Teacher and community help students

Dear Editor: As a Pea Ridge High School teacher, National Honor Society sponsor, and senior class sponsor, I am often burdened with the idea of my students being in need. Last year I was one of the sponsors in charge of prom. I knew many of my students would not be able to go because they could not afford the proper attire, but members of the community via Bright Futures stepped up and made it possible for Pea Ridge juniors and seniors to go to prom who might not have been able to do go. My heart was grateful for the kindness of strangers who made that possible.

This year, I see the same struggle. As sponsor of the National Honor Society, I have many students in the club who have maintained a grade point average of 3.5 or higher, have volunteered countless hours of community service, and have been an all-around good citizens and PRHS students. At graduation, the seniors of NHS will wear a gold stole/sash in honor of their achievements. Unfortunately, NHS members do community service instead of fundraisers, so there is little in the way of funds to purchase the stoles for the seniors. Many times seniors borrow stoles, but there is nothing like owning your own achievement.

Because I have to order these very soon (April 2), in order to get them here before baccalaureate, I have asked them to purchase them by that date. I have used social media to get the world out to the parents of the NHS members. Today, a kind heart offered to purchase two stoles for two seniors who could not afford to purchase their own. I have not met this angel, but I have her as a “friend” on Facebook which is how she contacted me. I have to say that I teared up at the generosity of this kind soul.

I had several more donations for NHS. I had a family in Pea Ridge donate $125, a friend in Tulsa donate $50, and a student walked up to my desk and