Honeysuckle Middle’s Bright Key Academic Dream Room Ribbon Cutting

Matt Boster

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Posted by: Matt Boster
Date: Feb 10 2017 3:39 PM

DOTHAN: Students at Honeysuckle Middle will be feeling the love on Valentine’s Day when they walk into their new Bright Key Academic Dream Room and see the makeover community members have pulled off for them. The transformation includes a life-size mural painted by the head of the art department at Dothan High School, Chris Payne and backed by a team of students. “I am using some of my art students to help. Half of them came from Honeysuckle.

It is a good feeling to bring back former students and give back to inspire the upcoming high schoolers. I love the mission of Bright Key and I am looking forward to seeing the transformation of some of the students,” says Payne. Though filling a 62’ x 14’ space was a daunting task at first, he says his inspiration for the project came from part of the school itself. “I took a tour of the STEM lab and developed a sketch to represent the many projects available to students. There is a lot of excitement at Honeysuckle right now and I am glad I could lend my talents to help motivate and inspire my future students.” Students have been making new friends, learning new skills and participating in STEM labs since the program began in January.

To put the official stamp on the program, the Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce will host a ribbon cutting for the Academic Dream Room (ADR) on Tuesday, February 14 at 10 am at Honeysuckle Middle. Berkshire-Hathaway HomeServices Showcase Properties and the Dothan Chamber of Commerce’s current Leadership Dothan class recognize the importance of investing in schools and have signed on as ADR sponsors. Both groups have been on hand to brighten up the space and put furniture together to get it ready for the grand opening. “Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Showcase Properties is a proud sponsor of the Bright Key program at Honeysuckle Middle School.

They are committed to helping our community create a highly-skilled workforce and good citizens for the future,” says Susan Vierkandt of Berkshire Hathaway. “The real estate industry demands an innovative and nimble workforce, as well; and high-performing schools are essential to property values in the community.” “As the Leadership Dothan Class of 2017, we know that education is an integral part of the growth of our youth in the community,” says Wallace College’s Stefanie Bowie who is in the current Leadership Dothan class. “I speak for everyone when I say we are elated to “lead by example” and show students their futures are important not only to them but also to leaders in Dothan.

The involvement with Honeysuckle Middle School is one that we plan to make long-term and keep students encouraged!” Vincent Owens is the newest resource coordinator to join the Bright Key team. He oversees the middle school programs at Girard and Honeysuckle Middle. He says the interest in the ADR from the students is substantial. “I’m still getting to know the students here at Honeysuckle. But they do not hesitate to stop me in the hallway and ask when the Academic Dream Room is going to be ready.

They are itching to get in there. I love their excitement,” says Owens. Page 2 Honeysuckle Middle’s Bright Key® Academic Dream Room Ribbon Cutting ABOUT BERKSHIRE-HATHAWAY HOMESERVICES SHOWCASE PROPERTIES At Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Showcase Properties, the focus is on innovation, training, and high touch, relationship-based service to customers and clients. The company began in 2003, and has grown into one of the most highly recognized and respected in the Dothan area, with 32 professional sales associates. They offer both residential and commercial real estate brokerage services, and are an independently owned and operated member of HSF Affiliates, LLC, the parent company of the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, Prudential Real Estate and Real Living Real Estate franchise networks.

The company is a joint venture of which Home Services of America, Inc., the nation’s second-largest, full service residential brokerage firm, is a majority owner. HomeServices of America is an affiliate of world-renowned Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. For additional information, visit www.BHHSShowcaseProperties.com. ABOUT LEADERSHIP DOTHAN As a program of the Dothan Area Chamber Foundation, the mission of Leadership Dothan is to build a stronger community by developing effective leaders who serve and unify Dothan and Houston County. The program provides a diverse group of emerging and existing local leaders with opportunities to enhance their community knowledge, civic network and leadership skills through seminars and training exercises.

ABOUT BRIGHT KEY Bright Key, a concept turning public schools into energized centers for services by adding programs focusing on the whole child, including his/her school, family and community, was approved in 2014 by the Dothan City School Board. The program is structured to allow the stakeholders to express what programs and opportunities they believe are needed for their child and its school. Bright Key programs are at Highlands Elementary, Selma Street Elementary, Girard Middle and Honeysuckle Middle.

For more information, visit brightkeywiregrass.org or each school’s Facebook page at facebook.com/brightkeygirardmiddle, facebook.com/brightkeyhighlands, facebook.com/brightkeyhoneysuckle and facebook.com/brightkeyselmastreet.

Pictured: Dothan High School students work on the mural in the Bright Key Academic Dream Room at Honeysuckle Middle.

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