This Past Week at Holland Rotary

Derek Aten from the Rotary Club of Grand Rapids discussed the Strive Program of Grand Rapids

Pictured:  Derek Aten, Janet DeYoung, Peter Albertini

The Strive program is facilitated by the Rotary Club of Grand Rapids and stands for Students Taking a Renewed Interest in the Value of Education.  Funds are raised by the annual golf outing at Blythefield Country Club and the Rotary Club of Grand Rapids Charities Foundation. 

The Strive program has been administered at two local high schools; - Creston and Ottawa Hills.  This program targets high school seniors that are in the bottom third of their class (typically 2.0 GPA) and are identified by school administrators, faculty, and school counselors as kids who have demonstrated or shown potential.  Mentors meet with students on a weekly basis before school for 45 minutes from 6:30AM – 7:15AM.  The mentors discuss study habits, ACT prep, preparation for college, and financial aid. 

Students in the strive program must meet the 4 A’s:

1)      Academics – improvement in their senior year GPA over their cumulative GPA

2)      Attendance – require 90% attendance at meetings

3)      Attitude – maintain a positive attitude at all meetings

4)      Altruism – ten hours of community service

Because Creston high school is closing, the Strive program may be making some adjustments to the program.  Some may include continuing the program to GRCC and turning it into a 2 year program.  It may also become an application process.