There's so much negativity expressed in race relations that it's refreshing to see these mostly white older men being attentive to the many African-American children involved in Carpe Diem. The students, ranging from Grades 1 to 5, meet at 9 a.m. sharp in the school's gymnasium. They then retreat to classrooms with their tutors. Every effort is made to team up students with the same tutors each week. School principal Margaret Myers, who opens up her school on these Saturday mornings and tutors herself, says the bonds among participants have grown.
Veterans feel much the same way about their presence.
Robert Hollander has been tutoring since Carpe Diem's inception. I figure these kids need us. What impresses him is the children's motivation. They have to miss cartoons or sleeping in. Their parents have to bring them, because no bus transportation is provided.