A grinning sixth-grader dashed through the school stage curtains and begged a college-student volunteer to let the class repeat a dance routine for visitors. Brittany Burns, political science junior, hurried the child up the steps and told the giggling girls to take their places. Burns assists with the dance class at the Math, Science and Arts Academy in St. Gabriel as a mentor for the You Can Succeed Program for Student Excellence. She and 12 other University students volunteer in the southwest region of the program. Ari Krupkin, external affairs coordinator and political science senior, said the program is run almost completely by college students. He said mentors aid in the classroom, provide after-school tutoring and coordinate supplemental classes in the arts. Krupkin said You Can Succeed is also active at East Iberville High School and Crestworth Elementary in Baton Rouge. About 10 students from Southern University participate in the program in North Baton Rouge, said Montrell McCaleb, president of the organization’s national chapter. McCaleb said the three-year-old program is headquartered in St. Gabriel mainly because the mayor offered free office space in exchange for volunteer services. Krupkin said the privately funded program focuses on schools with a large population of students from lower-income families. “We are offering opportunities to students who may not have certain opportunities,” he said. Krupkin said You Can Succeed mentors work to show students how to obtain their goals with the resources available. “You can be successful here in Louisiana where we are notoriously on the bottom of the list in education and other areas,” Krupkin said.  Alyssa Stewart, southwest regional director and LSU psychology senior, said volunteers at MSAA are still getting acquainted with students and observing teaching styles. Cheryl Russell, sixth-grade reading teacher at MSAA, said she appreciates volunteer involvement. “It’s always just nice to have an extra pair of hands that the kids can relate to,” she said. Toni Zubowski, MSAA physical education teacher and LSU alumna, said the mentors are role models for students. “If they see people who have finished [grade school] and are on to the next level, then they’ll understand the importance of it,” she said. Krupkin said the program encourages students to pursue education beyond high school. He said mentors help with SAT and ACT preparation and counsel students about how to apply to college. He said You Can Succeed is recruiting student volunteers who can commit at least three hours per week to the program. Stewart said volunteer schedules are flexible. “You don’t have to be a math whiz to be a mentor,” Krupkin said. The program needs volunteers for a variety of subjects, he said.McCaleb said he would like to improve You Can Succeed by involving more male mentors and increasing volunteer participation on Tuesdays and Thursdays. He said it’s important the students have both male and female role models. Krupkin said the organization has progressed greatly in the last year. He said You Can Succeed was recently recognized by the National Council of Nonprofits. – – – -Contact Emily Holden at [email protected]