Excitement filled the air as the Honorable Walter Winchester, Mayor of McKenzie, Tennessee and a frequent TEAMS volunteer highlighted the benefits of afterschool and the need for continued volunteer and financial support of the TEAMS Institute of McKenzie, an afterschool program that offers educational and life-skill building activities for children and youth.
DJ Reggie filled the building with a diversity of music to create a festive atmosphere. “This house is awesome. This is a great place to do my homework and have fun”, stated student Stephen as he toured the building. Alexis Lane, student at McKenzie High School served as Mistress of Ceremonies for the formal ceremony. She stated, “This afterschool program exposed me to leadership opportunities that launched my service as a Student council officer at McKenzie Middle School and my continued academic success at McKenzie High School.”
The crowd moved to the music provided by the Jamaica Me Happy Steel Drum Percussion Ensemble from the University of Tennessee at Martin, under the direction of Dr. Julie Hill. Evelyn Parker, TEAMS Institute Program Board Co-chair shared the success stories of afterschool in Carroll County stating that over 90% of participants expressed satisfaction with the program and provided jobs for citizens of the community. Members of the audience reinforced her statistics through personal testimony of the positive impact of afterschool in Carroll County through an increase in grades to self confidence.
Mayor Winchester presented a proclamation from the City of McKenzie to Director Sheila Williams, declaring October 29 “Lights On Afterschool Day”. At the conclusion of the program, young children reached for the succulent organic fruit sculptures, salads, natural free range sliders, wings and burrito entrees catered by Joanna Allen, TEAMS staff person.
Open to children and youth ages six to eighteen, students who attend the TEAMS Institute participate in classes concerning Technology, Engineering, the Arts, Medicine and Science (TEAMS).
Funding for the Institute is provided by the State of Tennessee’s 21st Century Learning Center, a group that awards grants to organizations that provide academic enrichment activities designed to help students meet state and local standards. The TEAMS Institute, which was founded in 2008, was recently awarded a three-year grant from the 21st Century Learning Center to continue providing life-changing opportunities for the youth of Carroll County.
To register your child for afterschool at the TEAMS Institute, visit teamsinstitute.org or call the center at 731.352.3377, after 3 pm Monday through Thursday.
