Student Blog

  I’m Abby Olivier, an upcoming senior at the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss!) from Hattiesburg, Mississippi. I am majoring in Public Policy Leadership, and my minor is Southern Studies. My focus in school is education policy, particularly in Mississippi, so I decided to apply for the internship at the SCFP!

            I’m in the midst of my third week at the SCFP, and I absolutely love every minute of it! I’ve finally gotten the swing of teaching writing, even though it’s a lot of work. Though it sounds cliché, my favorite part about my internship is getting to know my students…and even my co-workers!

            My students are upcoming 7th through 9th graders, most of which were born in raised in the Mississippi Delta. Though I’m originally from Hattiesburg, MS, life in the Delta is a little different than southern Mississippi life. It’s a hoot talking to the kids about cross-cultural differences. For instance, Mr. Turner told me today he loves to drink “pop.” I had always thought that was a northern term. Of course, the southerners I know call it “coke,” even if it’s Dr. Pepper, Root Beer, or Orange Soda. Also, I’ve already learned about so many “cool” rap songs, sayings, and TV Shows that my students love.

            I enjoy teaching writing, but I also have the opportunity to assist in the beginner Tae Kwan Do class with my co-worker Mr. Perkins and teach the performance class with my co-worker Mr. Robinson. Helping and watching the students learn Tae Kwan Do is endearing, because most of them take it so seriously and try so hard to be perfect at it. I see that same discipline in the classroom. As for the performance class…it’s amazing! We have about ten students in that class, and they are all amazing at acting/public speaking. They are not shy to be silly or play characters in front of the other students.

            Overall, I’ve been having the time of my life singing freedom songs, eating freakishly healthy lunches, and learning about other students’ and interns’ walks of life. More importantly, I’m humbled to be given the opportunity to see these kids be so committed to education during the summer and to learn from this Delta experience.

My name is Carl Stanton, and I am interning at the Sunflower County Freedom project this summer.  I grew up in suburban Philadelphia.  I am a fifth-year senior at Berea College, where I am studying technology education.   I am interning this year at the Sunflower Country Freedom Project during Freedom Summer 2011.  

I am doing this internship for class credit through the education department at my school. The course title is “Extended experience in an alternative setting”, and is definitely both of those things.  I went to a very academically strong, affluent, and mostly white pubic high school. Transitioning from that to a southern liberal arts college for low-income students has been quite a learning experience. During the two and a half weeks that I have been in the Mississippi Delta I have been exposed to the poverty and segregation that still exists in this area in a more authentic way.

Interning for the Freedom Summer has been an awesome experience so far.  Although I am working incredibly hard, I am also learning valuable information about teaching and lesson planning, which will serve me well this fall when I am student teaching.  The best part of this internship is the kids though. Seeing so many young people working hard to improve their own futures, to succeed in their education, and to be willing to dream big, and take the steps necessary to reach those dreams is very powerful for me.  Hearing a story from one of the first year fellows about how her mother does not understand why she sits in her room doing math problems for fun, made me happy.  So many young people become disillusioned with math for various reasons, so meeting young people here who really like math, and are talented at math is very encouraging.  Over the next 4 weeks that I am here, I hope to further connect with the students, and to play whatever part that I can in making a difference in the lives of these great young people.  

Mr. Stanton

As promised, here is a little information about our new leaders. I sat down with each of them to find out some of the things they had planned for the future of the Freedom Project and the Freedom Fellows as well.

I first interviewed our new Executive Director Mr. Nick Allen.

Bre Lewis: In your position as executive director what are your plans for the Freedom Project?
Mr. Allen: As director I’d like to continue in the rich tradition of the Freedom Project by providing excellent after school programming that focuses on academic enrichment, civil rights history, and drama productions. I’d like to give all of our fellows the opportunity to experience new places through camping trips, drama tours, and college visits. We’re going to work hard and have a lot of fun.

Bre Lewis: What do you think you can bring to the Freedom Project that is different?
Mr. Allen: The fact that Justine and I both have experience as classroom teachers will give us an edge in designing and implementing rigorous programming for our wonderful students. We also have big plans for social media, trips, and community partnerships. We’re excited to get to work.

