Thursday, April 21, seemed like any other day at Hanford-Dole Elementary School. Children were dropped off in the car line that morning as usual, and the buses came in on time. Breakfast was served to all the students, just like every other morning, by the cafeteria manager, Mr. Paul Hart. By the way, he was able to pull off this feat through a generous grant. Parents and students alike appreciate his efforts.
Well, now back to the day as usual at school. The announcements were made and the students settled into the routine of studying and completing assignments. As the morning progressed, all of a sudden the air became energized with students, teachers, administration and staff moving a little faster with a common goal. Even though the school always looks nice, with floors shining, it seemed all of a sudden everyone wanted things to look perfect. I noticed even the financial secretary, Becky Graham, had a broom in her hand sweeping the office. What could all of a sudden make a quiet little school become filled with such energy and excitement?
If you had been a fly on the wall, you would have seen firsthand this flurry of activity came about because Elizabeth Dole was coming for a visit. No one knew she was coming until just a little before arrival, but even so, the sign out front greeted her with the words, “Welcome Sen. Dole.” Her first stop was in the office to meet with Principal Shanda McFarlin, Assistant Principal Melvin Moore and Communities in Schools and After School Daycare Coordinator Temika Turner. Former Senator Dole was interested in how the school year was progressing, and then she very generously gave a large charitable contribution. In a day when sweeping cuts are being made in education, it’s a breath of fresh air for someone to offer such a gift.
The former senator then visited many of the classrooms and saw the results of learning taking place. The fourth-grade classes had been writing stories recently, and one of the stories on the wall in the hallway happened to be about Elizabeth Dole. Entering the classroom, to her delight, she found another student had also written a story about her. Remember, this visit was unexpected, so these writings were not a product of staging.
The visit ended at the library, in the center of the school and faces the front door. The first thing visitors see, as they enter the library is the beautiful picture of Elizabeth Dole hanging over the expansive set of windows at the back of the room. It seems appropriate this was the place chosen to hang her portrait because it is open, airy and cheerful with a warm feel to it. Just like the room, former Senator Dole conveys a warmth and cheerfulness that others are immediately attracted to. I had never met Elizabeth Dole before this visit but had heard she was a gracious lady who always has a smile and kind word for everyone. As we were being introduced, in the back of my mind I couldn’t help but think of all the dignitaries around the world she has met through the years. Yet, at that moment none of that mattered. She lived up to her reputation by making me feel comfortable and at ease.
Elizabeth Dole has held many offices in government, including jobs in the Reagan and George H.W. Bush administrations. She also has held the position of president of the American Red Cross, and, of course, was a United States senator from North Carolina. It’s comforting to know the halls of Hanford-Dole will always have echoes of such a role model and that children will take away life lessons from what they read of her in their history books. It’s not often a school is named not only for a former senator, but also for a woman who actually made a bid to be president of the United States. What a legacy to live up to. Yet, knowing she has her eye on the progress of the school motivates everyone to work just a little harder. Elizabeth Dole, from the bottom of our hearts everyone at Hanford-Dole Elementary School says, “Thank-you!”
• • •
Dicy McCullough of Salisbury is the author of the children’s book, “Tired of My Bath.”