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ARK Educational Resource Center holds awards ceremony

ARK Educational Resource Center
Students received Certificates of Achievement in math or reading at the event. Shown standing in the back (l-r) are Ariyana Henry, Ny’Asia Henry, Susan Shahid, Davien Weathersby, and Makayla Johnson. In front are Owen Jean, Matthew Nunez, Daniella Nunez, Conner Wood, Aniah Greene, Grayson Smith, Amari Henry, Enrique Nunez Jr., and Owena Jean. STEVEN BILLUPS PHOTOS
Steven Billups
July 1, 2019

The ARK Educational Resource Center held its 5th Annual Volunteer and Student Awards Ceremony and Fundraising Banquet at Crossroad Community Church June 22. The keynote speaker was Omari Scott Simmons, Wake Forest law professor and author. 

Simmons has received many honors prompting educational opportunities. He is the co-founder of the Simmons Memorial Foundation, a grassroots, nonprofit organization that promotes higher success for vulnerable students in North Carolina and Delaware. Simmons spoke about the educational opportunities in America’s history and concluded, “Inequality is a persistent problem.”

The mission of the nonprofit ARK Educational Resource Center After-School Program is to increase graduation rates by providing holistic support services to K-12 students, including one-on-one counseling, mentoring, empowerment groups, and college and career guidance.

Though the center is based in Laurel, volunteer tutors go all around Sussex County. ARK has served 90 students, with an 85 percent success rate.

ARK Educational Resource Center
Students received Certificates of Achievement in math or reading at the event. Shown standing in the back (l-r) are Ariyana Henry, Ny’Asia Henry, Susan Shahid, Davien Weathersby, and Makayla Johnson. In front are Owen Jean, Matthew Nunez, Daniella Nunez, Conner Wood, Aniah Greene, Grayson Smith, Amari Henry, Enrique Nunez Jr., and Owena Jean. STEVEN BILLUPS PHOTOS
ARK Educational Resource Center
The ARK Educational Resource Center board members also received Certificates of Appreciation. Shown are (l-r) board member Bob Wheatley, Finance Officer Ralph Todd, youth board member Michael Bell, Co-chair Lavanion Bell, Chair Claudy Joinville, board member Louise Henry, and Director Joyce Sessoms.
ARK Educational Resource Center
Teen Girls Leaders were recognized with Certificates of Appreciation. Shown are (l-r) Team Leader Mary Johnson, Advisor Ida Giles and Facilitator Joanne Oakes.
ARK Educational Resource Center
The Volunteer of the Year Award was presented to Anaika Casimir for her mentoring and tutoring. Shown are (l-r) board co-chair Lavanion Bell, mentee Ny’Asia Henry, Casimir, and Carmella Jean Francois.
ARK Educational Resource Center
The student of the year was Susan Shahid. Shown are (l-r) board Chair Claudy Joinville, Shahid, Jones Shahid and board Co-chair Lavanion Bell.
ARK Educational Resource Center
U.S. Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester spoke briefly but preferred to talk to students. Shown are (l-r) Daniella Nunez, Blunt Rochester and Elisabeth Nunez.
Omari Scott Simmons, Wake Forest law professor and author, speaks at the event.

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