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Martinsville High School graduate Ronwyn Pritchett, who received a full football scholarship to the University of Richmond, speaks to Martinsville Middle School students about making good life choices. (Contributed photo by Kim Barto) |
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
By KIM BARTO - Special to the Bulletin
Seventh-graders at Martinsville Middle School learned life lessons from 10 local guest speakers who sought to raise student’s interest and achievement.
The speakers, who ranged from a city official and Patrick Henry Community College staff member to college students originally from Martinsville, shared their stories Dec. 16 and encouraged middle-schoolers to make the most of their education.
One of the speakers was Ronwyn Pritchett, a standout athlete who graduated from Martinsville High School last year and was accepted to the University of Richmond on a full football scholarship. However, an injury has made the future of his football career uncertain.
Pritchett emphasized to students that an athletic career can be cut short, but doing well in school has lifelong benefits.
“I got hurt and might never get to play again, but if you get an education, no one can take that away from you — so get that before you get anything,” Pritchett told the seventh-graders.
Playing sports is a positive experience, he said, adding, “Sports help you build relationships and teamwork.”
The idea for the event came from seventh-grade teachers, said co-Principal Cynthia Tarpley, after they discussed actions they could take to close the achievement gap. The achievement gap refers to differences in the achievement of various student groups.
Each grade will be doing something similar, Tarpley said.
“They thought if we have a variety of speakers talk about social skills, life skills and education, it would be an opportunity to hear someone else talk about what we preach to them every day,” Tarpley said. “I thought it was an excellent idea. We can’t do it all — we have to involve the community.”
The strategy appeared to engage students, she added. The students “were listening and asking good questions.”
“There was lot of learning taking place,” said co-Principal Zeb Talley. “For these kids to hear young people talk about careers and their middle and high school experiences, it’s powerful. (The speakers) had to go through some of the things they’re going through now.”
After listening to the speakers, seventh-grader Amante Rountree said one lesson he took away was, “Make good life decisions so you won’t have anything to regret later.”
“Start having good habits and studying now,” classmate Lindsey Robertson said.
“We learned a helpful acronym” from one of the speakers, said student Joe Mitchell. He said the letters in the acronym LIFE-C stand for “Love for yourself and others; inspire yourself and others; finish school and finish assignments; equip yourself for life, and choices.”
Pritchett, Danielle Stokes, Aaron Hairston and Shantyia Hairston, all college students who graduated from local high schools, spoke to seventh-graders about developing good habits and studying hard now to achieve their dreams after high school.
Another speaker was Martinsville Vice Mayor Kimble Reynolds Jr., who urged students to finish their educations and surround themselves with positive people.
“Choose your friends carefully,” he told them, and “look at what they’re doing. Are they progressing in a positive direction?”
Students also heard from Brenell Thomas and Terrence Strickland from PHCC, Kerry Smith of Hairston Funeral Home, Desmond Prillaman, Catina Martin Green and Staff Sgt. Terell Saunders of the Army.
“Research shows that high expectations, sharing experiences and encouragement are things we can do to close the achievement gap,” said Talley, who wrote his Ph.D. dissertation on closing that topic.
The seventh-grade community outreach day is one of a number of initiatives the middle school is taking to engage students. Eighth-grade teachers held a parent outreach night Thursday to “provide more education and outreach about what parents can do to help their children at home,” Tarpley said, and other sessions will be held throughout the year.
Also, the principals are holding a series of community outreach programs at churches and different locations around the city. They are looking for a variety of spaces to hold the programs so that transportation will not be a barrier to people attending.
“It’s about getting parents and the community involved,” Tarpley said.
Kim Barto is community outreach and grants coordinator for the city schools. |
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