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Promising Practices

Meyzeek Dribblin' Bears

Meyzeek Middle School     Louisville, Kentucky

Contact: Dawn Klemn, GEAR UP Kentucky Central Area Director, 502-852-2441 dmklem01@louisville.edu
Number of Students: Forty-eight (48) member students who previously may not have belonged to anything else claim this group as their own. The make-up of the team is highly representative of the student body at Meyzeek Middle School, an urban inner city Math, Science and Technology magnet. While 40% of the students reside in east-end homes, the other 60% of the population live in the neighborhoods of Smoketown, Shelby Park, Clarksdale and Germantown, which surround our school. The income levels of these students vary greatly. The team roster includes students of all ethnicities, genders and income levels represented at Meyzeek.
Background: The team was established in 2001 and has grown exponentially every year since. It was originally designed to give students an opportunity to display street ball tricks and talents.
Activities:

The Meyzeek Dribblin' Bears is a talented group of 48 middle school students who travel to universities, high schools, and professional venues to perform a half-time show like no other! The students choreograph their own program and design their own tricks, making the show a true representation of the team and its abilities. From the smallest high school audience to 19,000 people at Freedom Hall in Louisville, KY they leave the crowd standing and cheering for more!

For some of the students, it would not be an exaggeration to say that it has been a life-changing experience. While they enjoy performing, the focus of the team is to have each member reach his or her personal best. Since its beginning, the Dribblin' Bears has become an invaluable tool for motivating students to maintain excellent behavior and academics so they can remain eligible to travel with the team.

  • The team often practices twice a week, and on those days students must stay after school for intensive, one-on-one tutoring in subjects in which they need assistance.
  • "The Generals," students who have been on the team for the past three years, have gained leadership skills and provided guidance and mentoring for their younger team members. This includes encouraging each student to attend college.
  • Students are able to visit campuses and enjoy guest speakers from various universities who share the importance of higher education with them.

Over the past three years, the Dribblin' Bears has earned the distinct honor of being asked to perform at the half-time show of the annual Harlem Globetrotters exhibition at Freedom Hall. They also asked the Dribblin' Bears to perform with the team in Atlanta, Georgia this past March as well.

Impact on Students:

So they can remain eligible to travel with the team, students must maintain excellent behavior and academics. Tutoring is available every practice afternoon.

Many who had not ever thought of college after high school now think it can happen.

Partners: GEAR UP Kentucky sponsors the Dribblin' Bears.
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