[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 163 (2017), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 5960]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING MILLS ACADEMY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                  in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 25, 2017

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a 
remarkable organization, Mills Academy.
  With Mississippi schools mandating fundamental tests for kindergarten 
through third grade students to pass in order to advance to the next 
grade, one woman has made it her mission to help the children in the 
Greenville Public School District. Airnecia Mills, founder and director 
of Mills Academy, an after-school tutoring program for students in pre-
K all the way through college, has started a free third-grade reading 
comprehension program in an effort to prepare area children for 
upcoming state tests. ``We're encouraging students to read passages and 
comprehend what the questions are asking them with the same strategies 
they will be tested on,'' Mills said.
  Last year, all of Mills' third-graders passed the reading gate and 
many of her students showed exceptional growth in their star literacy 
and reading test, she said. Aside from the reading program, Mills 
Academy provides after-school help for students in pre-k through 12th 
grade from 4:00-8:00 p.m. every weekday. While helping students to 
enhance their educational experience, the academy focuses on promoting 
academic achievement, developing stronger academic skills, test-taking 
and studying skills. Homework assistance, test prep and tutorials are 
given to students after school to help eliminate the illiteracy in the 
community.
  Mills started this program towards the end of 2015 and her family was 
super supportive of her. Mills is a graduate of Greenville Weston High 
School and Alcorn State University, where she received a bachelor's 
degree in elementary education with a special education and reading 
endorsement.
  She was an educator in the public school district and realized there 
was a need for extra help for students in the after-school extended 
program.
  With more than 20 students enrolled, Mills said she hopes to continue 
the growth of the academy and wants to be able to make a bigger impact. 
``I really believe I can make an impact in children's lives and I want 
to see growth in them. One of my main goals is to see how I helped that 
child. I am very passionate about education because it's the key to 
success,'' Mills said.
  While Mills' focus right now is on the third-grade reading test, she 
also helps students prepare for the ACT. ``I had one student to go from 
a 16 to an 18, and he was preparing to get into nursing school and that 
was his main focus,'' she said.
  Parents in the community have been very supportive of her mission and 
have participated in many of the Mills Academy events, which include: 
fundraisers, paint classes, movie nights for the kids and even an event 
for Dr. Seuss' birthday that the parents and community supports,'' she 
said.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mills 
Academy for its dedication to serving and giving back to the community.

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