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HAVELOCK, N.C. - Marines and Sailors with Marine Wing Support
Squadron 274, visited Arthur W. Edwards Elementary School to read to
2nd and 3rd graders in an effort to improve literacy rates and
strengthen the relationship between the squadron and the local
community.
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Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Darrell D. Rowe high fives Shyanna B., 8, after completing a math problem, at Arthur W. Edwards Elementary School in Havelock, N.C., March 13, 2015. Marines and Sailors with Marine Wing Support Squadron 274 volunteered at the elementary school to interact with the students on an academic level and to show them a different side of the Marine Corps. Rowe is the sergeant major of MWSS-274 and Shyanna is a 3rd grade student with the school. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Unique B. Roberts)
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“We wanted to do more than just volunteer, we wanted to
be able to interact with the students on an academic level,
show them we care while helping them improve their literacy
skills,” said Lt. Kevin T. Stanley, a chaplain attached to
MWSS-274.
The volunteers visit the school every
Friday, and teach the students the importance of reading by
guiding and encouraging them as they learn to read because
“they are the future,” explained Stanley.
Positioned
right outside the installation, approximately 85 percent of
the students come from a military family or are associated
with the military in some way.
“This is important to
the students because although their parents may be away, it
is reassuring to have a military support system presence at
the school to help them cope with their separation,” said
Stanley. “Family readiness is extremely important to mission
readiness and mission accomplishment. If the children are in
a good place emotionally and mentally, it will help the
Marines and Sailors be prepared for their missions.”
Volunteering doesn't just bring joy to the students; the
volunteers enjoy seeing smiles on the students face as well,
explained Stanley.
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Navy Petty officer 3rd Class Joshua Myers watches students play a
math game at Arthur W. Edwards Elementary School in Havelock, N.C.,
March 13, 2015. Myers accompanied Marines and Sailors with Marine
Wing Support Squadron 274 at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point,
N.C., as they help the students learn to read, write and do math
problems at the school. Myers is a religious program specialist with MWSS-274. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Unique B. Roberts)
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Geralyn Gares, a 3rd grade teacher with the elementary
school, believes the Marines and Sailors are good role
models for the students and thanks them for dedicating their
time to make a difference at the school.
“Community
involvement is so important,” said Gares. “A
lot of these kids are military kids. Their dads and moms are
deployed and it's kind of a reminder that ‘they care about
me; they are coming to read with me even though my mom or
dad isn't here.' The students look forward to it.”
Gares hopes that the Marines will visit in the future and
looks forward to working with them again.
“When the
Marines come in they are very positive role models. They are
determined to come in and make a difference,” said Gares.
“We are grateful for all of the time they have put into
helping our students.”
By U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Unique B. Roberts
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2015
The U.S. Marines
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