Importance of education

By Bill

Guilmette students learn valuable lesson from basketball star

B urt bburt@eagletribune.com

LAWRENCE — Pep rallies are common in our schools, usually giving their friends some support before the big game.

Well, this pep rally at the Guillmette Elementary School in Lawrence, for kids in first grade through eighth, was for a slightly different audience.

It was for everyone ... as in all of the students, as they begin their MCAS (Mass. Comprehensive Assessment System) testing period.

Yes, a MCAS Pep Rally. MCAS is standardized testing for all students, helping teachers, parents, and students know where students are excelling and where they need help.

The Guillmette School leaders brought in a few heavy

See EDUCATION, Page A3

Elemy Colome, a Lawrence native and basketball player for the Dominican Republic national team, speaks to students at Guilmette Elementary School.

REBA SALDANHA/Photos

Ms. MacDonald raises her arms after the final throw to beat Ms. Murphy in Guilmette Elementary School’s March Madness rock, paper, scissors contest.

Continued from Page A1

hitters in terms of local, Lawrence-bred talent, to speak to the kids and inspire to flourish during these sometimes stressful times.

A former Guillmette alum, Yameily Villaronga, City Councilor Jeovanny Rodriguez and Dominican Republic national team basketball star Elemy Colome each spoke to the 150 or so students.

“We’re making a lot of headway with our students and their academic successes,” said Carly Nunez, a Dean of Instruction at Guillmette School.

“We wanted to get some momentum heading into the MCAS period and we got it.”

The speakers had something in common, beyond their message of support and perseverance. All were of Latin descent.

The speakers looked like the students.

“That means a lot,” said Nunez. “Our motto is growth, mindfulness, engagement and support.

When things get tough, don’t stop.”

Becoming one complex, line curriculum, same message, staff too, Among the big hits was Colome, who played Div.

1 basketball at three different schools — James Madison, URI and Syracuse. Now she runs her own gym, with a female co-owner and former college player, too.

“What a great event,” said Colome. “The message is go hard in the classroom and go hard in whatever you are passionate about.

For me it was basketball.

The kids have to know the should use their teachers and coaches. If they need extra work, don’t be shy ... ask for it.”

Colome ended up bringing up the seventh and eighth grade basketball teams, later offering her services for a few clinics.

“Sports are great. They can help you focus and get discipline,” said Colome.

“But in the end it’s all about education. I love the fact that kids seemed amped up heading into MCAS.”

You can email Bill Burt at bburt@eagletribune. com.

Eighth-grade teacher Alice Ofria participates in a teacher knockout basketball game at Guilmette Elementary School during an MCAS pep rally about the importance of education.

REBA SALDANHA/Photo