A team from Princeton Middle School (pictured here) recently won the 2005-06 Mercer County Schools’ Battle of the Books—Middle School Division—during the academic competition at Bluefield State College.

( Bluefield)-The students may have been younger than the college students that typically fill BSC classrooms, but they had a passion for learning equal to that of students twice their age. That pursuit of knowledge typified all five Mercer County Schools' academic competitions at BSC during the 2005-2006 academic year.

As the school year drew to a close, many of the best and brightest students in the Mercer County School system traveled to BSC to vie for titles in Math Field Day, Spelling Bee, Reading Bee, and two Battle of the Books competitions.

Dr. Albert Walker, BSC president, was grateful for BSC's opportunity to serve as a host site for these programs. "These teachers and students, along with their families, brought a sense of energy to the campus," he noted. "Learning is a lifelong endeavor, and these young men and women are well on their way to success in their studies and in their careers."

Dr. Deborah Akers, Mercer County Schools Superintendent, added, "Bluefield State College provides us an excellent venue for programs and competitions, and also gives our students a glimpse of a college campus and campus life."

BSC cooperates with the county's schools and with area public school children on a variety of fronts, details of which are below:

BSC'S COLLABORATION WITH REGIONAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS

1-College Tech Prep--This program, now in its fourth year, has brought approximately 8000 high school 10th grade students to the Bluefield campus of BSC. Students identify career cluster areas of interest, "attend" college classes in those academic areas, learn about financial aid and admission processes, and enjoy lunch in the Student Union. The goal is to solidify students' desire to continue their education after high school.

2-Partner in Education--BSC works closely with the students and faculty at Brushfork Elementary as a partner in education. College employees speak to elementary school students, assist in obtaining grants (recently BSC helped Brushfork obtain a Macintosh computer grant for training and software), and help faculty.

3-Associate Degree Nursing Students--BSC ADN students present health education programs to area Head Start students, cultivating healthy lifestyles for these students.

4-MathCounts--BSC faculty and staff coordinate and host the regional MathCounts competition, during which area middle school students compete in a program designed to cultivate excellence in mathematics. Winners advance to the state competition. Last year, teams from eight area schools took part.

5-Model United Nations--BSC hosts and directs a regional Model United Nations program. This spring, approximately 70 middle school students competed in the two-day event on BSC's Bluefield campus. The program is designed to cultivate an appreciation of world issues, human rights initiatives, critical thinking skills, and public speaking ability among the students.

6-Summer Recreational Sports Program--Now in its sixth year, the program at BSC provides a two-week schedule of activities for disadvantaged area youth (age 10-16), with a combination of athletic and academic activities. Two meals per day and limited transportation are provided, and approximately 200 students from Mercer, McDowell, and Tazewell Counties take part each summer. Students receive a free physical exam and instruction in healthy lifestyles, too.

7-Bluefield Consortium of Professional Development Schools--BSC works with Bluewell Elementary, Bluefield Middle, and Bluefield Intermediate Schools to enhance the preparation of teacher education candidates, develop instructional services to students, and provide collaborative professional development activities. The Consortium was created in 2003.

8-Kids Club--Organized by BSC nursing students and faculty, Kids Club is a month-long program, one day a week, each spring during which area elementary school students receive after-school attention and instruction in healthy lifestyles. Students also receive free pizza.

June 2, 2006