Members of Corona del Sol’s SPOK Club — an
acronym for Students Passing On Knowledge —
have done just that with a group of kids from
Aprende Middle School. The mentors have
attracted a considerable following, not only
among the Aprende students but among the
high-schoolers and the school principal, who see
the initiative producting results.
By Michelle Hirsch
You don’t have to be a Star Trek fan to
look forward to SPOK on campus at
Aprende Middle School. That’s because
all students are welcome to visit SPOK,
formally known as Students Passing On
Knowledge.
Corona del Sol sophomore Nomith
Murari says he started the tutoring club after
he noticed that Corona has several programs
that involve peers helping each other.
So why not, he thought, start a club of
high school students working with middle
school kids.
Nomith approached Aprende principal
Jim Verrill, who was receptive to the idea, and
SPOK was born.
Corona students now meet with the
kids from Aprende once a week after school,
helping with homework and assignments.
Aprende sixth grader Indigo Cadogan
said she loves to write, but admits she isn’t
good at it.
“You don’t have to be good at what you
love to do,” Indigo said, but she appreciates
the help she gets from Corona sophomore
Haley Shaffer in making her writing better.
“She gives me different ways to think
about emotions and scenarios to write my
stories,” Indigo said.
Haley enjoys working with the students
and says it’s fun to see them each week.
Aprende sixth grader Yuliana Noriega
said she has trouble with math, “and they
[Corona tutors] help a lot; they show me
different strategies and help me get it.”
Corona sophomore Rachel Klein joined
the club for the opportunity to help younger
students.
Another sophomore, Avinda De Silea,
excels in math and says he wanted to help the
younger group excel as well.
Aprende sixth grader Alex Agnick said
his highest priority is getting good grades,
and Avinda has helped him work through and
understand math problems.
Said Aprende sixth grade language arts
teacher Greg Broberg:
“This program is amazing; the students
love it.”
Nomith sees more students show up
week after week and says they seem to
appreciate the tutoring help from Corona
students, adding that he hopes to expand the
program to Pueblo
Photo Billy Hardiman/Wrangler News
