CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – (CLARKSVILLENOW) Moore Magnet Elementary School was visited by a very special guest Tuesday on the next to the last day of the school season. Tennessee’s First Lady, Maria Lee, spoke with students along with another special guest, Dr. Penny Schwinn, Tennessee’s Education Commissioner.
Both Lee and Schwinn were introduced by the Director of Clarksville-Montgomery County Schools, Millard House II.
Close to 50 students from the school’s 5th grade class listened as Lee, a former teacher herself, talk about service to other people and the new program called Tennessee Serves. Lee is going across the state this summer to encourage people to serve and help make life better for everyone in the community.
The First Lady said Tennessee Serves is a three-part plan. “For myself and my team to get out and serve, to highlight organizations and nonprofits that are already in the community serving, partnering with them and what they do so other people can get involved, and to really motivate people and mobilize them to get involved with what’s going on in their community,” said Lee.
Lee told the students with her new program, students throughout the state are being encouraged to get involved and serve in their communities. With the Tennessee Kids Serve Summer Challenge, starting June 1, each youngster who does 12 hours of service in their community can keep track of those hours and let Lee’s office know and they will receive a certificate.
The top students who have the most hours of service will get to go to Governor Bill Lee’s residence in September for a celebration with the Governor and First Lady. The students at Moore Elementary helped kick-off the service project by creating cards with messages of support for soldiers at Fort Campbell.
Commissioner Schwinn said being a lifetime educator, as well as a parent, she wanted to show her support for Tennessee Serves. “I was completely compelled with our ability to help our children understand what a life of service can mean and even small acts of kindness can have an impact on all of our communities,” said Schwinn.
To learn more about Tennessee Serves or First Lady Maria Lee’s Tennessee Kids Serve Summer Challenge, visit www.tn.gov/firstlady or call 615-741-7846