NATCHEZ — The Natchez-Adams School District’s recently honored its two parents of the year for not only cherishing and supporting the education of their own children but every child in the district.

2018-2019 honorees Carline “CeCe” Harper and Kristina Carter said the life of every child is important, therefore it’s important for every parent to be involved in their children’s lives.

“Me being involved as a parent shows my child that I care about her and her education,” Carter said. “Being involved gives you a chance to know about things going on in the district and lets you give your opinion on things and help make decisions. … It feels good to be making a difference.”

This school year is Carter’s second year to be elected as the parent of the year at Natchez Early College Academy and her first as the district parent of the year, she said.

Carter is a proud mother of three daughters, ages 5, 6 and 15 and a fourth daughter on the way, she said.

She supports her two eldest at McLaurin Elementary School and NECA while pursuing a degree in business administration at Alcorn State University.

She first became a member of the Parent Teacher Student Association board at NECA through her friend and board member, Sharon Bradford, and has since served as a president on the board for three years, she said.

Carter later joined the PTSA at McLaurin Elementary School, the P16 Council — a school policy committee, the school calendar committee, the NECA interview committee and Parent Ambassadors.

Through her involvement, Carter said she helped organize school functions and fundraisers, scheduled holidays, and supervised students during field trips.

As a parent, Carter said it’s important to check in on her children at school on a regular basis and not wait until trouble occurs.

“It’s important to somehow find the time to go to the school and check on your child,” she said. “A lot of parents wait until there is a problem, but I feel like parents should always find a little time, during the day to spend with their kids at school, even if it’s just for five minutes.”

Harper, the district’s second honoree, said she guided her own children while they were attending Natchez schools and now does the same for two of her grandchildren, who attend McLaurin and Robert Lewis Magnet School.

Harper is retired as a former employee at the Childcare Crisis Center in Madison, Wisconsin, and now occupies her time as a member of the P16 council, Parent Ambassadors and PTSA.

“Being a community activist and just caring for others is something I’ve been doing my whole life,” she said. “If there’s anything I can do for anybody, whether it’s the students, teachers or principals, I want to be there to help.”

As a community youth basketball coach of eight years, Harper said she’d like to thank the school district’s leaders for being “team players” and advocating the communities’ involvement in public schools.

“I would like to thank the Natchez-Adams School District, particularly (Superintendent) Fred Butcher, (Deputy Superintendent) Zandra McDonald, (Director of Assessment and Accountability) Aquetta Butler and (Robert Lewis Magnet School Principal) LaTanya Davis for doing their jobs like their supposed to and having listening ear,” she said. “They are team players.”

Harper said being involved in her community is as much a part of her as being a parent and a grandparent.

“I appreciate the recognition, but it’s just a title,” she said. “The plaque is fine and the title is fine, but, when the work we do comes from the heart, that’s what matters.”