Sherrie Schanzenbaker

Sherrie Schanzenbaker, coordinator of the KLICK (Kids Learning in Computer Klubhouses) program, enjoys the impact she has on children's lives.

Northwestern Middle School Principal Alice Krajenta said she believes God smiled on the school the day that Sherrie Schanzenbaker walked through the doors to become part of the staff.

Schanzenbaker, coordinator of an afterschool program, said she's at the school not only for technical support to the teachers and to run the program, but most importantly to affect students' lives.

The impact she's making on kids' lives shines through every day.

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Schanzenbaker gives all the credit to one person.

"It's all because of the love I have for Jesus," Schanzenbaker said."He's the reason I'm here.My goal is to love these kids like He loves us."

Schanzenbaker is coordinator of the KLICK program, or Kids Learning in Computer Klubhouses.The program is in its third year of a three-year grant the school received through a state 21st Century Grant.

She grew up in Battle Creek and earned a college degree in sociology.But she thought she might want to teach children.

She worked as a substitute teacher for a while and then went back to school to get her teaching degree.

She was hired at Northwestern to work with the KLICK program and help the teaching staff incorporate technology into the school's curriculum.

After three years, she's doing a lot more than that, including having taken on the school's summer school program, a KLICK summer camp, the monthly character development program and more.

In the KLICK program, students participate after school in anything that has to do with technology -- from building robots on the computer to designing color calendars with family photos for each month to creating images on digital video cameras and digital cameras.

Schanzenbaker said it's a safe environment for kids after school.

"I love them," she said."My relationship with them is true, and they know that."

Danesha LeBlanc is sure about Schanzenbaker.

"I like coming here," the sixth-grader said of KLICK as she put the finishing touches on her computerized calendar.

As much as she interacts with students during the school day, you might think Schanzenbaker's relationship with youngsters stopped there.

She lives in the Washington Heights neighborhood and specifically moved there so she could make a difference in kids' lives.

JulieAnn Le'Vario, a friend since 1995, said Schanzenbaker is the most self-sacrificing person she knows.

She said Schanzenbaker always has an encouraging word, something to eat or a kind word to give the kids in her neighborhood.

"I sometimes call her the pied piper because when she works with a street ministry ... all the kids have to do is hear that Sherrie is around and they come out in droves to talk to her and get a hug," Le'Vario said."She is my hero."

A lot of youth in the community feel the same way about Shanzenbaker.

Originally published Sunday, March 30, 2003