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Kenyon Gladu and Geoffrey Hubbard making their way through a tough homework assignment. Photos courtesy of St. Mark's United Methodist Church.

"The Botetourt Tutoring Program is to Resume at St. Mark's, Daleville," said Rev. Dave Rochford of the church. He sent this by to let us know the who, what, when and how!

For many years, the classroom lights on Thursday nights at St. Mark's United Methodist Church, Daleville, have been a sign that hard-working young minds are being illumined. The Botetourt Tutoring Program, a joint venture between St. Mark's and the National Honor Society of Lord Botetourt High School, offers homework-help at no cost to parents for their elementary, middle school and high school-aged children.

On Thursdays during the school year, from 7 to 8 PM, students arrive with their homework assignments and are matched with tutors, many of whom come from LBHS's Honor Society, plus a few volunteers from the church. Adult supervision assures that the students stay on task and use their time productively.

While the Tutoring Program began some ten years ago as a ministry of the Church, "We really could not do it without the wonderful kids from the Honor Society. They are so dedicated and faithful," says Nancy Hamblin, Tutoring Program Coordinator for St. Mark's. "Some of them have served in the program for years, and have gone off to college. We really admire them."

According to Rev. Dave Rochford, pastor of St. Mark's, the program began out of a desire to serve overstretched families. "The Tutoring program is intended to offer a lift to families struggling to get weekly homework squared away. It's no substitute for having an expert educator to help someone along in calculus or Latin - though we have had requests for those subjects."

While the program is available at no cost for any and all interested families, says Rochford, "we especially hope to connect with single-parent families, English-as-second-language families, and those stretched thin by not enough time. The one-on-one our tutors offer is just plain beyond what many folks can manage these days."

The Botetourt Tutoring Program takes place Thursdays nights from 7 to 8 PM, during the school year (except for school holidays and snow days), beginning Thursday Oct. 9. Those wishing to know more may call Program Coordinator Nancy Hamblin (992-5505) or the St. Mark's Church Office (992-3030).

Dalton Moore (on right) gives Declan Fulton some pointers on his math homework.