Students reach out to teens

By Eli Nuzzi | gargoyle@flagler.edu

Stephanie Snyder, a recent Flagler graduate, leads the College Reach Out Program, which encourages students to excel in their classes, and has about 100 students from St. Augustine High School.

Krista Purcell, a senior at Flagler College, helps about 20 students and personally tutors five of them.

“[The students] meet at the Flagler campus student center on Saturdays,” said Purcell, who has been in this program since late September.

Their study sessions are either in the library or the Ringhaver Student Center, which last about an hour to an hour and a half, depending on what they need.

About five of the students are on the St. Augustine High football team. This program helps them juggle homework, football and learning new material for their classes or college preparation.

The students get breaks that consist of playing games in the student center, relaxing on the West Lawn or swimming in the pool on campus. They also have activities such as scavenger hunts.

Marcus Smith, a student at St. Augustine High School, says he benefits greatly from the CROP program.

“I learn and get a head start on my SATs and have fun,” Smith said. “My mom wanted to see me go to college, and I’d be the first one to go to college in my family.”