An A+ program: Sikeston High School A+ tutors are providing many benefits to community

SIKESTON -- Sikeston High School students participating in the A+ Scholarship Program accumulate tutoring hours each semester by volunteering their time at the after school program offered through the YMCA of Southeast Missouri.

Area youngsters who attend the after school program and their teachers are also benefitting from the high school students' presence.

"Last semester the A+ students were awesome," said Cassandra Limbaugh, youth development director of child care for the YMCA of Southeast Missouri in Sikeston. "They showed up when they were supposed to. They helped the kids with homework, played with the kids and assisted the (after school) teachers."

For the past three or so years, SHS students enrolled in the A+ Scholarship Program have accumulated tutoring hours by volunteering at the after school care programs offered through the YMCA at the three Sikeston R-6 elementary schools, the kindergarten center and the Fifth and Sixth Grade Center.

The A+ Scholarship Program provides scholarship funds to eligible graduates of A+ designated high schools who attend a participating public community college or vocational/technical school, or certain private two-year vocational/technical schools.

To qualify for the scholarship, students must meet certain requirements such as attendance and GPA. They also must perform at least 50 hours of unpaid tutoring or mentoring

"The A+ students were respectable and polite," Limbaugh said. "We had a great semester. Some of them were even coming after they completed their hours, and it was so awesome."

Limbaugh commended SHS A+ coordinator Alan Scheeter.

"The high school students get on the kids' levels," Limbaugh said. "They will get on the floor with them inside or on the swing outside with them."

Limbaugh even held a recognition night for the students one evening in December.

"They just do what they're supposed to do. They do not need to be shown every detail. They get the routines of what do and they know to get the snacks and the binder for the teacher if they arrive before her," she said.

January is also National Mentoring Month, which is an annual campaign to draw attention to the need for more volunteer mentors to help America's young people achieve their full potential, according to the Corporation for National and Community Service.

Through mentoring programs, community service opportunities and campus events, students are able to connect with individuals who support them and serve as positive role models.

The same can be said for the A+ Program and after school care program, Limbaugh said.

"It's a wonderful way to get their (A+) hours for going to college, but it's a great opportunity for them to serve as mentors. They love the after school program. They become the children's friends," Limbaugh said.

Parents of the after school care attendees loved the fact the teens help the children, Limbaugh said.

Jassmine Bruce Johnson, director of the after school care program at Matthews Elementary in Sikeston, said the high schoolers' help is much needed.

"I have 18 first through fourth grade students so it's nice to have them to help with their homework," she said.

On most days, Johnson said she will have two or three A+ students present to assist during the after school program, which is from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. weekdays.

SHS A+ students said they enjoy their service time as much as the after school care kids and the after school care directors.

"You get to see what they're learning and how they react to having someone older teaching," said junior Amalia Day.

Sophomore Alyssa Nolen said she likes working with the younger children because they're happy.

"It's fun with the little kids," said freshman Cameron Schlosser.

The teens agreed they serve as mentors and role models to the children in the after school care program.

"They feel like you are not so much a teacher to them but more of a friend," Day said.

This program teaches the teens how to take care of and teach kids, Nolan said.

"After a while, it feels like you are a big brother to them," sophomore Cameron Hayden said.