The Associated Press
LANGSTON, Okla. — Four Langston University freshmen describe adjusting from the constant noise of police sirens, helicopters and traffic near their Southern California homes to a more tranquil world in Oklahoma.
“I got out here and I’m seeing goats,” recalls Terrill Jones, a business management major.
His twin brother, Tevin Jones, who is majoring in biology, talks about how quiet it is, seeing stars at night and the erratic weather.
“I can get used to everything except the thunder and lightning,” he said.
The brothers and two of their friends became a support system for each other. They eventually drew the attention of school administrators, who now call the group “The Team.”
The four decided to attend a college more than 1,300 miles away from their high school in Pasadena, Calif., for many reasons, including the fact that Langston is one of the few historically black colleges west of the Mississippi River.
“I knew I wanted to get out of the state of California,” Terrill Jones said. “We wanted to experience something new. We wanted to go to a historically black college.”
Bruce Palmore, a computer science major, visited Langston while in high school and persuaded the Joneses and Keymarin Washington to enroll there with him.
“I felt we should get away from everything. Back home we would have distractions,” Palmore said.
All knew they were college-bound but didn’t want to go by themselves.
“We formed a brotherhood,” Palmore said. “We were ready to go to college. We knew what was expected of us.”
Their plan to attend the same college didn’t go over well with everyone, including family members, who feared that they would distract each other and focus on fun instead of studies.
“I felt like it’s been nothing but an advantage,” Tevin Jones said. “My brother, I can help him out, he can help me out.”
Those worries have washed away: Each member of “The Team” carries at least a 3.2 grade point average and hopes to earn a 4.0 this semester.
“We all make up a unit,” said Washington, who is another computer science major. “If someone has a weakness, it’s someone else’s strength in the group.”
Langston President JoAnn Haysbert, inspired by their story, was the first to call them “The Team.”
“These young men huddled together with a dream,” Haysbert said. “They’ve committed that we’re going to make it. It’s all about we. They’re not going to leave anybody behind.”
During the past winter break, the friends visited their high school wearing their unofficial uniforms — black suits with ties showcasing Langston’s colors, orange and blue.
Even though Terrill Jones is known as the quiet one of the group, he did have some advice for the students:
“When someone tells you you can’t do it, that should automatically boost your confidence to do it.”
The four returned to Langston with three new enrollees — two men, who were in their high school fraternity, Sigma Beta, and one woman.
“The Team” hopes the trend continues, and that the group can inspire more people to go to college.
“The first goal was to get here and to get things done, but also recruit other kids,” Terrill Jones said.
Tevin Jones said he was just grateful that he didn’t listen to people at home but instead took advantage of the opportunities given to him.
“It’s the greatest decision I’ve ever made,” he said. “Taking other people’s negative and turning it into a positive.”
Tevin Jones wants to go to medical school to become a heart surgeon. His brother wants to start a restaurant. Washington and Palmore plan to work with computers or design software.
Even though “The Team” members may take different paths after graduation, they’re confident their bond won’t break.
“Wherever we go, we’ll probably go together,” Washington said.
