The Salisbury Post presents a “Year in Review.”

As 2023 winds down, we here at the Salisbury Post take a look back on memorable moments of the year, from stories that made us laugh to those that stole a tear. Some stories left us scratching our heads, but a complete puzzle requires all the pieces. So goes life. 

This three-part series explores those memories. Today’s edition contains highlights from January through April.

January

Massive fire completely destroys historic East Spencer building (Jan. 10)

By Elisabeth Strillacci 

EAST SPENCER — An intense, massive fire caused such extensive damage to a historic former school and administration office on North Long Street in town that it was determined a total loss, according to officials.

The fire started late Saturday afternoon and, even with response from three counties, continued to burn well into the night. Even into Sunday and Monday, hot spots continued to flare, and the basement was flooded. Investigators have still been unable to get into the building to determine where or how the fire started.

Sometime around 5:30 p.m. Saturday afternoon, neighbors and firefighters alike began smelling smoke along North Long Street, according to officials. A neighbor knocked on the door of the fire department, which is directly across the street from the former administration and school building, saying he knew there was a fire somewhere, but he was not sure where. Firefighters began searching for the source, and sometime before 6:30 p.m., smoke was spotted coming from the building across the street, at 110 North Long St.

A first alarm was called, followed quickly by a second, and by 7:20 p.m. a third alarm was issued. Heavy smoke and high flames were initially knocked back, then resurged through the center of the roof of the building before fanning out to both sides. As the building continued to burn, a fifth alarm was sounded and mutual aid from three counties arrived to help both bring water in tankers and help try to get control of the blaze.

According to East Spencer Fire Chief Shawn McBride, during the fire, hoses were connected to three separate hydrants and five tankers were hauling water to deliver to the supply pool.

“We were flowing thousands and thousands of gallons of water a minute using three aerial devices and hand lines,” he described. “When that amount of water is needed, it has the ability to restrict the town’s water source. This is the reason we have to haul water into the town, while using the hydrant system simultaneously. I applaud all members of East Spencer fire department for the job they do and for responding (Saturday) night to combat this fire. I applaud each county fire department that assisted us (Saturday) night as well. We do our best to provide service to the town of East Spencer with what we have.”

 

Livingstone culinary students host homeless for meal (Jan. 15)

By Chandler Inions

SALISBURY — Many remember the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for his advocacy of civil rights for Black Americans, but he also pledged commitment to serving his fellow man. In January, Livingstone College culinary students honored King’s legacy by feeding area homeless at the Salisbury Civic Center.

Under the leadership of chefs Elizabeth Marquez and Carl Brown, Livingstone College culinary arts students gave away 41 packaged lunch boxes of turkey and cheddar sandwiches, roast beef and Swiss sandwiches, cookies, chips, fruit and water. They also served homemade chicken noodle soup with crackers.

Livingstone College senior Tionna Reed explained that the engagement provided more than just an opportunity to practice meal prep. For her, the most rewarding element of the Friday event was conversing with many people from various backstories.

“We aren’t going to call them needy or homeless because everybody has a different story,” Reed said. “Being able to give back to anyone is heartwarming for us. We never know what situation someone might be in, but being able to contribute by giving to them is just an awesome feeling.”

Junior social work major Shawnae Robertson added, “This is really a big learning experience for me, being able to help and do God’s work. I just helped a lady take her food to her car, and she had a child inside. It hurts, but it’s good I could help contribute to her and her child.”

Connie Woodbury shares Reed’s and Robertson’s views.

“When the wintertime comes, that is the time when people really need something, especially when people are homeless,” Woodberry said. “I think this is great what we are doing.”

 

High school boys swimming: Mustangs win first county title in 24 years (Jan. 19)

By Mike London

SALISBURY — The victory by East Rowan’s boys in this year’s Rowan County Swimming Championships at Hurley YMCA was one for the books.

The Mustangs rule the pool in the county for the first time since 1999, the second year a countywide meet was held.

There wasn’t anything routine about it. East’s boys won with a head coach — Amanda Snider Trexler — who gave birth to a son on Jan. 6.

That presented an unusual dynamic.

“She just had the baby, so it’s been a real team coaching effort between her and Karen Cawley,” East AD David Andrews explained. “But Amanda was there for the county meet to coach them on.”

