As an educator and an alum of J.Z. George High School, Anteeatta Archie-Swims said when she learned that Gov. Tate Reeves had ordered for schools to be closed for the remainder of the year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, she was devastated.
Archie-Swims said after being added her former school district’s Adopt-a-Senior page, she researched if there was a group at J.Z. George High.
“I enjoy being an educator working tirelessly to make a difference through my civic service career. I was recently added to my former school district's #AdoptASenior initiative on Facebook, so I researched online to see if this action had occurred in my own hometown. When I didn't see a group as such, I literally got on Facebook and started the group for J.Z. George High School seniors. It was on a Friday,” Archie-Swims said.
She said the only tool she’s used to accomplish her goal is Facebook. She stepped out on faith, not knowing what the reception behind it would be.
“Given these unprecedented circumstances with COVID-19 and the stay-at-home order, social media has become an even more essential tool during these difficult times,” she said. “I utilized Facebook as a means of starting this initiative because I knew the masses of people had Facebook accounts.”
She said the initiative is a way for those in the community to show their support for the Seniors.
“The #AdoptASenior is basically an initiative to provide support to Seniors and Graduates during these difficult times. Supports may include gifts, monetary donations, gift cards, gift baskets, kind words, etc.,” she said.
Archie-Swims said the reception to her leap of faith to help the Senior Class of J.Z. George has been “phenomenal, to say the least.”
“The page seemed as if it went viral over the course of the weekend. From only a few members to over 500 members in the course of a weekend, people offered their support for J.Z. Seniors in such great style,” she said. “At present (as I know of), all students have been adopted, and some have been adopted multiple times by different people. Many individuals are also inquiring about Seniors who have not been adopted, so I try to ask around and get names of students for posting in the group.”
Archie-Swims said right now, she doesn’t have anything planned for the Class of 2020, but it’s under consideration.
She said the group had a snowball effect and it turned into a community effort not just through Facebook but through word-of-mouth as well.
“All I did was start the group, but this initiative has definitely been a community effort. While I know that many people do not have Facebook pages, I posed the question in the group for parents and community members to seek out Seniors and Families who may not be informed of the group page.” Archie-Swims said. “Members began to invite other members, post names of students and/or parents of Senior students, ask around through phone calls or texts, and really embraced this initiative and bought-in to the cause. I cannot take all the credit; as this was definitely a community effort.”
She said for her, Carrollton will always be home, and the show of faith from the community shows the love and support the residents of Carroll County and anyone connected to the county in anyway, has for one another.
“I stepped out on faith with the #AdoptASenior group on Facebook not knowing the receptiveness of this idea. The love shown has definitely proven that in these difficult times, Carroll County members, individuals with ties to Carroll County, and so many others have embraced the idea to support our J.Z. George Seniors and their Families. While I no longer live in Carrollton, this is still my home, and it always will be,” she said. “Through this Random Act of Kindness, I just hope this initiative was able to demonstrate our love and support for our J.Z. George Seniors and their Families alike! Education truly is the most powerful weapon, and ultimately, it is this generation of students who will serve as the ammunition for making a difference in our societal future. I wish all J.Z. George Seniors the best in all your future endeavors!”
