Sherry Sigmon Speak to Charlotte Rotary
By Matt Joyner
              
Trent Merchant introduced Sherry Sigmon, principal of the Performance Learning Center ("PLC"), to Charlotte Rotary. Merchant, a member of the Mecklenburg County School Board, said that the PLC was the first school in the CMS system to "blow up the mold," by serving high school students who were "not getting it done" in traditional high school settings. Sigmon, a 26-year CMS veteran and former principal of Coulwood Middle School has been the leader of the PLC since its opening last year. The PLC is located in the old 11th Ward Elementary School Building at 1400 North Graham Street.
 
"What's the buzz?" That's what Sigmon, Assistant Principal Todd Michael and four PLC Seniors asked Charlotte Rotary. It turns out "the buzz" is about a new concept in high school teaching pioneered in Georgia to stem the tide of kids dropping out of school because they didn't fit the traditional mold of lecture-based classes and fell through the cracks of large, impersonal schools. The PLC model allows students to earn a regular high school diploma by working individually and at their own pace using interactive computer teaching programs, while building self esteem and academic ambition in a school social setting that emphasizes motivation and community service. Each class has 16 computers and 15 students; the "real life" teacher becomes a facilitator for the students as they work individually rather than a lecturer.
 
"I can't stand to see a child whose spirit has been stripped from them," said Sigmon. At PLC, "[we] stress the P's to Success: You must be Present, Prompt, Prepared, Positive and Productive." Every PLC student participates in community service. The school participated in Project Christmas Child as a group as well as doing clean up volunteer work for the Parks and Recreation Department. In addition to school volunteer activities, each student must perform a service learning project to integrate their individual community service with an academic pursuit, such as tutoring elementary students.
 
Sigmon thanked Bob Culbertson for his work mentoring two PLC students and encouraged Charlotte Rotarians to get involved as PLC mentors. Tom Robertson was also specifically recognized and thanked for his handy work installing shelving at the PLC.
 
The PLC graduated 20 students in January and will graduate 50 more in June. PLC Seniors Delisa Martin, Cindy Lazo, Montarius Smith and Tracy Toothaker each anticipate being part of June's group of graduates and each took the microphone to provide their personal endorsement of the PLC and its role in turning around their academic careers and their lives. "I smile when I talk about my future now," said Toothaker, anticipating further education at CPCC and a nursing career, "Because now I know I have one."
 
Head Table: Kit Cramer, Robert Freeman, David Zimmerman, Trent Merchant, Karen Calder, Tyler Ream;
Invocation: Chip Scholz;
Visitors & Guests: Tom Hutchins; Health & Happiness: Ed Turner; Song: Richard Early; Piano: Thomas Moore; Photos: Bert Voswinke;

• Elsie Garner introduced the club's newest Rotarian, Terri DeBoo. Terri is director of marketing for All American Roofing and can be reached at markterrideboo@prodigy.net. Welcome Terri!
  
• The Red Badge Club is a check-sheet of Rotary tasks that new members are asked to complete, e.g., being introduced to the club, submitting a profile to the Rotary office, make up at another club, etc. President David recognized and presented a new member badge to Wes Sturges, who is the first to complete the process.
  
• Ronnie Bryant has been named to the Charlotte Community Advisory Committee for the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation; Natalie English was named to board of directors of the NC Center for Public Policy Research; John Greer has been elected to the executive committee of Penick Village in Southern Pines; Bill Constangy was not opposed for the 6th consecutive 4-year term as District Court Judge.
 
• Joan Zimmerman (David's Mom) and Peggy Culbertson (Bob's wife) are Charlotte's 2007 Women of the Year; Budd Berro and Matt Joyner offered an article on how to get customers to pay on time; Thomas Moore was recognized for his work with the Church in the Round at Myers Park United Methodist Church. Click on www.tueforumclt.edu for the story.
 
• Jim Hintz writes very informative newsletters on the work being done in Peru. At Luther Moore's suggestion, the articles have been added to the club's website -- click here.  An update from the most recent Peru Crew will be presented to the club on April 1st.
 
• Rotary District 7680 Annual Conference: Rotarians and family members are invited to the Annual Conference held at the Marriott Resort & Spa at Grande Dunes, oceanfront Myrtle Beach. April 4-6. Registration forms available at the Rotary office or on the District's website: www.rotarydistrict7680.org.
  
• Habitat for Humanity:  Kicks off this Thursday and volunteers are still needed. There is an immediate need for someone to provide food for the workers this Friday. Contact Chris Kemper, 704-943-2113, if you can help with this. Chris also recognized Ken Samuelson for his past leadership of this committee; Katie Tyler for in-kind donations and assistance, and Todd Stevens, W. B. Moore Company, for donating the entire electrical work for the project.  Registration for this year's Habitat project is available here.