WHIZ KIDS UPDATE

Mayflower's Whiz Kids Annual Christmas Feast, scheduled for December 20^th, was in jeopardy as Whiz Kids' partner church Crown Heights United Methodist, Putnam Heights Elementary and their neighborhoods were some of the hardest hit by December's ice storm. As so many in the city, our students were without school or power for days following the storm and many of the majestic trees surrounding the church were lost or damaged.

Crown Heights UMC Pastor Dianne Peters (also a substitute WK tutor) started the evening with a prayer and warm welcome. She thanked the wonderful volunteers who make up this dynamic team and recognized special guests Putnam Heights Elementary Principal Oliver Stripling and Senator Andrew Rice. UCO singers Myka Plunkett and Ryan Steers provided holiday music and led the group in songs. After an aerobic audience participation version of The Twelve Days of Christmas led by tutor and Club Leader Greg Jorgensen, the group calmed to say goodnight. With only a few days between an absence of heat, light, security and this warm Christmas fellowship, community was deeply felt as the evening ended with Nancy Musselman at the piano and the group joining hands and voices in Silent Night.

We congratulate Susan Carlsen, reading specialist and our Whiz Kids teacher liaison, who has been chosen as Putnam Heights' Teacher of the Year. It was no surprise to us as her special skills and love for the students has improved our last two WK years tremendously.

With the expansion of student numbers from 20 in 2006-2007 to 38 this year, we NEED tutors and tutor substitutes. If you can spend part of Thursday afternoons helping a child, call or e-mail Nancy Musselman (943-9944 or nanmuss@sbcglobal.net) or Jana Hayes (341-6259 or jshayes50@sbcglobal.net).

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