PC students celebrate unique accomplishments
PHOTOS BY LAUREN WESTER
News, Phil Campbell
 By  Lauren Wester Published 
9:59 am Wednesday, October 4, 2017

PC students celebrate unique accomplishments

Usually, children look up to adults for inspiration, but lately in Phil Campbell those roles have been reversed. Jackie Ergle, Phil Campbell Elementary principal, said she is in awe of the outstanding character and achievements that her students have shown. Luke Gerrard, Blake McCullogh and Reid Jackson are just a few those students.

Luke did something Ergle said she has never had happen before: he walked up to her out of the blue one day and handed her a $100 bill to donate to the school.

“Something like this just doesn’t happen every day. I think it shows real leadership and character,” Ergle said.

Luke ultimately decided he wants the money to go toward a new Chromebook for the school –which Ergle said is what she assumed he would choose when she asked him.

“I want everyone to have one,” Luke said.

And while one more Chromebook won’t reach that goal, it is certainly a step in the right direction.

“With children like Luke and donations from other people as well, we’ll reach our goal of having at least one cart of Chromebooks per grade,” Ergle said.

Blake was chosen this year to attend Camp Courage in Tuscumbia because of his hearing impairment, Ergle said. The goal of Camp Courage is to inspire visually- or hearing-impaired children learn to use their abilities to change the world.

At the three-day camp, Blake said he got to visit Helen Keller’s birthplace, go fishing, visit Cypress Cove Farm and attend an end-of-camp celebration. Aside from learning to read and write braille, Blake said one of his favorite parts of the camp was getting to meet new friends, some all the way from West Virginia.

“I learned not to judge other people because everyone is different, and that’s OK,” Blake said.

At the Watermelon Festival, Reid displayed his talent for growing watermelons. He won the award for largest watermelon with his 181-pound melon that he said took four men to carry.

“We watered it and fed it a lot,” Jackson explained.

A real point of pride for Reid is that he beat his big brother in the competition and that Piggly Wiggly displayed his winning watermelon.

Also on Franklin County Times
Dowdy sentencing delayed due to medical emergency
News, Russellville, Z - News Main
By Brady Petree For the FCT 
January 7, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — The sentencing of Brandy Dowdy will have to wait until another day after her defense attorney suffered a “medical emergency” on Tuesday...
Legislative session opens Jan. 13; Kiel prefiles 2 bills
Main, News, Russellville, ...
By Addi Broadfoot For the FCT 
January 7, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE -- State Rep. Jamie Kiel has prefiled two bills ahead of the 2026 Alabama legislative session. The bills, which will be considered when l...
Hollimon reflects on 40 years in education
Main, News, Russellville, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
January 7, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE – Dr. Deanna Hollimon always felt she was called to be an educator. After 40 years as a teacher, reading coach, administrator and educati...
Firefighters train for vehicle rescues
News, Russellville, Z - News Main
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
January 7, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — City firefighters trained last week on how to stabilize overturned vehicles and remove trapped occupants. Fire Chief Joe Mansell said t...
Neighbors helping neighbors, one soda pop tab at a time
Columnists, Opinion
HERE AND NOW
January 7, 2026
Most people don’t think twice about the small aluminum tab on top of a soda can. But those tiny pieces of metal have quietly helped families stay clos...
2025: A year of results for Alabama families
Columnists, Opinion
January 7, 2026
The past year has certainly been a memorable one — and, more importantly, a rewarding one. Beginning the year by leading the Laken Riley Act through t...
Author’s collapse was motivation for comeback
News
Chelsea Retherford For the FCT 
January 7, 2026
When Pete Key collapsed on the bathroom floor in 2024, it didn’t feel like a turning point. It felt like an ending. He had been sick for days — dehydr...
Phil Campbell’s Elliott hits 1,000th career point
High School Sports, Phil Campbell Bobcats, Sports
Bart Moss For the FCT 
January 7, 2026
The Phil Campbell Bobcats kicked off the 2026 calendar year in style Saturday night, securing a decisive 54-37 victory over the visiting Belgreen Bull...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *