An after-school program that’s less than a year old has already enrolled 86 students, held an awards banquet and scheduled its summer session to start May 31.
R.E.A.L., which stands for Reaching Every Aspect of Life, is based in the old Fernwood Elementary School.
R.E.A.L. offers homework assistance and tutoring to students from kindergarten through 12th grade from 3 to 6 p.m. weekdays, as well as visits by motivational speakers. (A recent article on a Magnolia town board meeting gave incorrect information on the group’s name and mission.)
The summer session will be held 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays at a cost of $1 a day. Activities will include field trips and classes in dance, martial arts and crafts. All youths are welcome to participate.
“This is an alternative during the summer for the students to have somewhere to go, to keep their minds focused and not be distracted and be a harm to the community,” said board member Pastor Kenneth Handy.
“There’s going to be activities every day, something for them to do, not just desk work,” added volunteer Angie Dorman.
R.E.A.L. is a nonprofit organization, noted executive director Pastor Anthony Wilson. The group focuses not just on education but on health, diet and self-sufficiency.
It is partnering with a South Pike ministerial group to form advisory councils for each school in the South Pike School District, to promote better attendance and athletic performance, Handy said.
On Tuesday night, R.E.A.L. met with South Pike parents to boost their involvement as well. “We’re really trying to encourage parents to come aboard,” said Handy.
At the April 21 banquet held in the Eva Gordon Elementary School cafeteria, guest speakers were South Pike School District chief academic officer Dr. Lynda Taylor and Magnolia Elementary School principal Blake Brewer.
Award winners were:
• Superintendent scholars: Chayse Powell, Jacob Smith, Alexis Cole, Precious Thompson, Trakeyvion Hale, Malik Reed.
• Principal scholars: Davian Grady, Jermarkus Pittman, Kendrick Matthews, Tamarion White, Ty’Keyvious Bell, Bre Myia Cameron, Keeshun Ellzey, Ta’Kendria Matthews, Trakeyria Sermon, Ashanti Hall, Traylesia Kennedy, Beyonce Carney, Eric Evans, Tkiah Williams, Adreona Bell, Elijah Brown.
• Honor roll: Demeontae Shoto, Jacquez Brown, Teiara Scott, Zartayvious Turner, Kierra Armstrong, Kristain Andrews, Korrian Minor, Tabrika Carter, Briunna Grady, Genesis Brown, Eric Evans, Jasmine Dillon, Regan Martin, Reginald Martin, Kanissa Walker, Dana Nobles.
Board members are president Sheila Lenaris, vice president Mercedes Boss, treasurer Veronica Magee, Magnolia Mayor Melvin Harris, Debbie Dorman, Janet Wilson and Pastor Handy.
For more information, call 680-2133 or visit the web site www.reachingeveryaspectoflife.com.
