An academic boost
Students helping students through NHS tutoring program

"Come on, Darian, you can do this," GRC senior Shamara Burton urged the 10-year-old at the table beside her.

His tongue poking through the corner of his mouth, Central Elementary fourth grader Darian Skinner concentrated intently as he stroked his pencil on the math paper.

"That's it!" Miss Burton squealed, embracing her young student. "You got it! How about a high five!"

Darian grinned and eagerly set out to tackle the next problem … motivated, encouraged and confident.

Thanks to Clark County's new National Honor Society tutoring program, Darian and dozens of other students at all levels are receiving the extra boost they need to master new concepts, catch up academically, or even pass classes.

"Shamara does an excellent job and she's very faithful," said Larry Murphy, fourth grade teacher at Central. "I am more than pleased with what she's done this semester."

Miss Burton is one of about 60 NHS tutors who go into the elementary schools on Mondays and Wednesdays, the middle schools on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and the high school Monday through Thursday, assisting students who need extra help in certain subjects.

Teachers all across the county are singing the praises of these honor students who are volunteering their afternoons to make a difference in many young lives.

"Our six tutors have done an awesome job," said Liza Thomas, fourth grade teacher at Hannah McClure Elementary. "They are excellent role models for our fourth graders. The students have looked up to them and enjoyed their fresh faces every Monday and Wednesday afternoon."

The Hannah McClure tutors - Lisle Adams, Robert Catron, Ben Havrilesko, Chase Martin, Matthew Martin and Sarah Pace - even showed up on a recent Saturday for a writing party with pizza and games.

"It's impossible to measure the positive influence that the NHS students have on younger students as athletes, musicians and scholars," said GRCHS teacher Scarlet Ryan, NHS sponsor at GRC. "We're already looking forward to next year's program."

Two NHS tutors, seniors Nathan Aldridge and Alesia Olsen, go to the GRC library four days a week after school to assist fellow high school students who are part of the school's Second Chance program.

"I would probably have to go another year in school if it wasn't for this," said GRCHS junior Courtney Raney, as Aldridge helped him with his algebra. "If I need help, I'll just ask Nathan and he sits and talks with me one-on-one."

Aldridge said the student-to-student relationship nurtures learning. "Most of these students just fall behind in a class for different reasons and we are able to spend one-on-one time to motivate and encourage them," he said. "We can relate to them on a student level. It's such a great feeling to be able to help people get their credits to graduate."

A few desks over, Miss Olsen leans over a computer screen where Josh Hopper is working toward the credits he needs to graduate in May. "I wouldn't be as far as I am right now if it weren't for Alecia," he said. "She's been a big help."

Meanwhile, Miss Olsen said she receives as much as she gives. "It feels good to give them an extra boost," she said. "An added benefit is that we're able to develop relationships and make friends with people we most likely would never have had a class with."

For Miss Burton, the tutoring experience has changed the course of her career plans. Planning to attend Transylvania University and major in psychology to be a counselor, she now intends to concentrate on child psychology.

"I'm really excited when I wake up on Mondays and Wednesdays and think, 'Yeah, I get to go to tutoring today,'" said Miss Burton. "I love it and I definitely have decided that I want to work with children in my career. I have grown so attached to these students and I'm really going to miss them."

The feeling is mutual for her 15 students at Central. "She's nice," said Clayton Allen, 10. "I like the way she helps me understand stuff."

For Miss Burton and many other students, the tutoring program has provided a chance to give something back to the elementary school they once attended. "It has been great to see the senior students able to give back to their community, for the most part to the schools they attended," said NHS sponsor Pat Fraley. "It has been their way of saying 'thank you' to the educators who helped them achieve their academic success. The NHS students did not become the scholars they are today by only attending GRCHS; they had teachers who cared about their success and motivated them since the day they started kindergarten. Through this program, the NHS students are able to spread to all students in Clark County the desire to learn and set goals to succeed."

Stand Up for Winchester & Clark County salutes the National Honor Society tutors for volunteering their time and talents to make a valuable difference in our community.

If you are standing up for our community in any way, or if you want to become involved as a volunteer in a local program or service, call Stand Up for Winchester & Clark County at 744-1599, or visit us on the web at www.standup4wcc.com.