So, what is this new club at the Picayune Memorial High School?
The club, Veterans and Citizens Supporting Students, was started at the beginning of the new school year 2015-2016 to help needy students at the school that just do not have the financial resources to fully function with the everyday costs of going to school.
That includes the everyday toiletry items such as toothpaste, floss, mouthwash, hair needs, soap, and whatever else a student needs for proper hygiene. Clothing such as underwear, trousers, pants, shoes, belts blouses, shirts, socks, uniforms, jackets and coats are also essential. As sad as it may seem, many of the students, do no have most of these items……..you say, what about government or other forms of assistance? Many of these students live with single parents, grandparents or single grandparents who cannot afford these items simply because some abuse drugs, alcohol, gamble or have very little income and/or live on Social Security. They spend money designated for the students on themselves and leave the students to fend for themselves in life. I am not making any of this up. Teachers, coaches and the school district are fully aware of the dire situation.
I am an Army veteran, having attended Veterans Day at the high school for the past seven years. I have talked each year for about six hours each of these days and can verify that a vast majority seek guidance in their final year/years of attending high school. Most have no clue what awaits them when they graduate.
Those reading this article know how competitive the job market is and without some more schooling or some type of trade school they will be boxed in to a minimum wage job. Can the parents afford any more support for their children beyond high school, even if they have been good students with good grades in school? Some cannot even afford high school, so you can draw your own conclusions of where the students stand in their future and what they can provide to society.
I teamed up with Allison Wheat, Picayune High School’s history teacher this year in trying to make a difference in these young people’s lives and maybe give them hope that somebody does care and is concerned about their well-being. After all, they are all Americans.
You may remember when you were in high school you certainly wanted to be accepted by your peers as being equal and not being made fun of or bullied because of your clothes or other conditions that may have surrounded your life. Students just want to be accepted by other students.

By Bill Roberts