America's Newspapers

Champions for Education honored

Organization offers awards for making a difference for students

Ravenn Moore

Staff writer

The Positive Alternatives program provided disciplinary tools that 116 expelled or excluded Wayne County students needed to make good choices.

Communities in Schools recognized the program as a Champion for Education on Tuesday night.

"We wanted the kids to enjoy the program but not like it, so they would not come back," director of building and community services at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Wayne County, Bradford Marshall said.

The Positive Alternatives program helped students receive credit for class during suspension periods. The program served 122 students and worked in conjunction with all school districts in the county, the Juvenile Probation Department and the Conflict Resolution Center. Only six students had repetitive disciplinary issues.

Community in Schools is a local nonprofit that tries to bring community resources and people into local schools. It annually recognizes people and groups that have been involved with schools in the Champion for Education program. There are six award categories.

Jill King, a parent of two students enrolled in Western Wayne Schools, said she was shocked she was recognized in the parent category, and then she explained what she has done for the schools.

"I help with the newsletter at Lincoln High School. Last year I spent nearly every day at Western Wayne Elementary School working with the literacy group, I helped first- and second-graders read…." King said.

She considers all that she does, "a lot of little things."

"It does not seem right to get an award for something that makes you feel so good," she said.

Hill's Pet Nutrition was recognized in the business category. Hill's has been a partner with Wayne County schools, providing study buddies, mentors, and Junior Achievement volunteers.

Hill's Pet Nutrition has given foundation grants to support Communities in School and many local agencies.

Mary Jo Ward, the community member recipient, is executive director of Youth as Resources. Ward has built partnerships between schools, youth, and the community for years including work with youth in all five county high schools.

"Ward's impact has been tremendous as more than 48,500 individuals have been recipients of benefits associated with these projects," Vivian Ashmawi, executive director of Communities in Schools, said.

Desiree Howell, a recent graduate of Lincoln High School, was the recipient in the student category.

"I've had a rough family life, but I've still been able to stay on the honor roll even when things were hard," she said.

Howell had limited family support but she accepted the help of Carlene and Tony Gilpin, her boyfriend Kyle's parents, who believed in her through high school and even now at Ball State University.

"They've supported me financially and emotionally in every thing that I needed," Howell said.

Former Richmond Community Schools superintendent Phyllis Amick was recognized in the category of education and received a standing ovation.

Amick was involved in establishing Communities in Schools locally and participated as a board member. Ashmawi said the winners have committed themselves to the mission of Communities in Schools, "connecting students to the resources they need and building partnerships with schools and community."

Communities in Schools board president Robert Chandler said without the support from community partners and agencies the students would not have access to resources.

MUGSHOTS OF BRADFORD MARSHALL, JILL KING, MARY JO WARD AND PHYLLIS AMICK WERE ARCHIVED