Celebrating the Student Leaders of Shadydale Elementary!

This festive season, the Shadydale Elementary community gathered to honor and applaud our outstanding student leaders who shine brightly in their commitment to learning, positivity, and leadership. With a heart full of gratitude, Shadydale staff, parents, and JA Board Member Larry Stephens from Hancock Whitney Bank joined us in this joyous celebration.

These exceptional student leaders were carefully chosen for their dedication—coming to school with enthusiasm, consistently turning in their work, and embodying positive leadership qualities among their peers. Their efforts do not go unnoticed, and we are immensely proud to recognize and celebrate their achievements!

A huge thank you goes out to Aiesha Odutayo from Houston ISD, whose invaluable support and collaboration with Junior Achievement enabled us, for the third year, to secure generous donations and create a holiday experience that these student leaders will remember for a lifetime. Your dedication to education and community empowerment is truly inspiring.

During our celebration, JA Staff member Jim McCaskill and JA Board Member Larry Stephens presented a brief but impactful lesson. They explored the important concept of distinguishing between needs and wants, imparting valuable life skills to our student leaders and the fascinating world of various careers, igniting curiosity, and sparking dreams for the future.

The smiles, laughter, and joy shared during this holiday celebration were a testament to the power of community, collaboration, and education. Imagine the joy in the room as the students unwrapped their surprises – tablets that will open up new worlds of learning and creativity, books to fuel their imaginations, and so much more. It was a heartwarming sight to see these young leaders light up with excitement! Special thanks to Tellepsen for donating the awesome bikes, which were raffled to students based on tickets earned through their outstanding attendance records.

As we wrap up this year and embrace the holiday spirit, let us continue to support and uplift one another. We wish you a joyful holiday season filled with love, warmth, and the spirit of giving.

Happy Holidays!