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Co-workers, students, district, community bring blessings

By Paul Schaumburg posted 03-19-2018 10:39

  

As I write this on a Saturday afternoon, my heart is warmed and my eyes are misting because of some of my co-workers, students, and community supporters. 

Coye Elliot is a young assistant principal at Graves County High School in charge of the Career and Technical Education students. Those students devised a very practical way to respond to the shooting tragedy at neighboring Marshall County High School. He then called on a few of our most loyal supporters in the Graves County agri-business community and along with teachers and students, they cooked 500 grilled chicken dinners, sold, and delivered them in one day to raise ultimately $5,600. “Pilgrim’s Pride donated the chicken and Crop Production Services of Sedalia sponsored the supplies and the sides,” said agriculture teacher Richard Horn, another leader of the project. “Numerous community members helped with the cooking of the chicken and preparation of meals.” That's a lesson of love and compassion not available in a textbook and the students led the way in teaching it, with great support! Thanks for your leadership, Coye Elliott, Richard Horn, CTE students, and the Graves County’s agribusiness community!

Tana Jones is an outstanding family resource center director at Wingo Elementary School. She's worked in that job since the center was founded. In checking my email, I found a letter she had forwarded from the state organization of family resource and youth services centers, seeking to publicize efforts to save their funding from state budget cuts. I think of all the news stories I've written about their many and wonderful efforts, especially the Community Christmas Connection. Through it, they raise funds and help families in need during the holiday season so their young children can feel special at Christmas. She and her coworkers have created a system whereby applicant parents can earn points for toys, clothing, etc., for their children. The group’s success has drawn statewide attention and inspired a group of truck and tractor pull competition enthusiasts to raise thousands of dollars during the past decade to contribute to the cause.

"Do you mind to forward the attached press release to our local media contacts?" her email asked me. Do I mind? I am happy to help in my small way and hope the media will, too! These are workers who do far more than their paychecks reflect. They work miracles, teach values, and attract the support of others who see that and lend a helping hand. Thanks, Tana, Graves County family resource and youth services center directors, and Graves County Truck Pullers Larry Wooley, Ricky Wilson, Kenny Wiggins, and Kenneth Wiggins!

Karen Clapp each month accomplishes the tremendous task of paying some 700 employees in the Graves County Schools and she does it to perfection! I am in awe of her math skills alone! To each of us 700, those checks pay for our living for a month at a time. After Christmas, my bank account from that January paycheck was running a little slim... How wonderful I found it to be when the February paycheck was in my account four days early! That is a practical benefit of Karen's efficiency! I'm sure I'm not the only one grateful for that help that makes life a little easier. Thanks, Karen!

Those are just a few of my many co-workers, students, and supporters in the Graves County Schools during these past 15-plus years who have impressed me. I invite you to take the opportunity now to consider who impresses you in your district and community. Please share your appreciation directly with them so they know that someone knows and cares that they make a difference!

 

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