News

THE FIFTH-GRADER in the second row—the boy with the big smile—had Marie Henderson hooked from day one. Henderson helped out in his classroom at King Elementary School as part of her Senior Capstone project.

For the past four years, Portland State seniors have assisted at King through the University’s Enhancing Youth Literacy Capstone class. The PSU students help with reading, writing, math, and science; provide role models for the young students; and get a taste of what it is like to give back to the community—a calling they may continue to answer once out of school.

Henderson, an English major, worked one-on-one with the 11-year-old, and found a child with a mischievous, likable nature, whose difficulty staying focused had dropped him behind grade level. The boy was not her only project. She and other seniors tutored many children and helped the school with a health and fitness fair. All the while they kept a journal on their project and provided tutoring tips for PSU students who will follow in their footsteps.

[Pictured are King Elementary student Dashawn Pervish and PSU senior Aniela Hutanu.]