James Anderson spends the afternoon playing foursquare with children in the city's summer recreation program.
			From College Student to King in One Summer By Sue Kropp
	Related Stories: Obies Help Elementary School Students Get a Jump on Coming School Year		AUGUST 1, 2000--Why is James Anderson spending his summer in Oberlin, tutoring elementary school children? "I thought about all the opportunities I had as a child, all the summer programs I was able to attend," says Anderson. "I really wanted to help motivate kids who might not have had the same opportunities." Anderson, a sophomore from New Haven, Connecticut, is part of the Center for Service and Learning's (CSL) Bonner Scholars program. Anderson is tutoring at Prospect Elementary School and participating in the city's summer recreational program. "I found out about the Bonner Scholars program from a brochure that was sent with my financial aid packet," says Anderson. "I liked the idea of being able to do community service and earn money that I could put toward my education." The Bonner Scholars Program provides scholarship funds to students who complete 10 hours of community service a week during the school year. Bonner Scholars also spend at least one summer performing 240 hours of service anywhere in the world. Besides meeting these requirements, students involved in the program participate in educational and leadership activities, and contribute to the student leadership of the program. Anderson has tutored children before--back home in Connecticut--and has volunteered at local hospitals. Being a tutor for Oberlin's elementary-school children, however, has been a learning experience. The job is a challenging one, and requires commitment in the face of daily challenges--especially when children don't want to participate in the summer school activities. "I learned a lot about working with kids, and how to get onto their level," says Anderson. "I want these kids to know what a privilege education is." After four hours of intense studies, Anderson and the students eat a quick lunch in the Prospect Elementary School cafeteria. Then they head to the playground for three hours of fun and games. "A lot of the kids are here all day," says Anderson. "They come to summer school and then go to the rec program. I enjoy playing games with the kids; I have their best interests at heart, and I think that they know that." Anderson has another reason to enjoy the recreational program: foursquare, a playground game that uses a kickball and can involve large groups of children. "The kids call me the king of foursquare."
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