The building that sits at 1199 Madison St. in Henderson, Kentucky has, over the decades, housed thousands of elementary-aged children. However, on February 18, 2017, it was a five-star fine dining restaurant with no available reservations remaining. The Love Banquet was a big deal to the students and family of South Heights Elementary School. “337 is what we have signed up, but we think we are going to have more than that,” says Nancy Toombs, South Heights custodian supervisor, about the event. She later confirms that the final number came in at 390!
“I think the Love Banquet is a grand demonstration of everything right…love, collaboration, earning, giving, family and uncommon effort,” says Principal Rob Carroll. “I appreciate how great groups of adults mobilize around the kid’s dreams!”
Students earned Blazer Bucks throughout the fall semester from their teachers and staff for displaying good behavior, following the rules, and achieving their goals in the classroom. Then, just before Christmas, the students can spend their Blazer Bucks at Santa’s Treasure Island Mall. This is a place, funded and run by staff volunteers, where each student can shop and use their Blazer Bucks to buy Christmas gifts for their family. The Love Banquet, a night of full-service dining and elegance, is offered as an option to purchase.
“What I love about it is that the kids earned and gave. It’s not charity. It’s a very cool premise,” says Bob Seymour of One Life Church, who was there serving alongside his wife, Cathy.
The event could not happen without the hard work and dedication of the droves of volunteers who are dedicated to ensuring the event is magical for all the deserving students and families.
Glenda Pruitt, a kindergarten assistant, was among the volunteers in the cafeteria feverishly plating up the dishes to be served at its 5:30 start time. “We’ve been here since about 4 p.m. to get the food ready,” says Glenda. When asked why she decided to volunteer for the event she replied, “It’s for the kids. They love being able to bring their parents out to dinner for a change.”
That sentiment is consistent among the crowd of helpers with Brian Keeper, custodian, adding, “I do this for the kids. I just really love the kids.”
Upon arriving with their families for the special night, students check in at a reservation table then continue down the dimly lit hallway, decorated with red hearts to a host waiting for them. The host, Chris Powers, assistant principal, asks “How many?” To which they are then shown to their table in the candlelit gymnasium. At their table, they are greeted by a waiter wearing black pants and a white shirt ready to take their drink order. Jeremiah Coursey, a math teacher at Henderson County High School, softly plays guitar music to further create the ambiance of the evening.
“I’m very thankful that she did this. She could have chosen to spend her money on anything else, but she chose to spend it on the family at the Love Banquet,” says Jada Cansler, mother of 4th-grade twins, Rashia and Richard.
The energy in the room is felt with each smiling face. One proud student, Jamiayah Marcelin, a 4th-grade student, beamed, “I knew my family would like to come here. It’s for my mom, my brother, my sister and my cousin.” Her family agreed as they happily awaited the arrival of their entrees, thankful for the gift she worked so hard to buy for them.
Work hard, play hard is the culture that seeps through the walls and out the windows of this school. Students here are held to high expectations but are rewarded greatly for achievement. The pride generated from both attending, working and/or volunteering in this school is felt by everyone who walks through the door.
Another successful Love Banquet is in the books. The students and staff at the school have returned to working hard on academics while keeping the upcoming spring break not far from their thoughts.
To learn more about the happenings of South Heights Elementary, please visit southheights.henderson.kyschools.us.
Calling all Hendersonians!
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