John D. Freeman 21st Century Community Learning Center Summer Camp builds student leaders

June 2009

Although Jarred Billups has yet to begin his junior year at Fayette County High School in Fayette, Ala., he's already plotting a course for where his education will take him.

The first order of business after graduation will involve attending Auburn University. Beyond that, he's giving serious thought to law school.

If the organizers of the recent John D. Freeman 21^st Century Community Learning Centers Summer Camp have their way, Billups may ultimately see a classroom as a career destination rather than as a conduit to one. Thanks to the camp hosted by Auburn University's Truman Pierce Institute June 7-12, Billups and 30 other high school students honed skills that will serve them well as tutors and received insight on how to become effective leaders.

Named for Freeman, the late and renowned extension plan taxonomist and associate professor of botany and microbiology at Auburn University, the camp deepens student knowledge about natural sciences through hands-on classroom and field experiences. In addition to developing their skills in math, reading and writing, the students receive instruction on how to combine nature studies with music, literature and art. After returning to their respective school systems, the campers will provide a minimum of 40 hours of tutoring to younger students in 21^st Century Community Learning Center after-school programs.

For Billups and others, the annual visits to the camp have provided sparks of inspiration. Billups said he enjoys applying what he learns for the benefit of younger students.

"Just knowing that you were in their position one time and you might have needed some help'' encourages Billups to serve as a tutor for other students. "It brings me joy to tutor young children and help them out,'' he added. "Every time we come down here, we find out new ways to tutor science class, math class or writing.''

The Truman Pierce Institute, an outreach and research unit of Auburn's College of Education, trains students to help others and to understand the positive effects their work can have on an individual or an entire school. During the camp's graduation, a number of guest speakers touched on those themes. Dr. Tommy Bice, Alabama's deputy state superintendent for education, encouraged students to channel their sense of caring about academic issues into leadership roles.

"You're a leader now,'' Bice told the group. "You've made that step now. Your principals and teachers need to hear your voices when you go back. They need to hear your voices, but I want to make sure you use those voices in a productive way.''

Bice said the most powerful way student-tutors can do so is by recognizing who among their peers is in dire need of social or academic support.

"There are going to be kids who, when you go back to your schools, might not be the most popular kids,'' Bice said. "They may not be the smartest kids. They may not fit into the cliques. That's where you come in. We're going to count on you to be that person who will go back and help those kids who might not be helped otherwise.''

Dr. Frances Kohan, dean of Auburn's College of Education, borrowed from the Auburn Creed in challenging the students to pursue their lives and educational goals with "a spirit that is unafraid.''

"This is a time to be thinking seriously about what your life is going to be and what difference you are going to make in this world,'' she said.

Tuboise Floyd '99, a doctoral candidate in the College of Education and a computer technician for Lee County Schools, told the campers that "educated people have choices.''

The message certainly wasn't lost on Billups, who already seems to be considering the choice of whether to use his education to become a lawyer or a teacher.