Tuscaloosa City Schools, along with Townsquare Media Tuscaloosa and Legal Services of Alabama, will highlight and recognize Rising Star Character Students of the Month from each school in the district during the 2022-2023 school year. Each month, two to three outstanding TCS students will be highlighted in this series.

Barker Terrell, a fifth grader at Verner Elementary School, has been named November's second Rising Star Character Student of the Month.

Terrell was presented with the award Wednesday afternoon during Verner Elementary's annual pep rally to kickoff the Turkey Bowl football game against Rock Quarry Elementary.

Barker is a member of the Verner Jags Turkey Bowl team, as well as apart of Verner's competitive Math Team.

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Terrell said he was shocked to be selected as the recipient of the award, comparing it to winning the lottery.

"It's like a lottery card, it's a one in a million chance," Terrell said. "I wasn't thinking it was going to be me. I didn't know it was coming."

Terrell encourages students to always do their best because they are being noticed even when they may think they are not.

"My advice is to do good things, even when you think no one is watching, because someone is always watching," Terrell said. "There are hundreds of security cameras that are looking at you in the hallways, in the classrooms, so if you are ever doing something, always make sure you're trying to do the right thing.Try not to get in trouble. Try to encourage others and try not to bring others down."

Terrell said he thanks his teachers for recognizing and showing him how to demonstrate good character.

"Without good character, there would be chaos everywhere," Terrell said. "I really like to thank my teachers for helping me show good character and showing me its the right thing to do instead of being bad."

Stay connected with the Tuscaloosa Thread for updates on December's Rising Stars, as well as other updates in this series.

Rising Star Character Students of the Month

During the 2022-2023 school year, Tuscaloosa City Schools, along with Townsquare Media Tuscaloosa and Legal Services of Alabama, will highlight Rising Star Character Students of the Month from each school in the district, highlighting two to three students each month.

Here's a recap of the previously recognized students!

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