GCSU High Achievers Program 2024 Lights On Afterschool Celebration

The Georgia College & State University High Achievers Program (Milledgeville, Georgia) is an afterschool program for high school students that focuses on leadership/personal development through STEAM, public speaking and mental/physical health activities. Being affiliated with the National Afterschool Alliance, we would like to shine a “light on” our program on Oct. 26, 2024, from 4 to 5:15 p.m. at Oak Hill Middle School. The program collaborated with the YES (Youth Enrichment Services) at Oak Hill Middle School to highlight the national “Lights On Afterschool” celebration with “literacy” as the overarching theme.

For this year’s celebration, High Achievers were transported to OHMS to support the YES Program’s literacy efforts as parents attended the Parent Meeting.  YES enrichment activities were showcased as the High Achievers manned various stations to assist teachers, program participants and parents. Also, the GCSU Academic Outreach team, led by Ruth Eilers, were onsite for assistance, as well. Participants and parents rotated through each station to partake in the various enrichment activities. The enrichment stations included painting, making stress balls, crocheting, chess, cosmetology, art displays and the “Wheel of Knowledge.” The Georgia College High Achievers had previously assisted with the construction of light bulbs on canvas for display. There were approximately 100 people in attendance.

Kenneth W. Daniels, High Achievers Program coordinator, praised the collaborative efforts of Nevaeh Jones, HAP group leader, Shekita Shinholster, YES site manager, YES staff, Ruth Eilers and AO group and Sequena Stanton, director of Georgia College Afterschool Achievement. Also, Rev. Tony Fraley, an influential pastor from the community provided transportation services.