LOXLEY, Ala. — For the young people, their parents, guardians, and others interested in the welfare of the students of Greater Pine Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Loxley, Saturday night could have been the last weekend night of freedom before school started Monday.

Instead, the group was crowded into the church for the “Back to School Bash,” a program that incorporated prayer, some speakers, a great hot dog dinner, and some school supplies for the students.

“Education is important,” said Marlo Edwards, the program coordinator as she put the finishing touches on those book bags.

Edwards is a Head Start teacher, and is finishing her degree at Faulkner State Community College.

“We started with a youth retreat about two years ago,” said Edwards. “There was a good response. We need to keep the children enthused about school. There’s no way around it.”

That was true for James Latham of Loxley. His son, James Latham Jr. is 19 and working on a GED. His two younger children, Jesus (pronounced Hay-zoos) Latham, is 4 years old, and his daughter Jazmia, is a second-grade student at loxley Elementary.

“We came over for the kids,” said the elder Latham. ”There are so many negative things out there, but this is a positive thing.”

Latham added that it took a while before he became convinced of the value of an education.

“I did become impatient,” said Latham. “But, I had a few middle school teachers who encouraged me, and taught me that ‘knowledge is power.’”

While Latham has considered going back to school, “The kids come first.” He hasn’t ruled out going back to school and completing a college degree.

“We will have to see. It’s never too late, is it,” asked Latham.

That lesson hasn’t come to Jazmia yet. When asked what her favorite class was, her response was, “art and painting.”

That was all right as far as Brother Chris Edwards was concerned. Quoting Proverbs 22:6, he said from the pulpit, “The Bible says, ‘Train up a child.’ At this time, you need your high school diploma, even a college degree to get a job. Even McDonald's is looking for that high school diploma.”

That sentiment was echoed by Ashley Taylor, a member of the Baldwin County Literacy Council.

Citing studies that say a person needs at least an eight-grade education to understand what is on a prescription bottle, Taylor told the crowd, “If you can’t read your prescription bottle, you are going to have problems.”

Telling the group that “the foolish man wonders, but the wise man asks,” Taylor urged the students, “If you don’t understand something, ask.”

Knowing who to ask is just as important as knowing that you have a question, continued Taylor.

“How many of the high school students here know who their counselor is,” asked Taylor. When hands went up, she replied, “Good. They are your resource. Remember, you are worth it.”

Carmelita Mikkelson, the director of high school relations at Faulkner State, also addressed the group.

“Why go to school,” she asked, and then answered herself, “Because it will make you a better person.”

She added that there are a number of programs that will lead to a college diploma or certificate, and not all are for students who have just graduated from high school. There are also a number of ways to pay for college, so that should not be a barrier, either.

“It’s never too late,” she said “There is always a way to make your dream come true.”

But dreams coming true requires some hard work. The church’s pastor, The Rev. Tim Amey, is also an assistant principal at Foley High. He’s seen firsthand how dreams can become derailed.

“Education is literally a matter of life and death,” said Amey, who spoke at length about the responsibility parents and guardians have to resist the pressure children will bring to bear in matters of dress and behavior.

But, there is one positive all adults can do for youngsters.

“I can’t say enough about encouraging a child to read,” said Amey.