Garnet Mesa students, staff celebrate

Photo by Pat Sunderland After raising the Blue Ribbon flag, fifth graders Ben Cooper, Carson Roithmayr, Oden Higgs and Nathan Workman distributed blue-tipped carnations to GMES teachers."The best school in America is obviously Garnet Mesa Elementary School." The sentiment expressed in a speech by third grader Haddy Kathrein was shared by students, teachers, parents and community members gathered for a National Blue Ribbon School flag raising ceremony Dec. 20.

Kathrein read her speech aloud to a capacity crowd gathered in the school's Discovery Center. The ceremony was originally scheduled to be outdoors but temperatures in the single digits prompted a change in plans.

Kathrein's speech continued, "To begin, GMES has some of the best principals and teachers ever! The principals, Mr. Farmer and Mr. Truitt, teach us to be bucket fillers and follow rules so we can be good people. The teachers teach us math, grammar and how to read, so we can have a good education. Both principals and teachers work very hard and both are very friendly. Next, the students and parents are another reason that Garnet Mesa is the best school in America because the students work hard. I can prove it because the TCAP grades were good last year. The parents work hard because they help us make it to the TCAPS by helping us with homework. Also, they volunteer when we need them. The last reason is because we are a National Blue Ribbon School because of all the reasons I told you . . . Now that I told you why GMES is the best school in America, do you wish you were a student at GMES?"

Photo by Pat Sunderland Superintendent Caryn Gibson presents the National Blue Ribbon School flag to GMES principal Jim Farmer and assistant principal Adam Truitt. Because each student’s efforts were an important part of the Blue Ribbon designation, the students labeled their own blue ribbons and attached them to the wall in the background.DHS senior Jake Johnson opened the ceremony by playing the national anthem on his trumpet. Mayor Ed Sisson read a proclamation declaring Dec. 20 "Garnet Mesa Elementary Day," and superintendent Caryn Gibson presented the Blue Ribbon School plaque and flag. At the conclusion of the ceremony, fifth graders offered tours of the facility.

Garnet Mesa was among 279 schools across the nation recognized for their overall academic excellence, or for making progress in improving student academic achievement levels.

"Our nation has no greater responsibility than helping all children realize their full potential," U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said at a Sept. 7 press conference announcing award recipients. "Schools honored with the National Blue Ribbon Schools award are committed to accelerating student achievement and preparing students for success in college and careers. Their work reflects the conviction that every child has promise and that education is the surest pathway to a strong, secure future."

High expectations are evident at GMES. After the ceremony, first graders Zoey Shean and Shayla Curtis explained the importance of working hard, doing their homework, staying in their seats and paying close attention to what their teacher, Mrs. Bayles, has to say.

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