Show Your Best

Once a year, every year, there is homecoming. Homecoming is a chance to see new face and old alike, a chance to party, eat and for most it is either a week-long or a weekend fashion show. A chance to show your best. I am a part of a drumline organization known as the Bongo Brothers Incorporated stemming from the marching 101 of South Carolina State University. Amongst us there are people who do not only play drums, but they sing, rap, they are engineers authors and architects. Every year multiple  homecoming shirts are designed and created by the Bongos, for the Bongos and ONE shirt is voted on by over 150 Bongos for this day, but that doesn't mean that shirt is the only thing we'll be wearing. Homecoming is one of the only times Alumni and undergraduate Bongos feel the need to bring out ALL of their paraphernalia, but then again what better time is there? Hats, wrist bands, t-shirts (of course), tikis (large beaded necklaces), shoes, jackets and more all to be shown within 2 days. 

Which brings me to my shirt. I love my organization and the people in it but sometimes I feel the need to stand out when I am with them, not to mention that this year I am the president which may have given me a better excuse to stand out than because I want to. You may have guessed it, but my mother made me this shirt. There is only one like it in all of the universe and I have that shirt too. I asked her to make it because it does not just symbolize Bongo Brothers Incorporated with the actual words but it symbolizes the creation of something bigger than just drums since 1963, something that would last longer than a lifetime. Where am I going with all of this? Autodidactism, it is important everywhere and anywhere including homecoming.

Autodidact: The Empowering Yourself

An autodidact is simply a self taught person. Being self taught doesn't always have to be as drastic as you think. You don't have to be an Earnest Hemingway and win the Nobel Prize for Literature or Ray Bradbury who famously quoted: "Libraries raised me. I don't believe in colleges and universities. I believe in libraries because most students don't have any money..."
All you have to do, is find something that you are passionate about, something that makes you happy but will challenge you at the same time, something meaningful. When you find that something, whether it be computer technology or teaching yourself how to make t-shirts you have now become an autodidact.

At 36 years old my mother moved to Charleston, SC. She had spent a lot on a place to live, a daughter in college and now a brand new baby. She wanted a way to express herself, make money and stay at home all at the same time so she founded a small company called SoSavVi Designs. My mother taught herself how to use a machine called the cricut and began making custom made items for weddings and bouquets for brides, birthday parties and everyday items  ranging from customized t-shirts to cups and even pop sockets.

Today, my mother has a small team she takes with her to catered events she hosts. This team heeds to her every command to create the perfect wedding, party or event of their choice giving them the ultimate experience. Although my mother is not famous, everything that she has done to take her business to the next level has been self taught and inspired by her passion for creativity and her love for her family. When class is in session, what will you teach yourself?