South Rowan is always tough to beat in the county meet, while Carson has jumped into contention in recent years with some of the county’s elite swimmers.

But the Mustangs got it done with 272 points. South edged Carson 217-215 for second. Next came Salisbury (131), West Rowan (111) and North Rowan (29).

Jon Heidrick coached East for a very long time. He handed off the baton to Trexler, who had been his assistant for two seasons, back in 2019-20.

“We’ve got a small team, so our boys have to be really versatile,” Trexler said. “They have pushed themselves through sickness and through injuries and they have worked hard to make themselves better swimmers.  They learned new strokes, swam longer distances and kept positivity for the team.”

Strategizing on ways to win the county meet, Trexler and Cawley had to think outside the box.

“Coach Cawley and I wanted to use everyone as best as possible, which meant boys competing in events they don’t always do,” Trexler said. “Nick Cioci really impressed with finishing first in the 500 free, which is not a normal event for him. Isaac Cawley, who’s been battling an injury all season, pushed for two first-place finishes and helped our relay teams. Cameron Ritchie has worked so hard to improve his times all season, and along with other boys, he has already qualified for several individual events for regionals.”

East won two of the three relays. That’s always big. Relay points count double what the individual events do.

Cawley, Carson Ritchie, Josh Gardner and Cameron Ritchie won the 200 free relay and they won the 400 free relay that closed the meet.

Meet co-MVPs Cameron Ritchie and Cawley both had undefeated, 4-for-4 days.

 

A boy and his chicken — pet, that is (Jan. 29)

By Elisabeth Strillacci

When Keegan Ray met a friend’s pet chicken, even at 7 years old, he knew he had to have one of his own.

In September of 2021, he got his wish, when 4-month-old Penelope, a silver duck wing chicken, joined his family. Keegan and Penelope have been nearly inseparable in the year and a half since.

Until, that is, just over a week ago, on Saturday, Jan.21.

Keegan, now 9, and mom Cassandra Ray often take Penelope to play at Bell Tower Green park.

“Penelope is the sweetest chicken,” said Cassandra. “My son has tamed her very well. Everywhere we go people dote on her and just love petting her or giving her a treat. So, she loves people. She has been to Bell Tower since we moved here in August many times. She loves it there. She can scratch in the dirt and chase people down for their food or drinks. She is the cutest.”

But last Saturday, Penelope wandered a little too far away, and another family, which also has chickens, thought she had been abandoned. So they took her home.

Meanwhile, Keegan was frantically looking for her, and Cassandra said, “I was frantically running around the playground asking kids and parents if they had seen anyone with a small chicken.”

Having no luck at the park, mom and son then went door to door looking for Penelope.

They reported the missing mini-chicken to police and asked to review video footage of the park.

That night was not an easy one.

“I couldn’t sleep,” said Keegan, who kept getting up to check on her, forgetting she was not at home in her own little cage. “I kept saying, ‘My baby, my baby,'” Keegan quipped. And his voice was happy in telling about that first night’s trauma, because the next day, the family that had taken her home got word from someone who had seen Cassandra’s Facebook post, and they called.

“We arranged to meet at Kohl’s,” Cassandra said, “and Keegan was so happy to see her.” Penelope, they said, was calm about the whole situation, at least at first. Two days after coming home, she had some tummy troubles, but has since recovered, and even laid an egg.

Keegan and his family are animal lovers across the board. They have two American pit bull terriers, and at one point, Keegan had a pet turkey named Tom that he tamed and trained.

Cassandra said they have every intention of going back to the park with Penelope, but with one addition.

“We’re going to get her a tiny little harness so we don’t lose her again,” she said.

“She’s sitting on my shoulder right now,” Keegan said while he was recounting her adventure Wednesday night. “Right where she belongs.”

 

February 

West’s Hercules wins state title (Feb. 19)

By Mike London

GREENSBORO — West Rowan heavyweight Christian Hercules won the 3A state wrestling championship.

Hercules (47-1) pinned all four of his opponents in the three-day event.

He beat Central Davidson’s Jackson Greene in Saturday’s final.

Hercules is West’s first state wrestling champ in 33 years. Steve Oliphant, the most recent West champ, prevailed at 171  pounds in 1990.

Hercules was coached by Jonathan Brown, who won a state championship wrestling for East Rowan in 1992.

