2004

Monday, March 15, 2004, was a special day for the fourth, fifth, and sixth grade students at the Sandy Run School. The Sandy Run Ruritan Club presented Liberty Day books to one hundred thirteen students. These books contained the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States and will help students learn about these two important documents in our country’s history.

Ned Nelson, principal of the school, gave a few opening remarks and introduced Dave Boney Ruritan National Director and a member of the Sandy Run Ruritan Club. Mr. Boney presented 39 South Carolina Flags to Principal Nelson to be given to the teachers at the Sandy Run School. These flags will be placed on each of the teacher’s desks at the school. Mr. Boney then gave the students a brief history about how the Liberty Day books began.

Roger Hill from the Calhoun County Council and a member of the Sandy Run Ruritan Club introduced our special guest speaker for this presentation. Representative Harry Ott, S. C. House of Representatives, gave those present a very informative speech telling students about the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches of our state government Representative Ott explained how a law becomes a bill. He encouraged students not to be “lukewarm” but to be an active part of their community. After his speech Representative Ott answered questions from the students. Representative Ott and Ruritan members gave out the Liberty Day books to the students in Mr. Greg Stone and Ms. Anna Rast’s fourth grade, Ms. Suzette Edwards and Ms. Gwen Campbell’s fifth grade, and Ms. Jennifer Chassereau and Ms. Amanda Dukes sixth grade.

Principal Nelson introduced two other special guests for the Liberty Day presentation, his brother Lieutenant Colonel John Nelson who has just returned from Iraq, and Landis Sandel from Voridian Columbia Operations.

Members of the Sandy Run Ruritan Club present for this occasion were Millie Black, Dave Boney, Kathy Boney, Nora Furtick, Roger Hill, Faye Lake, and Becky Starnes.

The Sandy Run Ruritan Club strives to make our community a better place to live. Ruritans believe that if we invest our time and energy in the young people of our community we will make a positive difference in their lives. These young people are our leaders of tomorrow. The Ruritan motto of Fellowship, Goodwill, and Community Service was quite evident on this day. Thanks to Representative Harry Ott and all those who helped to make this a very memorable day for the fourth, fifth, and sixth grade students at the Sandy Run School.