Hattiesburg Dropout Summit Draws 300 Participants

Community leaders, business people and parents joined educators for a dropout prevention summit in Hattiesburg October 1. More than 300 participants from Forrest and surrounding counties heard opening speakers representing economic, social, civic, higher education, faith-based and other areas of life that are impacted by the dropout problem. Following the opening session, participants moved into 10 smaller groups for in-depth sharing and discussion.

In the small groups, people responded to three challenges from event organizer Dan Kibodeaux, executive director of the United Way of Southeast Mississippi:

- Become more aware of the dropout crisis in your community.

- Recognize that the dropout problem impacts you personally.

- Take some responsibility for your part in developing solutions.

Presented by the United Way of Southeast Mississippi and Hattiesburg Public Schools, the summit was sponsored by area banks.

“Incremental progress adds up to exponential results.”

Blake Wilson, President, Mississippi Economic Council

October 1, 2008, Hattiesburg