Getting strong. Giving back.
In its fourth year, the B4 (Be Strong, Be Positive, Be Ready, Believe) reached a milestone in having the Huntington mayor speak at the event on Day 1 of the two-day event, June 7, 2013, at Marshall University's Memorial Student Center.
A total of 60 kids between 6th and 11th grade from Huntington, Portsmouth, Ohio and Ashland, Ky., came to Marshall where new Huntington mayor Steve Williams provided inspiring remarks to open the program. Then TEAM KRL founders Shannon King, Duane Rankin and Chris Layne awarded Huntington High student Tevin Thomas for taking the initiative to have a course on African-American history be implemented into the school curriculum. Cabell County Schools superintendent William Smith presented the award to Thomas.
From there, Rev. Donte' Jackson of First Baptist Church in Huntington, his wife Christina Caul-Jackson and Marcia Harris of YOUnique Life Skills in Portsmouth headed up separate workshops. Rev. Jackson talked to the high school boys about thinking and being a man while Caul-Jackson discussed the idea of being a lady with the high school girls.
As for Harris, she took the middle school kids and encouraged them to live by a set of values. The kids then had free lunch at the student center that was provided by the Marshall University Center for African American Students' Programs, which is directed by Maurice Cooley.
After the lunch break, the kids watched a video on All-American wrestler Anthony Robles, who won the 2011 national championship with one leg. From there, the kids were broken into groups and participated in workshops headed up by King, Rankin and OLBH fitness manager Ryan Arnett of Ashland.
King addressed the importance of making wise financial investments, Rankin teamed up with Mr. Mike to show the kids how to make a video and Arnett stressed the idea of living healthy through diet and exercise.
At the end of Day 1, the kids were given B4 T-shirts to wear the second day of the program and received gifts donated to the program from the Miami Heat, Los Angeles Lakers and calendars.com.
Day 2 began with the kids taking a quiz about Robles as the one with the top score received a copy of Robles' book, "Unstoppable" that Robles personally autographed.
From there, Rev. Jackson and his wife brought the high school boys and girls together to share what each side learned about being men and women while Harris recapped her session with the middle school kids.
Then the kids took a break and enjoyed free lunch courtesy of Gino's Pizza in Marco's in the student center. Gino's donated 20 pizzas.
After lunch, the kids then spent time at Marshall's new recreational center where participated in a campus-wide scavenger hunt in which they had to figure out clues and follow instructions as a team to finish the course.
From there, the kids were granted playtime in the rec center. Day 2 concluded with an award ceremony where kids were recognized for participating, displaying of leadership and attentiveness during the two-day program and for academic achievement throughout the 2012-13 school year.
The top student, R.J. Washington of Ashland Paul Blazer High School, received a framed autographed picture of Huntington High graduate Patrick Patterson, who is in the NBA with the Sacramento Kings.
With endless possibilities and growing support, the B4 program will not only continue to make an impact on the Huntington community, but its possibilities are endless. The best is yet to come.
Year 4
By working Together, we Each can Achieve More
June 7-8, 2013: Mayoral Support
2013 B4 Youth Program -- Day 1
2013 B4 Youth Program -- Day 2
