After five weeks of our Summer Scholars academic program, one week of the Chris Duhon Basketball Camp, and two weeks of the Justice Theater Project Drama Camp we thought it was worth reflecting on a few great moments from this summer.

1. Final Speeches – After five weeks of writing and practicing a variety of types of speeches from informational to persuasive, our Summer Scholars presented in front of their fellow students, staff and supporters.  I personally learned how to throw the perfect sleep-over party and was convinced to watch less TV.
2. Poetry for the Parents – Another group of our Summer Scholars students focused on poetry.  Their final project culminated in poetry books that were read to a packed room of their very very proud parents.
3. Waffles from Around the World – After studying about the science of growing food, the logistics of transporting food, and the economics of producing food - our Summer Scholars kids got to take a break on the last day to eat some good food.  Delicious waffles with toppings from around the world (including butter that the kids learned to make from buttermilk)
4. Duke Basketball Inspiration – All the campers during the Chris Duhon camp got the unique opportunity to hear the inspiring stories of some of the best players in the college game.  Nolan Smith, Miles and Mason Plumlee, Casey Peters, Todd Zafirovski, Seth Curry, and Andre Dawkins all stopped by to speak, show off their 3-point shooting skills, and sign autographs for a great group of kids.                                                                                                                  
5. Hip Hop Shakespeare – After two weeks of reading, singing, and dancing, 65 campers put on an amazing performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream with a hip hop twist.  Both performances were done to packet houses of friends, family, and community members.  It was the embodiment of Dream-Do-Achieve and the new confidence and big smiles were on every kids face!                                                                                                                     

Thanks to all of our great individual, foundation and corporate supporters that made this summer such a success.  Special thanks is in order for the scholarship support from the Triangle Community Foundation’s Send a Kid To Camp Program, the Mary Duke Biddle Foundation, Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC, Cardinal Gibbons High School and The Catholic Community of St. Francis of Assisi.