Small North Carolina Elementary School Goes Viral On TikTok And Here’s Why

We've all gone through various fundraisers and school collection drives.  Whether we saved box tops or donated canned foods and baked goods as students or parents, it's nothing new.  However, this one was anything but ordinary.  And, what started as a typical collection drive, resulted in the viral Clemmons Elementary cereal box TikTok video .

So, I settled on the couch this morning as usual with my cup of coffee and a check on the news.  Then, as a feel good social media moment segment The Today Show always shares, this story from North Carolina popped up.  It was little ol' Clemmons, North Carolina near Winston-Salem.  The elementary school gave us all the feels with their cereal box collection for a food pantry.

According to WXII 12, a parent and PTA member at the school posted a TikTok video of the cereal boxes lining the halls of the school like dominos.  The almost 2800 boxes displayed a very impressive set up.  And, just like that Fara O'Byrne's page exploded.  She went from a handful of followers on the platform to nearly 30 thousand.  The Clemmons Elementary cereal box TikTok video has over 30 million views, 3.5 million likes and 200,000 shares.  The original goal for the cereal box collection was 2000.  And, they certainly surpassed that.

Volunteers worked at least 5 hours setting up the impressive maze of boxes winding from one end of the school to the other.  Clemmons Food Pantry, the recipient of the boxes, is grateful for the haul.  The executive director, Mike Sullivan, says, "Two-thousand seven-hundred boxes will take us through three months.  Every family that comes for the next three months is guaranteed some breakfast."

So, it's just one example of what can happen when creativity, passion and positive social media exposure come together with good intentions.  And, of course, Clemmons Elementary already has its sights set on growing the project next year.  For more on the Clemmons Elementary cereal box TikTok video see the full story from WXII 12.

Yesterday 8 North Carolina schools were named National Blue Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education. According to the Department of Education, "the recognition is based on a school's overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student groups on assessments. These schools demonstrate what is possible to make an enduring, positive difference in students' lives." A total of 353 schools nationwide received this distinction, this included 313 public schools and 40 private schools. Each of the 8 North Carolina schools recognized was a public school.

The award-winning schools will be formally recognized at an awards ceremony on November 16 and 17, 2023 in Washington, DC. This is the 40th year the Department of Education has selected the National Blue Ribbon Schools. According to the department the criteria for public schools are as follows:

Performance Award Criteria for Public Schools: In order to be eligible for nomination, a school must meet several criteria based on the performance of its students on state assessments in reading (or English language arts) and mathematics or a composite of performance on these assessments with other measures of student performance (e.g., student growth on state assessments, performance on state assessments in other subjects, graduation rates, or other indicators in the state’s accountability system).

You can read more about the eligibility requirements here. Congratulations to each of these eight North Carolina Schools that received the National Blue Ribbon Schools recognition. They represent elementary, middle, and high schools across the state. In fact, there are 7 different school districts represented with the remaining school being a charter school. Keep reading to see and learn a little more about each of these schools. Congratulations and thank you to the teachers and staff of these schools for giving your best to the children of North Carolina!

Location: 5337 Highway 264 East, Washington, NC

District: Beaufort County Schools

Public

Beaufort County Early College High School exists in coordination with Beaufort County Community College where students can earn college credits while in high school. It's one of only two high schools that made this list.

Location: 1355 Charlotte Highway, Fairview, NC

District: Buncombe County Schools

Public

There are actually several Fairview Elementary Schools in Charlotte. This one though is in Buncombe County and has approximately 660 students in Kindergarten through Fifth grade.

Location: 4049 Battleground Avenue, Greensboro

District: n/a

Public

Greensboro Academy is a charter school in Greensboro. Charter Schools offer a private school quality eduction but for free. Students simply have to apply for admission which is available to any student in NC. Greensboro Academy serves grades K-8.

Location: 70 Sanders Road, Wilmington

District: New Hanover County Schools

Public

Known as Bellamy Elementary School, this award-winning school serves students in grades 1-5 in Wilmington, NC.

Location: 1600 N Morris Street, Gastonia

District: Gaston County Schools

Public

Our second and last high school on this list, is Highland School of Technology in Gastonia. Highland is the first magnet high school in this district. Students complete courses in one of three academies: Health Sciences; Business, Legal, and Information Sciences; and Manufacturing/Engineering Technology and Graphics. 

Location: 5925 Ballantyne Commons Parkway, Charlotte, NC

District: Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools

Public

Jay M Robinson is a 6-8th grade middle school in the Ballantyne area of Charlotte. It's home to the Chargers!

Location: 6260 E Blalock Road, Lucama NC

District: Wilson County Schools

Public

Lucama serves students in Wilson County in grades K-5. They state the school's purpose is to develop each student to their fullest potential.

Location: 1885 Odell School Road, Concord, NC

District: Cabarrus County Schools

Public

Odell Elementary is a grades 3-5 elementary school in Concord, NC.