SYLACAUGA, Ala. – Nichols-Lawson Middle School (NLMS) has extended the span of their Advisory program by reaching out to community partners as CHAMPIONS mentors. More than 20 adults in the Sylacauga community have volunteered to serve as mentors.
CHAMPIONS is the student character program adopted by the school emphasizing nine attributes of a champion – courage, honor, attitude, mental toughness, purity, integrity, ownership, navigation, and service. These are attributes the mentors possess and wish to develop within the students.
Volunteers come from various walks of life including current and past community leaders, pastors, health providers, retirees and a host of others. NLMS welcomes mentors Ben Donahoo- Donahoo Physical Therapy; Henry Looney- Reaching The World Bible Church; Todd Dean- Associate Pastor; Lashayla Cochran; Santreis Cook- Pharmacist; Amanda Reams; Decorey Hale- Author; Brian Hibbs- Youth Minister; Tiffany Nix- City Council; Nancy Dickson- SAFE; Tim Allen- Allen Oil; Willie Olden- Retired; Robin Angelo- Director MRI; Shannon Darby; Joe Hogan; Jackie Holtzclaw; Officer David Kimbrough; Greg Bailey- Retired; Katie Wesson; Sydney Harris; Becky Brooks; Verleta Baker; Eric Richardson-New Maryland Missionary Baptist Church; Dana Smith; Greg Holtzclaw- Retired Military; Evan Patrick- Youth Minister; Glenda Gaines- Retired Teacher; Jonny Bailey; and several others who will join the program in November.
Champion mentors will visit their assigned class once a month to talk with students about the attribute of focus for that month, while partnering to ensure that students transition smoothly throughout the year. Students will learn from the experience of their mentors, and mentors will have an opportunity to understand from the perspective of a middle school student in today’s society.
Assistant principal Paula Bruno is the “champion” of the program and strongly believes in the benefits of community leaders investing in the lives of middle schoolers.
She said, “As I thought about the mission statement of Sylacauga City Schools, I wanted to incorporate the community partnership by allowing individuals in the community to invest a little time with a small group of students in order to help them progress throughout this year in middle school. I understand that middle school is a very difficult, transitioning time for students; therefore, partnering with the community will give students another advocate to help them become successful and progress smoothly through the year.”
Mrs. Bruno offered special thanks to everyone who devoted their time to volunteer for the CHAMPIONS Advisory program this year. Anyone else interested in joining the program is encouraged to contact Paula Bruno at Nichols-Lawson Middle School at 256-245-4376.
Kim Ellison for SylacaugaNews.com | © 2017, SylacaugaNews.com/Marble City Media LLC. All Rights Reserved