SAT Prep Books are now available in room 4, in the Tutoring classroom.
by Scott Bruskin 
photo by Manny Perez

    It’s never too late, or too early to get prepared for the SAT; however, the earlier the better when it comes to studying for this monumental test.

    SAT prep books are now being offered in the tutoring room (room 4) free of charge. This book can be very helpful for students who plan on doing well on this year’s test. “Better scores lead to better choices; the better scores you get, the more opportunities that you are going to have for college,” stated Counselor Sharon Stone.

    In addition to the prep book, handouts and packets about preparing for the test are also available for free. Students are always welcome and invited to come down to the tutoring center in room 4 for help on anything, SAT related or not. “Students are as welcome to be here as oxygen in the air,” said Tutor Wauneta Vann.  "Our purpose is to be here for students, that is why we are open from 7:00-4:00 Monday-Friday.”

    Since its inception in 1980, CABPPES has devoted itself to solving that problem. One of the main solutions CABPES has pioneered is exposure. CABPES exposes its students to a variety of rudimentary concepts and principles that are related to engineering. A student who chooses to enroll, after hearing about and attending the opening meeting in late August, in the CABPES program has the opportunity to choose from a variety of classes, such as software design, civil engineering, aeronautical engineering, and electrical engineering. The CABPES “school year” begins with a potluck in September and ends with a banquet and bridge competition in May.  The classes take place nearly every Tuesday, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The classes are taught by advisors, or qualified engineers who volunteer their time to teach the students. This school year, CABPES has approximately 100 students enrolled in one of its many programs, and also has 45 registered volunteers.

    Although learning the fundamentals of engineering is an important and crucial step in solving the previously stated problem, exposure isn’t the only thing CABPES has to offer its students. CABPES provides students from all over the Denver-Metro area with the opportunity to apply for scholarships when they are seniors, free SAT and ACT preparation, and math and science tutoring. “CABPES is definitely a place that offers youth a lot of opportunities,” remarked Melodie Brooks, the software design advisor. “I feel as if the organization is ensuring the education and future of youth. It provides high school and middle school students of African American ancestry, and really all other minorities, with a rare opportunity to familiarize themselves with engineering. “

    Some of the other opportunities CABPES offers youth include chances to network with engineers and other youth, and scholarships for students upon graduation from the program.

    “Each year we give the students some scholarship money for college. The amount that they (the seniors) receive is dependant upon the budget; so it varies from year to year,” said Brooks.

    CABPES is a program that is geared towards African American youth and other cultural youth groups who are under-represented in the field of engineering. Even though the program’s main constituents are people of color, anyone can enroll in the program and attend the classes.

    On a broader and larger spectrum, CABPES is a program that demonstrates and epitomizes the true concept of being role models. The program, and more specifically the advisors, encourage and inspire the students to create programs that are similar to CABPES, in their own fields of interest. As Dewy Brigham Jr., the current president of CABPES said, “CABPES is a legacy that will help students to create their own.”