On Tuesday, the Selma Rotary Club awarded seven students that have improved themselves in each of the Selma City elementary schools.

It is moments like this that keep the students striving to do better. Hard work is rewarded, and in turn, the students continue to work hard.

This is what is keeping the students going. Knowing that their hardwork is paying off matters to them. 

Selma Rotary Club President Jerria Martin and the rest of the club is taking a stand against poverty, which is linked to high crime and violence.

“Studies show that these symptoms of social decay drastically affect a student’s performance at school,” Martin said. “The Rotary Club of Selma worked with the Selma City Schools and Wal-Mart to create an incentive program for students who show improvements both in and out of the classroom. Throughout the school-year, a special committee at each elementary school in Selma has taken notice and chosen a student to deem Most Improved, whether it’s overcoming bullying, or increasing their GPA, seven wonderful students have been chosen and will be honored and rewarded with brand new bikes and an array of other awesome gifts.”

We hope that this organization and other can continue to give back to the youth that makes up the future of our community.

If we do not support them and nurture them, then our future is bleak.

We must continue to invest in our future for the hardwork that they do.