Sumter's Next Generation, presented by CCTC: Morris College's Rebekah Grissett refuses to fear the unknown by embracing local, national opportunities
Just like people, opportunities come in all shapes, sizes and with their own special surprises. Seize the moment and live in it because you never know where it will take you -- just ask Morris College's Rebekah Grissett.
Rebekah hails from Conway, South Carolina, and her introduction to her cybersecurity major was unconventional. Initially considering a major in biology, she quickly realized the field wasn't the right fit for her. However, a chance encounter during student orientation led her to discover her true calling.
Described by Rebekah as "literally, security of the internet," cybersecurity is the practice of protecting systems, networks and programs from digital attacks and is the basis of career fields ranging from IT to special agent with the FBI. However, navigating through the cyber realm would not be easy but worth the stress thanks to her professors, Radman Ali and Orenthio Goodwin. With new information and processes emerging every few years, staying with her head on the swivel has prepared Grissett for challenges of all kinds, including those that are broadcast on national TV.
One day, Morris College's administration received a call from Black College Quiz producers, seeking a college student who has a knack for history. Hosted by Nephew Tommy, an American comedian, actor and producer, the Black College Quiz features students from historically Black colleges or universities, or HBCUs, from across the country to showcase their knowledge of African American history. After they searched through hundreds of students, Rebekah was chosen, based on the recommendation of the student council vice president. After being handed a packet and told to "learn this," she would spend weeks memorizing various topics surrounding Black culture, from modern movies and reality TV to political history, in preparation for filming in January in Atlanta, Georgia.
Rebekah is aware of how impactful Black culture is in America, but to be questioned about its impact and her knowledge only amplified her love for the culture and enjoyment of the opportunity. As she returned to South Carolina, resuming her day-to-day life on the HBCU campus, Rebekah was grateful for the opportunity to represent her school in an area that matters beyond the classroom, sharing, "I didn't realize how important that was to our history. The show opened my eyes to so much."
She once shied away from opportunities that came her way, feeling as though there would be someone else better equipped for it. Throughout high school, she resorted to blending into the background, her grades following suit. But then, after stepping on a campus where she had "built-in community," where her peers felt more like family and her faculty and staff sought to provide better opportunities for their students than they had, she learned a valuable lesson -- one she wanted to share with the next generation.
"Don't limit yourself. Just because you didn't do good in high school doesn't mean you can't do great in college," Rebekah expressed. "Don't be in your shell; don't come to college just to go to college. Come to college to experience new things, experience new people, get out of your shell, network because that's what college is essentially. Take opportunities that are handed to you."