CHAMPS welcomes its largest class

CHAMPS welcomed the largest class in its fifteen-year history at a recent ceremony in Belk Auditorium. While the program has annually accepted 30 Laurens County sixth graders since 1995, a grant from AT&T enabled CHAMPS to increase the number to 41.

Shay Bluford, a 2006 Clinton High School graduate, participated in the program and now serves as a mentor. The PC junior addressed the newest class and all of the CHAMPS students, who were in attendance.

“If it weren’t for CHAMPS,” Bluford said, “I wouldn’t be where I am today. I credit it all to CHAMPS.

“Take full advantage of the opportunity you have now,” she said. “This is an opportunity not all students get. You’re the cream of the crop.”

Fourteen PC students, including Bluford and freshman music major Stephanie Tollison, were also welcomed into the program to serve as mentors and counselors for the 2009-2010 year.

Tollison, a 2009 Laurens High School graduate, also participated in the CHAMPS program.

“The morals that were instilled by my mentors,” she said, “were life lessons, and I am very excited to get the chance to make the difference to these students like my mentors did for me.”

In addition, fourteen Laurens County teachers were welcomed into the program for the upcoming year. They will teach students in the areas of English, math, science, and character education.

“You have committed yourself to CHAMPS,” director Dr. Jerman Disasa told the CHAMPS students. “CHAMPS has committed itself to you. Six years from now you will be in college.”

posted by Stacy Dyer '96
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