By Susan Burton, Henry County Schools Communications Director
Buchanan, TN- Gavin Evans was recognized at the Henry County Board of Education meeting as the second recipient of the Patriot RISE Award (Recognizing Inspiring Student Employees.) Evans was nominated by his TARP supervisor, Denice Wardle. Evans thanked his parents and his co-workers and mentors at the TARP Center for Independent Living. “Every day we work to empower individuals with disabilities and help to break down barriers and build a more inclusive future.”
Evans believes that education is more than going to class but engaging with others using the skills and knowledge learned in school. The award was presented by Rob Goad, Paris-Henry County Industrial Committee Director.
Lakewood School presented a “Book Tasting” for the board which included tables with a variety of fiction and non-fiction books to preview for early grades. Christie Wimberley explained that the Governor’s Early Literacy Foundation sends students in grades K-3 three fiction and three non-fiction books each May. Lakewood educators Wimberley and Shanna Pierpoint serve on the Educator Advisory Council to select the books that students and teachers from across the state will receive through the mail from Scholastic Books. Wimberley told the board that having Book Tastings allows families to help them decide which books to recommend. Attendees at the meeting browsed at each table to see what books and Think sheets they liked as they sampled snacks.