Carpenter Year-Round Elementary School became the fourth Lake Orion School to receive the Michigan Blue Ribbon Exemplary School Award in a special ceremony at the school on March 28.
Students, parents and staff joined together to celebrate as they were congratulated by Lake Orion Community Schools Superintendent Dr. Craig Younkman, Superintendent of Public Instruction for the State of Michigan Thomas Watkins, and State Representative for District 46 Ruth Johnson.
Younkman told the crowd that Carpenter winning the Blue Ribbon did not happen by accident.
“What it really comes down to is the people seated around this room,” he said.
Watkins said it is important for the State of Michigan to recognize schools like Carpenter.
“I asked a little boy before the ceremony what he thought made Carpenter great, and he said ‘(Our teachers) truly care about us,'” said Watkins. “This is a ‘wow’ moment.”
Johnson presented Carpenter Principal Rose Edwards with a flag that was flown over the Capitol Building in Lansing, along with a plaque recognizing the Blue Ribbon Award for Carpenter.
Edwards also read a special letter from Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm, congratulating Carpenter on their accomplishments.