By Denise Michele Hicks.
As I look back on the past year, I am filled with a profound sense of hope and achievement. February 19, 2024, marks the one-year anniversary of our bold endeavor to continue making a positive impact by nurturing an environment within our SENG Community where curiosity thrives, tough questions are welcomed, and diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are celebrated without judgment.
I wanted to take this moment to commemorate this milestone with all of you who have been a part of our SENG journey. Throughout the year, I have been deeply moved by the power of conversation and the impact it has had on our community. Your insights, shared from across the globe, have reinforced one of our most important purposes of empowering our SENG youth to recognize their influence on the world around them, even when they may not yet realize it.
Your comments and questions have often led me to reflect on the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. His timeless words and unwavering commitment to peace and equity serve as deep reminders of the transformative power of talk. Like Dr. King, I too have a dream to cast a wider net of support and opportunity and nurture the brilliance that resides within each of us as members.
In my dream, I envision SENG reaching curious minds in classrooms and home schools, particularly where under-represented and under-served gifted students are provided with the tools and resources they need to thrive.
I see pathways to success laid out before members, guiding all towards futures with promise and possibility. Through scholarships, mentorship programs, and enrichment opportunities, our SENG organization will continue to provide the springboard for all to develop and showcase their talents.
This dream is fueled by passion, purpose, and an unwavering belief in the inherent potential of every gifted scholar. Let us continue to create spaces where open dialogue flourishes, where everyone feels heard and valued.
As we embark on another year of growth and impact, I invite you to share your thoughts and ideas on potential SENG projects in the comments below. Together, let's shape a future where every gifted scholar is empowered to make a meaningful difference.
Here's to another year of progress, global impact, and positive change. Thank you for your continued support and dedication. Let's continue to uplift and inspire one another as we strive for excellence and create a brighter future for all gifted scholars.
Sincerely,
Denise Michele Hicks, YSBH, EdS, NGSX, PMP
SENG President Elect
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Denise Michele Hicks is originally from a Blue Star Military Family in Chicago, Illinois. While in Chicago Public Schools, she participated in gifted programming and STEM enrichment services. She is an alumna from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and Northwestern University working to continue her family legacy of service in public science, public education, and public health. As a member of SENG's Board of Directors, she will continue to work with the NAGC STEM Committee, NAGC Javits-Frasier Scholars' Program, and NAGC Dr. Martin Jenkins Scholars’ Program. She is looking forward to working further on STEM Future-Thinking and CSI Impact projects. She has completed her advanced certifications in Gifted and Talented Education at the University of Connecticut at Storrs. Currently, while working on her doctoral studies in STEM Ed Leadership, she serves at Arizona State University in the Center for Bio-mediated, Bio-inspired Geotechnical Engineering Laboratory, ASU ACCESS Educational Program Initiatives and the US Military Academies' Advising Team for Arizona’s Congressional 3rd District.