Leaphart Elementary School third grader Charlea Hill-Allen has been named the Lake Murray-Irmo Rotary Club’s October Student of the Month for exemplifying the Rotary ideal of “Service Above Self.”
Hill-Allen was selected by her school for her willingness to volunteer in a special education classroom and build meaningful connections with students.
“Charlea asked to volunteer in my special education class so she could build meaningful connections with my students,” said special education teacher Kristen Burry. “She has been able to get them to do things even I couldn’t, and they actively look for her throughout their day.”
Burry said the connections are especially meaningful because most of her students are nonverbal.
“To see how much of a connection Charlea has made with them is nothing short of magical,” she said.
