Cherokee Charter Academy recently honored Karen Collins, a dear parent who spent a significant amount of time volunteering at the state-authorized public charter school. On Monday, Aug. 27, the school held a special ceremony to dedicate the school’s elementary STEM lab to Mrs. Collins.
Collins passed away early last month. Shortly after her death, her husband approached Principal April Wallis to let her know that friends and family were asked to make contributions to Cherokee Charter Academy in lieu of flowers. He asked for the school to decide on a purpose for the funds raised. The school’s leadership team decided to use the money given in Collins’ honor to purchase supplies for the school’s elementary STEM lab.
“I am humbled to be able to remember Karen’s legacy,” said April Wallis, Principal of Cherokee Charter Academy. “This is a fantastic opportunity for us to continue to supplement our elementary curriculum.” (Wallis is pictured with Collins’ husband above).
Collins’ friends and family donated a total of $15,000. The school plans to purchase iPods, probes, a 3-D printer and other STEM kits for student use in the lab.