Bre Lewis: What lead you to the LEAD Center? What made you decide that this was where you wanted to be?
Mr. Allen: For me it’s a tremendous opportunity for me to work with students outside the classroom, and put students on the path to a successful and for filling life.

Next I interviewed our new Program Director Ms. Justine Moser.

Bre Lewis: Is the Freedom Project what you expected it to be? Why or why not?
Ms. Moser: It’s definitely what I expected it to be. I expected to find a place where the students of the Delta can feel comfortable, confident, and creative. A place that is different from anywhere else with high expectations and the possibility to experience new and different ideas or adventures outside of the Delta. The Freedom project is the tool that helps the students of Sunflower County realize their true potential and I am honored to be a part of this legacy.

Bre Lewis: If and when things started to get bad or don’t go the way you planned here at the Freedom Project what would be your drive to stay and make things right?
Ms Moser: The kids. They are the reason I come to work in the morning. The Freedom Project is all about empowering our students to create their own future through academics, the arts, physical fitness and worldly experiences. That idea, that goal that one day the students all over Mississippi can realize that they have the power to create their own destiny, is what drives me to keep going.

Bre Lewis: What lead you to the LEAD Center? What made you decide that this was where you wanted to be?
Ms. Moser: I had heard about the Freedom Project through a few of my friends in Teach for America. Immediately, I was filled with a desire to become involved in any way that was possible. I was instantly drawn to the drama program and the potential that it had to grow even more. I am really fortunate that Mr. Allen and I have this amazing opportunity as a team to lead the freedom project into a bright and promising future.

Sincerely, Bre Lewis
Chief Student Blogger

Our resident poet, Ms. Pembleton

Are we fighting with our future by hanging on the streets
Are we stressing the point because we are scared to ask questions based on our knowledge
Are we better than our friends who choose to sell drugs rather than pick up a book

What makes us into leaders
To lead the way
How can we stress to our mayors to our president
To better our schools

What makes us

~Ms. Phylandra Pembleton

It’s finally summer time! For students at the Sunflower County Freedom Project, that means it’s the start of our six week long Freedom Summer program. Additionally, the summer brings new, exciting changes to the SCFP. We have a new staff, new students, new activities, new trips, and new blogs. As a fourth year student at the Freedom Project, it’s my job to post this weekly blog that updates you on all the new things that are happening at the SCFP. Here’s what’s going on at the Freedom Project this week.

One of the biggest changes at the SCFP is the shift of leadership. Our current Executive Director Mrs. Hylden and Program Director Mr. Perkins will unfortunately be leaving us at the end of this summer to pursue new exciting adventures! Do not fear, they will be replaced by new our new staff: Executive Director Mr. Allen and Program Director Ms. Moser. We are excited to have them! Keep looking back for more information about our new leaders.

This time around, our blog will be updated weekly with student work, artwork and reviews to give you a firsthand glimpse of what their experiences at Freedom Summer are like. You will also get to know some of our students, interns, and leadership staff through reflections and interviews about how they are helping the Freedom Project grow. Here on our blog, you can depend on learning more about our students and interns, as well as upcoming trips and drama performances. We are certainly looking forward to an exciting summer and hope you will join us!

Sincerely, Bre Lewis
Chief Student Blogger

Our first college grad celebrating with our second!

On Sunday, December 12, Jasmine Harvey of the Sunflower County Freedom Project Class of 2006 graduated from Berea College with a B.A. in Theater.  We’re so proud of the hard work she put in over the last four years!  Jasmine is a graduate of Ruleville Central High School.  She is now planning a move to Washington, D.C. to pursue her big break as an actress.  After her stirring performance as Fannie Lou Hamer in the Freedom Project’s Five Feet Four Inches Forward as a high school student, we have no doubt she’ll go a long way!  Good luck, Jasmine!

