Corsicana —
The tough task of teaching troubled youth got a helping hand in February, incorporating a heritage celebration into an interest-building contest.
Staff and faculty of the Corsicana Residential Treatment Center, best known locally as the State Home, turned the topic of Black History Month into a month-long competition to allow for student creativity and a friendly competition.
The State Home held a door decorating contest, with classrooms in various subjects decorating their own hallway doors with a collage of artwork and displays commemorating Black History Month. The prize for the door judged best by a panel of invited guests — a special luncheon that students helped prepare, served on Thursday.
The English class of Mildred Watkins was judged the number one display. It featured a number of two and three-dimensional creations commemorating events and significant achievements of Black Americans through the years.
The contest severed several purposes for the students — an educational opportunity, and an effort to express themselves creatively — but perhaps most importantly, the recognition that comes with achievement. That, sadly, is something many of the young people at the state-run facility have experienced few times, if any, as a result of their troubled backgrounds.
“It’s a learning opportunity for kids, and not just for African-American kids, but for all kids, to have some in-depth exposure to the gifts that African-Americans have offered to the United States, and in some cases, the world,” said State Home Principal Shirley Garcia.
Garcia said that the youth at the home are many times just now learning of the significance of the African-American contributions to society, not only because of their own troubled backgrounds, but because black history isn’t taught in as much depth as other history topics in schools.
Still, while the youth at the State Home may lack some general knowledge, it hasn’t dampened their desire to learn and express themselves creatively. This past month’s competition addressed both of those skills.
“They’re able to express many of their ideas through drawings, through sculptures, through artistic expression that they may otherwise be unable to express with pen and paper,” she said.
The program also gave teachers of many different subjects a way to get involved in a way other than the regular curriculum, she added.
The Black History program was only one of several projects that the State Home utilizes to help kids get more involved and motivated to participate. In January, students participated in the “Day of Action” program honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and made “finger-knitted” scarves for distribution to homeless people.
Garcia said the youth at the home look forward to the special opportunities.
“We can’t take our kids out on field trips, but we can try to bring as many opportunities to them as we can,” she said.
“Many of these kids have never ‘won’ anything,” she explained. “Just the least bit of positive recognition, these kids love it, because they’ve not been exposed to it in most cases,” Garcia said.
“They were behind and some not going to school,” added Diana Hughes, Community Relations Coordinator for the State Home.
Hughes relayed the story of a conversation she had with a State Home student who had just earned his GED, giving him praise for his accomplishment.
“He had the funniest look,” she said. “I asked him ‘what’s wrong?’ and he said ‘nobody’s ever talked to me like this.’ He didn’t know how to be successful before,” Hughes said.
Garcia said the special activties for the students do far more than teach a lesson. They inspire them.
“You put them in that element and they’re wonderful kids ... they love this stuff,” Garcia said. “I am blown away sometimes by the artistic talent.
“We do quite a lot, really, when you consider the fact that we’re a ‘different kind of school’ but yet, we are a school.”
—————
Bob Belcher may be reached by email at bbelcher@corsicanadailysun.com. Want to “Soundoff” on this story? Email: soundoff@corsicanadailysun.com
News
Related Photos
-
Daily Sun photo/Bob Belcher Shirley Garcia, principal of the Corsicana State Home, poses Thursday with the winning contest entry in Black History Month display constructed by students at the facility. The winner was treated to a special lunch on Thursday.
-
Daily Sun photo/Bob Belcher This drawing by a Corsicana State Home student was part of a display of Black History Month art at the State Home. The winning class of the contest was announced Thursday.
-
Daily Sunp photo/Bob Belcher One of the entries in a contest celebrating Black History Month at the Corsicana State Home. A winner in the decorating and art contest was announced Thursday.
-
Daily Sun photo/Bob Belcher One of the entries in a door decorating contest to commemorate Black History Month at the Corsicana State Home. A luncheon to treat the winning entry was held Thursday.
Discussion
State Home contest spurs student interest, achievement
- News
-
-
Texas prisons face more lawsuits over no AC
An advocacy group has sued the Texas prison system blaming 13 inmate deaths since 2007 on hot conditions in units without air conditioning.
-
Pearce Museums plan special events for exhibit opening
The Pearce Museum will host an all-day event on Saturday, June 29, in conjunction with the opening of its temporary exhibition, “Gettysburg: Standing with Desperate Bravery.”
-
Club News
Hope Center director Danielle Pillans gave the girls from Brownie Troop 2960 a tour of the Hope Center. Pillans explained that the Hope Center is a pregnancy resource center that offers pregnancy tests, sonograms and parenting classes for moms and dads in Navarro County.
-
Fort Hood suspect, defense attorneys at odds
Defense attorneys ordered to help the Army psychiatrist charged in the deadly Fort Hood shooting rampage say they're being asked to cross ethical lines.
-
Lake named Presidential Scholar
On May 6, U.S. Secretary of Education Arnie Duncan announced 141 Presidential Scholars, comprising the 2013 Class. One young man and young woman are chosen from each state as well as a selection from U.S. territories, families living abroad and a selection of at-large scholars and 20 Presidential Scholars in the Arts. It is at once a diverse population and an exclusive one.
-
Five injured in one car crash and fire
One car crash and fire on FM 1129 just south of FM 3041 shortly after 1 pm. Five hurt, one adult and four children. Three taken by air ambulance, others by Corsicana EMS.
-
Baseball complex building bid awarded
The Corsicana City Council granted the contract to build a concession stand and restroom building at the new baseball park on 45th Street to 2CMD Inc., when the group met in regular session Tuesday.
-
Corsicana Residential Treatment Center survives one chop, but faces next challenge
Following the passage of the state budget Saturday, Texas Rep. Byron Cook remains cautiously optimistic that the Corsicana State Home has a long future helping high-risk juvenile offenders.
-
Club News
The Dawson Garden Club has chosen the home of Melanie Dotson at 900 N. Fullerton Ave. as the Yard of the Month for May. The lawns, both back and front, are beautifully manicured. The trees are luxuriant as are the flowers encircling them. The front porch is inviting and there are beautiful blooms. The winding path to the front door lends a romantic touch to this beautiful landscape, and there are colorful blooms at the back porch as well. Go by to see this lovely yard.
-
Graduation ceremonies set
Area high schools will start hosting graduation ceremonies starting Friday. Below is a rundown of Navarro County high school graduation ceremonies, along with the valedictorian and salutatorians.
- More News Headlines
-
Texas prisons face more lawsuits over no AC
Ohio Woman Accuses 3 of Holding Her Captive
Hunt for Ex-Teamster Boss Hoffa's Remains Ends
Aug. Trial Set for Ohio Man in Triple Kidnapping
Car Crash in NYC's East Village Injures 8
Obama Renews Call for Nuclear Reductions
Raw: Car Jumps Curb in NYC, Injures 8
Unusual Heat Wave Bakes Alaska
Raw: German President Welcomes President Obama
Raw: Arizona Wildfire Scorches 8 Square Miles
Raw: Huge Fire Near Yosemite National Park
Kid Couture: Spending Big Bucks on Babies
