WS Chronicle

By Tevin Stinson

The Chronicle

On Friday, Sept. 25, students from Winston-Salem State University and Carver High School came together to mark the start of JRAMS, a new tutoring and mentoring program for 10th-graders.

JRAMS stands for Jackets and Rams Achieving Maximum Success and is only offered at Carver High School.

The purpose of the program is to assist students in rising up and taking those first crucial steps in becoming what they want to be in the future. In addition to mentoring and academic support, the students who participate in the program will also have opportunities to be apart of the WSSU culture.

By attending athletic events and cultural events on campus, the high school students will get a chance to experience what life is really like on a college campus.

Students will also participate in field trips, hear monthly inspirational speakers and participate in a number of workshops.

During the celebration to mark the beginning of the program, sophomores Shawanna Ladson and Jakyia Vance said they were excited about getting a chance to be a part of the new program.

“I’m excited to get a chance to go on the campus and learn from the college students,” Ladson said.

Vance said she hasn’t met with her mentor yet, but joined the program to get a little taste of what the college life is all about.

“I wanted to learn more about college and see what everything is about.” Vance said.

Coordinators of the program believe the mentor relationship along with the other opportunities are not only to support student academics, but also to support personal growth and student leadership.

Dr. Trae Cotton, vice chancellor of student affairs at WSSU, spoke during the ceremony and said he was delighted to see his students getting involved in the community.

“It is always a pleasure to see my Rams working in the community,” Cotton said. “Everyone behind this program together is ready to help these students be all they can be.”

Many of the mentors and tutors volunteered for the program.

Tyree Wilkes, a rising WSSU junior, said he volunteered for the program because he had worked with similar programs back home and wanted to get more involved in this community.

“I found out about the program from a organization on campus, they said they really needed mentors for the males in the program, so I wanted to do my part to help the community.”

A number of dignitaries attended the kickoff celebration, including: Wiinston-Salem/Forsyth County Sschools Superintendent Beverly Emory, Mayor Pro Tempore Vivian H. Burke, and Police Chief Barry D. Rountree.

During the opening of the celebration, Travis Taylor, principal of Carver High School, expressed how excited he was about the program.

“I am very excited for this program to be kicking off right here at Carver, said Taylor. “Our students are eager to meet their mentors and take those steps to mapping out their futures.”

After the ceremony in the auditorium, the mentors and students gathered in the cafeteria for food and fun. This allowed the students time to meet a number of the college students and directors of the program.

Cotton said he believes his students are ready to make a difference.

“I know my students are ready to make a difference in the lives of these students, and this program is perfect for that.”

Other partners who helped put the JRAMS Program together include Grace Presbyterian Church, on Carver School Road, and Big Brother, Big Sister of Winston-Salem.