February 26, 2009 Issue
Avery YO! Program Busy In Second Semester
Crossnore YO! students and ASU 5th Dimension mentors continue their trip around the world this semester, stopping to create cultural pieces along the way.
The Avery Youth Opportunities Afterschool Program, which serves students at Banner Elk Elementary, Newland Elementary, Crossnore Elementary, Riverside Elementary, Freedom Trail Elementary, Avery Middle and Cranberry Middle, currently offers a host of cultural, educational and health-related activities to students enrolled in the program.
Avery YO! clubs, both new and returning, include a Spanish Club, an Art Club, a Drama and Theater Club, the 5th Dimension Program, the Survivor Program, the Media Ready Program and a Character Development Program. Appalachian State University student interns, volunteers and mentors also travel to various sites to implement clubs, to help with homework and to provide hands-on learning activities for students.
The Spanish Club is led by Maria Aldridge. Aldridge, who is also the English as a Second Language coordinator for Avery YO!, travels to each of the elementary schools on a weekly basis. She has been working with interested students on speaking, writing, singing and understanding the basics of the Spanish language.
ASU art education majors Kristi Abrecht, Vonda Burris and Jessica Wood visit Newland Elementary YO! each week to incorporate an Art Club into the afterschool program. They are developing activities based on what the Newland Elementary YO! students expressed an interest in learning more about during the first week.
The 5th Dimension Program has doubled in size this semester. Currently, Crossnore Elementary YO! students receive individual tutoring and mentoring and enjoy hands-on activities with their ASU mentors. The ASU students and Crossnore students work with each other four days a week. This semester, they continue their figurative trip around the world together with cultural hands-on lessons and activities.
Banner Elk YO! student Jason (J.J.) Dibble works on a project during Spanish Club. Photo by YO! student Harley Dibble.
Other clubs include a once-a-week Theatre and Drama Club at Banner Elk Elementary and the Media Ready and Character Development Curriculums at Avery Middle and Cranberry Middle School.
The Media Ready Program is led by Amy Turner and focuses on creating a healthy education and awareness regarding media messages and advertisements.
The Career Smarts Program, directed by 4-H Program Assistant Debra Buchanan-Hughes, teaches students how to prepare for job interviews, why diversity is important, and how to use respect and confidence to engage others and meet personal goals.
The Survivor Program, an integral part of Avery YO! since last year, continues to travel to sites on a rotating basis. Coordinator Becky Keener continues to teach the students about health and wellness through hands-on and interactive games and activities.
In addition to the regular clubs and activities, Avery YO! will work with community agencies and partners to host the first Avery County Community Day on Saturday, March 21, at Old Cranberry High School.
If you are interested in learning more about Avery YO!, call Jenna Crawley or Bobbie Willard at 828-737-0057. Avery YO! always needs volunteers and financial donations.
Avery YO! is the result of an ongoing collaboration between W.A.M.Y. Community Action, Inc., the Avery County Cooperative Extension, 4-H and Avery County Schools. The 4-H Program and the 21st Century Community Learning Center Program are active at the elementary school level; the Support Our Students program exists at the middle school level.
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