Mississippi School of the Arts students are often arriving fromthe far corners of the state when they get to MSA for their firsttime away from the comforts of home. That is why school officialsfind it important to give them the opportunity to have a familyaway from home.

The Host Family program at MSA matches students with localfamilies to give them someone to turn to when they are feelinghomesick, just want a good home-cooked meal, have questions aboutthe town, or just need someone to go to church or run errandswith.

“The program completely depends on the needs of the student andthe host family,” said Patti Perkins, who helps to organize andarrange the host families. “You can have as little or as muchinteraction as you want from the student.”

Perkins said organizers are looking for more host families thisyear, as MSA will have more students than ever, with an attendanceof more than 160 juniors and seniors this year.

“The hosts can be young, old, married or single,” she said. “Weare truly desperate for more host families because we have so manykids this year.”

The only qualification is that first time parents have to pay a$25 background check fee. But once that is done, they are notexpected to ever spend money on their child again unless they wantto, Perkins said.

“I think a lot of people get worried that this is going to be abig commitment, but you don’t need to spend money, you don’t haveto bring them home unless you want to,” she said. “Most peopledon’t realize how busy these kids are.”

Perkins said one thing many students enjoy doing with their hostfamilies is going to church. She said many of them are used togoing to church with their parents at home, and when they’re put ina new situation, it’s not as easy to just acclimate to a new churchas well.

“A lot of the kids just want someone who is willing to take themto church,” she said. “Also, they’d love to have someone who wantsto come to their shows and performances – basically to be afamiliar face in the crowd.”

Vernell Hooker, of Brookhaven, has been a host parent for a fewyears. He said he enjoys the opportunities afforded him to be afriend and contact for the students.

“The people I’ve had have been young men, and to me it’s justbeen fun to show them a positive outlook on life, and to talk tothem about the opportunities they can find by being a studenthere,” he said.

Perkins agreed the program is not only a help to the students,but also to the host families.

“It’s invigorating meeting these incredibly talented and sweetchildren, but it’s also giving back to the community,” she said.”In addition, it eases their parents’ anxiety to know there issomeone local to look in on their child and be a friend tothem.

Hooker said while he doesn’t consider himself a role model assuch, but that the opportunity to witness and be a mentor to thestudents is invaluable.

“I guess it’s just important to show them some positive outlookson life. Being a black male, of course, that’s very important ifyou’re mentoring other black men, to show them strong Christianvalues and morals,” he said. “I just want to put them in a positionto know that once you leave here, one day you can be a productiveadult.”

Anyone interested in the Host Family Program is encouraged tocall MSA at (601)823-1300, or Perkins at (601)833-0020.