HOLLY SPRINGS, NC MAY 15 2010: Proud parents, enthusiastic kids and teachers coupled with a rousing crowd made the TERRIFIC ceremony put on by the Kiwanis Club of Holly Springs during Kids’ Appreciation Day magical!!

For the first year, the TERRIFIC program recognized local teachers nominated by their schools and students.

“There is nothing I love more than watching the ‘light bulbs’ pop in my students’ heads as the building blocks to reading come into place. I love to teach reading so my students will no longer be learning to read but then are reading to learn,” beamed TERRIFIC TEACHER Miriam Gifford of Holly Grove Elementary School.

“We have been in Holly Springs since December. My neighborhood is super cool and I really love my teacher, Mrs. Stallings of Holly Ridge Elementary,” shared Jayden Bossian, TERRIFIC KID winner.

“Every kid is a TERRIFIC KID in Holly Springs. Our children are amazing, astonishing and extraordinary.

The TERRIFIC recipients come from all areas of our community and embrace the ideals the acronym “TERRIFIC” stands for… Thoughtful, Enthusiastic, Respectful, Responsible, Inclusive, Friendly, Inquisitive and Capable.” smiled Brian Adornetto, President of the Kiwanis Club of Holly Springs.

“Our club’s motto is ‘Kids—Priority One’,” Brian Adornetto, President of the Kiwanis Club of Holly Springs said. “We believe that we can improve our world and the world of our children and grandchildren by helping one child and one community at a time. The Kiwanis Club of Holly Springs is doing just that with our Holly Springs youth via our TERRIFIC Program, tutoring outreach, dictionary give-a-ways, high school Key Clubs, Kids Appreciation Day and the popular Christmas parade,

This year’s TERRIFIC winners are: Madison Shilling, Ben Beringer, Michael Gainey, Chelsea Martinez-Sanchez, Gaby Alfaro, Samantha Oleschuk, Claire Schumann, Megan Brantley, and Jayden Bossain from Holly Ridge Elementary.

From Holly Grove Elementary winning students are: Abdul “AJ” Mapp, Grace Souder, Thomas Golden, Samantha St. Andrews, Rebekah Savoldi, and Amya Holland.

For Holly Ridge Middle School, Emily Miller, Morgan Shortt, and Amanda Harbour are TERRIFIC recipients.

Cade Walker, Daylee Stratford, Carolyn Barbieri, Ayden Zuromski, and Madison Myott represented Holly Springs Elementary. William “BJ” Jones is Holly Springs High School’s TERRIFIC TEEN.

This year’s TERRIFIC Teachers are: Susan Morison from Holly Ridge Elementary, Miriam Gifford from Holly Grove Elementary, Debbie Baize from Holly Ridge Middle School and Jennifer Hall-Lewis who teaches at Holly Springs High School.

Holly Springs’own Chick-fil-A hosted a special commemorative dinner for winners and their families after Kids’ Appreciation Day.

“The opportunity to commemorate these children and their teachers in our community is not only a source of pleasure but it embodies Chick-fil-A’s commitment to youth and all families of our community.” said Lori Allred, owner of the Holly Springs’ Chick-fil-A.

Celebrate with our TERRIFIC WINNERS on Saturday, December 11, 2010 when the TERRIFIC recipients will be the major focus of the Kiwanis Club of Holly Springs’s Christmas Parade float during the annual Town of Holly Springs/Kiwanis Club of Holly Springs Christmas parade.