Equipped with popcorn, cotton candy and games, students from Marshall University joined youth at Huntington’s A.D. Lewis Center after-school program during Marshall Day at the A.D. Lewis Center on Friday, Jan. 27.
Students from the Student Government Association, Campus Activities Board and John Marshall Emerging Leaders Institute also provided the center’s elementary to high school students Pottery Place tiles to paint.
“These types of activities give our kids something to do instead of not-so-good activities,” said Maria Hill, director of the A.D. Lewis Center. “It also gives them the opportunity to do something they may not be able to afford to experience.”
Hill said she also appreciated the university students interacting with her students because of the importance of leading and learning by example. In fact, she said that’s the reason she graduated from Marshall with a degree in criminal justice after having her first child.
“My parents quit school when they had me, and I watched them and did the same exact thing,” she said. “That’s why it was crucial for me to go back and set the example for my kids that education was worth it.”
Lisa Martin, director of student conduct at Marshall, said Marshall’s Student Affairs office is working on building stronger relationships like these throughout the community.
“We want the students at A.D. Lewis to be excited about Marshall and see that they can make an impact on their community when they become students at the university,” Martin said.
“We feel so lucky to be able to hang out with the kids,” said Matt Jarvis, student body president at Marshall. “You go in thinking you’re going to teach them something, but you walk away having learned so much from them. It was a lot of fun!”
To learn more about the Office of Student Affairs at Marshall, visit www.marshall.edu/studentaffairs.
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Photos: (Above) Marshall students enjoy games with children at the AD Lewis Center during Marshall Day at the A.D. Lewis Center. (Below) Maria Hill, director of the A.D. Lewis Center, speaks with a child in the afterschool program during Marshall Day at the AD Lewis Center.