University of South Carolina Libraries
Wednesday, February 28,1996 i i Hnn Lawanda Jo toachos Foa TUTOR CECE VON KOiUfTZ News Editor Nacfta Jupiter is debating the finer points of mathematics with a seven-yean old. "You know this," Jupiter says as she tries to convince Latisha Foskey that six times eight does not equal 88. It's a typical Monday at the USC Americorps Homework Center. Elementary school kids are spread out around the room at different tables with their homework sheets, spelling books and afternoon snacks. Jupiter, a nursing freshman, and nine other USC students sit with the kids and help them solve mysteries like what the opposite of large is and how to spell "bologna." , The students are tutors for the Homework Center, an after-school program held in the Martin Luther King ] Jr. Park Community Center. From 3-6 p.m. every Monday through Thursday, i the tutors work with kids from Richland One schools who might not otherwise i have help with their homework. "I actually think that's one of the i most beneficial services related to children ] that we have here because most of these ] kids would go home and be by themselves without the supervision of adults or i assistance with their homework," said 1 Flemon Williams, community center | director. i The tutors provide a source of < guidance for the kids. "I think the way the tutors help them t is to act as role models," said Courtnie t Gilmore, who supervises the Homework c k A Imm \ Dew Droi Hie Tow Wednesday April - All Seats Res Tickets Available at Township B Stores, C&C Concerts In Can Outlets, and all Selecl Charge-by-Phone 8 Produced by C&C - , 't ' ' ; ' ' " ?' ' "1 H HB - J - UK r^Pj I a^'V I THI?* * il fc V~"""^ml w|K' ^c l hnson, an English education Junl< key how to spell the word "bologi IN6FI Center. Their parents may not be around a lot to provide the support these kids need. I think if s important for kids to know that someone is here every day from 3-6 p.m. to talk to them and help them out." Tierra Moore, 10, can't keep her hands off her tutor's diary. T love reading her diaiy," Moore says, slamming the book shut as her tutor, psychology junior Jkeonye McCoy, makes her way back to their table. McCoy eyes Moore suspiciously. "I didn't do it," Moore says, looking down at her work. McCoy says working at the center takes a strong commitment. Tt takes a lot of dedication because sometimes these little angels just want to act like..." Moore interrupts her. "If Pm an angel, how come Fm not in Heaven?" "You're my angel now," McCoy says, smiling. For McCoy, the center is a place where 3he knows she's needed. "When I don't have such a good grade, sr I make an F on an exam, I can come here and know that someone's really happy to see me," McCoy said. Delawese Fulton, a journalism senior, said, "All through college, Fve done stuff to better me, to make my resume look jood. I wanted to take my last year of school and do something for somebody slse." Lawanda Johnson, tutor and English iducation junior, said the program "lets he kids know that there is someone who :ares about them and it shows the 0 Inn Tour 96 rnstiip 24 7:30 PM msEsmm served ox Office, Sounds Familiar nden, All Capital Ticket 1 t-A-Seat Outlets. 103-251-2222 1 Concerts ET # h- and tutor at tho USC Amorlcorps Hoi na." Tho ton tutors, who aro all USC stu MAM community that there are people out there who want to help." The program seems to have helped I the kids by improving their grades and social skills, Gilmore said. "Overall, there's a change in their attitudes about learning, Gilmore said. Tarenzo Williams, 9, is part of the program "to do my homework so I can get some A's and B's on my report card." Williams said he likes the center "because we get help. We get more help than when we're at home, and we're doing our homework." An education is important to Williams "so I can go to college and get my masters degree in whatever I want like in football or science." Jarrod Goodwin and Adante Jones have their audience captivated. The two six-year-olds stand together at the front of the room reading from a green piece of construction paper. They are standing next to the Rosa Parks poster they made for the Homework Cento's Black History Month celebration. "She refused to give up her seat," they say, smiling shyly. "She got her way peacefully. That is the way I would do it." All of the kids in the program made posters honoring famous black Americans. I The Rosa Parks poster wins a prize, and | Goodwin and Jones split a pencil box ( full of markers, crayons, pens, pencils and other school supplies. C Jestine Goodwin, Jarrod's mother, T said the program has been a success for h her son. n "He's just thoroughly enjoyed it," I Come Hear I epnbliM^^ litii**u mm ^Professional I Reasonable pric Ig Nail^ 1 Bikini Waxing ImP^' . ^ ^ tiBiwilifitiiiiiin hi rrr"?" . ? - - x ' Pi mework Center, helps Nlkechla Foskey, 7, with dents, help the children for three hours every da LTT RT0 ' %r ^^ S ^ ^ tachelle Lehner, Community Service Programs c tenter's Black History Month celebration. All of t loodwin said "I think it's a good program. But the cent he ladies seem to really be in focus and "We don't kr ave the children in mind. I've for next year," ( ecommended the program highly, and The Homewc hope it continues." and reference bo< residential Candidate Jan Keyes rk hind William-Brice Stadium ;h 1 Time: 7:30 p.m. Th ollnlans for Keyes Qui bes EANERSI )ry Cleaning ;es First in quality mainiMiiiia? JtlsilHMiifelia? 777-2745 | "Dry Cleaning Greek \ Monograms Alteration ___?! Laundry Fluff & Fold """' "' A c, f -V J^k'"' iillisj Jf!!!^ fJ&F*| *J?H \v3S^ 11111 I B| Bh^--- g : . I . . " 5 ? j * / t* IK OTOS BY ROBERT WALTON The Gamecock her spelling homework. Johnson y Monday through Thursday. I/WOW |.y> wpSH ^ ^ ?\ P "V % *- vj>" I ^ oordlnator, reads to Jallssa Fulton, 3, at the Homework he chldren who are tutored made posters for the event sr's future is uncertain, and dictionaries. Anyone interested in I tow if we've been funded donating these items can call Courtnie I jilmore said. Gilmore at the Office of Community I trk Center needs supplies Service Programs at 777-6688. )ks such as encyclopedias tINGING HOME 1 THE GOLD! 1 i Gamecock newspaper and Garnet & Black arterly Magazine each walked away with the ;t overall award in this year's South Carolina Press Association Awards Competition. j|B "ffiafficock I Best Overall...Division One AD I vsu QUARTERLY Best OveralL.Jeature Magazine m I Student Media The University of South Carolina