Colonial celebrates a Blue Ribbon School

January 10, 2019 Cathy Benson

Colonial Elementary has been featured in two of our previous stories since Fall concerning the wonderful Blue Ribbon School Award the school received from the US Department of Education in September. On Wed. Jan. 9, they brought it home to Blue Ridge with a celebration.

At first Principal Tammy Riggs thought the award was a scam. She even googled Chris Kelly of the Virginia Department of Education when he called her. From that point on the stars, the sun and the moon have shown brightly over the school that is currently decorated in blue ribbons.

In November Riggs attended the National Blue Ribbon Award Ceremony in DC with teacher Ms. Steiger and was wowed by the importance the Award really has. So, they came back and scheduled a time to remind the school, the community and SW VA what they have achieved. The school ceremony was fantastic.

Better yet, the student body was pumped dressed in their blue Colonial T-Shirts. They counted down from ten on several occasions (watch our two videos on The Botetourt Bee Facebook page!) Excitement filled the air. The Student Leadership Council led the school and assembly of parents and dignitaries in the pledge of allegiance to the flag and they sang the school four core values song.

Riggs announced each speaker starting with Chris Kelly who noted, “Once a Blue Ribbon School always a blue ribbon school.” There is no yearly expiration. Each teacher had a photograph by Life Touch with Kelly and the Blue Ribbon Award. They received a standing ovation. Scott Swortzel the school board rep came next with, “ You are undefeated. You will always be our first Blue Ribbon School. Job well done!”

Supervisor Billy Martin was effusive in his praise. “But as a community member and someone who cares about our county’s future, I try to be involved with our schools… that is one of the reasons it is nice to be here today and to help recognize the hard work of all the people who made this happen.”

Three Colonial alumnus—Ethan Webster a LBHS student noted his great-grandmother attended Colonial and his parents met there, Natalia Guerra who is now at RMMS and student Grace Corey all reminded the assembly why the school is worthy of a Blue Ribbon Award. Kind, caring, learning based to do their personal best.

The students took to the spotlight in a video by some of the brightest, and best elementary kids around. Each said what the school meant to them. Parent quotes about the learning and caring of the school filled in spots to enhance that the team included all of them—parents, students, faculty, staff and the community.

John Busher the school superintendent happily mentioned the division’s motto which says “to ensure a quality learning environment for all students.” He praised the school for being the environment to define the mission.

It was out to the flag pole for the final countdown. The flag was raised and the wind unfurled it to the back drop of the school and students. Then it was back to class to do what Colonial does best—be the example of a Blue Ribbon School where learning, caring and doing your personal best is exemplified every day!