 

Dynamite discovered in Cleveland prompts bomb squad response (Feb. 24)

By Chandler Inions 

Trained explosive technicians were called into Rowan County after a Cleveland man discovered a dated amount of dynamite on his Mountain Road property.

According to Corey Ray, the public information officer for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Charlotte Office, personnel from the ATF joined the Cabarrus County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad to access the scene and the surrounding property after explosive materials were found in an older structure undergoing renovations. 

Out of an abundance of caution, investigators took protective measures in assessing and securing the structure and the surrounding property, looking to protect the nearby area from any potential detonation during disposal operations. No criminal intent was found.

The stretch of Mountain Road near the property in question was closed off to traffic while authorities worked the scene. 

The outparcel structure where the dynamite was found was described as an old barn by Rowan County Chief Deputy Jason Owens. When the property owner discovered and reported it, authorities determined that it was too dangerous to move, so the bomb squads were called in. 

Since Rowan County does not have a specialized explosive team, Cabarrus County is called in for these matters. The Cabarrus County bomb squad similarly services Iredell, Stanly and Union counties in addition to its own.

 

Putting themselves in those shoes: Salisbury students recreate iconic integration-era photos (Feb. 28)

By Chandler Inions

SALISBURY — Preserving history takes more than a glass display case.

Students at Salisbury High School took part in a unique and immersive way to learn about Black History Month through recreations of integration-era school photos at prominent locations of the city’s Civil Rights figures.

Donning ’60s fashion, students became living versions of photos preserved from the time period. Taking part in the project illuminated to several students just how recently the student life they now take for granted would have been unimaginable.

Salisbury High’s student support specialist Centerra Harris indicated the importance of imparting the content in a relatable and meaningful way.

“If you don’t learn it, history stops with you,” Harris said.

For sophomore Shamaya Cherise Evans, the project was empowering.

“I felt powerful in myself because I am African American,” Evans said. “The history behind the photograph, it was really something powerful.”

Multiple locations were selected around Salisbury for the photo project, including the hospital for Blacks on Horah Street and the former Dunbar and Price high schools that served as the Black high schools during segregation.

“We would never have had an idea that there were people who went to Dunbar,” said junior McKenna Saylor. “When you go by there now, it looks like it’s broken and that people trashed it. Being able to learn about it really touched my heart. We would have never known since we are younger, but being able to recreate it brought us together as Black people.”

Ninth grader Brooklynne Witherspoon, who was in pictures taken at Price, added, “I didn’t know a lot about Price at first. I just thought it was a regular building. I didn’t realize how much history was there.”

For many students, the layers of Black history just require being peeled back to reveal how much there is in Salisbury. For instance, it was the site of a non-violent sit-in at a Main Street lunch counter around the same time as the famous movement that took place in Greensboro.

In reference to the then-unheard-of idea of Blacks eating at the same place as white patrons, Mayzonetta “Miss Mary” Lash wrote in her diary on March 7, 1960, “Negroes ate at the drug counters. A crack in the door. It will open wide as time goes on.”

Thanks to the efforts of the staff at Salisbury High, those moments are living on through their students.

“Living in the moment was satisfying for me,” Evans said. “Black history to me is more than Black history. It’s the Black people who come together to make that history. As a generation, we are part of that history, and we are going to make changes in this world.”

Throughout the past month, the students at Salisbury High have explored numerous elements of Black history and culture, from music to food to education.

The content during Black food week celebrated Black-owned businesses and the cultural enormity of Soul Food. On Feb. 17, students dined on chicken, mac and cheese, yams and collard greens.

“We learned about why it’s called soul food because it literally touches your soul,” Witherspoon said. “That stuff is good.”

Representatives from Greek organizations and various academic institutions visited Salisbury’s campus. The event coincided with a career fair highlighting professional opportunities and the Black pioneers that paved the way to make those possibilities a reality.

“I feel like we don’t learn as much about our history as we should,” Evans said.

With the efforts at Salisbury High, perhaps not knowing about the past will become a thing of the past.

 

March

Post switches to mail carrier delivery (March 2)

By John Carr

This move represented a big change to how our subscribers received their paper. While the change altered your news consumption, we thank you for staying with us, so that we can continue to provide local news for Rowan County. 

