Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, May 6, 1993 TAG: 9305060400
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S-12 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: ALMENA HUGHES STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
He'd already planned to improve his grades. Then he found out that for doing so, he could earn a card that entitled him to discounts and specials on selected merchandise and foods. So he worked hard, raised his grade-point average a point over the previous semester's and earned a SMART card.
On the day he was contacted by a reporter, David was on his way to use his Students Making Achievement Real Today card for a discount on renting a tuxedo from Mitchell's Formal Wear for his prom. He might then use the cash saved to see a movie, buy some fast food or take part in a recreational activity. Furthermore, his card might entitle him to additional discounts at those establishments.
Pretty smart, huh?
David was one of 1,785 high school students from Cave Spring, Craig County, Glenvar, James River, Lord Botetourt, North Cross, Northside, Patrick Henry, Roanoke Catholic, Roanoke Valley Christian, Salem, Shawsville, William Byrd and William Fleming to qualify for SMART cards during the 1992-93 school year.
The cards, which will be valid through the summer, are part of a program started at the beginning of fall semester 1992 by Lewis-Gale Clinic to encourage and reward academic achievement.
Lewis-Gale Clinic staff photographed the students and produced their identification cards. They also produced supporting materials such as bumper stickers, posters and banners for schools and decals to identify participating sponsors.
Approximately 75 Roanoke Valley businesses are working with the clinic to offer specials and discounts to card holders.
To earn a silver SMART card, students must be on the A or A-B Honor Roll for the semester or improve their grade-point average by at least a half-point over the previous semester's. By meeting the academic criteria, plus performing eight hours of community service each month, students can earn a gold SMART card, which entitles them to even larger discounts. Of the cards issued during the program's first semester, 133 were gold.
Randy Oostdyk, a ninth-grader at William Fleming, already has a class that requires performing 15 hours of community service during the semester. He said he thought the gold card's community-service requirement was a little difficult for some students to meet, but he's happy with his silver card.
He and his brother, Ray, a Fleming junior, both earned silver cards for making the honor roll, and both make frequent use of them to buy soft drinks at the Hardee's restaurant near their school.
"One of the best incentives for kids is to get good deals on food. It's one of the best motivations I can think of," Randy said.
Ray, an avid bowler, said he also plans to use his card for a free game the next time he's at Lee-Hi Lanes.
Cave Spring sophomore Amy Popik also earned a silver card for making the honor roll. Like many of the Cave Springs card holders, Amy said she frequently uses her card at the Salem Valley 8 movie theatre.
"I think the regular movie is $5.25, but with the card it's $3.25 for any show," she said.
She also uses her card at the batting cages in Salem.
Sarah Pinkerton, a Cave Spring sophomore and silver card holder for the honor roll, most often uses her card to have pizza with friends at Little Caesar's or to catch a movie at Salem Valley 8. Many of her friends also have cards, she said.
"It's nice to reward those who have worked hard, and it might motivate others to try," she said.
In addition to the movies, Cave Spring junior Chris Mitchell said he often uses his card to eat at Macado's. Like many of the students interviewed, Chris said he usually made the honor roll even before the card incentive was offered. But he added, "Some kids think that grades are no big deal. But saving money is always motivating."
Laura Scyphers, a Fleming sophomore, has had a 4.0 GPA since she was in the second grade, so it's no surprise that she earned her silver card for making the honor roll. Her schedule is always busy, including attending the Governor's School. Still, she finds time to use her card at least twice a week for a discount on swimming at the Gators Aquatic Center.
Lewis-Gale Clinic President Bertram Spetzler said the SMART program shows that businesses in the community care about students and their education and also shows students that hard work does pay. He said he hopes the payoffs will motivate even more students and that even more cards will be distributed in the fall.
by CNB