Alma Schrader Council named Group Asset Builder of the Year

The Character Council at Alma Schrader Elementary School was named Group Asset Builder of the Year by THRIVE at the third Annual Asset Celebration at Osage Community Center, May 29. Two of the Character Council's initiatives, The Go Green Recycling Team and the Tiger Buddies program were recognized. The Go Green Recycling Team quadrupled the amount of recycling at Alma Schrader. Tiger Buddies is a peer mentoring program in which fourth-grade students are paired with younger "buddies" to reinforce the importance of good character and making good choices. Tiger Buddies give up their recess time to read and practice academic and social skills with their younger buddies. The Thrive Initiative is sponsored by the Community Caring Council and the United Way of Southeast Missouri.

Pictured below, front row, are Alma Schrader Elementary Character Council members Emily Harris, Andrea Guebert, Elizabeth Orr and Alex Miller. Back row are Anthony Wilson and sponsor Julia Unnerstall. Unnerstall, a Counselor at Alma Schrader, was recently named Teacher of the Year by the American Legion for her efforts in teaching patriotism in the schools. Unnerstall is the driving force behind Constitution Day at Alma Schrader, which each year honors veterans and servicemen, as well as those who serve in city government, law enforcement or fire fighting professions. She joined the Cape School District in 1996, and is the first counselor honored as a Teacher of the Year by the local American Legion post.