THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 29, 1995 TAG: 9510290047
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY VANEE VINES, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 79 lines
Jean Boykins is strictly business when it comes to making sure her two kids get a good education.
Tavarkeya, a 7-year-old second-grader, is the ``easy'' child, routinely landing on the honor roll. Big brother Sharze is, well, ``the problem child,'' Boykins said, chuckling.
When Sharze began to cut up at school - sassing the teacher, disobeying rules, earning low marks - Boykins cracked down.
Play time with buddies? Forget it. TV? Don't even think about it. And like the Bible says, spare the rod . . .
But nothing seemed to work for long. Sharze, an articulate 10-year-old with a disarming grin, would revert to his old ways - despite Mom and Dad's crackdowns.
Once, Boykins agreed to buy him a video game if he made the honor roll. He made it. Still, she grew accustomed to the weekly calls from Robertson Elementary: ``Miz Boykins, Sharze did this or Sharze did that.''
When Robertson staffers approached her last school year about letting him participate in their new mentorship program, called The Tiger Club, she figured it couldn't hurt.
Sharze's reaction? ``I thought they thought I was mental or something, like crazy,'' the fifth-grader said. A year later, he says he likes the club because his mentor, the Rev. Felton Whitfield, reads with him; makes him feel special; and often buys him a gift, like a book. He's even doing a little better in school.
Whitfield, leader of the Suffolk Ministerial Alliance, says his group is only doing its part to let schoolchildren know adults care about them. The group believes that, in addition to parents, neighborhood role models must step forward to steer kids in the right direction while they're still impressionable.
Across the region last week, in forums sponsored by the Community Networking Association, citizens discussed the importance of providing such positive role models for today's youngsters.
``My thing is, we cannot just talk about this, we have to show by example,'' said Whitfield, 39. ``We have to sacrifice for our young people. If we don't take time out with them, we're basically saying we're going to feed them to the dogs.''
Sometimes, Whitfield said, other caring adults can get through to children when their parents can't.
The ministers don't push religion on the students, 21 of whom have been tapped for the club this year because of poor grades, bad behavior or other school troubles.
Instead, they focus on tutoring, boosting students' self-esteem and encouraging them to be responsible for their actions.
So far, 10 of the alliance's approximately 65 ministers have agreed to spend at least two hours a month at Robertson this year. Five teachers also volunteered to mentor, guidance counselor Murdly Hicks said. The club operates during the regular school day; mentors must get parents' permission for any after-school or weekend activities.
Before the alliance agreed to take part, it already was active as one of Robertson's ``business partners,'' frequently donating supplies and other goods to the school. Taking the extra step wasn't a tough decision, Whitfield said.
``It's hard to reject a project like this when you realize the need out there,'' he said. ``Kids need more one-on-one role models than ever before . . two-parent home or a supportive home.''
Boykins, Sharze's mom, says she appreciates the help.
``I'm a good parent. I'm always there for my children. But it's still good to have people who also try to keep children on the right path,'' she said. ``Sometimes, they just want someone other than their parents to talk to.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo
JOHN H. SHEALLY II/The Virginian-Pilot
Sharze Brinkley, left, says his mentor, the Rev. Felton Whitfield,
makes him feel special. They enjoy after-school time together in
Robertson Elementary School's program, The Tiger Club.
by CNB