YMCA Mead after-school program wins $5,000 grant

The YMCA Mead Middle School after-school program has been awarded a $5,000 grant by the J.C. Penney Co. Afterschool Fund.

The Mead Middle School program serves students age 12 to 14.

“The YMCA’s after-school programs are making a big difference in the lives of young people, and we are proud to be a part of it,” said Steve Aller, local JCPenney store manager. “We are blessed to have these after-school programs in place for our kids.

“Where would those youth be if that YMCA function was not there for them in the afternoon?”

The program offers a variety of supervised youth activities for students, including homework assistance and tutorial support, life skills sessions, CPR and first aid training, community service projects and field trips.

NC features local author Crutcher

The North Central High School chapter of the National Honor Society presents its Distinguished Scholar Speaker Series at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the school’s theater.

The featured speaker will be local author Chris Crutcher.

Admission is free, and the public is invited.