About The Monroe County reporter. (Forsyth, Ga.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 27, 2008)
February 27, 2008 iReporter PAGE 13A Monroe County Achievement Academy MCAC student Grenika Andrews makes Valentines for seniors Achievement Center students make Valentine’s for seniors Students at Monroe County Achievement Center were able to exercise some civic responsibility recently and brighten the day for some of our elderly citizens at the same time. Select students from the Achievement Center created approximately 70 hand made Valentine’s Day cards for residents. Donald Harris, a former varsity baseball player, says, “It was better than hitting a homerun! It made me feel good because I was able to show love where love was needed.” This particular project, spearheaded by MCAC teacher Ms. Margie Campbell, is “a great opportunity to show affection for those who are possibly lonely and in need of the love and attention so closely related with Valentine’s Day”. Black History Month at MCAC Inventions of black Americans on display at MCAC. MCAC students, as are numerous students around the state and the country are in observance of Black History Month this February. Heading this event is teacher, Margie Campbell who presents a variety of relevant activities to students during break fast. Carter G. Woodson created this special day in 1926, to cele brate the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglas. At its inception, it was to be observed the second week in February and was dubbed Black History Week. It evolved into Black History Month in 1976, as part of the bicentennial celebration and is celebrated all over North America. MCAC expects to continue this month long celebration with additional guest speakers as well as other student-cen tered activities. Blue Bird chaplain: Hard work, education keys to success MCAC received a rare and special treat and it came in the form of Chaplain James Jones, a highly sought after motivation al speaker and chap lain for the Blue Bird Body Company. James Jones is an awe-inspir ing speaker who held MCAC stu dents spell bound with his tales of his life in the military and his work with the US Secret Service. He now works as corporate chaplain for the Blue Bird Body Company and is responsible for the spir itual guid ance of more than Blue Bird chaplain James Jones told students at the Achievement Center that hard work and education can help them get ahead. 15,000 employees and their families. Blue Bird is a company, accord ing to Chaplain Jones, that believes in spiritual strength and shuts the company down so that employees may attend chapel. Chaplain Jones works extensively for the Bill Blass Champions for Life Ministry, the largest prison ministry in the world. He speaks to all who may have had encounters with the legal system, from youth offenders to death row inmates. “When I visit a prison, I want to see the worst inmates they have, because some of these people are going to get out and they will need help, he said.” Chaplain Jones’ road to success has been far from easy. He started his life as the oldest of five children in Gadsden, Alabama. He recounted how he had to work three jobs simulta neously to help pay the bills at home. “Whatever you do in life,” he told stu dents, “be good at it.” “I did my job so well that every time I tried to quit one, I received a raise.” To this day, he says, he has never had to complete a resume, “jobs have always found me.” Jones always knew education would open the door to success and worked hard to earn the grades he felt he needed. He went on to say to students that they at least needed a high school diploma. “You have to be prepared”, he said. Jones left Gadsden, Alabama and joined the US Air Force as a civil engineer. After several years in the military numerous commenda tions, he left and headed to Washington, where he served seven years under Bill Clinton and five years under current presi dent, George Bush. “If I messed up on my job”, (at the White House), “it would be on CNN or ABC”, he said. Chaplain Jay Jones tapped into his country boy roots as his numerous quotes and quibbles made his presentation all the more enjoyable and informative. Mary Persons High School 8th graders will learn how to register 8th Grade Registration Orientation will be held on Tuesday, March 4, at 6 p.m. on the main campus of Mary Persons High School for 8th grade students and parents of Banks Stephens Middle School and William Hubbard Middle School. WOODARD Woodard is Teacher of Year By Chris Sherrell Although you may have never per sonally met Mrs. Debra Woodward, chances are you have come in con tact with one of her students here at Mary Persons High School. These students say that she really under stands what it takes to “teach” math, not just understand the prin ciples. Maybe that is why her fellow teachers have voted Mrs. Woodward as, “Teacher of the Year.” Mrs. Woodward tells us that she went into education because she felt that teachers can really make a dif ference in a person’s life. In her 24 years of teaching she says that she believes educational trends now lean more toward a student focused learning style. She says that she has become “much more interested in the student as a whole.” This is exactly what the students she has taught tell us. They report that she cares about them personally and is concerned with them as individual learners. Mrs. Woodward explained that she feels very honored to have been selected for this award by the facul ty. When asked about the specifics to her success she acknowledged the supportive administration and the high-quality faculty of Mary Persons High School. Mrs. Woodward stated, “I plan to continue providing a vari ety of activities that will engage the student’s mind and hopefully encourage them to learn, learn, learn!!” MP’s Casey visits Cole, Gov. Perdue Mary Persons student Casey Young spent Wednesday, Feb. 20 in a dif ferent kind of classroom: the state capitol in Atlanta. Young was a page for Rep. Jim Cole (R-Forsyth). He delivered messages and also got to meet Gov. Sonny Perdue, Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle and House Speaker Glenn Richardson. At MP, Young has a 95+ average in school and is a member of the Beta Club, PAGING CASEY: From left, Casey Young, Gov. the Junior Executive Council, Perdue and Rep. Cole, the Spanish Club and Rotary’s Interact. He was named Student of the Semester by the school newspa per and often attends First Priority, a morning Christian-based devo tional. Young said it was very gratifying to be able to serve at the Legislature with state leaders. He thanked Cole for his kind hospitality and eagerness to inform him about the legislative process. He said Cole even took time to inqire about his goals and future profession, which is to be a doctor.
