Category: Education
Community rallies around 12-year-old’s battle with cancer
By Toni Garrard Clay/AISD Communications Specialist
Maggie Sue Spencer doesn’t live in Athens or go to school here. But the first day of every week at South Athens Elementary has been designated “Maggie Sue Monday.”
“Most people here don’t know Maggie, but they know she’s my family and they love her because they love me. That’s huge,” said Brandi Spencer.
Spencer teaches third grade at South Athens Elementary. She met Maggie Sue — now a seventh grader at Kaufman Junior High — when the youngster had just turned 4. Not long after, she became Maggie Sue’s stepmom. Spencer describes Maggie Sue as a peacemaker and an outgoing, bubbly cowgirl. “She always seems to have a smile on her face, even now.”
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Malakoff High School students collect clothes for Salvation Army
Students at Malakoff High School have a giving spirit. Mrs. Hancock’s Community Services class decided that the local Salvation Army needed more clothes for young people in the clothes closet, so they organized a clothes drive to help collect items. Students competed by grade level to see who could bring the most clothes. In just two weeks, students at MHS collected over 1,300 pounds of clothes! The freshmen brought the most items, followed closely by the sophomores. Pictured: items are sorted, washed and repaired in preparation for donation. (Courtesy photos)
Dynamic Futures readies students for success
By Mark Meredith/TVCC Public Information
A cooperative program between Trinity Valley Community College Adult Education and Literacy (AEL) and Workforce Solutions East Texas (WSET) called Dynamic Futures encourages at-risk young adults to see a brighter future. The program prepares students to acquire their GED or prepare for the TSI (Texas State initiative) Assessment, which is required for all non-exempt students entering college-level courses.
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Family of Kyle Jones donates $50,000 to AISD baseball and softball fields
Athens High School 2009 graduate and baseball player Kyle Jones was killed tragically in a pipeline incident in August 2013. At the Athens ISD school board meeting Monday, Feb. 22, his family presented a $50,000 donation to the school district. As part of the settlement between the companies that were alleged to be responsible for Kyle’s death, his estate set aside the $50,000 to be used by AISD to enhance the softball and baseball complexes.
The Jones family is very appreciative of the efforts of Athens ISD Superintendent Blake Stiles, who was very helpful in assisting the family with their decision to make this donation. It is believed that this is the largest private, non-foundation, charitable gift ever made to AISD.
“We are touched by this very personal and meaningful gift from the Jones family,” said AISD Superintendent Blake Stiles. “This donation ensures that Kyle’s legacy will be known for generations to come. We are grateful to have received such generosity and to be a part of his lasting legacy.”
Pictured are attorney Jeff Weinstein of the Weinstein Law, Terry Jones, Blake Stiles, Russell Jones and attorney Andrew Howard of of Shore Chan DuPumpo, LLP. (Courtesy photo)