Alumni Spotlight: Sharef Talbert

A Phoenix Always Rises

By, Kyle Wiggins

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Being an alumni means that you represent the very best of what your school’s education program has to offer. Role models often inspire others to maximize their value. Sometimes a person can be a role model simply because they've paved a way. Alumnus Lieutenant Sharef Talbert is one of those people. He is the embodiment of the type of man that young men like me can respect. 

Lt. Talbert was kind enough to take time out of his day to answer a few of my questions. If you're like me, many students aren't sure what they want to do after graduation. 

So I asked, “What were your first steps as a new high school graduate?”:

“I actually attended Essex County College briefly before I joined the US Navy. While serving active duty in the US Navy I graduated with a Bachelors degree in Multidisciplinary studies from Grantham University. I have since earned a Masters degree in Cybersecurity Management and Policy from the University of Maryland and will be graduating with a second degree in May 2018.”

I respect that Lt. Talbert told me that he started his journey at Essex County College. It shows me that it doesn't matter where you start-- it's about how you finish.

Students often wonder if school is really preparing us for the world outside of these walls when I asked Lt. Talbert about that, he had this to say:

“University's rigorous curriculum provided me with the tools and strategies to learn and succeed in any environment. UHS fostered integrity, discipline, and a sense of responsibility that were further refined in college. These values serve as my core values in life.”

It is hard for us to see or think about what we can become and often times we never find out what happens to those of us after high school. And more often than not, many people that aren't from Newark don’t hear about those of us that make it out of here and go on to be successful. Lt. Talbert is one of those exceptions to that rule. He is currently a US Naval Officer, who specializes in Cybersecurity, interior and exterior communications and networks.

When I graduate I am not sure what memory will be one that stays with me. I guess this is hard to see while you’re in it. Which is why I’m always interested to hear what people have to say about their high school experience. So I asked Lt. Talbert and he said,

“I actually have two fond memories of UHS: [The first] the family environment that led to the lifelong friendships I still enjoy today. These friendships include faculty members who invested their time in ensuring the students of UHS were the best people we could be. The other is playing Varsity sports (Basketball, baseball, and cross-country) [it] gave me the mental prowess for competition, teamwork, and overcoming adversity when the outcomes weren't as favorable as I expected."

Being an athlete myself, I had to ask Lt. Talbert if there were anything that kept him motivated with sports in his years at University that can help a current athletes.

“[Sports] led to one of my greatest life lessons: Strength is Forged through Sacrifice!”

Lastly, Lt. Talbert concluded our interview with a message to all of us that will one day graduate from student to alumni;

“Cherish these moments as they will pass exponentially fast. Set goals and formulate strategies to achieve those goals. Some days will be more challenging than others but they will produce some of your most rewarding moments. Nothing is given, everything is earned. Knowledge is Wealth! This is not just a hashtag!”

Alumni’s can serve as a guide for all high school students. We can look to them to represent our potential-- using their achievement as the baseline then move beyond. When I see UHS alumni, I recognize that they are proud to be a part of our school's legacy and the Phoenix Family!