Current Student Profiles
Rodrick McCollum, Jr.
Rodrick McCollum will tell anyone who asks that since arriving at P.A.R.K. five years ago he has gone from being anti-social to having lots of friends. And on top of that, his grades have improved dramatically.
“P.A.R.K. has completely changed my life,” stated the P.A.R.K. and Parkview High 12th grader. “Since I’ve been here, I’ve done a complete 180.”
Monique Martin-Palmer, P.A.R.K.’s Education Outreach Coordinator, couldn’t agree more.
“Rodrick started the program a shy and quiet kid. He often tried to fade into the background. Over five years, we have seen him blossom here at P.A.R.K. He has improved his grades, stepped into leadership roles, and is very active in his community.”
Rodrick’s active life includes involvement at school and in church as well as in his community. At Parkview he is a member of FBLA, Gentlemen’s Club, FCLA, Alpha Omega and baseball. At his church he is in both the youth and adult choirs, sits on the usher board, serves as secretary of Sunday School, is involved in ministering hands, and is Youth President. In Little Rock he has participated in Race For the Cure and nursing home visits.
Rodrick’s family includes his mother Diane, father Rodrick, Sr., sister Tasha, and brother Ryan. And while he loves his family, he says P.A.R.K. gives him someone else he can talk to instead of his relatives.
“The staff listens to my problems and helps me solve them,” he declared.
Everyone who works at P.A.R.K. would surely agree with Martin-Palmer’s assessment of Rodrick: “It has been great watching him blossom where he has been planted.”
The future definitely looks bright for Rodrick McCollum, Jr.
Precious Lynette Bell
Monique Palmer, P.A.R.K.’s Education Outreach Coordinator, says, “Precious Bell is a young lady that definitely lives up to her name. She displays a gentle spirit at P.A.R.K. She is always focused on her studies and the goals that she has set for herself in life. During her time here, we have had the privilege of watching her hone the skills she’s learned and earn the spot of having the highest grade point average for the first nine weeks, a 3.875! Diamonds, rubies, or any other rare treasures have nothing on our ‘treasure’, Precious Bell.
Precious Lynette Bell, a senior at Little Rock’s John L. McClellan High School participates in FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) and PRIDE (Peers Really Into Doing Everything) where she presents lessons on the dangers of tobacco usage to numerous elementary schools and participates in other community service projects.
When not at school or P.A.R.K. Precious likes to spend her free time reading, shopping, talking on the telephone, and having fun with her family (Grandma Alice Smith and Grandpa Wilbert Smith) and her friends.
Precious makes it a point to let the staff at P.A.R.K. know how much she appreciates the program.
“P.A.R.K. to me means everything that has to do with my education. If it wasn’t for them I don’t think that I would have good grades or the help that I need when I have a problem. P.A.R.K. is also like a family to me. Whenever I needed something, they would try to help me get it. They are also like friends., This is how much P.A.R.K. means to me.”
Precious is on her way to becoming a beautiful young woman as she ventures into the next level of her life.