In 2005, Clifton Harryton Anderson, a retired mental-health professional, said that he would be a “solid figure and promise keeper” to a small class of Bethune Elementary fifth-graders. To their surprise, Anderson would be consistently “caring” and “supportive” of their endeavors over the next seven years. Twice a year for the last seven years, Anderson helped guide Ealey Seegars, Robert Blackwell, Lindsey and Lacey Rogers, Justin and Miles Dunham, Marco Dunham, Alexis Ponds and Rusty Reeves through peer pressure, adjusting to new environments and healthy decision making, all while increasing their self-esteem.