Lauren Gardner, COO

You may have noticed our blog has been silent for a few months.  I thought it was time for an update on what we’ve all been so busy doing.  So here’s what you’ve missed:

1. Five weeks this summer of our Pioneer Scholars kid immersing themselves in academic projects covering everything from dinosaurs to preparing for high school.
2. An amazing elective course run by our DukeEngage students where our kids created their own version of Sports Illustrated (and website)
3. The Chris Duhon Basketball camp with 140 campers working on their skills while meeting some of their heroes. 
4. 80 campers participating  in our summer Justice Theater Project Performing Arts Camp which culminated after two weeks in a full production of Annie for a packed house of friends and family.  The majority campers for both camps attended on full need-based scholarship.
5. Orientation for our Pioneer Scholars where our families were welcomed back, commit to the program, and all of our students got backpacks and supplies.  These students have been at the Center working hard every day since then.
6. Our Scholars to College program welcomed its second cohort.  We now have over thirty ninth and tenth graders working hard every week and committed to going to college. 
7. Our 4th-6th grade girls have taken advantage of the opportunity to stay later on Mondays to learn hands-on math, science and engineering from Duke volunteers through the FEMMES program
8. Middle school girls from across Durham come every Thursday night to participate in the Girls Club where they meet and learn from their Duke mentors about everything from self-esteem to public speaking.
9. We hosted a free basketball clinic in celebration of the first football game between NCCU and Duke.  70 young people in grades 5-8 learned basketball and leadership from Jason Williams and student-athletes from both schools.
10. Many, many, many other moments where our students have learned new skills, set goals, and achieved.  We promise we’ll be better about updating more frequently so that you can keep hearing about all of these little and big moments.