ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, January 28, 1997 TAG: 9701280044
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
PARTNERS FOR SUCCESS was started in Roanoke last year, and pays tuition and college costs for academically promising youth who would otherwise be unable to attend college.
Megan Stump has wanted to be a kindergarten or first-grade teacher almost as long as she can remember. She loves to baby-sit and work with young children.
But she didn't know whether she'd get the chance to achieve her dream. She wasn't sure her parents would be able to afford to send her to college so she could get a degree and a teacher's license.
"We probably could have helped her go to college for a couple of years, but I don't know if we could have sent her four years," said her mother, Anita.
Megan's parents no longer have worry about their daughter's college tuition.
The 14-year-old freshman at William Fleming High School has been accepted into a program that pays tuition and other college costs for academically promising youngsters who are unlikely to be able to attend college without tutorial, financial and other assistance.
The program, called Partners for Success, was started in Roanoke last year by Superintendent Wayne Harris. It has been expanded to include Salem and Roanoke.
Rising eighth-graders are selected for the college-bound program and are provided tutors, special classes and other resources for five years to help prepare them for college.
Many had not considered college and most of their parents did not go to college.
The program is one of the winners of the Governor's Partnerships in Education awards this year. Gov. George Allen will recognize the winners at a ceremony today in Richmond.
Megan and Joshua Kimbrough, another student in the program, will go with Roanoke school officials to receive the award. They are in the second year of the program, which also received honorable mention in USA Today's national awards competition for community solutions in education.
Joshua, a freshman at Patrick Henry High, thinks the program will better prepare him for college in addition to paying his tuition and other expenses. "This will help out a lot," he said.
Joshua, 14, hasn't decided what he will study in college or what he wants to do after he finishes, but English and science are his favorite courses.
He likes both academics and sports; he played football for Patrick Henry last fall.
"We are delighted to receive this recognition because we know the program works," Harris said. "Students are capable and will rise to the level of expectation."
The Roanoke Valley program is a partnership between the public schools, Hollins College, Roanoke College, Virginia Western Community College and nearly a dozen businesses and community organizations.
The colleges will guarantee admission to students in the program who graduate from high school and meet entrance requirements. They will provide financial assistance to cover up to 70 percent of the students' tuition, fees and some other expenses.
The school systems will use foundation grants and contributions from businesses, community organizations and to cover the remaining tuition costs.
Harris said about a dozen businesses and organizations already have pledged $208,000 to help pay the students' costs.
The program includes tours and summer sessions on the college campuses, with academic enrichment and financial planning classes. College mentors are provided for the students to help them make the transition to college.
Tutors also are provided during middle and high school to help the students succeed in college-preparatory courses in mathematics, science, English and foreign languages.
Fifty-five rising eighth-graders from Roanoke, including Megan and Joshua, were chosen for the program last year when it covered only the city.
Several criteria, including academic potential, teacher recommendations and financial need, are used in selecting the students. The students are also required to write essays.
Megan, who attended Addison Middle School, said she felt lucky to have been chosen.
"It's such a wonderful opportunity; we can't believe it," her mother said.
Joshua, who went to Jackson Middle, said he wasn't sure that he would get into the program because more than 100 were under consideration initially.
This year, 65 students were chosen - 50 from Roanoke, 10 from Roanoke County and five from Salem.
Lissy Runyon, coordinator of the program, said school officials will decide by March whether a third group of students will be chosen. The schools are trying to raise more money from businesses and foundations to help cover the cost of tuition and other expenses so more students can be selected.
After finishing the ninth grade, the students will be required to do 75 hours of summer community service that is compatible with their career interests and goals.
Megan plans to do volunteer work for the Special Olympics and help out at a day-care center and retirement home. Joshua will be a counselor at the YMCA.
At the end of the 10th grade, the students will spend three weeks on the college campuses in the summer to participate in college-life simulation.
During high school, the students will attend art exhibits, concerts, plays and other cultural programs at the colleges. Parents also are required to attend some events and to participate in certain activities with their children.
LENGTH: Long : 104 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: JANEL RHODA STAFF. 1. High school freshman Megan Stumpby CNBwon the Governor's Awar and plans to attend Roanoke College after
graduation. 2. Joshua Kimbrough, 14, has received the Governor's
Award. He attends Patrick Henry High School. color.