By Oniska Blevins | The Selma Times-Journal

Dionne Reese’s third grade class at Payne Elementary School was in for a surprise Wednesday morning when members of the Selma Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. visited their class. The third graders received a Chromebook computer and pizza in recognition of their 97-percent attendance rate on the school year.

The chapter’s service for the day did not stop there as members visited two other schools within their service areas, which consist of Perry, Dallas, and Lowndes Counties.

Dr. Sherica Hatcher, president of the Selma Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., said the service project falls under one of the sorority’s Five-Point Programmatic Thrust initiatives.

“The service project started with a May Week celebration, where we encourage and inspire all elements and components of educational development,” Hatcher said.

“Some of the members came to me and said they wanted to pitch an idea to congratulate the students in the class that had perfect attendance [and] good conduct.”

The chapter hopes it inspires and encourages other students to do the same.

“Everything is being moved to technology, so we feel that if they have another accessible tool that the students can work on and utilize, it will encourage them to do better,” Hatcher said.

The class listened intently as the sorority made their Presentation.

“In my professional opinion, I think it would make them feel happy and a part of the community,” Hatcher said.

“I think it’s rewarding for them, and I think they would have a great benefit from it.”

Payne Elementary School principal Taurus Brown Smith said she was happy to see the students highlighted for their hard work.

“I think it’s awesome that the sorority is giving back to the community and recognizing those students that have perfect attendance,” Smith said.

Smith thinks students will gain motivation to continue to come to school and be stellar students from the visit from the chapter.

“I think it’ll motivate every class in the school to strive for perfect attendance, to get to school and know that when they are here, they’re here to learn,” Smith said.

“So hopefully it’ll be motivation for the other classes to strive for perfect attendance as well.”

Smith said this type of recognition and encouragement goes a long way and can even have positive affects on children in other classes.