New Hilltopper Pathways Program Aims To Help Middle Schoolers
Trending
WEST LIBERTY — West Liberty University celebrated its new program aimed at helping middle schoolers with homework, social and life skills and wellness during an afterschool program held two days a week on its campus.
A ribbon cutting ceremony was held Friday to celebrate “Hilltopper Pathways: Out of School Reentry and Support Program.” There are currently 20 students from Marshall and Brooke Counties enrolled in the program. Five more students from Ohio County will join in January. The students were chosen by their teachers with parents’ permission.
The program is being funded by a $249,000 grant from the West Virginia First Foundation, which is the group disbursing opioid lawsuit proceeds to groups across the state of West Virginia. Funding was also used to renovate some spaces in WLU’s Main Hall being used for the program.
The students are brought to campus by their respective school districts. First, they eat a healthy snack and then get help with homework. Then they can complete projects in the maker/art space. The students can then work out in the gym by using equipment such as stationary bikes, treadmills or weights or they can get physical activity outside.
And finally, the students eat dinner in the campus cafeteria before going home for the evening by about 6:30 p.m. The students have also been treated to some field trips such as visiting Grand Vue Park in Moundsville.
The programming is overseen by the university’s students, athletes and staff members.
Sherri Theaker, dean of the College of Education and Human Performance at WLU, said the programming is aimed at helping students “build confidence, strengthen connections and develop skills for future success.”
“We are celebrating the power of partnership to transform lives,” she said. “The ribbon we cut today symbolizes more than a program opening; it symbolizes new beginnings, new possibilities and the belief that a student’s circumstances do not determine their future. When a community invests in its young people, lives change. … Every student deserves a pathway to success and every pathway begins with someone who believes in them.”
Kathleen Wack, director of the Hilltopper Pathways Project and professor of Health and Physical Wellness at WLU, said the program has already had a big impact on the children and the university students during its first six weeks.
“It’s been a really joyful experience for all of us to connect with these kids and make a difference in their lives,” Wack said.
She noted a recent field trip to Grand Vue Park allowed the children to try out some of its aerial adventures.
“Just to see them going outside of their comfort zone, trying to achieve things they’ve never achieved before … It was a really awesome experience,” she said. “So, we’re going to try and do that each month if they have good attendance and good behavior.”
James Morelli, project assistant for the Hilltopper Pathways Project, said he hopes the program continues in the future. He thanked the WVFF for approving the grant funding.
“The relationships we’ve built with these kids are very effective. … We’re already seeing a difference,” he said.
WLU President Timothy Borchers said the program is transforming the lives of the students.
“We’re really proud to play such an important role in shaping the lives of the students we serve; both our own students and the students in the region,” he said.
WLU Provost Cathy Monteroso said the program is also a great learning opportunity for the WLU students who are helping run the program.
“Through this partnership we are strengthening school support, supporting families and investing in bright futures for young people in the Northern Panhandle,” she said.
Steven Corder, WVFF Region 1 board member, and Romeo Tan, WVFF deputy executive director and COO, both attended the celebration.
“We’re very excited to fund a program such as this because after all we know that prevention is the best intervention,” Corder said. “We’re very grateful to West Liberty University for having the initiative to start a program such as this. This is one of the first new programs the West Virginia First Foundation funded in this region. Obviously, it’s off to a good start and we thank you for that.”
Tan said the foundation made a commitment to invest in “innovative and evidence-based strategies.”
“We’re excited to see where the program goes and what the program has done,” he said.
Following the ceremony, Marshall County Schools Assistant Superintendent Karen Klamut said her school district helped WLU with the grant process by providing input and insight.
“We’re thrilled to be partners with them. It’s a great opportunity for students of Moundsville Middle School. It is just starting, but so far, we’ve even seen a difference in them. And we’re excited for this to continue,” she said, noting there are eight students participating from MMS. “The students are enjoying it.”
After the ceremony, Theaker said the university has applied for another WVFF grant to extend the Hilltopper Pathways program for another three years.