Goldsboro High Key Club makes trip to meet judge, state officials
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on March 12, 2007 1:49 PM
Amelia Bedelia, a popular children's book character, appeared in the doorway of Vickie Tillman's third-grade class at Carver Elementary.
Posing as a substitute teacher, she took her job seriously, as well as literally.
When it came time to call the roll, someone threw a hard roll onto the floor and Ms. Bedeila called for it to come to her.
The students enjoyed the performance, designed to teach them about the importance of reading for comprehension rather than always taking the words at face value.
Amelia was portrayed by Quanita Rouse, president of the Goldsboro High School Key Club.
She and several club members visited Carver in Mount Olive and Brogden Primary School, where second-graders in Sharon Schofill's class were also entertained by the object lesson.
"Amelia Bedelia" was one of the books on the teachers' wish list. Each student was given a book to take home, donated by the Kiwanis Club of Goldsboro, which sponsors Goldsboro High's Key Club.
The project was part of "Read and Lead," an outgrowth of the Key Club's mission to develop leadership, caring and service to school and community. Across the country and overseas, there are more than 5,000 Key Clubs in high schools.
Locally, there are chapters at Goldsboro as well as Charles B. Aycock and Eastern Wayne high schools. Each club participates in at least five projects annually.
The Goldsboro High group also had the opportunity to recently meet with several state officials in Raleigh.
Howard Lee, chairman of the state board, had visited the high school back in September as part of a public forum. Speaking with several students afterwards, he extended an invitation for them to visit the state school board offices.
Teddy Howell, vice president of the Key Club, took him up on the offer, writing a letter and setting up an appointment.
Mid-February, 16 students and three advisers were guests of Lee and his staff. Teddy and Quanita shared some of their experiences as a new service club at the high school, while the state employees discussed their vision for public education in North Carolina.
The day in Raleigh also included meeting Rebecca Garland, executive director of the State Department of Education, and Marvin Pittman, director of middle grades education. The Key Club was also given a tour of the state education building, followed by tours of the N.C. Museum of History and the N.C. Science Museum.
When the student group visited the Legislative Building, they were personally greeted by State Rep. Van Braxton and had the opportunity to meet with Sen. John Kerr.
Later this month, eight members of the Key Club will attend their first district convention in Durham. The new club, chartered in May 2006, is eligible for several awards.