[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 79 (Wednesday, May 18, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E736-E737]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING MELODY CHALMERS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DAVID E. PRICE

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 18, 2016

  Mr. PRICE of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to 
congratulate Melody Chalmers, a North Carolinian who has had a 
wonderful impact on many of our state's children. Earlier this month, 
Melody was named the Wells Fargo North Carolina Principal of the Year 
for her service as principal of E.E. Smith High School in Cumberland 
County.
  Chalmers was selected after a rigorous statewide process involving 
both interviews and on-site visits. It is clear that she is a truly 
exceptional principal.
  Chalmers is long-time North Carolinian, who graduated from North 
Carolina A&T State University with a bachelor's degree in English in 
1998. From there, she continued her education at Fayetteville State 
University, graduating in 2005 with a master's degree in School 
Administration.
  As a leader in North Carolina's public schools, Melody Chalmers 
previously served as an assistant principal at E.E. Smith High and 
Warrenwood Elementary. She was later principal of Cross Creek Early 
College High before assuming her current role at E.E. Smith High 
School.
  Chalmers has been widely praised for her work in our state's schools. 
North Carolina State Superintendent June Atkinson lauded her as an 
``innovative problem solver who is committed to the academic and 
personal growth of each of her students and teachers.'' In presenting 
the award to Chalmers, Juan Austin, senior vice president of Community 
Affairs at Wells Fargo Carolinas, noted that she has the unique ability 
to ``recruit and retain

[[Page E737]]

quality teachers,'' an especially difficult task given the low pay and 
long hours our state's teachers cope with on a daily basis.
  As principal of E.E. Smith High School, Chalmers works with more than 
1,000 students and 70 teachers each year. She has fostered a family 
atmosphere at E.E. Smith that encourages her students to grow into 
future leaders.
  I also want to thank Wells Fargo for their continued support of the 
Principal of the Year program. Their 33-year partnership with the State 
of North Carolina has touched hundreds of educators and thousands of 
students, providing resources for schools to continue to grow their 
inventive programs
  I wish Melody Chalmers well as she continues her tireless work in 
North Carolina, creating an environment where every child can reach his 
or her full potential. She has touched many lives, and the effects of 
her service will reverberate for years to come.

                          ____________________