August 21, 2007

University of Mobile Announces
RamKids Charter Class

RamKids Charter Class – The University of Mobile announced the members of the charter class of RamKids leadership development program. Pictured are, front row from left: Brandi Moore and Kalyn Richardson. Second row: Brittany Walton and Tiffani Grant. Third row: RamKids Director Claude Bumpers, Kayla Curry and Qualandria McCoy.

The University of Mobile has selected six outstanding high school students as members of the charter class of RamKids, a program designed to produce confident, talented, value-oriented, college-educated individuals who will one day take positions of influence in Prichard, Ala.

Each student selected for the leadership development program has set high goals, with career plans ranging from registered nurse to pediatrician.

“All of the students selected were very impressive during the interview process. They have achieved high standards regarding their academics and possess many attributes of a quality leader. They are certainly our future leaders of tomorrow,” said Claude Bumpers, director of the federally funded project.

Chosen for the program were Mattie T. Blount High School sophomores Kayla Curry, Brandi Moore, Tiffani Grant, and Qualandria McCoy, and C.F. Vigor High School sophomores Brittany Walton and Kalyn Richardson.

Students were nominated for the program by their principal, school counselors, teachers and parenting coordinators. Participants must have demonstrated leadership potential, a 3.0 grade point average or better, and be at-risk, low-income minority youth from single-parent homes in Prichard. Parental support and involvement are an important part of the program. The RamKids goal is to provide the resources and encouragement for youth to emerge as college-educated leaders in the community, according to Bumpers.

The program includes after-school individualized mentoring with trained University of Mobile college students, a summer program, scholarships to attend the University of Mobile, assistance with securing professional employment, and counseling in the purchase of their first home in the city of Prichard.

UM president Dr. Mark Foley first envisioned the faith-based, mentor-oriented leadership development program as a natural tie between the private Christian university and the Prichard community. He said it is an outgrowth of the school’s philosophy of “Changing Lives to Change the World.”

Bumpers said students will have weekly tutoring and some Saturday activities during the school year, with a three-week residential summer program. The program, now in its first year, will eventually grow to include students in fifth grade through college.

The RamKids charter class includes:
Kayla Curry, a member of the Blount High School marching band, parliamentarian of the Key Club, a member of the Elites, the softball team and SECME. She is a member of the Antioch Missionary Baptist Church choir and secretary of the Sunday School department. She plans to become an anesthesiologist.
Brandi Moore is a member of the Blount High School marching band and is involved in the Elites and Student Council. She is a member of the Mt. Calvary Baptist Church choir. She plans to pursue a career as a physician.
Tiffani Grant is a member of the Blount High School chorus and is involved in ROTC and is a member of the volleyball team. She attends Mt. Hebron Baptist Church. She plans to become a physician.
Brittany Walton is a member of the cheerleader squad and the National Beta Club at Vigor High School. She is a member of the Yorktown Baptist Church choir and serves as secretary of the Sunday School department. She plans to become a physician.
Qualandria McCoy is a member of the Blount High School marching band and HCAP (Health Careers Program). She is a member of Truelight Missionary Baptist Church and plans to become a registered nurse.
Kalyn Richardson serves on the cheerleader squad, math club and archery club at Vigor High School. She is historian for the Beta Club and serves on the Principal’s Advisory Council and is a member of the National Scholastic Society and the A/B Honor Club. She is a praise dancer at Goodwill Church ministries and plans to become a pediatrician.