ESU partners with two Emporia schools to inspire children

Emporia State University and Emporia Public schools have teamed up to inspire children to complete high school and attend college.

Faculty, staff and students from ESU recently paid a visit to Riverside and William Allen White Elementary Schools to spend time with energetic fourth graders. During the visit students enjoyed talking with ESU students about things to do in college. They also made holiday ornaments and visited with ESU mascot Corky the Hornet.

Marjorie Werly, ESU Public Affairs and Marketing director, said the university wants to build long-term relationships with students at an early age to encourage them to not only finish high school but continue their education after graduation.

James Baker, principal at W.A. White said the partnership has been a wonderful opportunity for students to interact and discover more about the university.

"One of our goals is to help children learn more about what they can be in their futures," Baker said. "It is important that we show them that university life can be an important part of their future."

Riverside Principal Jason Jones said his goal is to surround Riverside students with positive role models who will befriend and encourage our students not to define themselves by their limitations but rather by their accomplishments and aspirations.

"I want every fourth grade student to leave Riverside with an increased awareness of their own self-worth and knowledge of higher education and its attainment," he said. "This partnership serves as the catalyst for changing students' perspective of where they see themselves in relation to the world."

Members from the ESU Hispanic American Leadership Organization (HALO) serve as volunteers for the program

"The visit was a complete success," said Enilda Romero, a student volunteer and junior, International Business major from Panama . Romero is also vice-president of the HALO.

"This partnership with ESU is very beneficial to the children," she said. "The kids were very excited to see us and they look up to us. This allows them to see the opportunities they have and to see what they can turn out to be if they finish high school and go to college."

Future visits to the schools will focus more on academics. Students will also spend some time on the ESU campus in the spring to interact with college students and faculty members. They will be introduced to a wide array of cultural and educational activities while on the campus.

Last Updated July 2, 2007>