Extra interests
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on March 21, 2016 1:46 PM
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
Eighth-grader Matti Toms smiles as SSgt. Eric Prince teaches her how to use some of his DJ equipment during Club Day at Grantham Middle School Wednesday. Several clubs from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base spoke and gave demonstrations to groups of students throughout the day. Also pictured are Angel Reynoso and Gauge Bryan.
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
TSgt. Candice Bingham and MSgt. Katie Neeley talk about the cooking club and their inspiration for cooking during the Make it Better Club Day at Grantham Middle School Wednesday.
It's not unusual for middle school students to get involved in school clubs that reflect their various areas of interest.
Beyond the typical smattering of science, math and Spanish options typically offered, though, Grantham Middle School will get to take it a step further -- through a partnership with Seymour Johnson Air Force Base.
The base recently launched the "Make It Better" program, developing a hefty list of clubs for military families. Taking it on the road to the new middle school seemed like a good way to offer a career mentor option.
"We are all working toward the goal of enhancing student learning experiences to ensure they are prepared to become productive citizens willing to give of themselves for the betterment of our society," said Tech Sgt. Robert Fischer, whose leadership also includes being one of the class car club advisers.
Dolores Tendall, lead Title I teacher at Grantham, is a military spouse.
She said she and her principal, Lisa Tart, were excited about the prospects of another way to broaden student horizons.
Eighth-graders had already attended the district's career fair and taken a field trip to Duke University earlier in the year to expose students to a college campus. Allowing them to sample clubs at their base school would be a bonus.
"We asked 25 clubs, 17 responded 'yes,'" Mrs. Tendall said. "What we were excited about was the positive feedback from the men and women -- they said they wished they had something like this when they were in school."
Seventh- and eighth-graders were allowed to choose their three top clubs -- from a list that ranged from civil engineer, computer building and flying to being a DJ, theater and leatherworking.
"Our goal this year for our eighth-graders has been to explore careers and look at where you want to be in four years, to make sure they're prepared to graduate from high school," Mrs. Tart told the students at the kickoff assembly last week. "Whatever your pathway, each one of these clubs is related to a career pathway of interest.
"It's a privilege and an honor to have the base partner with Grantham Middle in an effort to further expose our students to mentors that can actually help them better understand that career pathway and those skills that you need to be successful."
Club representatives from the base spoke at the assembly before the group dispersed and had an opportunity to sample their top choices.
Chief Master Sgt. Tim Edwards, of the flying club, said many in the base pilots group have their own planes.
"We have a group of individuals, male and female, some F-15 pilots, some pilots that are just like me, general aviation pilots," he said, making sure to get a plug in the potential jobs in the field. "There's going to be thousands, and there already are thousands of openings with the airlines.
"There's a huge career and a big pilot shortage and that's what we're trying to get out."
Katie Neeley, of the cooking club, admitted she was not a chef, just someone who likes to eat and likes to cook. It was something she hopes to share with others with similar interests.
Monica Fosberg, a military spouse, represented Youth in Cahoots.
"I believe in order to be part of your community, you need to give back," she said.
The Apple Club, said Master Sgt. Scott Walther, primarily disseminates information about upcoming Apple products.
Eighth-grader Xavious Speight said he was interested in the Apple Club and also the one about being a DJ. But his No. 1 choice was computer building.
"I chose computer building because I like technology and just to help out with computers," he said. "It might help me because I want to be an engineer and work in technology. I also want to play sports."
Eighth-grader Daylon Wiggins' choices were not entirely dictated by career aspirations.
"My choice was theater because I really enjoy acting and the second one was cooking because I think I need to work on that a little bit," she said with a smile. "Third was painting.
"Just learning new things, getting new experiences. It's not every day that you get to do this. I think it will be a good experience."
Matthew Kornegay had the cooking club at the top of his list.
"I like to make things with my hands. I like to use my hands," he explained. "I see cooking as a challenge."
It's not an unfamiliar area for the eighth-grader, however. As a Boy Scout, he has had the opportunity to cook for his troop.
His second-choice pick was the DJ club, he said. But mostly, he was looking forward to the variety the clubs will provide.
"We get to experience things other than just the classroom," he said.
Linda Rouse, assistant principal, enthused about the possibilities.
"The partnership within our community and it's actually spreading their wings because most of the families out here are not military," she said.
She praised the base personnel for giving back to the community. Investing in students' career choices and opening themselves up to questions while mentoring the youth is a positive gift that can keep on giving, she said.
"This is our initial venture," she said. "What we hope to do is expand it next year. That's why we're allowing some seventh-graders to be part of this.
"We wanted to see how it would work, how the children would respond to it. We're impressed with the response."