CIS Student Council adopts a soldier

Wanda Nichols Photo ADOPT-A-SOLDIER CAMPAIGN -- The Chandler Intermediate School Student Council launched their Adopt-a-Soldier campaign May 4 - May 11 to collect items to send to overseas troopers. Pictured (L-R): front Jerry Don Satterfield, Weston Weber, Chad Costlow, Tom DeBoer, Kathryn Adams, Gabe Grantham, middle Carlos Tristan, Abbey Adair, Kaylan Harris, Wyatt Bynum, Cody, Cade, Jake Boyd, Ryan Wellman, Joey Duncan Carver, back Brenda Shaw, student council sponsor, and Stanley Laymance, father of the soldier whose unit will receive the donations from CIS.

In support of American troops in Iraq, Chandler Intermediate School student council representatives launched an "Adopt-A-Soldier" campaign, May 4 - May 11, to collect items to send overseas to American troopers.

Student Council member, and 4th grader, Jerry Don Satterfield, said he came up with the idea and suggested it during a recent meeting.

"I just decided I have a family member and everyone else has family members there and we should donate stuff for them to use," he said.

Weston Weber agrees, "I felt really good about doing this because I have a family member in the Army," the 5th grader said. "I'm gonna help his friends and helpers."

Items collected included magazines and other periodicals, snack foods, and personal items. CIS Student Council Vice President Wyatt Bynum wanted to make sure there was something there for everybody and brought in dental items, food products and magazines, he said.

On the receiving end of the generous packages will be Army Corporal Samuel Laymance, 30, who, according to his father, Mr. Stanley Laymance, CIS ISS teacher, is stationed "somewhere in Baghdad."

"Army Intelligence won't allow him to tell us where he is," Mr. Laymance said.

Once the packages arrive in Iraq, they will be forwarded to Corporal Laymance, who will dispense the items to his fellow troopers.

"I felt really good about doing this because I know somebody who has a chance to go to Iraq," said Gabe Grantham, 5th grade. "This may help."

Fourth grader, Cody Cade, is glad to support the troops as a way of also supporting their families.

"I feel really happy because we're helping the troops in Iraq," he said. "We don't want their family to lose somebody important."

The Chandler Intermediate School student council has been active throughout the year with a variety of projects including hosting the ribbon cutting ceremony for the school's new Outdoor Learning lab, and conducting tours throughout the "outdoor classroom."

Most recently, the group led a tour of the school for upcoming fourth grade students, last Wednesday.

Throughout the school year CIS's student council has accomplished quite a bit including selling poinsettias, delivering cards and treats and singing Christmas carols to the Chandler Nursing Center residents, collecting food for God's Open Hands, and recycling items.