Fort Myers' James Stephens Community School starts year strong with 'The Gentlemen's Welcome'

For most kids, the end of summer is no reason to celebrate, but for students at James Stephens Community School, the first day of school is like one big party. Revving up the start of the school year with local bikers and music to match is a tradition known as "The Gentlemen's Welcome." It was brought here thanks to teacher Tamara Hunter. "This pin is the Reverend Evangelist, Hattie Kindred. It's my grandma, and she raised me to love our community," said Hunter. Dozens of volunteers, like Nancy Sanders, welcome the kids to the classroom. "It gives me so much joy because some of them don't feel like coming, but when you smile and say hello and welcome to school, it kind of gives them that extra oomph to say, okay, it is going to be a great day," said Sanders. Not only are they encouraging young minds of the future, but they're honoring generations of the past. "When I see kids that I had from, I don't know, like fifteen years ago, and they're like Mrs. Hunter, how do you remember?! I'm like, because you're mine forever," said Hunter. "I believe they have these fancy brains and that they're going to grow and I'm going to love them forever." Some students, like seventh-grader Makylah Edwards, may have a rough start. "When I came, it was very hard," said Edwards. "I lost my mom when I came here. It was a new school, I didn't know anybody, and I didn't want to go." Edwards is also proof that this day makes a difference. "I felt like I was going to have a great school year," said Edwards. While this welcome happens just once a year, the message it sends lasts long after is that every student belongs. DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment, and original programming on your TV.