This school year, I worked as a part of our administrative team to build relationships with our elected officials, including State Representative Michael Wray, who is a native of Roanoke Rapids. Prior to the annual 4th grade field trip to the North Carolina General Assembly in Raleigh, Rep. Wray was able to come and speak to our students. He visited each classroom and spoke to the students about the intricate workings of his time as a state lawmaker. We made sure to send thank you notes from the students to Rep. Wray and he has already renewed his commitment to speak to our students next year.
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Rep. Wray visits Mrs. Canady's Class
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One of our special education teachers, Mrs. Wendy Tickel, has earned widespread recognition for the great work that she has done with her students. Mrs. Tickel has appeared on Ellen and is currently working to take her students to Florida to swim with dolphins. However, her generosity does not stop at her door, as she diligently works to help out anyone in need. In a true example of karma coming full circle, a former Belmont Bee, Jarrett Williamson came back to Belmont to present Mrs. Tickel and her students with a check for a thousand dollars. Jarrett was in a brutal ATV accident and received financial donations through a fundraiser that Mrs. Tickel helped publicize and collect funds for. He brought back a portion of the funds raised to benefit a group of students that he knew would be so grateful for his donation. It was an emotional scene, but one that served to remind us of why we do this valuable work at Belmont; it's more than test scores, attendance, or honor rolls. The powerful relationships that were cultivated at Belmont bore the fruit of selflessness and compassion for others.
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Jarrett with Mrs. Tickel's Class
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