Since middle school, Ridgeland High School junior Daley Culberson has been selected for the Georgia Superintendent's Student Advisory Council. Made up of middle and high school students statewide, the council meets to inform state Schools Superintendent Richard Woods on issues affecting students, like curriculum, dropout rates and more.
As part of her duties, Daley is also asked to organize a service project.
Last year, the 16-year-old Rock Spring resident orchestrated gift baskets as a "thank you" for local veterans. This year, she wanted to expand the project to honor more service members.
"I am so grateful and appreciative of veterans," Daley said, adding that some of her family members are veterans.
Her mother, Heather Culberson, is the principal at Chattanooga Valley Elementary School, and at a back-to-school event during the summer break, the school's teachers were introduced to the project.
Contributed photo by Heather Culberson / Students at Chattanooga Valley Elementary School wrote handwritten notes to local veterans thanking them for their service.When school started, Daley began coming up with ways to spread the word. She created informational flyers to send home with students, and classes from kindergarten to fifth grade nominated veterans, sometimes family or local community members.
As a result, 25 local veterans, many from Walker and Catoosa counties, received baskets containing handwritten letters of thanks, donations and gift cards for restaurants.
"I've been so pleased both as a principal and parent [by the response]," said Heather Culberson. "I love to see students, and my own child, participating in service projects and willing to help our community. It's a testament to our school system."
Daley is the only Walker County Schools student on this year's Georgia Superintendent's Student Advisory Council. She has applied and been accepted to the board since the seventh grade. She is also part of Ridgeland High's National Honor Society, Key Club and Future Business Leaders of America. When she's not busy with these, she practices ballet.
Daley is already planning the next phase of her "Adopt-A-Veteran" program, hoping to expand the project to more local schools.
"I love doing this project," she said. "It's just a small gift to show our appreciation."
Email Sabrina Bodon at sbodon@timesfreepress.com.