School personnel run as St. Jude Heroes

Nine teachers, two principals, a library aide, a counselor and two staff members represented Madison City Schools as ‘heroes’ in the St. Jude Marathon in Memphis.

The school employees ran in a marathon, half-marathon or 5K race on Dec. 3 that raised funds for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

“We had at least one runner in all three races,” spokesman Dennis James said. He works as coordinator of safety, security, communications and student services. “Team Madison City Schools had representatives from eight of our 10 schools.”

Over the fall, Team Madison City Schools raised $48,106.08. “That total placed us at third in the nation,” James said. This national event raised more than $3 million for St. Jude.

“We became involved with St. Jude as a way to teach our students the importance of helping those in need,” James said. “Our students learn that they have the power to make a difference in their world.”

Every Madison school has students who are either current or former St. Jude patients.

Parent Rebecca Harrison raised $9,818.69 in honor of her daughter Emmy, who completed chemotherapy as a St. Jude patient in September. Matt and Rebecca Harrison hosted “Emmy’s No Mo Chemo Celebration” for their daughter. Emmy is a student at Columbia Elementary School.

The following people represented Madison in the St. Jude Marathon:

* Renee Graham, second-grade teacher, Columbia, $9,118.67

* Dorinda White, Rainbow Elementary School principal, $6,770

* Bridget Drummond, social science teacher and S2S Peer Helpers sponsor, Bob Jones High School, $5,783.68

* Leah Igo and Kescha Lamb, second-grade teachers, Mill Creek Elementary School, $5,599.72

* Carmen Buchanan, instructional coach, Liberty Middle School, $2,875.91

* Dr. Daphne Jah, principal, and Kym Mittman, kindergarten teacher, West Madison Elementary School, $2,269

* Melissa Butler, counselor, Pam Chambliss, physical education teacher and Debbie Harlow, media center aide, Discovery Middle School, $2,006

* Tesa Hernandez, fourth-grade teacher, and Gay Barnes, first-grade teacher, Horizon Elementary School, $1,939.41

* John Jones, personnel coordinator, and Dennis James, Central Office, $1,550