By Brittney Dobbins Staff Writer
OPrep juniors and seniors in conjunction with the BuildOn Program, heard and have answered the Obama administration’s call for more volunteers in the community.
Once a month, since October of this year, at least 15 OPrep students go to Pulaski Elementary and spend three hours helping fourth- and fifth-grade students with their reading and writing.
Senior Shauntanice King said she is elated to be in the program.
“The month of October and November has been great,” she said. “The students from Osborn High School already have grown close to the mentees. For the kids to be in the fourth and fifth grade they are reading books at the seventh grade level; that is phenomenal. There is so much potential in the mentees.”
Senior Ashley Harris said she loves the intent of the program started by BuildOn program manager Kayana Sessoms but said “students have to take it more seriously. We are there to assist in their educational journey.”
While increasing literacy is the goal of the program, King said she enjoys seeing how excited the kids become when she and her peers walk through the door.
“It’s always great to work with younger children, it puts a big smile on my face,” King said.
The students from Osborn were back at Pulaski on Dec 15.
