Middle schoolers experience TCC college life
by Lillian Kemp, Reporter

    Twenty-six middle school students invaded South Campus before Thanksgiving.
    Coming from Forest Oak Middle School, these were the first students to leave their school and tour the campus through the schools’ Adopt-A-School partnership. The seventh and eighth graders were chosen based on their perfect attendance and academic records.
   Most of the young students enjoyed their visit to the campus.
   “I like the school, and I plan on coming here,” Cortney Davis, an eighth grader, said.
   Dr. Lonzetta Allen, director of counseling and testing, welcomed the students and taught them a little about the zero principle.
   “The zero principle is when you add a zero, multiply a zero or divide by zero, you get zeros,” she said.
   Allen then explained the link between the zero principle and the importance of getting a college education.
   Dr. Curtis Hill, coordinator of the academic success center, added advice from his perspective.
   “Testing is a way of life,” he said. “Whatever you want to do requires testing.”
   Hill also elaborated on how to prepare for college and how to enroll in college courses while still in high school.
   The visit was educational for more than the middle school students though. Teachers and advisors who visited with the children said the field trip was a learning experience for them.
   “I learned up-to-date availability of the college and courses that are offered, especially for computers,” Angela Jones, intervention specialist at Forest Oak, said.
   “All the advisors were very informative,” she said. “They were very helpful and seemed like they care. The kids will leave here thinking positively about college and broader horizons.”
   As part of the Adopt-A-School agreement, Forest Oak students can visit South Campus and use the facilities whenever they like. In addition, the campus also holds a career day for these students.
   South Campus students, faculty and staff also participate in a mentoring program for the children. Members of the Rho Chi Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa honor society normally mentor the children on a weekly basis.
   Every year, the South Campus learning community conducts a school supplies drive for the Forest Oak students. The middle school students need many items for their school year. Anyone wishing to donate should check each building for flyers of the items needed and the contact person for that building. The current drive ends Thursday, Dec. 4.
   Last year, a student from the adopt-a-school, won second place for his piece of art in the Imagine … No Violence campaign. The winner Joshua Young, a former Forest Oak student, is now a ninth grader in Austin. This artwork is on display in the South library.
   Monica Bettle, director of career services, coordinated the Nov. 21 tour for the children.
   To learn more about the school supplies drive, contact Janet Lee at 817-515-4001. For more information about the mentoring program, contact Lee or Phi Theta Kappa.