Rachel Patterson kicks off bicentennial project

The cheering was deafening.

That’s what could be heard from the student body of Rachel Patterson Elementary School as it celebrated its kickoff of the 200 Alabama Bicentennial program on Sept. 27.

RPES was selected as one of 200 schools in the state to design a year-long program to help strengthen connections between the schools and their communities. Gov. Kay Ivey made the announcement on Aug. 3. Each school received a $2,000 grant to support the project.

RPES Assistant Principal Keiana White said during the assembly that the school project is called Panda for Pets.

Quarker said the project entails bringing an awareness to the Atmore community about the PCI-Atmore Animal Shelter.

“The objective is to increase community awareness about the shelter and the animals wanting to be adopted,” she told the students. “We’re looking forward to working with the school and members of the community to truly discover Atmore.”

To help with the project and journal the forthcoming year, teacher and student committees were formed.

The teacher committee includes Amy Dean, Brian Stallworth, Julie McDonald, Cheyanne Wilson, Melissa Nichols, Katie Camp, Shaneise Ezell and Lauren Beasley.

The student committee includes Jayleigh Brown, Kailyn Mobley, Adalia White, Malaysia Madison, Athena Wilson, Koen Jackson, Presley Swearingen, Xavier Culliver, Donavan Mosley and Corbin Stacey.

The bicentennial student reporters include Navaeh Jones, JaShayla Williams, Jaliya Hazley, Kendall Watkins, Charity Coleman, Jade Harrelson, Brysen Staples and Qemora Taylor.