Gadsden Fourth Grader Impacts Community

Left to Right: Mrs. Connell Stiles, Rev. Jim Lewis, Aaliyah Spellman with her Mother, Dr. Deborah Jones and Kristen McAdams. Aaliyah Shellman, a fourth grade student at

Gadsden Elementary School led a school-based "Pennies

For Pizza" fundraiser at her school. Through her leadership, $500 were raised. Aaliyah selected the Old Savannah City Mission as her charity of choice and the presentation was made on Friday, December 19, 2008.

According to school officials, Aaliyah had "behavioral challenges." Fortunately for her, Kristen McAdams, a psychologist with the Savannah- Chatham County Public Schools crafted a positive challenge which appealed to Aaliyah. Her interest and energy were re-directed to lead the fundraiser. She put up promotional materials and visited classrooms. Her campaign resulted in much more than the coveted prize of a pizza party.