SEEKONK - Seekonk was home to its very own art studio last Thursday, complete with a red carpet, cheese, crackers, grapes and sparkling apple cider. As part of the Champions After School program, students at Aitken Elementary School showcased art projects at an exhibit held from the school’s gymnasium last week. Their projects included clay sculptures of hot dogs and ice cream sundaes, a small mural and “junk sculptures” made of leftover cardboard tubes from toilet paper and paper towels, among other works of art. There was also a board that included each student’s profile, including individual self portraits.

10-year-old fifth-grader Holly Carroll was the studio’s official curator for the event. Along with a few other students, she spent last Thursday circling the art show, offering tours to patrons along with trays of snacks prepared just for the event.

“This is we can show our parents everything we’ve done instead of little by little,” Holly said.

A division of the Knowledge Learning Corporation, Champions (a program which is held at both Aitken and Martin Elementary Schools) is an after and before school program that gives students the option of exploring a variety of different activities, like art projects, board games and skits. Meeting everyday from 7 to 9 a.m. and 3 to 6 p.m., the tuition program is also an alternative to students simply heading home after school.

“I like being here rather than home. It’s good to socialize with my friends,” Holly said.

Jacob Merlon, 10, said the program is all about learning “skills.”

“Fine motor skills, social skills. I think that’s the benefit of coming,” Jacob said.

Debbie Boyer, the Champions site director at Aitken, said the program is aimed at keeping kids safe after and before school. It also helps keep them “out of trouble.”

“These kids, they become like a part of your family,” Ms. Boyer said.

“I love my job. It’s the best job ever.”

Every week, Ms. Boyer said the activities and programs made available to roughly 40 students who take part in Champions at Aitken are arrived at by getting the students’ opinions.

“We tell the kids it’s their choice,” Ms. Boyer said.

The result of this is an open environment were students can pick how they spend five hours before and after school. Every school day, the Aitken gymnasium is separated into different areas designated for activities like homework, or Lego building.

For more on Champions, visit www.discoverchampions.com