September 7, 2023
By: Dwayne Page
DeKalb County High School renewed its monthly observance Thursday of recognizing a teacher, student, and parent of the month for August.
Each received a certificate from the school and a gift card for a meal from El Rancho. A different restaurant offers a meal gift card to each month’s honorees.
Hope Carter, Comprehensive Development Classroom (CDC)/Special Education educator, was selected by the administration as Teacher of the Month while Senior Brynn Harvey is Student of the Month, voted on by the teachers. Parent of the month is Paula Diego and this honor was based on a winning essay written by her daughter, Annaly Diego, a Freshman at DCHS.
“I am very blessed,” said Harvey when told she was voted “Student of the Month. I’m excited. It makes me very happy to know they (teachers) see my efforts”.
17-year-old daughter of Jennifer Harvey and Andrew and Alyssa Harvey, Brynn said she serves as a student assistant for one of her teachers at school and helps out with another class. She is Captain of the high school tennis team and holds the Class of 2024 Reporter position.
After graduation, Brynn said she wants to attend Tennessee Tech and major in Education. She hopes to one day return to the school system as a teacher.
“Brynn was nominated by a teacher here at the school for “Student of the Month”, said DCHS Assistant Principal Thomas Cagle. “All the other teachers voted on the student of the month from that list of students and Brynn was chosen. She is awesome. Brynn helps out in so many ways with different clubs, activities, and events. She always has a great attitude and a big smile. Brynn is exceptional all the way around and I think its awesome that the teachers recognized her attributes. We are excited to have Brynn as our Student of the Month for August,” said Cagle.
Paula Diego was honored as “Parent of the Month” although she was unable to attend the recognition observance due to her having to work.
Annaly, Diego’s 14-year-old daughter, authored and submitted the essay in tribute to her mom.
“My mom has sacrificed a lot for us in our time with her and she has been one of the strongest people for us. She has always been there as our rock and to encourage and lift us up when we are down. We can talk to her about almost anything. She is the strongest person that we know. A single mom, she works two jobs and still finds a way to provide for and spend time with us and make sure we have everything we need and that we are always happy,” said Annaly.
“She is the best,” added Annaly’s 17-year-old sister Olivia, a Senior at DCHS. “I wouldn’t be where I am at without my mom,” she said.
After her high school years, Annaly said she would like to attend college at either Tennessee Tech or MTSU and one day start a small business.
“I would like to start my own business baking and crocheting because my grandmother taught me how to crochet and my mom sends me recipes sometimes”.
Annaly is a member of the Service Society, BETA, and Literature Clubs at DCHS.
After reading through all the essays, Assistant Principal Cagle said it was easy to see why Annaly’s paper stood out.
“We had several submissions for our first essay this month, but Annaly did an especially good job. The purpose of these essays is for students to be able to tell us the amazing and great things their parents are doing for them whether it be sacrifices they have made or everyday encouragement. Annaly’s essay was one that just reached out to me and (Assistant Principal) Ms Jenny Norris when we were going through all the essays. It’s a great example of the hard work and sacrifice that our parents and guardians go through for our students each and every day to be able to make their children as successful as possible while they are here at DCHS,” said Cagle.
As for teacher of the month, Cagle said it was fitting that Hope Carter get the honor because she has earned it.
“This is her second year here at the school. She took the place of Daniel Seber after he left last year to become Register of Deeds. She has done an amazing job. She came in learning while on the job. Hope and I have worked a lot together. She does amazing work with the CDC kids. The relationships she has been able to build and cultivate with those students is inspiring. She does such a good job working with them and also does a great job communicating with us (administration) and other teachers about the needs and ways we can help her help those students. We always try to find ways to make it a better day for them and she does a really good job leading that charge. We are very proud of her and grateful to have her here at the high school,” said Cagle.
“This is a blessing”, said Carter. “Its been an honor to be here at the high school and work with these kids and help them in any way I can. I love what I am doing. I wake up every day excited to be here”.
Originally from Lascassas , Carter said she moved to Alexandria about three years ago. She is a graduate of Watertown High School. Currently, Carter is working on a Master’s degree at Cumberland University. Previously she earned her bachelor’s degree in biology at MTSU.
Before coming to the high school last year, Carter spent over a year at DeKalb West School.
Carter has more reason to be excited. She recently became engaged to be married at some future date to Cody Hale.