We know this is a big change, and while some will welcome it, others will have questions. We hope all our readers will understand that it is the best option we could find for helping ensure consistent delivery service on all routes and keeping subscription rates affordable.

 A few of the most commonly asked questions:

• Will my subscription rate go up? No. Holding subscription and advertising rates in check is one of the main reasons for the change.
• Will I still get the paper on the same days? Yes. We have a special permit with the post office to provide same-day delivery. Subscribers will actually get Sunday’s paper early, with their Saturday mail. If you do not get your paper on schedule please contact our circulation department.
• Will I get the paper with my regular mail? Yes. As a bonus your paper will be in the mailbox, tube or slot, giving it much better weather, theft and protection from misplacement. 

We express our thanks and gratitude, both to our great group of solid carriers, and to the loyal subscribers, of whom we have many. Especially those who have been on the few snakebit routes. We are well aware of how frustrating it was at times, and cannot thank you enough for reading the Post.

 

Spencer gets mural fever (March 9)

By Elisabeth Strillacci 

SPENCER — The town of Spencer is joining other area communities in contracting for the design and painting of a mural that will be a self-portrait of the city’s history.

Skye Allan, lead for the North Carolina Fellows from the UNC School of Government and Americorps, is working with the city on a dual project that involves both the design and execution of a new mural that will represent the town’s history, and includes the restoration of 11 “ghost signs” along Salisbury Avenue.

“Ghost signs are unrestored murals,” said Allan, “and we are in the process of restoring 11 of them. But the train mural is, also, a separate project.”

One of the more well-known murals in town, the train mural is on the side of the brick building that houses a new Mexican restaurant, Queso Salsa, and it faces the corner gas station and is visible to anyone driving up Salisbury Avenue toward Salisbury. According to Allan, the mural had some difficulties coming to life, and the underlying facade was already suffering. Currently the sale of the building is in progress, and Allan says once complete, some work will need to be done repointing the brick before any painting can happen, the city does plan for a new mural to be painted.

The completely new mural that represents the town’s history will be painted down the side of the new city hall and police department, said Allan, and the city has contracted with artist Britt Flood.

“We have a committee working on designs with the artist right now,” she said. “Rather than something too literal, we are hoping for something more like the industry murals of Detroit, painted by artist Diego Rivera. We are hoping it can capture the labor and the industry in our history, but also the domestics and those in service, and even a bit of our slave history, because they were a big part of the building of this city.”

The Downtown Spencer Mural Committee is a group of enthusiastic people who are hoping to get visitors and residents alike to “come across the street from the Transportation Museum and get to know us a little.”

To make that even easier, Allan said the new murals will have QR codes on them, much like Charlotte’s Southeast Mural Walk. Scanning the code on a cell phone will bring up additional information on the buildings, the city and act like a self-guided tour.

“We want it to be interactive and engaging and fun,” she said.

This is another step forward for the city in the revitalization of its downtown, and Allan pointed out that there is another project coming that should also be a big draw. A large portion of the current parking lot in front of the town call is going to become a park, she said.

“The goal is for people to get to know Spencer, see all it has to offer and want to spend more time here,” she said.

 

Two crowns: Salisbury, West girls claim state titles (March 14)

By Mike London

West Rowan and Salisbury claimed state girls basketball titles, with both games being shown statewide on TV.

West claimed a 60-50 victory over Rocky Mount in the 3A girls basketball state championship game played at Reynolds Coliseum in Raleigh. The Falcons finished 31-0 to tie the 2003–04 Salisbury Hornets for the most victories by a Rowan girls program without a loss.

Salisbury’s girls won their second straight 2A state title, this time 48-39 over Seaforth at the Dean Smith Center in Chapel Hill after starting out the game by getting down 13-0. The Hornets (27-3) made up for that slow start by controlling the game at the end.

 

Juke picks the Deacs (March 24)

By Mike London

SALISBURY — As a crowd of Salisbury Hornet fans looked on with great anticipation in the school gym, Juke Harris grinned and reached for a Wake Forest baseball cap.

Then he unzipped his jacket to reveal a Wake Forest T-shirt.

Harris, surrounded by family and multi-colored balloons, received a standing ovation for his visual announcement before he read a statement.

Harris, who had trimmed a long list of offers down to a final six of Wake Forest, Virginia Tech, Miami, Tennessee, LSU and Kansas, picked the Winston-Salem-based Demon Deacons, who are only about 35 miles away from Salisbury.

