SkillsUSA, FFA partner to create free library
Published 7:15 pm Thursday, April 11, 2019
- In front are Meherrin Elementary School students in Samantha Priddy's Kindergarten class. In back, from left, are Southampton High School Principal Aronda Bell, Dexter Joyner, Dalton Gillette, Micheal Yeary, Tamora Taylor, Kahliah Ross, Wyatt Raiford, Kalli Britt, Joseph Gillette, Chloe Britt, Isabel Lindsey, Jake Fowler, Supt. Dr. Gwendolyn Shannon, Jordan Pulley, Principal Rickeita Jones and Samantha Priddy. -- Submitted Melissa Edwards
Meherrin Elementary School Principal Rickeita Jones and Supt. Dr. Gwendolyn Shannon cut the ribbon for the free library, making it officially open to all. — Submitted Melissa Edwards
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.
The SkillsUSA Team beside the free library at Meherrin Elementary School. In front, from left, are Kahliah Ross, Kalli Britt, Chloe Britt, Isabel Lindsey; back, Dexter Joyner, Tamora Taylor, Joseph Gillette, Dalton Gillette, Micheal Yeary, Wyatt Raiford and Jake Fowler. — Submitted Melissa Edwards
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.