My name is Georgiana Smyser and I was one of the interns with the Sunflower County Freedom Project during Freedom Summer 2010. I am from Houston, Texas and will be a senior at Dartmouth College this year. The following is a short anecdote about an afternoon that perfectly encapsulated what is great about the Freedom Project to me:

It was hot under the lights of the stage in the classroom Ole Miss was kind enough to let us use during our week we spent there. It was Wednesday afternoon, the third day of Performance rehearsal at Ole Miss in preparation for Freedom Day, scheduled for Saturday evening. We were putting on selected scenes from Chris Myers’ excellent interpretation of the events surrounding the murder of Emmett Till, “A Boy Named Bobo”. After a few casting changes, and a few cancelled practice sessions due to necessary study hall time, we needed every moment of rehearsal we could get. My co-teacher, Ms. Manne, sat in the audience patiently waiting for the run through to begin, Mr. McCoy our fearless leader watched expectantly from the rear of the classroom, and I attempted to keep order backstage. The run through began and every performer knew their lines and stage direction perfectly, however there seemed to be something missing. The Fellows seemed a little intimidated by the story and the emotions behind the lines. For most of them this was their first experience in a play and they were pushing themselves in ways they had never done before. If they hadn’t had the support system of their Freedom Project family they would most likely have kept their wooden and unsure performances all the way to Saturday not knowing how to let their emotions shine through. However, true to form, the Freedom Project would not miss this chance to learn and grow. Mr. McCoy once again showed his passion for excellence by immediately hopping onto the stage and work shopping the entire play scene by scene. Then in true LEAD fashion two Freedom Fellows who had been in Freedom Project performances before but were not in Performance class this summer, sprang into action. 3^rd year Mr. Gillespie and 2^nd year Mr. Thomas, last summer’s Bobo, offered seasoned advice on acting and even went up on stage to help their classmates feel more comfortable, showing them that it was ok to feel uncomfortable or awkward on stage as long as they were putting passion into their performance.

Ms. Manne and I sat back and watched, once again awed by the truly incredible display of support and enthusiasm the Freedom Project showed for its own. I hope that the Fellows feel they learned and grew as students during their time in my Writing, Performance, and Great Moments in American History classes. However, I know that I have learned more and evolved more as a person this summer than through any other experience of my life. The importance of community, the commitment to life long education, and the dedication to leadership impressed me to no end. I have been fortunate to be a part of many great learning communities from the excellent high school I attended in Houston, to the elite Ivy League school I now attend. However, no other institution has impacted me so greatly or imparted upon me the importance of education to the extent the Freedom Project did this summer. It was an honor and a privilege to be a part of Freedom Summer 2010, and I know I will carry the principles of Love Education Action Discipline, as well as the memories with me everywhere I go.

All my love to the Freedom Fellows,

Ms. Smiley

I have always had difficulty writing succinctly.  In high school, three-paragraph assignments turned into three-page marathons, and in expressing warm sentiments to my friends, I somehow managed to fit 4-point handwritten font into every last crevice of a birthday card.  However, given the nature of a blog, I will attempt to reflect on my summer at the Sunflower County Freedom Project in a manner against my natural tendencies.  This, I assure you, will be no easy task.  How on Earth can I possibly summarize an experience that was simply, in every sense of the word, EPIC, in the short confines of an online blog?  Already, my profuse introduction is exceeding the textual limit for such a medium.  Therefore, I will cut the eloquent prose and get on with this reflection.

There are memories, lessons, awe-inspiring moments from this summer that I will carry with me far into the future.  I walked into the LEAD Center on the first day of classes thoroughly terrified at the prospect of having the minds of 25 students in my hands.  At the end of the first week, this fear was confirmed at which point my ineptitudes as a teacher had clearly revealed themselves.  However, as the days went by, I realized just how absolutely, positively incredible the students at the Freedom Project truly are.  I witnessed the students conquer their tough reading assignments and improve their comprehension.  I felt like a proud mama as they showed their true talents at the speech contest, the Math Rap Wars, the Freedom Day performances, and countless other outlets.  And remarkably, I saw myself grow alongside the students.

