The power of pencils

Prairie View A&M University raised 7,207 pencils in support of The Pencil Project for children in Ghana founded by Randryia Houston and Hannah McConn.

The John B. Coleman Library, Women's History Committee and Student Volunteers Committee led the effort on Prairie View's campus making it the first university to lead a campus-wide drive.

Kimberly Gay, chair of the Special Events Committee for the Coleman Library said, "The collaboration between the students, faculty and staff was outstanding. With the ending results, it was as if almost every student on campus gave a pencil. This just goes to show that Prairie View has a heart and can be committed to helping others especially those all over the world."

The goal for the drive was 3,000 but with record setting contributions from Panthers United, University Village and University College, the university surpassed its goal significantly.

Alisha Lowe, student volunteer coordinator, said, "I'm very proud of the effort. Even though midterms and spring break slowed us down it didn't stop us. It's hard to believe a pencil can limit education in some countries but being able to help is amazing. I can truly say we helped direct someone's future."

Though this program yielded a positive turnout, this event will probably not occur again on campus according to Gay. The Women's History Committee targets a different global service program or event every March.

Houston and McConn plan to hand deliver the pencils to the children in Ghana as soon as possible.

"You have to give with love to get love back," said Gay. "Prairie View definitely gave with love and the cofounders of the Pencil Project were overwhelmed with gratitude towards our efforts."