Scholars at the Ruleville Central High School hosted a 9/11 Day of Service event this year in partnership with St. John’s Hospice and with a grant from the Youth Services of America.
The Assistant Principal, Tina L. Steele, a 1993 graduate of RCHS, was the recipient of the $1500 award. The Day of Service event was full of activities that were created to inform students about the events and aftermath of September 11, 2001 and to create a space for them to respond in ways that would promote unity, understanding and service.
The overall purpose of the day was to show scholars the power of their presence and participation in service activities and organizations.
The day included 15 class chats facilitated by several active duty personnel, military veterans and first responders. During these chats, scholars were given the opportunity to hear about the guests’ service commitment, military/career life and memories of 9/11.
A question and answer session followed each class chat. Both teachers and scholars spoke of the excitement as they heard about over 100 years of collective military service from the five military veterans and two active duty personnel leading the activity. A group of volunteer Tiger Scholars created paintings, drawings, poetry, and reflections depicting their response to 9/11 and their commitment to fostering unity and peace.
The staff of St. John’s Hospice, along with their CEO Carolyn Johnson were on campus performing wellness checks and disseminating information to the community about stress management, PTSD, and healthy interactions.
As a school community Ruleville Central named 9/11/17 as the start of their anti-bullying and verbal intimidation initiative. Administrators, staff, students and guests were able to take the pledge to combat acts of hate with Care, Compassion and Collaboration to ensure that all member of the RCHS community feel valued and safe from verbal and physical intimidation.
The final event was a luncheon catered by Karen’s Kitchen of Indianola that celebrated the guests, their families, community members and staff.
Each veteran, first responder and active duty member received food, drinks, art projects and several of 250 thank you cards prepared by scholars to take home. Guests included Drew Mayor Harvey Burchfield, Drew Chief of Police Terry Tyler and Evg. Davie Hobbs. Principal Errick Lakes also addressed honorees, guests and staff at the beginning of the luncheon.
He and Ms. Steele expressed how proud they were of their scholars for the hard work, dedication and respectfulness shown throughout the day.
The Ruleville Central High School will continue to honor the courage and compassion shown during 9/11 by committing to complete a service project on the 11th day of every month for nine months.
The next project will be an October 11th toiletry and water drive. For more information about participating in the Tiger Nine Months of Service Initiative, please contact the school.
