A Movement to Help Peers in Need

One DeKalb County School District senior is leading the charge in helping fellow students in need.

Tit’yanna Hayward spearheaded a schoolwide movement to start a food pantry at Eagle Woods Academy during the holiday season.

As the holidays approached, Hayward encouraged students to provide bring cans and non-perishable goods to school for an in-house food supply. According to one Eagle Woods Academy teacher, her leadership sparked a campus wide sense of pride.

“If you could have seen the students walk away from their buses carrying bags of canned goods and other items, you could tell how much pride they had in being able to help,” said Renee Gallman-Jones. “It really was a heartwarming moment.”

Last year, Hayward organized a movement to provide more than 350 cans of food to a local food pantry. According to Gallman-Jones, the only reason Hayward needed to help was “because they need food to eat.” Her fellow students heard her plea and responded accordingly.

Gallman-Jones said Eagle Woods Academy’s efforts are unique in that the school mostly serves underprivileged and socially-disadvantaged students. The school provides comprehensive education as well as effective treatment to students in DeKalb and Rockdale counties who are unable to function in a normal classroom environment.

“Tit’yanna lives up to Eagle Woods’ motto: Rise up, Eagles, rise up!” Gallman-Jones said.