KIWANIANS RECOGNIZE TERRIFIC KIDS AND A TERRIFIC EDUCATOR AT KIDS APPRECIATION DAY

HOLLY SPRINGS – What better way to recognize school achievements than to have a festival and invite the community.  That is exactly what happened on Saturday, May 16 in the Town of Holly Springs.  Children brought their families and friends to the 7th Annual Kids Appreciation Day sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Holly Springs to enjoy F&M Entertainment’s inflatable rides, music, dancers, NY Pizza and Pelican SnoBalls, interesting vendors, and the popular Kiwanis Community Raffle.  But also they came to join in recognizing this year’s TERRIFIC Kids and TERRIFIC Educator awards.

The TERRIFIC Kids awards are a much awaited recognition by the local schools that started in 2002 as part of the first Kids Appreciation Day.  This year the schools have asked the Kiwanians to add a TERRIFIC Educator award, which will be added to future Kids Appreciation Days’ ceremonies.

“Holly Springs is fortunate to have such great schools and teachers, says Mayor Dick Sears a Charter Kiwanian.  “Our teachers are central to the success of our schools and our kids benefit from their dedication to the learning process.  Their hard work makes our community’s economy stronger as they educate Holly Springs ’ future leaders and workforce.”

“We can’t just recognize the kids.  We must also recognize our teachers’ contribution to the success of our schools, says Linda Hunt Williams, Charter Kiwanian.  “Our teachers give so much of their time and energy not only inside, but also outside the classroom.  They are an integral part of our community of families and they must be recognized for their unselfish dedication to the education of our children.”

This year Holly Ridge Elementary School has recognized Teacher Assistant Donna Taylor as their 2009 Kiwanis TERRIFIC Educator.  Donna is a very caring educator who is deserving of recognition for going above and beyond to recognize when students are doing something special at all “Teachable Moments.”  She is an exceptional role model for students and epitomizes what the TERRIFIC Educator award is all about.

Also, Holly Grove Elementary, Holly Ridge Elementary, and Holly Ridge Middle schools each named students who demonstrated the qualities of a TERRIFIC Kid, which is an acronym for the qualities of “Thoughtfulness, Enthusiastic, Respectful, Responsible, Inclusive, Friendly, Inquisitive, and Capable.”

The following children were awarded the 2009 Kiwanis TERRIFIC KID awards:
Holly Grove Elementary School:
Emily Barefoot, Zoe Clay, Sarah Lindley, and Taylor Wheeler

Holly Ridge Elementary School:
Kyle Brantley, Mary Catherine Carter, Kevin Doheny, Daniel Hamilton, Timmy Mathias, Josh Noordeloos, and Marissa Rosario.

“We are very proud of these kids and their accomplishments, says Brian Adornetto, Kiwanis President.  “They are a beacon of hope for all our kids to strive for qualities of a TERRIFIC Kid.  Our community and our schools are better because of their accomplishment. On behalf of Holly Springs Kiwanis, we salute them.” 

Kids Appreciation Day was sponsored by the Holly Springs Parks and Recreation Department; F&M Entertainment; Holly Springs Masonic Lodge; NY Pizza; InsideHollySprings.com; Progress Energy; PSNC Energy; Rex Pediatrics of Cary; and Sukeena Law Firm, P.C.

To learn more about the Kiwanis Club of Holly Springs , go to www.HollySpringsKiwanis.org or email. Club@HollySpringsKiwanis.org.  Membership opportunities are available.