Phoenix Academy High School teacher, Vivian Connell, seeks to take her students to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. as her last great act as an educator.

Connell feels a whole day at the Holocaust museum would have a positive and permanent impact on the lives of her students.

“I think it would be a great motivator for them to encourage them to follow in this path of being engaged and speaking out,” says Connell. “I wanted them to have that equal opportunity that we talk so much about and so often fail to deliver.”

Unfortunately, her field trip plan comes with a ticking clock. Connell has been recently diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease, or ALS, a degenerative disease that is pushing her to act quickly while there is still time. She says that by this time next year, she will most likely no longer be capable of teaching, which is why she desires for this to all come together.

Though such news may seem daunting for most, Connell wants to turn this tragedy into a blessing for her students.

“I don’t know if it would have happened without the ALS,” Connell says. “I am a believer that the fabric of our lives is pretty intentionally woven, and so it’s my job to make the most of today and the situation that is.”

In order to pay for transportation, food, and lodging, Connell and her team required $20,000 to make it happen. Much to their surprise, they received over $30,000 from the community for many other opportunities for the students to experience during their time in D.C. The generosity was much more than Connell expected.

While Connell is striving to make this trip for her students memorable as possible, one of her students, Jermishia Baldwin, desires the same for Connell.

“It really means a lot because, since this might be her last year teaching,” says Baldwin. “I feel like this year should be extravagant for her and should be a very memorable year for her.”

To learn more about Vivian Connell and her goal, click here.

Related Stories
‹
Hometown Hero: John Williams
This week’s Hometown Hero, presented by Hendrick Acura Southpoint, is John Williams, the president of the Phoenix Academy in Chapel Hill. Williams was recognized as Principal of the Year in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City School System in 2017 and was also recently honored with the Duke Energy Citizenship and Service Award. “Several people have approached […]
Hometown Heroes: Walkout Organizers
This week's WCHL Hometown Heroes are the local high school students who organized a walkout on March 14 to raise awareness for gun violence across the country.
Students Call for Action During Walkout
Wednesday was an emotional day for students in Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Hillsborough and across the country. Students at East Chapel Hill High School began their morning in their restorative circles – a monthly discussion on an important topic where students drive the conversation. Other recent topics have focused on sexual harassment and other issues. Wednesday’s […]
John Williams Is CHCCS Principal Of The Year
John Williams, CHCCS' 2017-18 Principal of the Year, is principal at Phoenix Academy High School.
Lincoln Center Redevelopment Approved by Chapel Hill Officials
Plans to redevelop the Lincoln Center have been under consideration by the Chapel Hill Town Council since 2015, but enough votes were garnered in a recent meeting to put those plans into action. Dr. Todd LoFrese, an assistant superintendent with Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools, appeared before council members on Monday to elaborate on projected enrollment […]
Rezoning Approved for Lincoln Center Expansion in Chapel Hill
Local residents and school district employees appeared before the Chapel Hill Town Council earlier in the week to discuss the proposed redevelopment of the Lincoln Center. Kerry Moore, the director of preschool programs for Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools, steered the discussion toward plans to establish a centralized preschool on the campus. “If we were to […]
Phoenix Academy To Graduate Four Friday
Four students will graduate Friday from Pheonix Academy Friday.
›