streets making sure my community's where it's supposed to be. So that's one reason, and there's a lot of reasons, but that's the main reason why you should vote for me.

Monique Robinson 25:37

Awesome, awesome.

SPEAKER_07 25:45

And you should vote for me though because uh I because I'm standing on anything that I will do. I if I start

Mario On Tuskegee And Her Mom

SPEAKER_07 26:03

something, I do plan to finish it. Like my as I said, I do plan to give it all on anything that I do. So I I feel like if you and I excel, I um if I feel like if you really just want a person that's sure of what they're gonna do and uh sure of what path they choose, because I do plan on continuing my path on interim and continuing and on seeing my path through. Yeah, that's that's it.

Monique Robinson 26:49

Awesome, awesome. Well, thank you because you you having a tough time. You are it look like you are in the dorm. You in the dorm already? You in Tuskegee dorm already? I think she's in the dorm. So guys, I really thank um thank both of you all for coming on. Yes, ma'am. You're in the dorm, that's what I thought. I'm like, she gotta be in the dorm. It's rough in them college dorms. The the Wi-Fi don't always Wi-Fi, so I get it. But thank you for coming on and persevering through it all. Uh, thank you, Mr. Gregorio, for coming on and read your essay. You both did a wonderful, wonderful job. And guys, the link will be back open on no later than Monday, but I'll let you know when you can tell your family and friends that they can vote for you. And thank you for coming, as always. So it's been fun, but we gotta run. Don't forget our send off if you are in the San Antonio. Wait a minute, let me ask this question before we go. You register, sir.

SPEAKER_05 27:53

Yes, ma'am.

Monique Robinson 27:54

Okay, and I must have you don't forget you're not registered for the party.

How They’ll Leave A Campus Mark

SPEAKER_04 27:58

You know, you will see me. You will see me there, yes, ma'am.

Monique Robinson 28:01

You gotta have your table decked out too.

SPEAKER_04 28:03

Yes, ma'am. Yes, ma'am.

Monique Robinson 28:06

We do have that on the 27th. You are interested in being a vendor or interested in supporting our scholars, use that link up to the top of the screen, or just send me a DM and I will gladly tell you how you can support. So thank you guys for coming on. This competition is hard because these young people are bringing it. Thank God I'm not a judge. But till next time, we will see you, and I wish YouTube much success throughout this competition.

SPEAKER_05 28:35

Yes, ma'am, thank you.

SPEAKER_01 28:40

For inspiration, motivation, and the good news of Jesus Christ. Look no further. The Daily Gospel Network has what you need. With more than 300 ministries from all over the country broadcasting every week,

Why You Should Vote For Them

SPEAKER_01 28:52

you're sure to get your dose of spirit-filled encouragement from the great programs on the Daily Gospel Network. Catch the Daily Gospel Network on Roku, Amazon Fire, Apple TV, all local devices, and the internet.

Monique Robinson 29:05

Tune in to a better chance for youth television show with host Monique Robinson on the Daily Gospel Network. A television show dedicated to highlighting incredible students on work that change the world. Join us every week as we uplift the youth and help them on their journey to what you could earn. At the Better Chance for Youth Television Show with host Monique Robinson on the daily box. Monique Robinson. The television show where we highlight incredible students in their quest to change the world. Join us each and every week as we uplift our youth and help them on their journey to the bright future they deserve. So until next time, God bless. From your friends on a Better Chance for Youth

Send-Off Reminder And Final Sign-Off

Monique Robinson 29:58

Television show with your host Monique Robinson.