Sunset Hills Students Honored by City Commission

Melissa Hill, a teacher for the gifted program at Sunset Hills Elementary School joined Tarpon Springs Mayor David O. Archie and the Board of Commissioners in presenting more than 50 students with certificates of achievement at Tuesday's City Commission meeting.

One of Hill's annual challenges for her students includes developing a business that gives back in some way, whether it's to animals or hospital patients. 

According to Hill, the students run the businesses like the real deal, from keeping track of saving and spending and to creating a logo.

"Every year my students are given the job to make the world a better place," Hill said.

Some students pursue their business beyond Hill's classroom, like the Sunshine Girls who sell lemonade to raise funds for the Suncoast Animal League. This year alone,  for the organization.

The kids, ranging from kindergartners to fifth-graders, attended Tuesday's City Commission meeting in front of a jam-packed City Hall. 

One by one, the students told audience members about their business, from a second-grader who started rescuing homeless cats to a fifth-grader who held auctions to benefit hospice. 

With each child came a unique idea, and the commissioners couldn't help but smile and cheer on the youngsters.

After the students talked about their projects, Commissioner Susan Slattery presented Hill with an award of appreciation from the City of Tarpon Springs for her continued dedication and impact at Sunset Hills Elementary School.

"She's touched a lot of lives in this community and she's a wonderful person," said Slattery. 

Hill was pleasantly surprised by the gesture from the city and went on to assure the public that if the projects were any indication, the future is bright for Tarpon Springs.

"I have to tell you after working with these young people, the future of our city and the future of our country are in good little hands," Hill said.

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