Students from Prairie View A&M University and rival school Texas Southern University were in sync to assist in mentoring and raising awareness about education to children at Fleming Middle School in Houston Independent School District on Tuesday.
This spectacular event was specifically to reassure and motivate students to work hard to increase the disappointing test scores throughout the school and the district.
The pep rally consisted of music from PVAMU’s newly elected Junior Homecoming Queen Jazmine Lofton better known as DJ 4.0, who was also the coordinator for tagging PV students along.
Lofton said, “A girl named Mariah approached me, and spoke with me about how she wanted to introduce me to Dr. Kevin Simms and help with mentoring since I was a positive role model on campus. I was so honored.” Lofton was able to gather eager students within a short time to travel to the Greater Fifth Ward of Houston.
Simms, a representative from the Houston African American Forum, undertook the role of gaining as many mentors and tutors to spread across the district to raise test scores by 20 percent.
Out of the 500 schools in Houston ISD, approximately one-third of them are performing below the average standard. Another major issue is behavioral problems, which sparked considerable attention after the fatal stabbing at Spring High School just earlier this month. Lisa Hong, a guidance counselor for the district, spoke at the rally about the importance of not being afraid to speak up during any situation so that a safe learning environment can be maintained. Violence and abuse should be the least of worries where education is most relevant, she added.
Students who particpated in the program recieved community service hours and had the opportunity to network and meet others who could help them with their careers.
The mentoring program encourages students to give back to their communities and continue a legacy.