MATCH

Halifax MATCH (Mentoring Activities Tailored for Children in Halifax) is a partnership between Halifax County and Weldon City Schools. This program is designed to increase academic performance, reduce absenteeism, and referrals to the principals’ office. Recently, the students in Halifax MATCH were culturally and educationally exposed as they journeyed to Durham, North Carolina to tour North Carolina Central University (NCCU) and attend the NCCU vs Morehead State University football game. Everyone listened attentively as Mr. Paul Phipps, former student of NCCU and currently Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions, provided background history on NCCU. Mr. Phipps explained the requirements to be admitted into their undergraduate program. Students were anxious to ask questions as they toured the campus. Mr. Phipps made sure that children actively participated in the tour by allowing them to be leaders in the group. MATCH students were willing to take the lead and inform the rest of the group about the dormitories, social organizations, and the variety of buildings on campus. Milar Richardson, a mentee from William R. Davie Middle School, discussed the field trip with her friends on the bus ride home and shared with Ms. Katrina Evans, Mentor Coordinator for Halifax County Schools, that she learned a lot of information about NCCU, enjoyed the football game, and was looking forward to going on another field trip soon. Marj Scott, a mentee from Weldon Elementary School, thought that the packed stadium for the football game was “the bomb.” Christian Richardson, a mentee from William R. Davie Middle School, was elated to visit a college campus for the first time. Christian stated, “he did not know a college campus was this big and wanted to know how long it would take him to get from one class to the other?” Demario Johnson, a mentee from Southeast Halifax High School stated, “he was glad to visit a historically black university and that this was his first time touring a college.” Johnson thanked Mrs. Shana Pendergass, Mentor Coordinator for Weldon City Schools, for organizing such a trip. Mentor Cary White, Jr., accompanied the field trip with his mentee, Shaikeem Drew and stated that this was good exposure for our kids in Halifax County**.** Mentors Mrs. Barbara Smith-Hill, Ms. Latoya Williams, and Mr. Duriel Smith also attended with their mentees and had a super “eagle” time. MATCH is still in need of positive role models to make a difference in the lives of our boys and girls. We are asking you to do the following, attend a Mentor’s Training, pass a background check, and commit to spending eight hours a month with your mentee. Be a hero TODAY, mentor a child! For more information, please feel free to contact Katrina Evans at Inborden Elementary School (252-445-5455 ext. 230) or Shana Pendergrass at Weldon City Schools (252-536-4821 ext. 233).
 * Halifax **** MATCH takes College Tour **