Joplin Metro
Related Photos
Discussion
Carl Junction school officials: Mentoring program making a difference
By Emily Younger
eyounker@joplinglobe.com
CARL JUNCTION, Mo. — A few months ago, Marisha Marney was failing most of her classes.
But Monday, the day before Carl Junction schools let out for Christmas break, Marney, a high school freshman, proudly told Sharon Clark over lunch from Randy’s Drive-In that she expects to pass most of her classes this semester.
“I’ve improved my grades ever since I met her (Clark),” Marney said.
When Clark asked Marney what made her improve her grades, Marney smiled.
“You being proud of me,” she said.
“I am very proud,” Clark responded, her voice heavy with emotion. “Very proud.”
Clark and Marney are two of about 20 participants in Carl Junction High School’s recently launched mentoring program, which pairs students who are at risk of dropping out of school with members of the community.
Georgiana McGriff, high school principal, said several members of the local Rotary Club volunteered to mentor students partly because of the Graduation Matters campaign, which area educators emphasized during one week in November.
Touching base
“It’s just someone to kind of touch base with them,” McGriff said. “(Students have) an adult to talk to on a regular basis.”
High school counselor Kristy Jones said mentors usually meet with their students once or twice a month during school hours. During that time, they do a variety of activities with their students, depending on the students’ interests and hobbies.
For example, one mentor brought her golden retriever to a meeting, and the pair walked the dog together. Another mentor showed her student how to bead necklaces, and they have since been making jewelry. A third pair likes to play chess, Jones said.
In addition to helping develop social skills, mentors also help their students focus on career and academic goals by challenging them to improve their grades and encouraging them to think about what they might want to do in the future, Jones said.
Students are chosen for the program using criteria based primarily on grades. Jones said she is working to expand the program through outreach efforts with a school committee that focuses on at-risk students.
Clark said she volunteered for the program after hearing about local superintendents’ focus on reducing the dropout rate. After talking with Jones, she was paired with Marney, and they first met in October. Clark brought lunch and taught Marney how to play checkers.
Since then, the two have met at least three more times.
“We usually play games, sit down and eat, and talk about school (and) how I’m doing,” Marney said. “What I like is she’s taking time out of her life, and coming to see me and spend time with me. I really like her, and I’m glad that I started this or I would have never known her.”
Impact apparent
The impact of the meetings is apparent: Marney said school is now “good” and that her classes, including French class, her favorite, are “really good.”
Clark said Marney “seems to be kind of a different person” since October.
“I just try to be a positive influence in her life,” Clark said. “If I can make a difference in one person’s life, it’s worth the hour I give up every other week.”
Clark said she has discussed Marney’s future with her, sharing stories about the years she served in the Army as a legal clerk and as a drill sergeant.
That seemed to pique Marney’s interest.
“I’d like to go to the Army because all those commercials talking about serving your country — I like to hear that, and I want to be one of those people,” Marney said.
And she knows what it will take to get her there.
“Good grades,” she said. “Very good grades, and a diploma.”
At the end of their time together Monday, Clark presented Marney with a Christmas present — a copy of the movie “The Pink Panther 2” — but only after extracting a promise from her that she would study Monday night for her Tuesday quiz instead of watching the film.
Marney agreed.
Program launch
The mentoring program was launched with a handful of volunteers, and it now has eight who meet with their students regularly. Principal Georgiana McGriff said she hopes to add two more pairs in January.
- Joplin Metro
-
-
Lobbyist: Bill on tax-stacking appears stalled
A fix for Joplin’s tax-stacking exposure has not materialized in this session of state legislative action, as city leaders had hoped.
And, with only four days left before the session ends, not much chance is seen for the rescue of a bill that would protect Joplin, and other cities, from potential lawsuits such as one filed last year over the city’s multiple sales taxes. -
Sex offender sentenced for failure to register
A former Texan was assessed two three-year prison terms Monday for failing to register in Jasper County as a sex offender and for receiving stolen property.
Clay E. Herring, 53, pleaded guilty Feb. 22 to the charges in Jasper County Circuit Court. -
Drunken driver assessed suspended sentence in crash
A Webb City man was assessed a suspended sentence Monday on an assault conviction for operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated in an accident two years ago that caused serious injuries to another man.
Justin M. Allen, 32, pleaded guilty March 22 in Jasper County Circuit Court to second-degree assault in connection with a two-vehicle accident May 13, 2008, on Highway 43 north of Joplin. -
Salary schedule to come before Board of Education
A proposal that would institute a pay freeze next year and slightly reduce starting pay for new teachers is to be taken up tonight by the Joplin School Board.
Superintendent C.J. Huff said the salary schedule that will come before the board will include changes that would reduce the annual starting pay for new teachers with no experience next year from $33,372 to $33,122. -
Brad Belk: May tornadoes struck Joplin twice in 1970s
Two incredibly destructive and deadly tornadoes touched down in Joplin during the early 1970s.
Both occurred during the month of May and were separated by just a little over two years of time. -
Mothers, daughters experience pioneer life at nature center
Mothers and daughters got an early Mother’s Day treat last week when they stepped back in time to learn how nature played a role in the life of a pioneer woman.
-
Students brave cold, wind for Fun Run
Sixth-grader Lexie Vaught found a burst of energy as she ran down the final stretch of her mile-long run Saturday morning, well ahead of the other girls in her race.
“I was pacing myself until I got to the end,” she said. “It was amazing (to cross the finish line).” -
Summer school programs facing financial pressure
When Jessica Stahl sent her daughter to summer school last year, it was as much about easing mom’s kindergarten jitters as her daughter’s.
“I’ve never been a school parent,” Stahl said Wednesday while waiting to pick up her six-year-old daughter from Columbia Elementary School. -
VPAA search looms large in MSSU faculty relations
The filling of the position of vice president for academic affairs is emerging as a key issue for faculty relations at Missouri Southern State University and could determine whether any trust can be rebuilt with President Bruce Speck, several faculty said.
-
Fuel prices could be peaking
For a while there, it looked like gasoline would reach $3 for a gallon of regular, and it still might, but the chance of that happening is less likely today than it was even a few days ago.
- More Joplin Metro Headlines
-
Lobbyist: Bill on tax-stacking appears stalled
