The Selma Times-Journal

The adage is true about a village raising a child.

The janitor who says, &8220;Don&8217;t run down the hall,&8221; the fifth-grade teacher who encourages a student to go the extra mile, the parent who&8217;s a volunteer tutor, and the company who donates supplies to a classroom &8212; all villagers.

Those people, local businessmen and volunteers were honored for their contributions to the Dallas County School System at an appreciation luncheon at noon Tuesday at the Carl C. Morgan Convention Center.

Those volunteers, many of whom were parents, were humbled by the luncheon and said they are not at the schools for recognition, but because they see the needs of the students.

Barbara Carr and Alisia Flennory&8217;s children attend Keith High School. Not only do the mothers volunteer with the band, they also help with Mardi Gras Day and other special activities. Flennory tutors math.

Southside High School student and choir member Dantoria Thomas said she was happy to see the volunteers be recognized, as they have inspired her to one day be a volunteer.

Jabrina Lamar, a Bruce K. Craig Elementary teacher, said the luncheon was a wonderful gesture to show appreciation for those who take time out to share their time at the schools.

Before the awards and presentations, the room was still as the crowd listened to the guest speaker, George L. Jones, as he told them not a day goes by that he doesn&8217;t think about a person who has motivated him as a student and professional.

Before taking his seat, Jones turned to the Southside High School Choir and encouraged them to heed the advice of elders and take advantage of all the opportunities they have now that he did not have at their age.