The new class of Say Yes Buffalo scholars received a free Bak USA tablet after completing a two-day conference. Students from Buffalo Public and city charter schools are eligible for Say Yes scholarships to college.
Kyler Barney is an Olmsted graduate. She will be studying media at the University at Buffalo this fall. Barney tells WBFO News Say Yes is lifting the heavy tuition burden from her family.
“I’m very grateful for Say Yes. It would be a huge burden. My family makes enough to support us, but we don’t make enough to put me through a whole four years of college,” said Barney.
Barney was thrilled to receive the tablet to help with her studies.
“It’s very important. We’re in the digital age – so literally everything is on-line and having a tablet will help better educate you and help keep you connected,” Barney noted.
Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown, who appeared at the beginning and end of the two-day event, told students Wednesday, the “sky is the limit” in their future at college.
The Mayor was joined by one of the Bak leaders, Ulla Bak, to hand out the free tablets.
Bak is headquartered in Buffalo where the tablets are manufactured.
Bak told the Say Yes students "technology can bridge the gap".
Pastor George Nicholas, from Lincoln Memorial United Methodist Church in Buffalo, helped close out the event. He provided final round of inspirational words for the future college students.
Nicholas told students to they have an “opportunity to something great in your life.”
“I want to understand one thing – the concept of investment – something or somebody has invested in you. The people here at Say Yes have invested in you and we want to make sure this investment has a great return,” remarked Nicholas.
Nicholas provided advice as they head this fall into two or four years of college.
“The biggest thing you can do is make an investment in yourself,” Nicholas stated.
Nicholas asked some students to speak about their future plans, asking where they are headed for college and what they plan to do in a future career.
Nicholas also encouraged students not to let anyone or anything distract them in what they want to accomplish noting this is the most important time in their lives.
"My setback is preparing me for my comeback!” Nicholas declared as the rallying cry for the Say Yes students.
