By Allen Hamrick
The CCMS after school program, now under the direction of Crystal Gibson, has long given middle school students the opportunity for an after school experience like no other including help with homework and a variety of other programs that get students’ minds motivated toward their future. In the program, students have an opportunity to go above and beyond their perceived capabilities in a class that not only works their minds but puts their hands to work to create
one- of-a-kind projects. Students have made everything from Native and mountain man jewelry to leather bags and bird houses. They learned the uses of paracord and completed several projects using the medium. They have applied math skills using hot wheels cars and also created in line spinners for fishing. Students learned rope and knot tying skills as well as participated in a literacy program that involved creating and writing radio mystery programs. They have had the opportunity for music lessons, art projects, leadership and personal development through 4-H and gaming activities that involve state of the art gaming computers. The specialty after school classes are for the purpose of getting students’ minds involved in something that might be helpful to them as they get older or perhaps spark an interest in a new idea.
It is important to help a student increase natural knowledge and to apply scientific methods to investigate every decision in their life. Through time, the garment of make believe has to be removed in order to understand what is expected in whatever decision one makes toward education or work. A good mind needs fertilizing as the body needs different nutrients, a special food that it desires perhaps; the mind is no different. The health and well being of the youth of this generation depend on a well educated and a well used mind. There are far more minds that rust than there are that ever wear out. Our youth today need their brains to embrace all things, great ideas as well as smaller ones, to see themselves as fearless in going beyond their comfort zone and finding themselves.
Students must see the world as it is. From the cradle, the human mind develops, from that grows skills and from there passion for a future of making a difference. In order for these principles to work, they must give richness and thought to creativity. Many times the ones who go to work right out of school flipping hamburgers are the ones that change the world. To be involved with the CCMS after school enrichment classes is a great opportunity for the students to advance their way of thinking as well as learn to make better decisions with a greater understanding that habits, good or bad, dictate the future are ultimately their choice.
