Local Students Awarded 'Amazing Acts of Character' Award

--Contributed by Renarta Clanton Moyd, Cumberland County Public Schools

Each month through the school system’s character recognition program titled ‘Amazing Acts of Character,’ schools are asked to nominate students who display character above and beyond expected pleasant behavior. 

Two students were recently selected from individual school nominations for displaying ‘Amazing Acts of Character’ and will be recognized and honored during the Cumberland County Board of Education meeting on March 12 in the Central Services building, located at 2465 Gillespie Street.

The honorees are Third graders Victoria Tew and Mackenzie Volanti from Gallberry Farm Elementary School. Jenny Jammer, the eight-year-old girls’ teacher, describes them as “trustworthy, dependable, and honest students who go above and beyond to help their friends, especially those in need.” An example of this was seen in December after one of their classmates loss her mother. Jammer said that Victoria and Mackenzie, who were also, close friends of the student, wanted to bring her ‘some holiday cheer.’ Within one week, the girls organized a classroom coin drive and then, collected and counted the money. They raised $160 to buy their classmate and friend several gifts for the holiday. “These girls, out of the kindness of their hearts, reached out to a friend in need in a trustworthy way,” said Jammer. “For two third-grade students to organize a coin drive, write a letter to their classmates, and collect $160 in a week takes people who are very honest and dependable. I am glad to have these girls as a part of my class. They are shining stars in my book!”

The ‘Amazing Acts of Character’ committee selects winners based on school nominations. The winners are then recognized at the regular monthly meeting of the Board of Education. A special trophy and certificate are presented to each student winner.