OPINION: Thumbs up to music teacher for receiving grant

Thumbs up to Dolores Johnson, a music teacher at Williams Middle School in Florence School District 1, for being the recipient of a Student Achievement Grant of $5,000 from The National Education Association Foundation. The grant will be used to allow Williams Middle dance students to attend the S.C. Dance Festival at Converse College in Spartanburg in October. In a letter to Johnson, NEA grant manager Jesse Graytock wrote, “I am impressed with your innovative ideas and am looking forward to learning more about your accomplishments.” For details about other grant recipients, visit www.neafoundation.org.

Thumbs up to Ginger Baggette, an instructional coach at Delmae Heights Elementary School who is among the 10 teachers chosen to participate in the STAR (Strategies for Teacher Advancement and Renewal) Program. Baggette has 16 years of service in education. She began her career in Sumter and has taught at Moore Intermediate School and Delmae in Florence School District 1. The program, which recognizes and rewards outstanding veteran South Carolina teachers, offers an all-expense-paid week-long session of professional development on Seabrook Island in October, sponsored by the foundation for professional development and the Palmetto State Teacher Association. The program’s goals include reducing the number of outstanding veteran teachers leaving the profession early and retaining quality teachers in South Carolina classrooms. For details about the program, visit www.palmettoteachers.org.

Thumbs up to Jessica Gray, marketing director for Pee Dee Federal Credit Union, for organizing “Bowling For A Wish” at Lee’s All Star Lanes. The Sept. 18 event raised more than $600 for a Michael, a 15-year-old Florence boy who is suffering from sickle cell anemia, an inherited blood disorder that causes severe pain episodes and compromises his immune system. The boy’s mother, two brothers and sister attended the event, and 15 teams participated. Michael has been hospitalized many times and endured multiple blood transfusions. When experiencing severe crises, he is unable to move. He is at times confined to a wheelchair, and his condition puts him at high risk for a stroke. With the donation of the bowling lanes by All-Star Lanes and the decorations provided by Paper Station, 100 percent of all donations went directly to the cause: helping The Wish Network send Michael and his family to Disney World. The Wish Network’s goal is to be a forum that easily allows all people to make wishes or grant wishes of their neighbors while also fostering and maintaining a strong sense of community. For more details, visit www.thewishnetwork.com.

Jim Shaw, coordinator of the Mayor’s Coalition to Prevent Juvenile Crime in Florence, “would like to give a thumbs up to our law enforcement community, particularly (Florence County) Sheriff (Kenney) Boone and (Florence Police) Chief (Anson) Shells for their great anti-violence prevention efforts this summer through youth camps and various activities. The law enforcement community has really gone above and beyond in their efforts to keep youth engaged in positive activities and away from negative influences. It is only through positive community-wide efforts that youth can realize their full potential and career goals. Law enforcement is often looked upon as only enforcing laws, but in reality has done an excellent job of being a community leader in their violence prevention efforts for youth.”