By Morgan Mizell

The Natchez Democrat

NATCHEZ — Natchez native Larry Hooper spends a great deal of his personal time motivating the youth in the community.

This past year, Hooper spent his free time visiting some of the third graders who were being tutored and preparing to take their third grade reading assessment test.

“This test would determine if these kids would advance to the next grade level,” Hooper said. “I just wanted to motivate these kids to do the best they could and show them someone believed in them.”

He spent many days on campus with the students, bringing snacks and getting updates on their progress. For the group of nearly 20, he promised them a trip to Blue Bayou in Baton Rouge if they passed.

“I just wanted to give them something they could look forward to and something to work for,” Hooper said. “A lot of these children have never been to a water park or any place special like that, and I felt it would be a good incentive for them.”

Hooper, a third generation educator, says everything he does in the community is nothing special because he is doing the same things he saw his mother do when he was young.

“My mother, Glenda Hooper Lyles, who passed at a young age from cancer, was always gathering the neighborhood youth up and taking them somewhere,” Hooper said. “She tried to always motivate the kids and I think motivation is the key.”

A past coach and head administrator, Hooper has always enjoyed working with the youth. He believes he has been blessed because of it.

“I don’t do what I do because I want attention,” Hooper said. “I do what I do because I have been the kid growing up without a father figure. I was the kid who could have easily taken another path.”

People in Hooper’s life helped to keep him on the right track.

“I had people in my life, my village, who kept me in check,” Hooper said. “These same people helped to see me through the passing of my mother which was just before my college graduation. She was buried on Thursday and I graduated from Alcorn State University with two degrees on Saturday.”

Hooper said he used some of his coaching skills to talk to the kids who were getting ready for their test by telling them to visualize the end result.

“I told them to think about advancing to the next grade,” Hooper said. “I told them to study hard and get a picture in their mind about going to fourth grade with all of their other friends.”

When the results came in, more than fifty percent of those nearly twenty kids passed.

“It hurts your heart to know some of the kids who did not pass only missed the mark by one point,” Hooper said. “I have seen some startling data which talks about how important third grade reading levels can be. In fact one study says kids who are not proficient readers are likely to drop out of school and there is even a direct connection between future inmates and poor third grade reading scores.”

Hooper remains determined to reach out to the youth.

“I want to make this trip to Blue Bayou happen for the kids who passed because I am a man who keeps his word,” Hooper said. “I don’t want them to think of me as someone who will not keep a promise.”

He said if he does not receive a lot of donations, he will find a way to make it work even if it has to come out of his pocket.

“The kids remember things,” Hooper said. “I have been in education for nearly twenty years and I have former students who talk to me about the way I never gave up on them or the way I mentored them.”

His favorite Bible verse, Philippians 4:13, is close to his heart and is the message he tries to pass along to the youth daily.

“I even tell them to say the verse over and over,” Hooper said. “I tell them to say, ‘I will do all things through Christ who strengthens me,’ because I want them to believe it and to believe in themselves.”

Hooper is also involved in the “Stop the Violence,” campaign in the community.

“We are losing too many of our youth to senselessness,” Hooper said. “I want to continue to be a positive influence on these kids and help them see that if they feel they need a gun to go somewhere, they probably need to stay home.”

As a guest speaker for many churches and organizations, Hooper talks to youth about minimizing violence, staying away from drugs and doing well in school; however, he believes more people need to get on board.

“I hope more people in the community feel called to step up and encourage the youth,” Hooper said. “These kids just really need someone to believe in them.”

Hooper’s family is a large part of his motivation. His wife, Sharonda Hooper and his two kids, Kaydan, 9, and London, 5, are never far from his mind when he is helping others. While he doesn’t seek attention for his efforts, he has always enjoyed the letters and certificates of appreciation the children give him. Earlier this week, he received the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. award to celebrate his work as an educator and servant in the community.

“If I were not here, I would hope someone would step up and do something like this for my children,” Hooper said. “I have seen what can happen when kids are encouraged to do more, because I was that kid. This week, when I received my award at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Banquet, I looked out into that audience and saw so many who had been there during my life, motivating me. You don’t forget that.”

The trip to Blue Bayou will require close to $1000.00 for travel and ticket purchase. Hooper also hopes to have some other adults offer to go with him as chaperones. If anyone is interested in donating to the trip fund or desiring to serve as a chaperone they can contact Larry Hooper be email at hoopla2001@yahoo.com.