A National Alliance at a Local Level
Learners to Leaders is a national alliance that helps disadvantaged individuals achieve educational goals through local programs.
Learners to Leaders focuses on those who have the desire to succeed, but don’t yet have the skills to overcome their challenges—whether academic, social, or economic. These are often first-generation college-bound students, low-income, or minority individuals.
This program is a collaborative effort among Smithfield Foods, our independent operating companies, and local educational and mentoring partners. It strives to create confident leaders by providing them with the skills to succeed and putting them in a position to give back to their communities.
Denison's 1st Graduating Class
Denison, IAIn May 2012, we will celebrate the first graduating class sponsored by the Science Bound-Learners to Leaders partnership in Denison, Iowa. As part of the program, these students made a bold commitment as eighth graders to meet rigorous standards over a five year period in preparation for college.
After consistently earning a grade point average of 3.0 or better (4.0 scale), attending annual summer programs, maintaining 75 percent participation levels, and taking part in college preparatory courses, eight students are ready to graduate with outstanding credentials. Jasmin Cabrera, Eric Cardenas, Kathy Ibarra, Juan Meza, Aransa Soriano, Valeria Vargas, Katherin Vega, and Carlos Velazquez have embraced the challenges set forth by Science Bound and Learners to Leaders, and will have a running start when they arrive on campus next fall.
This first group of students sets a precedent for future classes to come. Younger students look up to their elder peers and are motivated by their achievements; they aspire to follow in their footsteps. Anita Rollins, a programs coordinator at Iowa State, says, “The success of our first class has helped to establish the Denison program as one parents and students can trust and believe in, and that is becoming clear as more students join us every year.”
Kathy Jones
Denison, IA INSTITUTIONDenison Public Schools
Kathy Jones has taught in the Denison Community School district for over 30 years. She began her career teaching sixth grade life science, transitioned to a self-contained fifth grade setting, and is now instructing talented and gifted students, grades K-8.
Kathy became involved with the Science Bound-Learners to Leaders partnership when it was first introduced to Denison five years ago. She has always loved science and wanted to share that passion with underprivileged students who sometimes tend to stray from the subject. Kathy joined forces with another Denison middle school teacher, Collette Huntley, and they spearheaded an effort to launch the program in their district.
In terms of recruiting students, Kathy recalls the first year as being somewhat difficult. She says, “Parents were unaccustomed to such a concentrated program, and because their students would be our first participants, there was no precedent on which to base their trust when considering our overnight trip to Springbrook and outings to Iowa State.” However, these parents are now the program’s most ardent supporters, as their students are college-bound following graduation in the spring.
Kathy helped the Science Bound-Learners to Leaders program take its first steps and grow into what it is today. Parents now understand its educational value and are eager to get their children involved. Kathy says, “The reward for me is seeing our 8th graders grow and mature into college students as they prepare for their future. They truly take every opportunity that is given to them through this wonderful program and will accept nothing less than success.”
