The Grenada School District AmeriCorps members were celebrated at the AmeriCorps’ end-of-year service program last Thursday evening at Taylor Hall.
The AmeriCorps’ national motto is “We Get Things Done” and their program does just that.
Twenty-nine AmeriCorps members tutor 1,015 K-8 students in reading and math within the Grenada Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary and Middle School, participate in local and national days of service in the Grenada community and reinforce tutoring through reading initiatives at the local Elizabeth Jones Library.
The end goal of the AmeriCorps program, is to have at least 85 percent of the 1,015 K-8 students receiving AmeriCorps tutoring have at least a 15 percent gain in academic achievement as measured by pre and post test scores.
“When we started this program, our main question was what can we do to help reach our children,” Superintendent David Daigneault said. “What we did was build the biggest program for our students in the State of Mississippi.”
According to Daigneault, not only does AmeriCorp “get things done,” but things get done right.
“Gwen Woodson and Pam Hubbard work hard to make this program what it is, and I look forward to each of these students coming back and helping in our school district,” Daigneault said. “Also, a special thanks to each of you graduates for all you’ve done for and in our schools.”
Members at the end of graduation will have experienced a meaningful year of service and training activities that will have made a positive impact on the community needs and encourage community members to participate in community service.
Yvonna Herron gave a speech as being one of AmeriCorps’ Team Leaders for the program.
“Being a team leader was not on my agenda, but Mrs. Woodson made sure it was,” Herron said. “I am so glad I did it. I was getting things done and that’s what we are here to do. I just want to thank Mrs. Woodson and Mrs. Hubbard for believing in me and allowing me to be a team leader. This program wouldn’t be what it is without them.”
There were 15 members in attendance for the Thursday evening graduation.
“We are so excited for each of these graduates that are here tonight and we miss the ones that were not able to make it,” Director Gwen Woodson concluded. “We look forward to seeing what each of these women have in store for them, and we support them in their new journeys.”
