DEA Dallas School Partner Program
Tiger Woods: Please Help Drug Enforcement Administration Buddies - Kiana , Tina, Mary, Taran Find New Hero, Yours is Broken!
1) Heroes and Role Models: “Many are touted as heroes because they can bounce a ball really well, score touchdowns, sink a small white ball into a hole. However, these folk are usually untouchable. The true heroes are the volunteers who are reachable, as my students cannot call LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Troy Aikman, Barry Bonds, orTiger Woods. My students can call you, the volunteers, and receive a response. Because of you, my students have hope”
In the early 1990’s the Dallas Field Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration was considering becoming more active in its’ community. In October of 1992 Jean Reed, an employee of the DEA, contacted the principal of Sequoyah Learning Center. She had an idea of partnering with the school to aid in the education of students. Of course, one of their first activities was the “Say No To Drugs Pep Rally.” DEA employees performed skits and raps to communicate the positives of a drug free life. Today, the DEA continues its’ drug and alcohol prevention efforts at Sequoyah through rallies, incentives and other activities.
Buddies - Chemist Kiana Hamlett, student Tina, Chemist Mary Gay, and student Taran.
This school year, a team of 15 DEA employees acted as mentors and tutors to the students at Sequoyah. They worked one- on - one with students in math and reading. They offered individual attention to those students in need of academic enrichment. During the fall semester DEA employees pooled their resources and purchased bicycles, helmets and locks for the Center’s A and B Honor Roll Students and the Perfect Attendance Students. In the past 12 years more than 52 DEA employees have mentored and tutored Sequoyah students.
As the partnership has progressed different programs have been created. Each summer the Pen-Pal program takes place where mentors/tutors and their students write letters to each other throughout the vacation months. DEA has sponsored fieldtrips and aided with community service projects such as the Sequoyah Annual Penny Drive. Their activities have extended to social and cultural enhancements. Each year DEA sponsors a Black History program at the Dallas Division facilities. Sequoyah students are not only spectators but also participants. They are invited to the Dallas Field Office not only for a tour but to job shadow their mentors. As an incentive to students that have performed at their academic best the DEA Dallas Division gives a party at an area Dave and Busters Restaurant each spring. All activities are done in an effort to broaden the horizons of Sequoyah students, giving them access to new experiences.
Each year DEA Dallas employees donate clothing for the school’s clothes closet. The Coat Drives have garnered enough items to last the entire winter. This has proven to be very beneficial to students and parents, particularly new students that arrive in need of appropriate clothing and outerwear. School Supply Drives are also on the annual agenda. Each September DEA employees deliver boxes of supplies with such items as pencils, paper and backpacks. The Drug Enforcement Administration does its part to ensure that Sequoyah students are prepared to learn.
Sequoyah Principal Marcus D. Forney said, “The DEA has been a loyal and vital supporter of the students of Sequoyah Learning Center. In terms of their commitment and support it is unparalleled. Each year they provide selected students an opportunity for site visits of their organization. This gives the students an opportunity to be able to connect their learning community with the real world of work. Additionally the DEA provides our campus with positive role models to mentor and tutor our students. This is especially beneficial considering that over 30% of our population of students is being raised by either grandparents or a single parent. More importantly, I think their presence on our campus teaches our students through words and deeds that you can make it if you put your mind to it.”
E. Rodgers, a 4th grade teacher at Sequoyah remarked, “I am truly thankful for the Drug enforcement Administration tutors that devote time to our students at Sequoyah Learning Center. Their consistency has become evident in the lives of my students. They look forward to their coming each week and remind me of the days that they are to attend. Their effectiveness is also apparent through the knowledge that the students gain from their special time together. The students look forward to showing the tutors what they remember and explaining the process through which they obtain an answer.I also appreciate the extra steps that some have taken by purchasing incentives for the children such as spirals, flash cards, etc. I truly appreciate all the time that these unique individuals give to help in the lives of the students of Sequoyah.”
The dedication and devotion of the DEA volunteers to the Sequoyah Learning Center of Dallas, a local inner-city school, has earned the DEA Dallas Field Division the Dallas Independent School District (DISD) Partner of the Year Award, which will be presented on May 24, 2004. It should be noted that this group of volunteers was chosen over 150+ other nominations submitted by schools in the DISD.
In a Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon sponsored by Sequoyah Learning Center on May 7, 2004, the principal of Sequoyah, Mr. Marcus Forney, during his speech, stated that the DEA volunteers’ gifts of talent, time, treasure and tenacity are immeasurable. He highlighted three points, which described the volunteers
2) Hard Work: “The volunteers show our students another way of life and instill in them the desire to do something with themselves and make something of themselves. Your emphasis on hard work lets our students know that they can’t get something for nothing. You show through your lives that anything can be achieved, mastered or conquered through perseverance;”
3) Preparation: “Volunteers teach our students that proper preparation always prevents poor performance. You teach them that the great thing in this world is not so much where we are, but in “what direction we are moving. When you think you’re not making a difference, indeed you are. It’s just that some students tend to bloom later than others do. The impact you leave on the lives of our children is limitless. A child’s life is like a piece of paper on which every passer by leaves a mark.” He ended his speech to the volunteers by stating, “If you get tired and it seems like your efforts are not making a difference, don’t quit. Just sit down, rest a while, and get up and fight some more. Continue impacting children and making a difference in this world.”
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