SkillsUSA, FFA partner to create free library
Published 7:15 pm Thursday, April 11, 2019
Students at Meherrin Elementary benefit from teams’ project
By Isabel Lindsey
NEWSOMS
SkillsUSA and FFA partnered to make the free library for Meherrin Elementary School. The free library was a community service project for Chloe Britt, Kalli Britt, Kahliah Ross and SkillsUSA Advisor Rita Yeary.
The SkillsUSA Community Service Project is aimed to have its members create activities that benefit the community and to recognize excellence and professionalism in the area of community service. This event also enables the community to become aware of the outstanding work being performed by career and technical education students.
The Southampton High School teams’ goal for the free library is to promote reading and literacy and offer a reading center to the residents of Newsoms, who otherwise have to travel to the library in Courtland. Enlisting the help of Jordan Pulley and his Future Farmers of America students, the clubs were able to build, paint and install the project at Meherrin Elementary school.
On Wednesday, Aronda Bell, SHS principal, along with FFA and SkillsUSA officers, went to Meherrin Elementary School for the dedication and opening of the community service project. Kahliah Ross gave the opening speech, followed by Dr. Gwendolyn Shannon, division superintendent, and Rickeita Jones, Meherrin Elementary School principal. MES students participated in the ceremony too and learned about what the free library has to offer. This project is by far the crowning jewel of SkillsUSA for the 2018-2019 school year.
ISABEL LINDSEY is a member of the SkillsUSA at Southampton High School.