Renee Van Lee
poet/writer
A mind is a terrible thing to waste is not just a
slogan from days gone by. It is a movement
for West Sider, Tamela Odom, founder of Odom
Educational Services. Odom Educational Services is
Admissions at Devry in Riverforest has a televison
program on CAN TV, called Odom Educational Services
sponsored by Hotline 21. Odom's first season aired on
July 2, 2007. The duration of the season is 13 weeks.
Odom says her first season was definitely a learning
experience. ' It was my first time on live television,
for me the preparation to be able to answer questions
from viewers was a bit difficult however, some of the
people watching informed me that they couldn't tell.
But I found as I did more research on topics it made
it easier to give accurate content and the show flowed
smoother.' Senator Ricky Hendon was scheduled to be a
guest on Odom's show in the first season however, he
was unable to appear due to prior commitments so he did the
next best thing–he called in. Odom says, ''The Senator
called in and gave kudos to our organization, it was
really a pleasure sharing information with hin. Our
viewers really enjoyed his input. "
The second time around for Odom was the charm. "I
found out during the second season viewers tuned in
record numbers more so for the topics and the way the
segments ran. The last show of the second season
aired on June 27, 2008. Odom says throughout both
seasons she's had an array of different personalities
on her show with one common goal. "I've had high school seniors on my show who were headed off to college. I've had college graduates on my show who reinforced the theme to our viewers that higher education is the way to bigger and brighter tomorrows.'
served as her role model for higher education. 'My
mother is a college graduate. So I really didn't have
an option not to go to college. College was the next
step after high school. That was instilled in us
early on.' Odom has an undergraduate degree in
Communications and Theater and a master's degree in
Human Services says that she saw the need for
preparation and direction for educational services
beyond high school in the community years ago. "I
started my organization on May 11, 2006
because I have talked to so many teens that desire
Odom says her television show came about by a simple
email. However, she knows it was hard work and not
'One day I was reading through my emails and I
received an email asking if I would be interested in a
television show. I replied yes, and Odom Educational
Services was born. The television program has really
put our organization on the map.'
The fruits of Odom's labor is a labor of love called the College Awareness Boot Camp. Each summer at Zion Temple Church located at 1414 S. Pulaski Rd Odom provides the students with speakers who are well versed in financial aid management and motivational speakers such as Alderman Burnett.
The topics that are covered range from college admissions, financial aid, studying habits, family foundations, entrepreneurship and proper etiquette. Contributors
for this event are the State of Illinois After School
Program and the Illinois Student Financial Aid. The
College Awareness Boot Camp is free.
Odom is grateful to contributors for this
event and plans to have a follow up to this event. " I
plan to have a follow up to this event for
participants to ensure that they get a proper road map
in their search for higher education and also ensure
that they are able to effectively utilize information
provided by the State of Illinois.'
