The Summer Explorers Program students took to the stage Thursday to perform Shakespeare works they had learned over the last week.
\r\nLed by University of Mount Union’s Theater Professor Kevin Kern and sponsored by the Greater Alliance Foundation and Synergy Alliance, students were able to study Shakespeare and be a part of a live performance for the first time during Summer Explorers.
\r\nThe program Summer Explorers is in its fourth year. Founded out of an idea and start up money from Jack and Madge Peters, Summer Explorers is an eight week summer program that aims to decrease the amount of knowledge students lose over the summer.
\r\nSummer Learning Loss, as it has been coined, is felt worst by students in a lower economic bracket and can put students years behind academically by the time they get to high school.
\r\nAlliance City Schools students benefit from the program by doing activities they enjoy and learning at the same time. Older students and volunteers guide them, creating a mentor/mentee relationship.
\r\nStudents are taken on field trips weekly, given lunch daily and transportation is even provided.
\r\nIn the past students have not only retained knowledge in math and reading, but also made improvements during this summer program.
\r\nEach year the attendance grows and so do the activity offerings. One of the new studies was the Shakespeare chapter. Students proudly performed on stage and presented their memorized lines in front of an audience at the University’s Performing Arts Center- a first for many of them.
\r\nGreat job students, and thank you to the sponsors and partner organizations of the Summer Explorers Program!
