MURFREESBORO – Berna Stephens, who serves as the Recreation Commissioner on Murfreesboro’s Town Council, presented information to her fellow council members here Wednesday about starting a recreational afterschool program for local children.

The idea came from the Recreation Department’s new intern, Shaquila James, a Chowan University student.

“She came in with a great idea to establish an afterschool program here because there’s really nothing other than sports for the kids to do,” explained Stephens. “But other kids want to do something else other than football, baseball.”

“Recreation is more than just physical activity. It’s spiritual, it’s mental, and academic activity,” she continued.

The proposed program would provide mentorship for children, particularly those from the schools located in town: Riverview Elementary and Hertford County Middle School. The facilitators of the program would be Chowan University students.

Stephens said they were still working out all the details such as coordinating with the schools on where to house the program and how long it would last each day.

“I wanted to present it to you all [Town Council] before we go further with getting the particulars worked out,” Stephens said.

Stephens then motioned for the Council to accept the program recommendation. She also praised James for her internship work so far, saying, “she’s been working diligently and has some great ideas.”

Council member Mitch Radford seconded the motion. It passed with a unanimous vote of approval.

“We want to enrich the lives, not only athletically, but enrich the lives of young people in this area,” Stephens concluded.