PEP Can Food Drive

Photo Information: (Left to Right) Jose Torres, PEP Mentor; Alana Briley, PEP Mentor; Travessa Watts, PEP Mentor; DeAndre Brown, PEP Mentor; Kimberly Bursey-Reece, PEP Project Administrator; Ellen Quinelly, PEP Mentor; Cody Wood, PEP Mentor, Kendra Moore, PEP Mentor. 

Student participants representing the four local school districts (Texas High, Arkansas High, Pleasant Grove, and Liberty Eylau), who are a part of Texas A&M University-Texarkana’s  PEP (Partner-Engage-Prepare) program, are conducting a canned food drive. Thus far they have collected 300 cans of non-perishable food that will be donated to Harvest Texarkana. The food drive is still underway and donations are being accepted with Pat Hearn at Liberty Eylau, Meah Wilson at Arkansas High, and with Kimberly Bursey-Reece at Texas A&M University-Texarkana in UC 414R. The last day for donations is March 28.

Local high school students who participate in the A&M-Texarkana PEP program have mentors who work with them, helping them to prepare for college. The PEP (Partner, Engage, Prepare) Project is a program sponsored by Texas A&M University-Texarkana that establishes a partnership with area high schools to identify sophomores, juniors and seniors and encourage them through an engagement and college preparation program to insure their successful transition to an institution of higher education. The PEP program is based on the Kids at Hope basic principle that ALL children are capable of success, NO EXCEPTIONS.  In order to achieve this success, children must have meaningful and sustainable relationships with caring adults and must be able to articulate a vision for their future.  The PEP program is designed to identify those students who need additional support to define their vision.  These students want to attend college, but they lack the resources and tools to get there on their own.  With support of the Pioneer Foundation Grant, the PEP program at Texas High School, Arkansas High School, Pleasant Grove High School and Liberty Eylau High School will have the ability to help these children achieve their goals and impact the lives of the these students for many years to come.

For more information on this program, contact Kimberly Bursey-Reece, Project Administrator for the PEP Program at (903) 223-3176 or kimberly.bursey@tamut.edu.