Communities in Schools of Rowan County

SALISBURY — “With 44 days left, we’re in the short rows now,” Ron Turbyfill said of the current school year at Hood Theological Seminary on April 16.

Gathered there were more than 50 volunteers, school administrators and Communities in Schools student support specialists to celebrate the work of volunteers in the nine Rowan-Salisbury schools served by CIS.

Turbyfill, Rowan’s CIS executive director, described schools as “gardens” where faithful and dedicated volunteers work to improve the learning of students.

“You can grow a garden anywhere,” he said. “But some places take more work. Like a good gardener removes the stones and prepares the soil, volunteers help our students grow and bloom.”

A special guest was on hand to bring greetings from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Tarik Woods is a 2016 graduate of Salisbury High School.  Woods was introduced by CIS board Vice Chairman Bob Forema,n who worked as a CIS site coordinator at Knox Middle School when Woods was a student there.

“He wanted to argue with every teacher and got sent to see me almost every day,” Foreman said.

Foreman spent hours over those three middle school years working with Woods in the school’s small wood shop making small projects and talking together.

“I wanted to be heard, but I had to learn how and when,” Woods told the assembly.

Working with Foreman helped Woods focus his energy at school in positive ways.

Woods went on to lead student government at Salisbury High and was accepted at UNC-Chapel Hill, where he now majors in public policy. He’s also signed up to join the Navy after he completes his undergraduate work. The Navy will provide Woods an opportunity to go to law school through the Judge Advocate General program.

Each of the nine schools served by Communities in Schools of Rowan County recognized a Volunteer of the Year for outstanding work in tutoring and mentoring. They are:

• Hanford Dole Elementary: Chrissie Elliott.

• Henderson Independent High School: Elizabeth Scandale.

• Hurley Elementary: David Roof.

• Isenberg Elementary: Barbara Corriher.

• Knox Middle: Bob Foreman.

• Koontz Elementary: Sharease Lee.

• North Rowan Elementary: Tiffany Vang.

• North Rowan Middle: Linda Bartlett.

• Overton Elementary: Lea Silverburg.

Volunteers with more than 100 hours are Carolyn Miller, Bob Foreman, David Roof and Tiffany Vang.

Carolyn Miller was named the CIS Volunteer of the Year.

The awards program was made possible with a grant from Speedway Children’s Charities. CIS Rowan is a member agency of United Way of Rowan County.