Written by: John DeRousie, Custom Marketing Solutions
FULTON, NY – As part of their recognition of the national Lights On After School celebration, Oswego County Opportunities’ Rural After School Program hosted an After School Talent Show.
Held at the Fulton Junior High School, the event, which featured dance, poetry, singing, music and acting, showcased the talents of students involved in RASP and entertained fellow students, family members, educators, and staff from OCO.
Deputy Executive Director of Oswego County Opportunities, Sarah Irland, who was in attendance at the Talent Show, was impressed with the students’ performances.
“It was a wonderful event. This is great that these students have this type of event to be able to express themselves. We have some very talented kids in RASP,” said Irland.
According to RASP Coordinator, Laura Licatese, with OCO’s Education Services, the RASP Talent Show was one of more than 9,000 events that were held nationwide to celebrate Lights on After School, an initiative to raise awareness of after school programs across the country.
“Lights On After School calls attention to the importance of after school programs for America’s children, families and communities. Research has shown that students involved in After School Programs do better both academically and socially as they achieve higher grades, better attendance records and experience overall educational success. Nationwide 15.1 million children are alone and unsupervised after school. After School Programs keep children safe, help working families, and inspire learning. They provide opportunities to help young people develop into successful adults,” said Licatese.
In Oswego County, OCO’s Rural After School Program is in APW Middle School, Hannibal Middle School, and Fulton Junior High School.
OCO’s Rural After School Programs offers students a more social setting than the school day and allows them the opportunity to build healthy relationships with other students and adults.
The smaller groups and informal settings of the program offer the students a chance to succeed academically and personally.
Students are engaged in a number of educational, recreational and enrichment activities, as well as community service activities that allow them to give back to, and feel connected to, their community in a positive way.
A private, non-profit agency, OCO’s many programs touch the lives of more than 30,000 Oswego County residents each.
One of Oswego County’s largest employers, OCO employs more than 650 people and boasts a volunteer force of 1,200. OCO strives to improve the quality of life in Oswego County by helping people, supporting communities and changing lives.
For more information, visit OCO’s website at www.oco.org
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