SEARCY, Ar. (LP) — “Can’t Stop the Beat of Searcy Public Schools” is the theme for the 2019-2020 school year. In the Broadway musical Hairspray, “Can’t Stop the Beat” is the title song that brings all the members closer together. Referring to that, Searcy Public Schools are not only striving to bring students and staff closer together, but to also be positive going day to day.
Superintendent Diane Barrett wanted to continue this positive movement with the “Can’t Stop the Beat” award. Staff members that are encouraging to others, take pride in their day, and set an example to others by being team players, are nominated by administrators and supervisors. Each month, two licensed and two classified staff members of the district are chosen to be recognized for having these characteristics. Mrs. Kelli McNeill won one of the awards for the month of September. Mrs. McNeill stated with what she felt when she received the award, “I was very surprised! I didn’t know that the district was doing anything like this, and it makes me very happy to be one of the first recipients of this new award.”
You never know what’s going on in someone’s life, therefore you should always be kind to everyone. Mrs. McNeill is great at showing that. Lucius Sparks, a sophomore at SHS says, “Mrs. McNeill is always smiling and puts pride in her work everyday. She never fails at showing she cares and brings good vibes to everyone.” She does a great job taking care of students needs and makes everyone feel welcome. Even if she doesn’t know the student, she will smile at them to make them feel better. Mrs. McNeill says, “Students have to deal with some pretty difficult issues in their lives, and I make it a priority to be positive for them. What if I’m the only positive person or influence they have throughout their day? It’s important to me to be a light!”
The Can’t Stop the Beat award is all surrounded on positivity spread by teachers and administrators. Suggestions for spreading positivity may include writing on sticky notes and handing them out randomly, smiling, and just to be kind all over. Those go for all people here at SHS. You never know what’s going on in a persons life, so why should you be rude? If you see someone being left out or look down, go up to them and talk to them. You don’t know how much that would mean to someone until you do it. Just how Mrs. McNeill says, “Be nice, be kind, BE THE LIGHT!”
