Students distinguished for academic improvements, impacting their communities

ATLANTA - April 28, 2014 - PRLog -- Hershell Edward Holliday’s extreme lack of focus, self-discipline and motivation to boost his grades and low CRCT scores in the eighth grade almost blocked his promotion to the ninth grade following the 2011-2012 school year.

Although Holliday was allowed to advance to the ninth grade at Westlake High School for 2012-2013, he struggled in several of his core classes. He failed six classes and made C’s in the others during his ninth grade year.

Communities In Schools (CIS) of Atlanta’s Site Coordinator Demona Warren developed a plan for the current academic year to help Holliday avoid the danger of repeating ninth grade a third time. He successfully completed online courses over the summer, and he went from failing three classes first semester last year, to passing all of his classes first semester this year.

Due to his hard work and CIS of Atlanta’s support, Holliday received a mid-year promotion and is now classified as a 10^th grader. Next year, he will be classified as a fully-accredited 11th grader on track to graduate with his class of 2016.

Holliday is one of several students CIS of Atlanta builds relationships with to increase the number of students who are promoted on time or graduate.

Students within the City of Atlanta, Fulton and DeKalb County partner schools will receive special recognition for improving their academics and impacting their communities during the 10^th Annual Choose Success Awards Dinner Gala.

Event emcee Monica Pearson of 104.1 FM will lead the ceremony at the Carlos Community Center in Atlanta from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 1. Registration, entertainment and hors d’oeuvres will begin at 5:30 p.m.

Sponsored by WSB-TV, Coca Cola and AT&T, the gala will also honor the contributions of Anne Cox Chambers of Cox Enterprises with a special award presentation.

For more information about the Choose Success event, or to purchase tickets, visit www.cisatlanta.org (http://www.cisatlanta.org/what/choose-success).

About the Choose Success program

The Choose Success Program allows students who face various social and economic challenges to be of service to others in need. Young people are able to see that although they face challenges, they are assets to their communities. CIS believes that every child should have opportunities to give back to their peers and their communities.

About Communities In Schools of Atlanta

CIS of Atlanta is an award-winning dropout prevention organization that was established in Atlanta, Ga. in 1972. CIS is the nation’s largest dropout prevention organization. CIS site coordinators work within local schools to address barriers to students succeeding in school including poor attendance and behaviour, low levels of parental involvement, limited exposure to academic and career enrichment opportunities and a lack of access to basic necessities including shelter, clothing and school supplies. During the current academic year, CIS of Atlanta has fulltime site coordinators working within 15 schools within the City of Atlanta, Fulton County and DeKalb County public school systems. We believe ALL kids can succeed. We NEVER give up on kids, and we do not allow them to give up on themselves.