During the 2016-17 school year Tyrrell County Inner Banks Hotline partnered with Columbia Middle School in the Ladies of Life (LOL) program that focused the school’s female population on social skills, self-esteem building and awareness of school violence.

The LOL program centered on art and writing as positive outlets to allow students to express their feelings.

The program was created by Nola Ransom, former Inner Banks Hotline CCRT Coordinator, who also conceived the group’s tee-shirt logo. The new CCRT Coordinator, Shamari Spencer, is now in charge of the Ladies of Life program.

LOL was held every Wednesday at the middle school where the students worked on the 4-Step Priorities: Love, Integrity, Forgiveness and Endurance.

“These young ladies have grown so much from the first session, and we have all shed tears as each dealt with life issues,” stated Shamari Spencer. “I look forward to working with the Ladies of Life program next year where the goal is to have these young ladies come back with more young ladies who want to make a difference within themselves, their school and their community.”

“We thank Superintendent Dr. Will Hoffman for allowing Inner Banks to bring such an empowering program into the school system,” stated Janie Spencer, Inner Banks Hotline’s Executive Director. “Shamari Spencer has done an awesome job with these young ladies. I am proud of her efforts.”