Desire Street Academy

E-newsletter December 2007

Dear Friend of DSA,

Thanks for being part of our ministry with your prayers and contributions. We hope you've had a great year, and wish you  a great holiday season with your family and friends.

ACT: Aiming High Plan

To help students improve their performance on the ACT (a standardized achievement exam for college admissions) DSA recently developed a plan to help expose students to the ACT. The Aiming High program helps students experience the ACT process, gets them comfortable in the testing environment, and familiarizes them with the various elements present on the test. The Academy is now practicing for the standardized test on "ACT Fridays" during their reading period.

One of those involved in the program is Ms. Edna Q. Lewis, a volunteer that comes daily to help coordinate the tutorial component of the plan. Students from nearby universities and other community members are also being recruited to serve as tutors. Those involved in the program at DSA are working aggressively to get all the necessary materials and equipment the children need (such as calculators). Mrs. Edwine Muse, Curriculum Coordinator at DSA, said, "It is an ambitious task, but we are working hard on it."

Great Year, Great Growth

The DSA Lions' football team had a great year. They went all the way to the LHSAA state semifinals and were one game away from the championship.

At DSA, football is more than just a game. Head Coach and Athletic Director Mickey Joseph says the young men not only learn the mechanics and strategies of the game, they learn about life, and about teamwork and interdependency between people. "I don't drill our kids all summer long. We feel like they need to still be kids." As a result, getting the boys back together again after they have scattered over the summer is a slow process.  "They have to learn to play together again and to trust each other again. We started the season 0-2 but then as they have begun to trust the guy beside them, they've won every game since then."

Calvin Taylor, a senior on the offensive line, is a good example of someone who has grown from the principles Coach Joseph is putting in place. "I've learned to believe in myself and to never give up," says Taylor. "Like in the spring game last year, I was thinking, 'I can't do this' and I said, 'I'm going to quit.' But a lot of people got on me to try harder so I really worked at it over the summer so I wouldn't let the team down. I've gotten a lot better and I believe in myself now." Mickey says he and the other coaches continually encourage the young men to step up to the line and take their God-given talents more seriously by putting their willpower to work. "You know, we're going to win games because we're big, we're athletic and we have good coaches. But we want more for the boys than that, we want them to learn to be good sports, good boyfriends and fathers-good men."

Ministering through Drama

Desire Street Academy (DSA) works intentionally to develop its students' appreciation for the arts. Several DSA students formed a group they call a Drama Ministry, and their goal is to minister to other students on campus through drama and productions. The group's mission statement is "to go out into the highways and bi-ways and compel others to come in so that the house of the Lord may be filled" Luke 14:23 (adapted). The ministry recently performed their play entitled The Funeral, but don't let the title fool you. The play was a message of the hope we have as believers. "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" (II Corinthians 5:17).

Students are using the Drama Ministry as an opportunity to share with others through artistic expression. The following is an excerpt from the opening of The Funeral. "Through this play, we challenge you to let go of any and all things that may be hindering you from becoming all that God has called you to be. Reach forth to the beautiful new life that God has already set in motion for you. Press towards the mark of a higher calling of God in Christ Jesus." Currently the Drama Ministry is working on their Christmas production, Soulful Christmas. Approximately twenty students will perform for teachers, family, friends, other students, and guests on Thursday, December 20th. Come join the fun if you can!

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Please consider sponsoring a DSA student or volunteering in Baton Rouge. Thank you for getting involved.