UA Honors Students Take ‘Alabama Action’ to Help Area Children and their Schools

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – A record number of freshmen in The University of Alabama Honors College are coming to campus a week early, Aug. 11-15, to take part in “Alabama Action,” a community service project that helps West Alabama elementary students and improves their schools.

Some 106 freshmen along with 24 student leaders and 10 volunteer student mentors (former Alabama Action participants) will be part of community service projects at Maxwell Elementary and Flatwoods Elementary Schools, both in the Tuscaloosa County School System.

The UA students will spend from 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. at the schools and attend lectures on campus from 4-5:30 p.m. Each Alabama Action student will be paired with a fifth-grade student and will spend part of their time with their “buddy” in the classroom and having lunch with them.

“I am proud to be a part of a program that not only helps beautify our elementary schools but affects the children of Tuscaloosa through one-on-one relationships between University freshmen and local fifth-graders. These freshmen serve as positive role models and tangible examples of success to the kids that may not have a role model at home or have never considered college,” said Matt Miller, student co-director.

“Alabama Action owes its legacy of success to the quality of people who are painstakingly loyal to the program. From our student leaders, who have won many awards, both locally and nationally, for their diverse talents, to our incoming freshmen, who will no doubt take on many leadership positions over there career here, Alabama Action serves as a way for incoming freshmen to meet peers who share their passion for service and learn from the successes of their student leaders,” he added.

At Maxwell Elementary, the UA students will create an outdoor classroom with wooden benches and a landscaped area, update the library with the theme “Catch a Good Book,” and create a cafeteria stage with a “School Bus Café” mural featuring a big, yellow school bus. They will also enhance the front entrance of the school with four glass panels with mosaic figures of children. Meanwhile, the projects at Flatwoods Elementary will include a walking trail, upgraded school entrance, front hall mural, a cafeteria stage area with a “Starlight Café” mural and other renovations.

The program is the eighth annual Alabama Action project organized and carried out by UA honors students to benefit the West Alabama community. The Alabama Action freshmen have the opportunity to begin their academic work at UA by earning one hour of honors class credit by attending a series of lectures, keeping journals and engaging in group discussions during the project. The coursework will focus on the importance of volunteering and understanding issues related to poverty and education.

This year’s Alabama Action community sponsors include the Coca-Cola Company, Publix at the Lakes of Tuscaloosa, and Jim Walter Resources.

Editor’s Note: Media are invited to see Alabama Action students at work at Maxwell Elementary School Thursday, Aug. 14 at 9:30 a.m. DIRECTIONS: From campus, take McFarland Blvd./U.S. 82 E/AL-6 and go about 8 miles. The school is on the right (about 5 miles past Skyland Blvd.) on Monticello Drive behind the Shell Station.