Mentor program working

by Cindy A. Abole, Public Relations

While most students are fast asleep or enjoying the leisurely pace of a Saturday morning, 11-year old Ashley Graham is content stuffing a math and science book into her backpack as she scrambles out the door with her dad before 9 a.m.

Left photo: Sixth grader Ashley Graham, right, is greeted by MUSC Pharmacy doctorate student Elizabeth Childers, outside of Morningside Middle School. Center photo: Student Devin Parker, left, and MUSC tutor Bruce Cross, confer with Morningside sponsor CeCe Byers-Johnson about the geography of Mexico. Right photo: MUSC medical student Keivers Cunningham reviews math problems with Morningside student Robby Timmons.

The pair are on their way to school where they will participate in a program that will give Ashley a chance to improve study skills and open new doors for a brighter future.

Ashley is one of a handful of middle schoolers participating in Morningside Middle School’s “Partners for Success” program, a specialized community volunteer project linking MUSC students with Lowcountry at-risk students. The project was created by the MUSC Gives Back program and initiated by Morningside teacher CeCe Byers-Johnson which is coordinated with the group, “Communities in Schools”

“It’s easy to see the commitment between teachers, parents and students,” said Byers-Johnson, who has taught for 13 years. “Participation in an academic program like this one requires a big commitment which traditionally has been lacking.”

Communities in Schools is a non-profit organization which strives to reduce the dropout rate in Charleston County Schools. A segment of the program teams middle and high school students with area mentors who provide students with tutoring assistance and guidance in achieving personal goals. At Morningside, about 20 students from grades six through eight participate in the program.

Morningside’s relationship with MUSC Gives Back students dates back to previous Cities and Schools programs at Morningside. For the past few years, MUSC pharmacy students have conducted health education campaigns featuring “Mr.Yuck,” a poison prevention program, anti-drug and anti-smoking presentations. Byers-Johnson was pleased with the program’s success that she collaborated again with MUSC Gives Back coordinator Liz Sheridan on other activities.

“Our partnership with Morningside is ideal,” said Sheridan. “There’s little expense involved since the teachers donate materials. Everyone else just contributes their time and effort.” MUSC experience with the Partners for Success program has also involved work with students at Burke High School.

Byers-Johnson is confident that the program is working well. Her yardstick to measure its success is seeing parental involvement. The program strives for an equal commitment among child, parent and mentor. “Parents realize the importance of a good academic program and how it benefits their child,” she said. “The lines of communication between parent and child are so important.”

It’s not hard for Morningside parent Eunice Stanton to recognize the positive values of good study habits. Her son, Dante, a sixth grader, participates in the Partners for Success program. “We’ve always had problems with math,” said Stanton, who is a librarian with Charleston County Library.

Dante was paired with third-year medical student DeQuincy Lewis. “Dante has great motivation as a student. I see him having a bright future,” said Lewis.

Lewis, himself, remembers how supportive his family was to him throughout his life. “I like being around people who want to learn,” Lewis said. “It’s especially thrilling for me to watch these kids when they learn something new. They get really excited when they discover that they can apply subjects like math or science in their everyday lives.”

Not only has the experience prepared Dante and Ashley to become better students, it has enriched their views of friendship, careers and the role of volunteerism.

“The students have realized that they can have friends of a different age, race and economic background,” Byers-Johnson said. “They’ve discovered that friends can do other things than just ‘hang out.’”