CHAMPS

CHAMPS is a program that helps underprivileged students from Laurens County. Standing for Communities Helping, Assisting, Motivating Promising Students, CHAMPS selects students when they are in the sixth grade. The students participate in the program through high school.

During that time, CHAMPS volunteers help the students with their schoolwork and mentor them to keep them focused on their goals. In addition, CHAMPS students attend summer camp at PC each year, experiencing the college life as they go to classes and live in residence halls for a week. The experience allows them an opportunity to keep college in their minds as a reachable goal.

Success

Since its inauguration on January 20, 1995, CHAMPS has added 30 rising seventh graders each year. Since 2001, when 19 of its first group of 30 students graduated from high school, CHAMPS has been channeling an average of 22 students to college each year. The average high school graduation rate of CHAMPS students is 84.4%. Over 95% of graduates go on to enroll in a post-secondary institution.

Students find sponsorship for Mini CHAMPS program

They come to the school from different parts of the country. Some have brothers and sisters. Others have lost a parent. All have been given an opportunity many Ethiopian teenagers can only dream of.

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