Students walking into Tipton Durant Middle School on Monday morning might have thought they stepped into a pep rally.

The Selma Chapter of the 100 Black Men of America, Inc. and other community members were on hand to applaud and high five students on the first day of school.

“It’s good to have this visual for boys and girls to see guys from different aspects of the community coming out,” said Brian Gosa with 100 Black Men of America. “Usually, when they see adults, it’s because they done something bad. So for us to be out here welcoming them on the first day, getting them excited, seeing our smiling faces — hopefully, it gets them enthused about the school year.”

“This is our first community event since we chartered our chapter,” Gosa said.

The Selma chapter of the national organization has been incorporated since just June and currently has 34 charter members.

The organization has 116 chapters across the country with a motto of, “What They See Is What They’ll Be.”

Tipton Durant Prinicipal Jackie Averhart thanked the men for taking time to encourage her students.

“They came to me and said we want to come out, we want to fellowship with you, your faculty and student body,” Averhart said.

Selma City Schools were also back in session Monday. Meadowview Elementary Principal Allen Malone said his faculty is glad to welcome back students and is looking forward to a productive school year.

“This will be a week of getting used to routines and procedures, brief introductions to all of the academic subjects [and] then we will be full steam ahead next week,” Malone said.

Morgan Academy, Meadowview Christian School and Ellwood Christian Academy also started back Monday.