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Social Security speech earns BPC music student D.C. trip

By Terry Gaston
BPC Public Relations

If Theresa Beverly was not busy enough as a music major at Brewton-Parker College, the junior from Griffin sacrificed her Thanksgiving break to research and write a 10-page speech on Social Security -- one not required for any of her classes.

Brewton-Parker College junior Theresa Beverly (center) of Griffin visits with political science professors Dr. Sid Johnson (left) and Dr. Stan Watson following her presentation of a speech Dec. 2 that won her the honor of representing Brewton-Parker at the Inside Washington '05 seminar for college students in Washington, D.C., for five days during presidential inauguration festivities in January.

The result, however, is one Beverly is not likely to soon forget.

Beverly won a competition for Brewton-Parker students that allows the winner to spend five days in Washington, D.C., during presidential inauguration week festivities in January.

The Inside Washington '05 seminar for college students is conducted by the Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars. The program involves lectures provided by highly respected professors, tours of capital landmarks, site visits to important locations associated with the inauguration, briefings from important political and media figures, and other special events.

Brewton-Parker's Division of Social and Behavioral Sciences sponsored the competition and trip, and funding to cover the $1,395 costs of the seminar and travel were approved by the college's executive staff and dean of students.

Beverly's lone academic connection to the social and behavioral sciences during the fall semester was through her Psychology 201 course taught by Vance Rhoades, associate professor of psychology and counseling.

"It just sounded interesting to have the opportunity to go to Washington," Beverly said. "It is one of the most exciting times to be there, just to see some of the events going on during the inauguration."

Beverly devoted her Thanksgiving break to researching and writing the speech that she titled, "Why Social Security Requires Reform and One Possible Solution."

Serving in the role of a presidential policy "wonk," Beverly revealed problems and solutions "to better ensure that citizens get a better return on their Social Security contributions."="

"I recognized that it is a very wide-spread issue," she added.

In a Dec. 2 event in the Don Pace Memorial Classroom of the Parker Building on campus, Beverly presented highlights from her essay and fielded questions from two political science professors, Dr. Sid Johnson and Dr. Stan Watson, that would determine whether she would receive the Washington trip.

In speaking on behalf of himself and Watson, Johnson concluded the review by telling Beverly: "Your speech was well done and the president is fortunate to have you on his staff."

Dr. T. Ronald Melton, Brewton-Parker's provost, attended Beverly's presentation.

"I was very impressed with Ms. Beverly's presentation, and I am very pleased that she will have the opportunity to participate in this once-in-a-lifetime experience," Melton said.

-BPC-