Curious, Cathy Gutierrez popped into Jen Woodson's Spanish class at Sweet Briar College and liked what she saw. Woodson '05 was taking a novel approach with her pupils — a dozen fourth- and fifth-graders from Amherst County Public Schools enrolled in the College's Saturday Enrichment Program.

"How in the world can you teach 9-year-olds Spanish?" she admitted thinking. The class met for only 45 minutes. "I was completely impressed. They were playing Spanish Twister, which is perfect, because it's [about] a seven-word vocabulary. You can actually master and use a seven-word vocabulary."

As SBC associate dean of academic affairs, Gutierrez oversees the program, although it is run by Sweet Briar students.

Each February, the College hosts the program for local fourth- and fifth-graders on Saturday afternoons. This month, 144 kids are rotating through a dozen classes in subjects from art to physics. It's up to Woodson and 11 of her peers to engage the kids, whether it's observing live animals in biology or rapping with Usher to learn rhythm in music.

Senior Sarah Kidd directs the 2005 program and is assisted by junior Tamra Scott, who is training to assume the reins next year. The youngsters like the classes' diversity and casual atmosphere, Kidd said. They ask questions, laugh, and otherwise enjoy interacting with SBC students.

After three 45-minute classes on a Saturday, one might expect 9- and 10-year-olds to be ready for the saving bell. But Kidd said the best part of directing the program is hearing a child in the hallway saying, "'Is it time to go home? I want to stay longer.'"

The program is definitely popular, said Cindy Copp, an Amherst County Schools enrichment specialist. "Sweet Briar does a great job creating interesting classes for the students that are fun and educational. I think that is why this program is so successful," she said.

For more information, please contact Cathy Gutierrez at (434) 381-6206 or cgutierrez@sbc.edu.