Summit student Adalynne Tyre was recently presented with the Key to Beech Mountain after having a wonderful and unique experience stemming from a recent project at school.
At Summit Charter School, fourth grade students participated in a multi-month long research project where students picked a city or town from the three regions of North Carolina.
Kelly Buck, Summit fourth grade social studies teacher, shared that as part of the project students were expected to dive deep into the social studies standards researching the history, government, economy, demographics, culture, education, sports & entertainment, and transportation of their chosen city.
Once the research was done, they created a map, timeline of the city, a travel brochure, and a presentation board. The project culminated in April with the North Carolina City Fair, an event where the students could dress up in a way that represented their city and presented all the wonderful things they discovered about their city as a “City Expert & Travel Agent” to other classes, staff, family, and community members.
Tyre’s chosen city was Beech Mountain, NC. As circumstances should happen, when she contacted the office of Community and Economic Development in Beech Mountain to inquire about her research for the town, Kate Gavenus, who is one of the Town Managers, graciously sent her a box full of information that she could use for her project.
Summit student Adalynne Tyre and Beech Mountain Mayor Weidner Abernethy after she presented her findings to the Beech Mountain Town Council on May 14.
In appreciation for this information, Adalynne sent her an email with a picture of her presentation at the NC City Fair. The Town Council members of Beech Mountain were so delighted with Adalynne’s interest in their town that she was given an invitation from Mayor Weidner Abernethy to attend their monthly Council meeting.
On May 14, Adalynne took a road trip with her father to Beech Mountain where she was given a grand tour of the town and introduced at the Council meeting.
Summit student Adalynne Tyre and Beech Mountain Mayor Weidner Abernethy pose for a photo during one of her visits.
Mayor Abernethy and Kate Gavenus both spoke at the meeting about how impressed they were by Tyre’s dedication and responsibility throughout this project. To Adalynne’s surprise, she was personally honored with a “Key to the Town” of Beech Mountain by Mayor Weidner Abernethy. Needless to say, this was an experience of a lifetime that this young fourth grade student will never forget!