The Emily K Center makes news again, this time in the February/March issue of Durham Magazine. The publication’s Iesha Brown spent almost a week at the EKC interviewing students, staff and parents. After one interview with a student who shared that the Emily K Center had changed her life, the journalist got up from her chair and pronounced, “After this story is written, I want to tutor here too!” Iesha went on to write a very thorough feature story, at times through the eyes of 15-year-old EKC student, Edmi Cornejo. In addition to Edmi’s personal story, the writer perfectly summarized the activity of the EKC,

“Powerful stories like Edmi’s actually are the norm at the center, named for Coach K’s late mother. Teachers and college students serve as tutors and counselors, not only helping students with academics, but also stressing the importance of character and leadership skills. The center offers year-round Pioneer Scholars and Scholars to College programs, which include a five-week academic summer bridge program.”

Thank you Durham Magazine and Iesha for caring about our Center!  The magazine is available at local retail outlets including The Regulator Bookshop, Whole Foods Market, and Borders and Barnes & Noble bookstores. A portion of the article can be viewed here.

No greater example of the Emily K Center motto, “Dream, Do, Achieve,” can be found than the recent newspaper column written by our own Vianey Martinez, a Scholars to College junior here at the Emily K Center.

Eager to share her concern over the lack of rigorous classes offered at many schools, Vianey wrote an editorial column for the February 2nd issue of The Durham News. In the column Vianey shares memories of her trip to a state scholastic competition where she represented her school. Although she and her school did quite well, she was very impressed by her fellow students who seemed to know information that had not been introduced to Vianey. “I talked to one of my teachers and asked her how it was possible for them to know that stuff.   She said…. they had taken extra classes to learn more, or maybe some of the classes at their school were not offered at Southern (her school).”

Vianey’s hard work has put her at the top of her class, but she wants to make sure that she has the foundation necessary to be successful when she gets to college. Participating in the Emily K Scholars to College program is evidence that she means what she says. “No matter what happens, I know that I have challenged myself as much as possible in high school and when I get to college I will continue to do the same.” We know you will Vianey. All of us at the Emily K Center are proud of you! To read the complete article by Vianey, follow this link.

We were thrilled to learn that two friends of the Emily K Center have been nominated as finalist for the prestigious Lowe’s Senior Class Award. The award recognizes athletes who excel on and off the court and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence – community, classroom, character and competition.That criteria certainly outlines the characteristics of Duke pre-season All-American basketball phenom, Kyle Singler, and  Duke Women’s basketball superstar, Jasmine Thomas. Both student-athletes have worked at the Emily K Center, devoting time to the students as part of their commitment to the Durham Community. We wish them good luck in the voting, but we know that no matter the outcome, they are winners in our book!