By Karen Hall

Editor

Cornersville Elementary students gathered in the auditorium for a very special announcement Monday morning.

"We hardly ever interrupt our school work," said Principal Cheryl Ewing. "But this time I have something very special to celebrate. Cornersville Elementary has been named by the state as a Reward School for the 2012-2013 school year."

This recognizes the high growth rate in students' scores on the TCAP tests taken in April.

"We worked hard because we have the best students, the best teachers, and the best school," Ewing exclaimed. "Give yourselves a big hand."

The Reward School honor went to only two other schools in the county: Forrest High School and Lewisburg Middle School, making CVES the only elementary school to win this honor.

"Cornersville Elementary is the best, in my heart, because this is where you are, where I am, and where the best teachers are," said Ewing.

Director of Schools Jackie Abernathy said, "This represents a lot of work by a lot of people. It takes teachers, assistants, administrators, and everyone working together to become a reward school. I'm so proud of you for being a reward school. Without the staff and parents working together, this would not happen. I challenge you to do it again."

Abernathy and Ewing displayed the Reward School banner for everyone to see, and, with more applause and cheers, the assembly was over.

In the afternoon, students would return to the auditorium for a Shelby Lee Lowe concert, to which last year's sixth graders, now at Cornersville Middle School, were also invited, since they were responsible for some of the winning TCAP scores.

"This is the good part of my job," said Abernathy. "Getting to see the kids." She also enjoyed greeting the teachers, many of whom had been her students during her many years of teaching in Marshall County.