By Cole Wimberly
During the school board meeting on Monday, Salem Community High School Principal John Boles commended students for their participation in programs to help the less fortunate in the community.
He reported projects have been underway throughout December, including one where the homeroom class of Pete Colclasure earned money to Adopt a Family through the WJBD/Centralia Community Youth Center program.
“It truly is a group effort,” Boles said. “We have separate homerooms that do their own individual fundraising, but really, we come together as a school and do so many kind acts for the community. Whether it be raising money to buy presents, whether it be selling food to raise money. I just can’t say enough about the students of Salem High School. You hear from time to time about the bad of teenagers, but I’m telling you, the hallways of Salem Community High School are filled with some of the greatest young people I’ve ever met.”
Boles cited another example, Kelsey Pogue’s homeroom, which worked with a pregnancy care center to purchase Christmas gifts for a local family of five. The students of Pogue’s homeroom sold hot chocolate during homeroom and lunch to raise the money.
Other student organizations that contributed to spreading the Christmas cheer were FFA, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Drama Club, and Bible Club.
Boles says the school aims to make better citizens out of their students through community contributions.
More than 20 students were approved for early graduation in December pending successful completion of all graduation requirements.
In other action, the board approved the ten-year health life safety survey and the cardiac emergency response plan which requires training on AED devices.
In personnel action, the board employed Brian Weems as a part-time custodian.
