News release from the Fort Wayne Community Schools:
Study Connection honors those who have made a difference
(September 16, 2011) – At its annual kick-off breakfast today, Study Connection recognized those who have made a difference in the lives of children in the last year.
Study Connection honored Anne Gregory of the Journal Gazette with the Mike McClelland Tutor of the Year award. Gregory has been a tutor at Fort Wayne Newspapers since 2002 and has worked with several struggling students. While her students have sometimes been challenging, she remained committed and used creative means to engage them. Gregory keeps in constant contact with the Study Connection staff, her student’s teacher and the caseworker at Bloomingdale Elementary to make sure her student is on the right track.
Linda Marshall, case manager at Price Elementary, was named the Connie Dickey School Contact of the Year. She manages three different Study Connection groups working with Sirva, PNC and a group of volunteers who meet with students at the school. Marshall is enthusiastic and grateful for the help volunteers give the students. She willingly helps Study Connection resolve any issues and has graciously worked directly with site directors to provide insight and extra assistance when needed.
Ivy Tech Community College received the Outstanding Business of the Year. Ivy Tech has been with Study Connection since 1999 and has gone beyond just serving as a tutoring site. The college has reached out to Northcrest Elementary School to partner in other ways, including bringing Northcrest students to the Ivy Tech campus to experience what happens in a college classroom. Ivy Tech’s volunteer base has grown enough to provide two locations as Study Connection sites. Over the summer, Ivy Tech began recruiting for the 2011-12 school year with the hopes of doubling the number of volunteers at the college.
Opresha Carter, a student at Abbett Elementary, was named the Don A. Wolf Outstanding Student of the Year. Opresha and her tutor Patty Fasick were matched when Opresha was in kindergarten and have met together the last five years at AEP. In that time, Opresha’s grades have improved, particularly in reading. She was very shy but has opened up and become very comfortable with her tutor. She wants to succeed.
Study Connection began in 1989, founded by Don Wolf, retired CEO and president emeritus of Do it Best Corp. In the last two decades an estimated 10,000 students have gone through the program. Volunteers are matched one-to-one with FWCS students who need academic assistance. Students and volunteers meet weekly after school for one hour during the school year with 79 percent of the students bused to and from local businesses for their tutoring sessions. This not only gives students a chance to receive some extra homework help, but also meet a mentor in the community and learn about local career opportunities. To get involved, call 467-8810.
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