Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. This has been the mantra of nutritionists for ages, and educators certainly recognize the importance of this meal when it comes to factors that affect student performance.  With that in mind, the Robertsdale High School faculty and staff set out to enlist the aid of businesses and organizations in the Robertsdale community in order to provide a nutritional breakfast for all RHS students taking the Alabama High School Graduation Exam during the week of March 23.

The response was overwhelming! The RHS staff, faculty, administrators, and PTA volunteers served about 1,500 breakfasts over a five-day testing period.  This was made possible through generous food and monetary donations from Sonic, McDonalds of Loxley, Magnolia Blossom Café, Mama Lou’s Restaurant, the Central Baldwin Education Foundation, Riviera Utilities, Baldwin EMC, the Baldwin County Academic and Sports Foundation, and RHS teachers.

On Friday of testing week, students with 100% attendance on testing days were treated to a coke and pizza party, courtesy of Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Domino’s Pizza, and the school. Coca-Cola also sponsored a special event for all students, an appearance by Siran Stacy (pictured). Stacy, a former University of Alabama and NFL player, tragically lost his wife and four children when a drunk driver slammed into their van in 2007.  He has since formed a foundation that reaches out to help others. Stacy’s presentation captivated RHS students as he spoke about setting goals and learning from every life experience.

When asked to sum up the week’s events, assistant principal Dr. Rachael McDaniel replied, “The community support for our students during the graduation exam was overwhelming. We appreciate all the hard work from our community members, parents, teachers and students.”