By Amy Al-Katib
Leader Intern
This year, seven students are able to say they know what success feels like because of the Rotary Club of Oxford’s STRIVE program.
STRIVE is a program that offers students who are facing academic difficulty the encouragement, motivation and mentorship needed to enable them to succeed and offers cash incentives to those who do.
‘It empowers them to make good quality choices,? said John Moody, an OHS counselor who directs the program. ‘Everyone who participates has the opportunity to get an award, but only the students who show improvement receive the money.?
On Thursday, May 21, the Rotary Club awarded $1600 to the seven students involved with STRIVE who improved their Grade Point Average.
Rev. Doug McMunn is an Oxford United Methodist pastor, a rotarian and the head of the STRIVE program. At the ceremony, he offered a little background information on the rotarians. ‘We’re from all walks of life, and we come together to serve our community – not only locally but globally,? he said. ‘This STRIVE program is our modest effort to work with a small number of students at Oxford High.?
The STRIVE committee members, Doug McMunn, Debbie Bolognino and Dr. Paul Ferri meet with students once a month for approximately an hour. They use this time to get to know the students by finding out what challenges them, what their goals are and what they need to do to achieve them. They also invite a guest speaker to each meeting, usually a fellow Rotarian.
‘We ask our speakers to share their life story – especially times when they have fallen or struggled,? said McMunn.
‘What they have found in life is a way to give back and enjoy other people’s success,? said Principal Michael Schweig of the Rotarians.
This year’s top achiever, Courtney Hager, said this is the most helpful part of the program.
‘Listening to the speakers and knowing that they had the same kinds of problems as us really helps the kids,? said Hager.
Hager improved her GPA by .92 and was awarded $500 for her success.
Scott Curlett increased his GPA by .66 and was awarded $300. Abigail Brown increased her GPA by .66 also and received $250. Lee Bell increased his GPA by .58 and received $200. Michael Hendrix improved his GPA by .41 and received $150. Kimani Poston increased his GPA by .24 and Ross Cole by .22 and both were awarded $100.
‘Tonight’s no different than any other night,? said McMunn. ‘You can press on, give your best, dig down deeper and strive for life.?