Aric Bowker, third from right, stands at attention with the Scott Alternative School Marine Mentors and four fellow students on Parris Island Field trip. This year’s Learning for Life Student of the Year is Aric Bowker. Along with a group of ten other middle school students at Scott Alternative School, Aric participated in a new Learning for Life program during second semester.

This group of eleven young men was mentored by a volunteer team of five U.S. Marines. The Marines worked with the students on Physical Training, close order drill, character, initiative, endurance and self-discipline. They also completed Learning for Life lessons on career exploration, leadership, teamwork, decision making and ethics.

As a reward for their excellent progress during the first few months of the program, five cadets of the Scott Alternative School U.S. Marine Mentor program were selected to attend a field trip to Parris Island on Friday, April 24, 2009.

Aric was one of the students selected to participate.

Aric and the other par- ticipants also attended a field trip to Hunter Air Field on Friday, May 22, 2009. The boys had an opportunity to experiment with some of the tools Marines utilize while in the field. They were able to try on military gear, test physical strength, and eat M.R.E's (Meals, Ready to Eat). According to Scott Alternative School Graduation Coach, Elnora Herbert, “The influence of the Marine volunteers through the Learning for Life program had a profound impact on Aric’s overall demeanor and self-confidence. Aric began the program reserved, quiet and unmotivated. Weeks later, after participating in the field trip to Paris Island , Aric began to exhibit skills as a leader and motivator with ambition. He completely changed, coming out of his ‘shell’ and exhibiting a positive, focused attitude." Aric concurred that the program has influenced him to start thinking more seriously about his future, “Through the program I have gained an interest in the Marine Corp. as a career,” said Aric. A bright and successful future is predicted for Aric Bowker by all who worked with him this school year.

Learning for Life and Exploring, funded in part by United Way , are subsidiaries of Boy Scouts of America . Learning for Life and Exploring strive to be America ’s foremost career and character education program for youth.

For more information on how you can volunteer as a mentor in the Learning for Life program during the 2009-2010 school year, please call Barbara Foley, Learning for Life Program Director at 912-308-7892.