WARREN — Local students were able to refresh their academic skills while taking part in field trips to colleges and recreational activities as part of the annual Inspiring Minds summer program.

A combined awards and talent show concluded the event this week at Warren G. Harding High School.

Jessica Winters, program administrator, said this was the seventh year for the event, with more than 250 students in grades three to 12 taking part.

During the free six-week program, students participated in continuing education to prevent summer learning loss, art, sports, swimming lessons, community service, college visits, industry tours, cooking lessons and field trips.

E’Mari Edmonds, 13, of Warren, said she feels what she learned in the program will help her during the upcoming school year, mostly with math.

“For the talent show, a group of us came together and brainstormed ideas of what we wanted to do for the talent show so we decided to dance,” she said.

Amari Cobb, 16, of Warren, who will be a junior at Harding, said he gained knowledge of what different colleges have to offer through college visits. He said he was able to look at colleges he was interested in attending for graphic design or engineering.

“The Inspiring Minds staff helped in many ways, such as online learning helping with school subjects,” he said.

Renda White, kindergarten to eighth grade coordinator, said in addition to learning, there were also field trips, free time for educational activities and use of Study Island on the computer.

She said goals of the program were to focus on attendance, education and providing a learning environment and fun atmosphere.

“For an hour each day, we focused on reading and math skills, “ White said.

While high school students had college visits, there were also visits for seventh and eighth graders.

“We wanted to introduce them to college and career choices at an earlier age,” White said.

One group was able to attend a visit to University of Pittsburgh to see what college life is like and attending classes.

The finale where various awards were presented brought together students, parents, partners, donors and government officials.

The Inspiring Minds program is in partnership with Warren, Warren Community Development, Warren City Schools, Kent State University at Trumbull, AVI Foodsystems, United Way of Trumbull County, The Raymond John Wean Foundation and Trumbull Metropolitan Housing Authority

bcoupland@tribtoday.com