International Academy honors volunteers

The International Academy of Flint (IAF) recognized community organizations and volunteers who worked with the award-winning charter school at an appreciation luncheon Jan. 14.

The Salvation Army was recognized for providing volunteer opportunities to the student body and their efforts to assist school and neighborhood families in times of crisis.

According to Art Wenzlaff, the school's community relations director, IAF had more than 50 volunteers from the school and neighborhood during the Christmas bell ringing campaign. Volunteers included students, parents, residents, community members and IAF staff.

The Genesee County Prosecutors Office received recognition for providing blight clean-up efforts in the south side community surrounding the school, as well as for its following up on reported crime activity detected by residents.

Sheryl Thompson, Genesee County Department of Human Services, received recognition for placing a full-time caseworker in the school to help school families receiving state assistance. International Academy has about 90 percent of its students receiving free and reduced lunch, which is a federal program indicator of at-risk children, according to Wenzlaff.

Douglas Weiland, Genesee County Land Bank executive director, received a certificate of appreciation for his organization's commitment to the school.

Chris Monk, Keep Genesee County Beautiful, provided grant money to aid neighborhood beautification programs initiated by the school.

Radio station WFLT-1420 AM was recognized for its help with the school's weekly radio program and Channel 17 TV producer Paul Herring of Spectacle Productions, for filming the program.

Barbara Richmond, editor and advertising specialist for the CPSA Courier newspaper, received an award for helping the school share its story with the faith community.

East Village Magazine was recognized for assisting the school in providing access to the East Side and College and Cultural neighborhoods.

Hazim's Market, Walker Farms, Applegate Chevrolet, Consumer Energy Options, Krystal Jo's Restaurant, MTA, Flint Department of Parks and Recreation, First Class Transportation, Citizens Nuisance Task Force, Salem Housing, MSU turf specialist Thom Nikolai, MSU Cooperative Extension, UM-Flint Art Department, St. Paul's Church and School, Diplomat Pharmacy and Flint Area Reinvestment Office received certificates of appreciation for their contributions to the school and their participation in the development of a five-year neighborhood development plan.

Alternative Veterans Solutions, Crossover Ministries, Carriage Town Ministries and the Eastside Mission were recognized for assistance provided to International Academy for programs, projects and families and acknowledged for their compassionate and resourceful staff and leadership who daily touch and help those who are hurting in the community.

Finally, volunteers who participated in the community service projects such as food distributions, the annual Thanksgiving Day Dinner, neighborhood clean-ups, graffiti removal and helping with the school's flower gardens, received praise and appreciation for their commitment to the school and neighborhood.

According to Wenzlaff, the people honored at the luncheon provided the true meaning to the adage, "It takes a village to raise responsible and productive citizens."

The academy received the US News and World Report Bronze Medal for three consecutive years, which ranks them among the top nine percent of all U.S. high schools. They are the only school in Genesee County to receive such a rating.

The 1,200 students enrolled in the K-12 program are committed to continuing their education through college.

"Before a student can graduate from high school they must have a letter of acceptance from a college or university," Wenzlaff said.

Students participate in a number of community service projects, including mowing grass on Land Bank-owned properties, planting flowers, helping with neighborhood clean-ups, helping with Food Bank food distributions and ringing bells for the Salvation Army.