I have full confidence that the students at the Sunflower County Freedom Project will succeed in whatever future endeavors they embark on.  They are budding artists, poets, inventors, businessmen, journalists, scientists, and most importantly, scholars.  And while this blog has failed in being succinct, my summer certainly did not fail in being one of the most extraordinary experiences of my life. Keep up the amazing work, scholars.  You have inspired me more than you can imagine.

- Lexi Wallace, a Robertson Scholar from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, interned with the Freedom Project this past summer.  She taught reading, media, and leadership.  She was also the LEAD photographer and resident artist (the mural in the picture is some of her handiwork!).

Mr. Lerner performing his part of an original rap, "All the Way Learned Up."

My name is Jacob Lerner, but here at the Sunflower Freedom Project, I go by Mr. Lerner.  I have been interning and teaching here for the last seven weeks, and it has been one of the best experiences of my life. We have spent one week planning, five weeks teaching at the LEAD center, and one week at Ole Miss, not including the class trips. I came here because I had a slight interest in teaching and have always cared about education. Before this summer, I had never really considered teaching as a long-term career and I just was hoping to have the experience this summer of being a teacher to use for other careers, maybe more policy oriented ones. However, partially in thanks to the students, the other staff, and the actual teaching, it has become much more of an option that I am definitely considering. The students are not perfect, and we have definitely had our rough spots, but they are truly inspiring. Regardless of their past or hardships they have faced, many of them still look towards the future with hope, and it made me hopeful. It feels so great when working with a student and seeing the topic click for them. I was teaching one student integers, and it made me so happy when he said that he had been learning about integers all year but it was not until this week that he understood how to add and subtract them. It lets me know that what I am doing is working and making a difference. In that sense, the benefit of teaching is doubled. The students learn and gain the tools for success and I am able to gain satisfaction from their success. Beyond that I have learned about myself and gained many skills, that will benefit me no matter what I do. I have learned classroom management, how to communicate with middle school kids and one of the hardest things is how to remain a teacher and keep discipline while trying to have fun with them and remain their friend.

The hardest part about this summer, is going to be next week when I get ready to go. I feel like we have been in a Sunflower Freedom Project bubble, and despite this hope, I wonder what is going to happen in the future. I would love for all of them to be highly successful and make it on to college. I know they all want to, but there are so many obstacles and I worry that some may not make it. Since I am leaving in a week, it will be more difficult to impact them. I understand that there are many people out there that can help these students, but it is mainly up to them, and I feel like they can handle the hardship. I would love to stay here longer, and I hope I can find ways to stay a part of their world. My wish is that ten years from now, if I find them, they will be successful, great, respectful people.

-Jacob Lerner, a Robertson Scholar from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, interned with the Freedom Project this past summer.  He taught math, media, and study skills.

I first came to the Mississippi Delta this past March as part of the UNC Black Student Movement’s Alternative Spring Break Trip. I joined 11 other UNC and Duke students to spend my break teaching a “Health and Self” Camp at the Sunflower County Freedom Project. Experiencing the Mississippi Delta was life changing and eye-opening. I met some of the most amazing, interesting, unique, and kind people in the Delta at SCFP. The Delta itself is one of the world’s most valuable possessions, and I experienced this first hand. From my Spring Break trip, I learned that SCFP students are the golden keys to boosting graduation rates in the Delta, to advocating for education reform in Mississippi, and to making the Delta less of a “negative statistic”. My summer at the Freedom Project has immensely strengthened these feelings and thoughts. Each student at Freedom School has taught me something about myself, pushing me to my limits only to make me a better person. I hope that these magnificent students will take what they learned at Freedom School and pass it on to their peers in school. For the Sunflower County Freedom Project does not only service Freedom Fellows, but also serves the needs of the greater Sunflower County community and beyond. When my students go to college, they will spread their wisdom and build upon their education. This, in my opinion, is the SCFP mission in action.

- Jagir Patel, a Robertson Scholar at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, was a summer intern for the Freedom Project.  He taught reading, public speaking, and conflict resolution.