One local organization is taking initiative to enlighten middle and high school boys about the importance of education.

As part of the Baldwin County “Educate to Graduate-Stay in School” effort, the Pi Eta Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. is presenting the Go-to-High School/Go-to-College program. The purpose of the program is to improve self-esteem, increase academic performance, encourage students to complete education beyond their current level, increase their social awareness and establish problem solving skills in order to make responsible decisions.

Members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. say they take great pride in the fact that the program provides youth with positive images of themselves that lead to pride and confidence in achieving academic success. The graduate Pi Eta Lambda Chapter has been participating annually in Dublin to inform young boys about the necessary tools needed to become successful young men in society.

Pi Eta Lambda Chapter President Raymond Braziel, along with a few other local chapter members, decided to make the program available for the first time to Baldwin County Schools. Braziel said students’ and parents’ reactions have been very positive to the program.

“Some students were forced by their parents to come and others came on their own,” Braziel said. “They appreciate us for coming and taking the time to teach them the importance about getting some type of further education.”

The program covers topics such as: time management, violence and conflict prevention, oral communication and self-esteem. Go-to-High School/Go-to-College has served as a guiding force in the academic pursuits of males and has in other locations equipped students with the self-confidence and academic skills to become successful college-educated adults.

The local program launch will take place Saturday from 11 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. at Oak Hill Middle School. Braziel said he is expecting anywhere from one to 100 boys signing up since this is the program’s first time in Milledgeville. The middle and high school students will be divided into separate groups so speakers can direct their topics to the specific age groups. Middle school students will learn why they should go to high school and the benefits of graduating. High school students will learn how to apply to college and acquire good test-taking tools. Braziel and other chapter members encourage all local young men in grades six through 12 to participate.

Students interested in participating in the program can come by Oak Hill Middle School Saturday to sign in, and no registration fee is required. For more information about the program, parents or students can contact a local school counselor.