Faith Gatling, second grader at Aberdeen Elementary School, gives opening at the May 1 School Board meeting

Faith Gatling, a second-grade student at Aberdeen Elementary School, was selected to deliver the opening remarks at the School Board meeting held on May 1, 2024. She read a poem I Am Unique, written by her mentor Deacon Carlton Ashby.

Faith is a member of the young achievers program at her church, Sixth Mount Zion where she enjoys serving others by helping with Meals on Wheels. She enjoys playdates with her friends, being outside, playing soccer, reading, listening to music, and doing arts and crafts. She also likes spending quality time with her family playing games, watching movies, and doing karaoke. Even at her young age she loves to challenge herself with new ideas and goals.

Faith was accompanied at the meeting by her parents, younger brother, her mentor Deacon Carlton Ashby, her teachers Ms. Kane and Ms. Brinkley, and the administration of her school, Dr. Tiffany Geddie-Suggs and assistant principal Mallary Reynolds.