Wake Forest was a popular choice, not just because Harris will compete in the ACC, but because he’ll be close enough for family, friends and Hornet fans to continue to watch him play. That would have been very tough if he’d headed to Kansas, Miami or LSU.

Harris declared his choice to be the hardest decision of his life, but it wasn’t a surprise. He liked Wake Forest’s style of play all along and he has developed a strong relationship with Wake head coach Steve Forbes and his staff since the summer months. Wake coaches have watched him often, and Harris has made visits to Wake Forest.

Tennessee reportedly finished second in the battle for a Harris commitment.

Harris blew up in a big way last summer during the AAU season and elevated from off the charts to national top-50 recruit. Entering his sophomore season, his only offer was from Western Carolina.

Harris is the second commitment in the Class of 2024 for the Deacons.

April

Cleveland commissioner Gabriel dies at age 66 after serving nearly three decades (April 8)

By Chandler Inions

The town of Cleveland is mourning the loss of one of its native sons after Commissioner Danny Gabriel died on April 6 after a bout with pancreatic cancer.

He was 66.

Gabriel served on the Cleveland Board of Commissioners for nearly three decades. He was also the mayor for a short stint. Those who worked with Gabriel at town hall remember him as a man who didn’t do anything for the recognition but only because he believed it was the right thing to do.

“He cared about everybody,” said John Bradford, one of Gabriel’s fellow commissioners. Bradford described Gabriel as an honest, gentle soul.

Commissioner Richard Taylor added, “(Gabriel) was always such an easygoing and easy to get along with type of person. He had a lot of positive influence on things. We will miss that and miss him.”

Mayor Pro Tem Travis Summitt worked with Gabriel at the Cleveland Fire Department and said that’s where he got to know him really well. Summitt said it was through Gabriel’s guidance he even decided to run for office.

“I talked with Danny because I respected him so much,” Summitt said. “When I did run and got on the board, he was always one I looked to for advice about how to conduct myself and talk during the meetings.”

Summitt expressed gratitude for having shared a recent encounter with Gabriel.

“The day before he passed, I stopped by his house,” Summitt said. “He was having a really good day. I got to talk to him for a while. It was the old Danny I remember. That is the last picture I have of him, and I will cherish that.”

Commissioner Gerald Osborne recalled a young Gabriel working in the community grocery store as a teenager in the early 1970s. Now the trouble of moving forward without Gabriel faces the board.

“We are all having to adjust to Danny being gone,” Osborn said.

Like those on the board, Mayor Patrick Phifer and Gabriel went way back.

“I have never not known Danny,” Phifer said. “It’s killing me. He was like a brother to me. We’re all family here.”

There are many things Phifer will miss, but he will always remember the man who never did anything for the credit.

“Danny was one person that never needed to get patted on the back,” Phifer said. “He just took care of stuff because it needed to be done.”

Gabriel’s absence will be felt as the board convenes on Monday for a regularly scheduled meeting, but as the mayor put it, the whole town is at a loss.

“We didn’t just lose a commissioner,” Phifer said. “We lost a good friend.”

 

Katie Efird’s Boston Marathon dream comes true (April 20)

By David Freeze

Katie Efird, a 35-year-old mother of two small children, had a dream.

“I’ve wanted to run the Boston Marathon for as long as I can remember,” she said. “My dad ran Boston in 1975 and 1987, and I’ve always wanted to follow in his footsteps. Even at a young age I knew the Boston Marathon was something special, and I knew it was difficult to qualify, which was appealing to me. I’ve always liked a challenge, but I didn’t fully appreciate the race and its history until later in my adult life.”

Besides her dad, both older brothers were also runners. Katie started doing fun runs at 5 years old and the highlight of her week at school was running a mile in PE on Mondays. The family spent many Saturday mornings at local road races.

“I think I ran my first 5K when I was about 7 or 8. Over the course of my life, my running has ebbed and flowed depending on the season I was in, but I’ve always considered myself a runner,” he said. “Scripture tells us to run with endurance the race that is set before us, and one of the reasons I love running so much is that it’s so analogous to the Christian life.”

Efird stays home with her two kids, ages 3 and 6, and homeschools the oldest, while her husband, Caleb, works for Food Lion. Caleb started getting into running a couple years back and joined his wife as they ran with other local runners.

