Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Educational Talent Search (ETS) Summer Camp will once again take place July 13-24 at Wallace Community College Selma (WCCS) his summer, though the program as been adjusted due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Program Coordinator Corey Bowie said the program consists of two groups.
One is a STEM camp for 10th, 11th, and 12th graders that includes a coding class, which earns the participants a WCCS college credit, and the other is a camp for 6-8th graders with a focus on improving reading, writing, mathematics, career tech, and enrichment skills.
Bowie said while the focus of the camp will be the same, it will now be conducted virtually, via Zoom.
Bowie stressed the importance of developing critical skills among students, even during the current COVID-19 circumstances.
“We have to put vision over circumstance,” he said. “Our vision is to make sure that we prepare our kids for the fall. I know summer is a time for relaxation, but studies clearly show that during the summer months, when our kids are not academically engaged, they lose a lot. We’re trying to enhance the education side of them whether its reading or writing or any other critical skill like that. Learning is something you should do every day. It’s a year round thing and that’s why it’s so important we continue to enhance our students with the necessary tools to be successful academically.”
Bowie said the program also includes ACT prep for 9th and 10th graders.
“The average ACT score in the Black Belt is 12-14 and in doing this preparation we’re trying to raise those numbers up,” he said.
The summer program will be taught by four instructors: Sabrena Fulford, B. Marie Jones, LaTonya Vasser and Montego Hoskins via Zoom and Google Classroom.
According to Bowie, a lack of a computer will not keep students from participating.
For those without the technology, a computer will be provided.
The program is open to 6-12th grade students enrolled in Selma City, Dallas County and Perry County Schools.
To enroll in the program, Bowie said students or their parents can call 334-876-9240 or visit the Educational Talent Search Facebook Page.
“We want to encourage parents to engage the students during this two week camp. The services we are providing are absolutely free,” he said.
To sign up for the two-week camp Bowie said all students need is a copy of their report card and to fill out an application.
“Our goal is to make sure our students make progress while they’re in school, and our ultimate goal is to make sure they enroll in some type of college,” said Bowie. ‘We want to encourage parents and students to enroll as soon as possible.”