Several local elementary school students were recently treated to lunch by a Meridian community service club for being good citizens.

The Meridian Civitan Club recognized and honored students from T.J. Harris Upper Elementary School for their participation in the Terrific Tigers Program. The students were treated to lunch at Rush Hospital Cafeteria and each presented a Certificate of Recognition for promoting good citizenship.”  

According to Civitan member Rhonda O. Smith, the Terrific Tigers Program was started several years ago by Ray Matheny, a former counselor at the school, to recognize students who not only exhibited good behavior but also went the extra mile to help their fellow classmates and teachers. 

“Meridian Civitan Club member the late Marion ‘Buddy’ Coleman formed a partnership with Mr. Matheny and the Terrific Tigers at T.J. Harris, which led them in recognizing those students who exhibited ‘good citizenship’ – which is part of what the Meridian Civitan Club stands for,” Smith said. 

Terrific Tigers are chosen from a group of students who do anything from picking up trash on their school’s campus, resolving a disagreement between classmates, showing kindness to others to assisting the teacher in the classroom and a list of other tasks without the prompting of faculty and staff members. 

Upon Matheny’s retirement, Ophelia Mayfield was hired as counselor at T.J. Harris School and took over the Terrific Tigers Program. 

“Mrs. Mayfield said that any student who promotes good citizenship at T.J. Harris can be recognized as a Terrific Tiger,” Smith said. 

More than 100 students participated in the Terrific Tiger Program this school year, according to Mayfield. However, only a select few who promoted good behavior, as well as good citizenship all year, were chosen to attend the luncheon with the Meridian Civitan Club.

“Meridian Civitan Club enjoys the fellowship that we have with the T.J. Harris Terrific Tigers. It’s a good feeling to know that we are helping the students to promote healthy behaviors within the school system while earning their education,” Smith said. “Hopefully, this is a relationship that will continue to grow as we help our community in becoming better ‘Builders of Good Citizenship.” 

Meridian Civitan Club is a part of Civitan international, a volunteer service organization of more than 40,000 men and women, working together in community clubs to help those less fortunate than themselves. 

“Civitan clubs provide a great deal of service to their communities, with emphasis on aid to the mentally and physically handicapped as well as promoting good citizenship,” Smith said. “Civitan gives members opportunities to be involved in helping others, developing new friends and gaining valuable leadership skills.The Meridian club’s membership includes individuals of various talents and ideas networking throughout the community. 

The Meridian club’s membership includes individuals of various talents and ideas networking throughout the community. 

“We are a diverse group of business people, bankers, educators, medical professionals, non-profit organizational leaders and retired professionals contributing their talents and time to the community needs,” Smith said.

The club has participated in several community projects, including: Care Lodge, United Blood Services blood drives, Habitat for Humanity, Hope Village Christmas Float, LOVE’s Kitchen, Meridian Community College Scholarship Fund (A.C. Johnson Scholarship), MIDD Meridian, Relay For Life, Salvation Army Kettle Campaign, Special Olympics and Terrific Tigers (T.J. Harris Elementary Good Citizenship Program)

Meridian Civitan Club meets the first, second, third and fourth Tuesday of each month, from noon-1 p.m. at Rush Hospital Cafeteria Private Dining Room (third floor Rush Ambulatory Building-17th Avenue) for educational speakers and fellowship during lunch.