Kindergarten students at H.B. Rhame Elementary School could barely contain their excitement when Junior Achievement volunteer Stephanie Geer stepped into the classroom.

After exchanging greetings with the energized youngsters, she began to read a charming storybook about a farm. Their inquisitive minds were set in motion as they visualized life on the farm. Geer harnessed their youthful curiosity into a hands–on lesson that tied the “storybook farm” into a much broader concept – the world of commerce.

H.B. Rhame Elementary School students are preparing for the business world through regular sessions with Junior Achievement of Central SC (JACSC) volunteers like Geer. Following guidelines and innovative lesson plans provided by JACSC, Geer is one of about ten Doctor’s Care staff participating in a Junior Achievement partnership between Doctor’s Care office headquarters, located on Forest Drive, and H.B. Rhame Elementary, at 1300 Arrowood Road.

“Corporate and community volunteers trained by JACSC staff deliver the programs and become positive role models for the students,” explained JACSC president Mary Grimball. “Annually, we receive more teacher requests for classes than we can identify volunteers to teach, so we constantly seek volunteers.”

“So, when Jerry Wells of Doctor’s Care asked to partner with H.B. Rhame Elementary School this year by funding every class and providing manpower to deliver 16 to 18 classes, both the principal and JACSC were thrilled,” Grimball said. “Our hope is that other corporate entities will follow their example.”

On June 28, 2005, Mary Grimball became president and CEO, succeeding Dianne Chinnes who retired after almost 23 years.

Grimball said, “During the 2004–05 academic year, our volunteers reached 26,060 students in our 22–county region.”

Geer, whose office is at Doctor’s Care headquarters, has been a JACSC volunteer for four years and is also a recipient of the Above and Beyond Award, presented annually by the organization.

In addition to serving as a volunteer herself, Geer’s job is to match volunteers from Doctors Care with classrooms at H.B. Rhame Elementary.

Geer explained that Junior Achievement volunteers at Doctor’s Care have been assigned to different grade levels at H.B. Rhame.

At the elementary level, Junior Achievement develops personal economic concepts through storybook characters presented by the volunteer in read–aloud stories and hands–on activities. Children learn how businesses work, as well as the importance of cooperation and teamwork.

As students graduate to middle school JA lessons become more intense, developing the skills and the attitude for success. Students learn how they are marketable and how education will be their greatest asset down the road.

Once JA students reach high school, they are ready to become involved in business experience. JA volunteers teach practical skills that provide a foundation for undergraduate education and the working world.

Students living in rural areas of the state are given JACSC instruction through the Distance Learning Program. According to Grimball, nearly 4000 middle school students in rural communities participated in JA in the past five years through the distance learning partnership with SCETV.

JACSC is one of only two area offices nationwide to have received the Summit Award, given annually by Junior Achievement Worldwide, Inc. Junior Achievement is the world’s largest organization dedicated to educating young people about the value of free enterprise, business, and economics. For more information, visit www.ja.org or call (803) 252-1974.

For more information on the involvement of Doctor’s Care, contact office headquarters on Forest Drive at (803) 782-4278. Ext. 118.