Church helps students prepare for school

Not only did local students receive free school supplies Saturday morning at New Hope Baptist Church’s third annual Back to School Bash, but they also received words of encouragement as they prepare for a new school year and for their future beyond the classroom.

Several pews at the Perry church were filled that morning with local high, middle and elementary school students, along with their parents, who first heard from Pastor Dennis Harden on the importance of getting their education.

Growing up in a small town in conditions that were not the best, he told the students, “You don’t have to stay where you are now or even as you are now. The possibility of being able to get a good education, the possibility of being able to just not exist but live…now is your time. What you do now will determine the rest of your life. If you invest your time now, for the rest of your life, your life will be much easier.”

Harden spoke about temptations and said, “It’s not about just having fun. It’s about being able to prepare to live.”

As he spoke about hard times growing up as a young boy, he mentioned wearing only one pair of shoes that had to last him from one year to the next.

“Most of the time I would wear them out,” he said. “Sometimes even putting cardboard in the bottom of my shoes just to keep my feet off the ground.”

Harden looked at the students and told them, “I’m saying all that simply to say to you that yes, you can make it. You don’t have to stay where you are. Get your education. The very thing that I thought I would not need is the very thing that I needed. But God is a good God. Out of all you do, put God first. Get your life right with him.”

He concluded by saying, “Possibilities are unlimited. Give it your very best.”

Others who spoke during the program were Perry Mayor Jimmy Faircloth, Perry High School Assistant Principal Dr. Arthur Billings, Houston County Board of Education member Hoke Morrow and Dr. Lionel Brown, executive director for secondary operations for the school system.

During the program, Brown gave an update on the Houston County school system. He said they will serve more than 29,000 students this year across 39 campuses.

“Our county has grown, and it’s continuing to grow,” he said.

Brown said with growth, there comes some concerns with that. In reference to a teacher shortage, he said the central office is committed to providing a quality education regardless of circumstances to all students in grades pre-k through 12.

“When you hear about teacher shortages, our Board of Education and central office have done a magnificent job of managing our funds, being fiscally responsible and our future continues to look bright,” Brown said, noting their campaign this year is all about literacy. “Kids who read well are kids who do better in school.”

Morrow said Perry is his home. As a representative of the school board, he said, “We’re here to educate kids and put back into the community.”

He said although he didn’t go the college route, he went to work when he was 18 years old and now owns a business, Hoke’s Heating & Air.

“There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t have to read, write and do math,” Morrow said. “What you learn today, you’re going to apply for the rest of your life.”

He encouraged the students to apply themselves, behave in class and listen to their parents and teachers.

“You will go far in life,” Morrow said. “How far you go is up to you. We can encourage you, we can support you, but we can’t make you do and we can’t make you do right.”

Faircloth thanked Harden for all that he does. He asked the students, “What is easy to get into and very difficult to get out of?” The students responded, “Trouble.” He said trouble will chase them and they have to learn to recognize it and run from it.

“Each of you has talent. Don’t let anybody tell you any differently,” Faircloth said. “Take that talent and focus it on education.”

He told the students that they need help from people such as family members, teachers and coaches.

“They’re there for one purpose, among others, primarily to help you,” Faircloth said. “Take advantage of it. Create that relationship that will serve you for the rest of your life. You have the talent, you have the ability; if you apply yourself, you can be successful. Your success is only limited by the amount of relationships that you develop. Other people can help you be successful.”

He added, “Always remember, when you stumble, there should be someone there to help catch you and keep you from falling. And if you fall, there will be someone there to pick you up. Let them help you. Never forget, you’re not alone in your journey.”

Billings said 25-30 years ago, he heard Harden in the old New Hope Baptist Church building, who influenced his life as a young boy. He encouraged the students to do their best.

A product of Perry, Billings said, “The future is very bright for the kids of Perry. We have great teachers, we have great leaders.”

He told the students, “You have an opportunity to be who you want to be. Be assertive.”

The parents and students were then broken into separate groups. Billings spoke to the parents during a workshop and Perry Police Department Detective Constance Paige spoke to the students about bullying and other safety tips, along with college student Brittany Hill providing them with effective ways to study.

After lunch was served, the church distributed backpacks containing school supplies to the students. Falisea Watkins and Ava Ross, who traveled from Fort Valley to attend the event, both agreed that it’s a great opportunity for parents who need help.

“It goes a long way,” Ross said.

Cathy Johnson, executive director for compliance, conduct and appeals at Central Georgia Technical College, who has served as chair of the education ministry at New Hope Baptist Church for six years, said every year the Back to School Bash continues to grow. She said they had about 124 children register for the event this year.

When asked about the significance of the event, Johnson said, “We wanted to build community relations.” She also noted they wanted to provide an opportunity for Perry students to conveniently receive free school supplies instead of having to travel to Warner Robins for other events.

Johnson said the students and parents enjoy attending each year, which motivates them to continue to offer it to the community. She said they are looking forward to the event expanding.

“I just like to help kids do well in school,” Johnson said. “I figured if we as a community reach out and show them that we support them, they will be successful and will not get in the wrong crowd. If someone just would reach out and touch a child and be that positive influence for that child, then their future might be brighter.”

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