She said, “Running regularly with others gave me fresh excitement and passion for running, and my friends encouraged me to try to qualify. Boston is a favorite for runners, and I heard them say what an incredible experience it is.”

After watching a documentary on the Boston Marathon, Efird became fascinated with the history of the race. She read more about Boston’s early beginnings, rich history and especially about the tragic 2013 Boston Marathon bombings. She was moved by how the 2014 event became even more unifying and patriotic for the city and the runners. Three people were killed and over 500 injured near the finish line.

Entry into Boston requires a qualifying race and Efird did hers at the Tobacco Road Marathon in Cary last year.

“I have been training for Boston for 20 weeks using a plan from the Boston Athletic Association. I am blessed to have completed the vast majority of my training runs with friends,” she said. “Whether it was grinding out hill repeats, putting in speed-work at the track, or spending a few hours on a Saturday morning long run, someone was always willing to join me. On cold dark mornings, it’s easier to get out of bed knowing I had friends waiting for me.”

Katie and Caleb Efird flew to Boston on Saturday and had a jam-packed schedule before returning home on Tuesday. Katie is Rowan’s only Boston Marathon entry this year, but she is grateful to experience the race in person. She said, “This Patriot’s Day marks 10 years since the bombing, so significant to me to pay tribute to those affected that day, especially the runners and first responders. I got to run on the same exact roads that so many other amazing athletes have competed before!”

And run she did, Efird fulfilled her dream on Monday by completing the 127th Boston Marathon. She clocked 3 hours, 17 minutes and 33 seconds on a rainy and cool day amid 30,000 other runners.

 

As easy as riding a bike: Millbridge students pick up new life skill (April 27)

By Chandler Inions

CHINA GROVE — Riding a bike might be easy, but learning to ride a bike is a whole different story.

Millbridge Elementary PE teacher Jocelyn Shuping introduced the All Kids Bike program to Musketeer kindergartners earlier this year. After completing the eight-week program, about 100 students have a new life skill.

“The kids did a very good job,” Shuping said. “At the beginning of the program, I thought it was a really good and pleasant surprise to see how well they were doing.”

Ava Jones and Brayson Miller are two kindergarten students who completed the program.

“It was hard trying to learn to ride a bike,” Miller said. “You had to get used to it and try to not crash.”

Jones added that it was challenging at times, but her teacher helped encourage them along the way.

“It was very fun,” Jones said. “We like Ms. Shuping really much.”

Shuping explained that the program takes the training wheels out of the process and forces the students to explore and learn the concepts involved.

“The bicycles are balance bikes, so they don’t have training wheels or the pedals yet,” Shuping said. “Most were really successful at getting on the bikes, being able to sit on there and then being able to run. The next step was being able to pick your feet up off the floor and having them kind of ride around and do the laps without having their feet on the floor. They call it striding or gliding.”

After spring break, Shuping applied the pedals to the bicycles.

“Many (of the students) were able to start picking their feet up and putting their feet on the pedals,” Shuping said. “Also having to learn, they have the brakes built-in on the pedals too where they can push back and be able to stop with that.”

The program permits the students to go through the steps in a safe-controlled environment while mastering the concepts in a for-learning setting.

“One of the best parts of it was being able to provide an activity like learning to ride a bike in a public school setting where students may go home and not live on a safe enough road to be able to learn that, or maybe they don’t have a paved driveway,” Shuping said. “They may not even have a bicycle at home.”

Shuping remarked that the skills learned would also go a long way toward general development.

“Learning how to balance and other skills are developmental milestones that riding a bike provides,” Shuping said. “Being able to hopefully get them moving around more at home, ultimately, was the goal. It has been very rewarding to have this program, and they have done a really good job.”

Principal Lyndsey Pelusi’s child was one such success story.

“I was ready to throw the bicycle in a trash can because I was so tired of trying to teach my child how to do it until Ms. Shuping got this grant,” Pelusi said. “In three weeks, my kid was able to ride a bicycle thanks to her.”

The program offers a warranty for 7-10 years, so Shuping is optimistic that some students who will use them to learn have yet to be born.

“We have about 100 kindergartners now,” Shuping said. “We are looking forward to how many students it can impact over the years. It’s exciting to think about.”