In my adolescent memory, the July 4th holiday and celebration always seemed to mark the mid-point of summer. School was pleasantly in the past, replaced by homemade ice cream that melted far too fast, trips to the neighborhood pool and the joy of going barefoot in the grass. The rest of the summer stretched ahead so full of promise.

Many things have changed since my childhood summers, but there is still much that has stayed the same. Summer days at Tamassee are still filled with the same kinds of outings and activities that make memories that last a lifetime. One of these summer outings for Tamassee's kids occurred recently as a result of a friendship that was born in the heart of a college volunteer who came to the Tamassee campus in February during a Clemson University sponsored "MLK Day of Volunteering."

You may remember I mentioned in a previous column a Clemson student named Matt who visited Tamassee and became interested in Tamassee's residential program for its children, particularly the Tamassee Academy Program. The Academy Program is a middle-school program that focuses on the strengths of each child to foster improvement in other areas in which a child might not be quite so strong. Ultimately, the mission of the program is to pave the way for success for the children when they enter high school.

Matt's heart was moved by the Tamassee children he met on that first visit, and it brought him back to visit and volunteer on several occasions. He joined in group activities and spent extra time with individual students, even bringing items that met their unique interests. One of these gifts was a basketball from one of Clemson's basketball players. Elijah was very impressed with his gift since he is a huge basketball fan. Matt also volunteered to help out for our 90th celebration and even recruited a friend. Perhaps it was his strong belief in education that drew him to Tamassee, or perhaps it was his compassion for the children he met, but no matter what led him back to the campus, Matt's presence has been a positive influence and source of inspiration for our kids.

So, it was no surprise when Matt planned a summer outing for the Academy students, an invitation for lunch at CU's Madren Center. To say the kids were excited by an invitation to visit Matt at CU would be a colossal understatement. They were further surprised that not only did Matt sponsor their lunch, but also acted as their special server. They were also impressed with the buffet meal because they could actually choose what they put on their plates. The luncheon was such a comfortable experience for them and allowed them to practice their dining etiquette with their friend. When you reflect on the power of childhood memories, you realize that these are truly the types of experience that make those life-long memories such positive learning experiences for children.

I hope Matt knows such an opportunity is a dream come true for some children, and it was through his volunteer spirit that Tamassee's Academy students were able to add this day to their treasure box of summer memories. One of the students shared that she had been through Clemson many times, but this was the first time she got to stop and actually go inside a university building. What a wonderful first step to the career exploration path that all children must take.

Our friend Matt has recently graduated from Clemson University but continues to stay in the area for now and is still brightening the lives of Tamassee children.

Debbie Williams is the community relations director at the Tamassee DAR School. She is a lifelong resident of Upstate South Carolina and has lived in Oconee County for the past six years.