One by one colleges in Selma and Dallas County are opening registration for the fall term. One by one students are enrolling and planning for their futures.

Unfortunately, there are not enough young people in Selma taking advantage of the wonderful educational opportunities that are available within our city limits.

Now, more than ever, it is becoming easier for students to receive secondary education than in recent decades. Through grants and other financial aid, most students who want to pursue a college degree have the opportunity.

In Selma alone, we have Concordia College, Selma University and Wallace Community College. Each school has a number of programs available to put students on the path to success.

Now, it is up to the students. Each of these schools have done their part to expand their curriculum and offer career training in almost every field a student can imagine. The opportunities are there, all we need is the ambition.

What the Black Belt needs more than anything are college students that stay home. We need people who are dedicated to  the cause of bringing the region back into a leadership role we have not seen in many years.

It is possible for students to attend elementary, middle school, high school and college and find great jobs without ever leaving the city limits.

Unfortunately, few choose this path.

Despite the bad news and grim outlook commonly associated with the Black Belt, through these schools we have the tools to produce an ambitious, and well-educated workforce.

There are excellent colleges all over Alabama that award degrees every day. But few can offer what our local Selma schools can.

Students at these three schools have an opportunity to turn the tide in Selma. By attending our colleges, they serve as examples to everyone that sees them excel. Students at Selma colleges are not ordinary. They represent a group that is dedicated to change.