Freshmen and sophomores at Charles Henderson High School now have more opportunities than ever to succeed scholastically.

Officials with AT&T Alabama presented a $22,750 AT&T Aspire contribution to Troy University on Wednesday to fund the After School Success Program, which will focus on after school tutoring in math, science and English.

AT&T Alabama President Fred McCallum said the company set out to make education its philanthropy.

“We got focused on the drop out rate around our country,” McCallum explained, noting that he was excited about the partnership between AT&T, Troy University and CHHS. “You will change some children’s lives with this program,” McCallum said. “I guarantee it.”

University students will provide mentoring and after school tutoring at CHHS and Troy faculty will coordinate and make weekly activity-based presentations on topics such as the use of iPads for organization and study; career awareness; diversity; setting goals; and planning for the future.

“The partnership between the university and the school system will benefit both high school and college students,” said Dr. Dianne Gossett, associate dean of the College of Education and administrator for the after-school program.

Members of the 101 ELITE Men campus organization at Troy University will also provide mentoring and support to students involved in the program focused on developing positive behaviors.

“This is really instrumental in reaching the students here,” said Troy City Schools Superintendent Lee Hicks. “With all of us working together, I know this is going to be a success.”

CHHS Principal Dr. Boyd English said that drop out rates are a real concern for the area, but schools everywhere are facing the issue.

“Is this just a Troy problem? No. Is this just an Alabama problem? No. This is a national problem,” English said. “We are very excited and appreciative to AT&T and to the university for this opportunity.”

The AT&T Aspire program, with more than one million students impacted since its launch in 2008, is one of the largest corporate commitments focused on stemming the high school dropout crisis. AT&T announced a new quarter-billion-dollar expansion to the program in March 2012, bringing the total commitment to $350 million.

Dr. John Schmidt, senior vice chancellor for advancement and external relations at Troy University said he is confident the program at CHHS will make a difference to students.

“I believe that in the end, we are going to see a cycle of success, not of failures and dropouts,” Schmidt said.