Last year, Neighbors FCU hosted a contestfor high school students in the Greater Baton Rouge area to submit an essay on how they improve our community using just $100. Emily Seighman suggested that she would purchase children’s books and hair care products and help children learn to read while braiding their hair before school. She called her idea Books and Braids.
Neighbors selected her idea as the winnerand provided the funds to make this idea a reality this school year.
Once a week, Seighman has visited Denham Springs Elementary before class to enhance the reading skills of four students in the second grade. Three of these students are English as a Second Language students.
“Three of these girls are ESL, which means they are Spanish-speaking at home,” Seighman said. “The only time they get exposed to English is here at school. So, them coming in and getting their hair done while learning to read is pretty awesome.”
“Sometimes it’s a matter of how to give rather than how much you should give,” Neighbors President and CEO Steve Webb said. “We commend Emily for her outstanding idea and efforts, and are committed to supporting educational programs in the communities we serve.”
Walker High School recently named Seighman “Student of the Year.” She will graduate in May.
Seighman and a representative of Neighbors FCU will be available for interviews, Monday, December 10th at 6:50 AM at Denham Springs Elementary School located at 306 N Range Ave, Denham Springs, LA 70726.
