Gratitude abounds at Alice Byrne celebration
It was a warm-and-sunny day in more ways than one as Alice Byrne Elementary School held a “thank-you celebration” Friday afternoon to express their gratitude to the Fort Yuma Rotary Club and the school’s parent teacher organization (PTO) for the enrichment their recent projects have brought to campus.
Last month, the rotary club built a new playground for the school as well as donated a map of the United States which, according to the students, gives them a greater appreciation of where they live, “even if it’s very hot here.”
“What’s most gratifying is hearing the response from the children…of how important this is to them,” said Michael Landin, the rotary club’s service project chair.
Also celebrated was the school’s ‘A’ achievement in last year’s AzMerit test
ing, which they just barely missed the year before.
“It is a grueling, grueling test, so we are celebrating today because we got our ‘A’ back and are so proud of them,” Principal Juli Peach said.
Students Ryleigh Felix, Diana Garza and Deegan Gonzalez were recognized for the energy and effort that went into earning a perfect score on their tests.
Students also said a heartfelt “thank-you” to the PTO for their freshly resurfaced basketball court and “NBA, NCAA and high school compliant hoops.”
“In any endeavor, there’s no one person or one organization,” Peach said. “It’s a group effort. As a Kids at Hope school, we believe that every child is capable of achieving success. The thing you have to do to believe that is you have to show up for kids, and the people gathered here today – teachers and parents and rotary club members – they’re doing that. They’re treasure hunters. They’re looking for the best in kids, and they’re showing up.”