What a few weeks it has been in McDuffie County!
First, Thomson Elementary School is the focus of a statewide education tour highlighting schools that work. Principal Donald Davis has quietly built an education juggernaut on Guill Street. It's a place where children go to learn not just about math, science and English, but also manners, respect and friendship. And that is worth more to those students than all the book-learning in the world.
Kudos should also go to the group trying to repair and conserve the historic Wrightsboro cemetery. If there is a textbook case of an underutilized gem in McDuffie County, the Wrightsboro area is it. From the old church to the remnants of the old community to the wonderful history in the headstones of the cemetery, the area could be a destination and not just a pass-though on a country road.
But the effort is not something they can complete alone. They need the support -- and most importantly, the donations -- of the community to make sure the work is complete.
Getting back to our super schools, it was wonderful to watch the school system celebrate their Adequate Yearly Progress success. Especially in a time where other school systems are struggling just to maintain order in their classrooms, McDuffie's schools are thriving as they move from good to great.
And probably the biggest pat on the back should go to everyone who supported the McDuffie County Relay for Life. It is truly amazing that among similar-sized communities in the United States, McDuffie County's heart stands tall.
But, in our opinion, what speaks even larger than the No. 1 recognition is the way our community has continually exceeded the Relay for Life goal.
Just as in many other aspects of Thomson and McDuffie County, just OK is often just not good enough.
Each week there will be more chances to show just how great our county is. It's up to each of us to make sure those chances don't become wasted opportunities.
