A program that helps local students meet graduation requirements continues to turn lives around.
The iGrad mentoring program was launched in 2012, supporting at-risk students in the Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp., Flat Rock-Hawcreek School Corp., Jennings County and Brownstown, said Laurie Dickerson, iGrad director.
The program is offered starting in eighth grade for BCSC students and beginning in high school for students in the other districts, she said.
Columbus East High School senior Marquis Green once had failing grades and struggled with attendance, but that changed after he became involved in iGrad during the 2013-14 school year.
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Green caught the attention of resident Bob Hempstead, an iGrad mentor during the boy’s eighth-grade year at Northside Middle School. Interaction between the two marked the beginning of what eventually would develop into a strong bond.
Green’s success story was highlighted at an iGrad luncheon last week at The Commons, where more than 100 high school seniors were recognized for their accomplishments.
Hempstead stepped in and became Green’s legal guardian after an agreement was struck with the youth’s mother, who was incarcerated at the Johnson County Jail at the time. As a result, Green was able to return to Columbus after temporarily relocating to Indianapolis, with the guardianship made official Dec. 28, 2013, Hempstead said.
Green, 18, said the iGrad program didn’t appeal to him at first, but ultimately he became thankful for Hempstead’s efforts.
“He’s always pushed me hard, which is what I needed,” Green said. “He always gave me that extra love.”
The iGrad program provides tutors, mentors and other assistance to students on a daily or weekly basis, Dickerson said.
“What these kids end up saying so often is iGrad becomes their family. It’s that caring relationship to make sure they stay on track,” Dickerson said.
Green, a member of the Columbus East football team since his sophomore year, credited Christy Boes, iGrad team leader at East, for her help.
Green said he was also able to work with a tutor for his math class during football season, which allowed him to remain academically eligible.
“It’s kind of like a big family,” he said. “A lot of that hard work paid off. Without the tutor and stuff, I probably would be struggling.”
Boes, who has worked with Green since his eighth-grade year, said he has come a long way since he started in the program.
“He went from failing grades to C’s to the honor roll,” Boes said. “The first time he made the honor roll, you saw his face light up.”
Green attends the First Church of the Nazarene with Boes and will be one of 15 teenagers going on a mission trip to the Honduras this summer. The trip will involve food distribution, Bible school and helping to install soccer fields, Boes said.
Boes said Green has become a role model — not only for other iGrad participants, but students in general at Columbus East. She described him as an individual who can brighten up a room with his presence and can often be found smiling.
“He is a friend to everyone,” she said. “I definitely see him helping others in the future, whatever that holds.”
Hempstead said he and his wife Tammy worked to instill the importance of education into their children, and to Green as well.
“He knew that if the grades weren’t there, he wasn’t playing (football),” Hempstead said. “We are very proud of him.”
After graduating from East in June, Green plans to attend Ivy Tech in the fall with hopes of becoming a youth pastor.
He recommends that other students who are having difficulty with their classes consider the iGrad program.
“It will definitely help you for sure inside of school and outside of school,” Green said. “Keep your head up and keep pushing.”
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The iGrad program is designed to students with academic barriers in grades 8 to 12 meet graduation requirements and move onto post-secondary education or into the workforce. It was launched in 2012 as a partnership among Cummins Inc., Ivy Tech Community College — Columbus and the Community Education Coalition.
More information: Visit ivytech.edu/columbus/igrad/index.html or call 812-374-5265.
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To become a volunteer mentor or tutor for the iGrad program, visit ivytech.edu/columbus/igrad/index.html
You can also visit facebook.com/igradcolumbus
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