Self-reflection

Michelle Martin, the teen dating violence prevention coordinator from Citizens Against Family Violence, visited MHCA3 participants to discuss a wide range of topics over the course of two weeks. Topics discussed included: proudest moments, greatest accomplishments, personal fears, goal setting and steps to achieve those goals. In addition, students compiled a list of at least 5 positive characteristics to describe themselves. Each activity was depicted through pictures or words and participants were given the opportunity to share with the group.

Walk on Water Bugs!

Students at the Bassett Community Center and the Spencer Penn Center learned about water quality and water bugs in the Walk On Water Bugs program.

Each group builds their own water bugs (out of paper clips) that will actually float on water due to the surface tension.

They then see what happens when dirt is added and then soap, to see if the bugs still float.

The kids built their own filters to see if they could clean the dirty, soapy water.

MHC-After 3 goes on a Foot Stompin' Musical Adventure!

After a quick bus ride across town to Patrick Henry Community College,
the MHC-After 3 students, from all sites, were invited by the Harvest
Foundation to attend a JAM session! JAM stands for Junior Appalachain
Musicians and is a program that offers free after-school guitar, banjo, and
fiddle lessons to students and will be available to the participating after-school
programs in the fall. Showcased were Montana Young, a 17-year-old fiddle
player who has won the hearts of her audiences with her dancing, rhythmic fingers
and her soulful voice, and the Carolina Chocolate Drops, a trio who wowed the
students with their high energy dancing and musicianship, unusual instruments, and
educational presentation. They were joined by a group of JAM musicians from
North Carolina who shared their newly aquired abilities as well.



Here, Montana Young prepares for her first tune.



The students curiously watch the performance play unfamiliar tunes.

Montana reaches out to the young people by explaining the

positive and inspirational impact music has had on her life.

The North Carolina JAM participants

are showcased as a group.

The Carolina Chocolate Drops get tuned up.

Drums, African 'banjos', jugs, dancing,

and opera singing were incorporated into their

performance.

Here the listeners are informed that Henry County

was once home to one of the largest populations of

black fiddle players in the country from 1930-1960.

A west African instument aids in educating

the audience of the origins of the banjo in

the United States.

The grand finale wraps-up the afternoon

with all of the musicians on stage!

OUR LAST DAY OF COOKING FOR THE WEEK!

The students enjoyed some new recipes with the instruction of a local chef.
Hard tacos and jalepeno corn bread were carefully prepared by the
interested students. The seasonings were just right and the hands-on
activity was, as always, a big hit!


Measuring cornmeal, flour, baking powder, and salt: the dry ingredients.




Dividing the batter into the muffin pans for
faster cooking!



Cooking the beef before adding the spices.



Preparing the fresh toppings for the tacos.



Loading up the tacos with all the great ingredients!
YUM!



Portioning out the final scoops of meat for the hungry participants!

Another Day, Another Pizza

HOMEMADE MEXICAN PIZZA that is!
That's right, the museum group of MHC-After 3 students
found themselves once again in the kitchen
on Tuesday with a new-twist-on-pizza recipe and a simple 3-ingredient
Peanut Butter Cookie recipe in their hands.
Protein in the pizza was provided by a layer of refried beans
and black beans, instead of tomato sauce there was salsa, and
the mozerrella cheese was replaced by mexican cheese!
With jalepenos to spice it up!
As for the easy 3-step cookies, the participants combined equal parts
of sugar and all-natural peanut butter with an egg. (Happily avoiding
flour, baking powder, vanilla, and butter and measurements!)
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A clean kitchen is ready for the students.



Measuring up the store-bought pizza crust,
which is ready to be topped.


Cautiously spreading the beans.



Combining cookie ingredients.

The recipes.

Topping the refried beans with, MORE BEANS!

Shaping the peanut butter cookie balls.

Adding the salsa layer.

Cleaning the dishes.

The oven is hot and ready.

Popping in the pizza for 10 minutes.

After 10 minutes, the cheese, red peppers, and

jalepenos were added.



Ready for round 2 of the pizza baking.



An enthusiastic cookie team shows

off their creation.

Cookies come in all shapes and sizes.











Setting the table and taking the

first sample bites.

Part of the quilt display at the
VA Artisan Center.

Plating up the MEXICAN PIZZA!

A brave student samples his first jalepeno.

A seasoned jalepeno eater

loads up her plate with her

favorite spicy-hot pepper.

SWEATING TO THE OLDIES!!


Upon arrival at the Virginia Artisan Center in downtown Martinsville, the students were asked to get ready to shake their hips as they entered a room filled with oldies dance music. Everyone soon caught on and danced to three full songs, following Richard Simmon's footsteps on a projected video screen. And the payoff? Exercise, of course, and an opportunity to prepare a healthy beef and vegetable stir fry with popover biscuits.
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Here, the participants are led through a series
of stretches as they are told the importance of exercise.
(Did you know that this is the first generation in history that is
expected to NOT outlive the ages of their parents?)










Learning the moves!










Measuring the buscuit recipe before mixing.










The "Ninja" mixer, as seen on T.V.,
being utilized by a curious, and impressed,
student.













Discussing chopping methods with
the instructor for the stir fry.













Adding the final tomatoes and onions
to the stir fry. How delicious the kitchen smelled!










Setting the table for the family-style meal.













Tasting, relaxing, and enjoying
2 new recipes.