Youth

The Rev. Thomas W. Jay Sr., and his wife Earnestine –- respectfully known as “Lady Jay” –- happily prepared the Youth Valentine’s Christian Ball for the children of their South Side community church for the first time during this month’s special holiday.

At the beginning of the school year if someone would have told Mahogany Anderson that she would win the National Society of Black Engineers Regional Science Fair she would have laughed. But on Nov. 15, 2009 she won, and this month she will travel to Canada to compete at the next level.

Malik Long went to camp for the first time last summer — reluctantly. He was worried he wouldn’t have a good time or get along with the other campers. However by the end of a week at an outdoors camp, Malik, a seventh-grader at Clary Middle School, had canoed, hiked through the forest and learned to identify edible plants such …

Art, traveling and cooking are some of the most popular activities at the local Girls Inc. here in Syracuse. And there are even more resourceful things sprouting up every year. Inside the beautiful, red and white, three-story ZontaHouse on the corner of Douglas and Graves streets, young women develop life skills through simulation in activities like “Mini Society.” They also …

More than 70 university students attended the Say Yes to Education volunteer meeting held on the evening of Tuesday, Jan. 26, at Syracuse University. The program that offers free college tuition to all students who qualify in the Syracuse City School District is seeking volunteers for its kindergarten through fourth-grade after school programs. “You should never be denied access to …

Xavier Canty wants to experience the feeling of saving someone’s life. Tremaine Williams, who wrestles, wishes to repay all the physical therapists who repaired his injuries. And Delvon Shepherd, a 200-pound middle linebacker, escapes by writing stories and poetry. In Corcoran High School, there are plenty of students like these three. Some want to be teachers. Others want their own …

Terry Webb Jr. wasn’t interested in SUNY Oswego at all. Last year, the 16-year-old Syracuse native went to the state college hoping to find programs in technical engineering or math science. He came away unimpressed. This year, Webb went on another trip, this time to a campus right down the street: Syracuse University.

Mary Nelson’s second annual Youth Day Fair received an excellent turnout, and while it was only my first time attending this event, I’m sure it won’t be my last. The event was held at The Oncenter  and featured performances by local youth throughout Syracuse. Some of the performances included chorus singing, a step team, band selections and cultural dance. In six separate, spacious aisles, …

Delvon Shepherd doesn’t understand why Corcoran High School no longer lets him stay after class for extra help from his teachers. “They eliminated all after-school activities except for sports,” the 15-year-old junior said.

The Mary Nelson Youth Center hosted a Halloween party for South Side children Saturday, Oct. 31, afternoon. Located at 2849 S. Salina St., the center’s event lasted from 1 to 5 p.m. and was attended by toddlers to high school students. Everyone who came was treated to a meal, a grab bag and a variety of activities including bobbing for …