Friends,

On behalf of the Project26 team members, I would like to thank everyone for coming out to the second annual Flint vs. Saginaw High School All-
Star boys and girls basketball game, which took place July 17th at International Academy of Flint.  The game was a celebration of the great basketball traditions of the Flint and Saginaw areas, which have produced numerous championship teams and players.

The Saginaw girls, coached by Sophia Jordan of Saginaw High School, defeated the Flint girls 74 to 60. In the boy's game, Saginaw avenged last year's blowout loss to Flint, winning 120-109 in a shootout.

We would also like to thank the staff and students of International Academy of Flint for their support as the host school. IAF continues to make a great difference educating the young people of the Flint community.

The game was also an opportunity to spotlight the Project26 initiative. It is important that we continue to help young people graduate from high school. When a young person receives his/her high school diploma, it literally opens up a world of possibilities. However, the young person who does not graduate faces a world of limited opportunities.

We are looking forward to working with schools in the 2010-11. What we have learned in the past two years since the Project26 initiative has started is that kids are sharp, and well aware of what is going on in the communities, and the challenges they face. Our mission is to help these youngsters find the greatness that is inside them, and understand the responsibilities they have to be successful students and contributing members of society.

If you  would like the Project26 team to visit your school next fall, let your principal know about us, and contact us. Project26USA@yahoo.com or 616-717-5767.

Have a great summer! Rickey Hampton