Group hopes to keep area kids in school

South Aiken High School students Zenia Williams and Summer Johnson belong to Sharp Sisters, a community organization that tries to help its members and other kids stay on the right path.

That goal prompted the teenagers to participate in a "Back to School, Stay in School" youth rally at Aiken Middle School on Saturday. The event was geared for fourth through eighth graders, targeting primarily Aiken Middle and North Aiken Elementary School students.

"We want kids to stay off the streets, helping them become leaders and keeping them out of trouble," Johnson said.

The event, held as part of a national effort, is a collaboration of the Aiken Branch of the NAACP, the Aiken County School District, the Clemson University Youth Learning Institute and the S.C. Association of Black Educators.

After an opening rally, kids and families enjoyed lunch before attending a variety of seminars directed separately for students and parents. Several social service agencies and other organizations also provided informational tables to let families know about their programs and resources.

"We've been working with the school district for the last nine months," said NAACP President Brendolyn Jenkins. "This is just one of the initiatives we're working on to reduce dropout rates and close the achievement gap."

The rally brought Deputy Superintendent David Caver, Area 1 Assistant Superintendent Joy Shealy, Associate Superintendent Dr. Kevin O'Gorman and School Board member Donna Wesby. Superintendent Dr. Beth Everitt was out of town on a family emergency.

Four principals - Garen Cofer (Aiken High), John Bradley (AMS), Rhonda Ray (North Aiken) and Jackie Barnwell (Schofield Middle) - also participated in the program. Some of Schofield's students go on to Aiken High, while the students at the others feed into the high school. The principals held a panel discussion during the day to talk with parents about being a part of their children's education, Bradley said.

"It's good for all of us to be here," said Cofer. "The kids and parents get to see us in a different light. I just want to shake hands with the kids and talk to them and meet their parents. It's important to develop a nice, healthy relationship with them right now."

Gwen Johnson and Gloria Allen, longtime educators at USC Aiken, also participated in the event planning through the S.C. Association of Black Educators.

"Helping kids graduate from high school is a community effort," Johnson said. "There are so many influences on children, and it takes all of us to help them focus on the right things."

She and Allen and others talked with young students about getting through school and furthering their education.

As a former North Aiken principal, O'Gorman said he felt he was coming home Saturday. He encouraged parents to read to their younger children and asked the middle school kids to make sure their parents read at least 20 minutes every night.

"No one has more influence on your child's school than you do," O'Gorman told parents. "You are as much a part of the school as your child is, and you don't have to wait for an invitation. Talk to principals and teachers about your child's education. This process is a great opportunity for parents to come to school more often."

Contact Rob Novit at rnovit@aikenstandard.com.