Children, teachers, staff and the community celebrated Black History Month at Pepperell Elementary with a Soul Food Lunch and a special assembly on Thursday, February 25.  Teachers, staff and the community shared special dishes during the luncheon for teachers and visitors in the school’s parent center.  The special quest speaker for the assembly was Ken Irvin, a Pepperell High School and University of Memphis graduate and a former professional football player for the Buffalo Bills, New Orleans Saints and the Minnesota Vikings.  Irvin focused his remarks on the importance of young children having a dream and keeping a focus.  Irvin will be inducted into the Rome/Floyd County Sports Hall of Fame this weekend.  Irvin told the participants gathered for the assembly that he had a lot of help from caring teachers and coaches on his life’s journey.  He said, “Being inducted into the Hall of Fame is not just an honor for me but for the community of Lindale and for Pepperell High School.  There are a lot of people in the community and teachers and coaches at this school who helped me to get where I am today.”  

Pepperell Elementary student, Kelsey Bishop read her winning essay about Rosa Parks during the assembly.  Kelsey took first place in the school’s annual Black History Month Essay Contest. Other participants in the assembly included an interpretive dance performance by The First Baptist Holiness Church Praise Team and a message of inspiration by Bishop Norris Allen.