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Be There: finding the right college

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Going to college may be a dream for most students in Muscogee County, but for many of them, they do not know how to even begin the process. More>>

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  • Saturday, May 18 2013 1:36 AM EDT2013-05-18 05:36:05 GMT
    Oftentimes when we think about our military, we think about the soldiers making a huge sacrifice: the deployments, the many moves, the separations and the heartfelt homecomings.
    Oftentimes when we think about our military, we think about the soldiers making a huge sacrifice: the deployments, the many moves, the separations and the heartfelt homecomings.

    What we sometimes forget about is their children who have to pick up and go to another school.

  • Thursday, May 9 2013 5:21 AM EDT2013-05-09 09:21:00 GMT
    The Muscogee County School District wants to keep an open line of communication with the community. That's why it's holding forums to hear your voice, which stands for Value Opinions Involvement and Concerns
    The Muscogee County School District wants to keep an open line of communication with the community. That's why it's holding forums to hear your voice, which stands for Value Opinions Involvement and Concerns

  • Thursday, April 25 2013 10:28 PM EDT2013-04-26 02:28:06 GMT
    We hear it all too often, that bullying is an epidemic. Whether it's happening on social media or at school, it's happening all across the country.
    We hear it all too often, that bullying is an epidemic. Whether it's happening on social media or at school, it's happening all across the country. This scenario is all too common these days; many young people are victims of bullying.

  • Thursday, March 28 2013 3:37 PM EDT2013-03-28 19:37:03 GMT
    Parents, do you have a tuned-out child? The Muscogee County School District wants to help. Thursday March 28 at 4 p.m., you can attend the "Motivation Breakthrough: Secrets to Turning on the Tuned-Out Child"
    Parents, do you have a tuned-out child? The Muscogee County School District wants to help. Thursday March 28 at 4 p.m., you can attend the "Motivation Breakthrough: Secrets to Turning on the Tuned-Out Child"

  • Thursday, March 21 2013 6:13 AM EDT2013-03-21 10:13:06 GMT
    This week is School Board Appreciation Week in Georgia and the Muscogee County School District is joining in on the celebration.  We took a look at the school board and its role with the help of the board's
    This week is School Board Appreciation Week in Georgia and the Muscogee County School District is joining in on the celebration.  We took a look at the school board and its role with the help of the board's

  • Thursday, March 14 2013 6:16 AM EDT2013-03-14 10:16:08 GMT
    The deadline for pre-k registration in Muscogee County is fast approaching. Parents, you only have a few weeks left to get your applications in for the school district's pre-k program.
    The deadline for pre-k registration in Muscogee County is fast approaching. Parents, you only have a few weeks left to get your applications in for the school district's pre-k program.

  • Thursday, March 7 2013 11:02 PM EST2013-03-08 04:02:07 GMT
    Parents, do you know that Georgia is one of five states where a 17-year-old is considered an adult? That means any crime committed will remain on your child's criminal history record for life.
    Parents, do you know that Georgia is one of five states where a 17-year-old is considered an adult? That means any crime committed will remain on your child's criminal history record for life.

  • Thursday, February 28 2013 6:06 AM EST2013-02-28 11:06:01 GMT
    A large part of learning is done visually: reading, spelling, writing and, in many schools, using computers. Each involves the eyes, but what happens when your child has problems seeing?
    A large part of learning is done visually: reading, spelling, writing and, in many schools, using computers. Each involves the eyes, but what happens when your child has problems seeing?

  • Thursday, February 21 2013 6:23 AM EST2013-02-21 11:23:05 GMT
    There is nearly a 70 percent chance that a male student who drops out of school will end up going to jail or prison.
    There is nearly a 70 percent chance that a male student who drops out of school will end up going to jail or prison.

  • Thursday, January 31 2013 4:15 AM EST2013-01-31 09:15:05 GMT
    Parents are a crucial part of a child's education, which is why Fox Elementary School in Columbus has monthly meetings to help parents help their children learn.
    Parents are a crucial part of a child's education, which is why Fox Elementary School in Columbus has monthly meetings to help parents help their children learn.

  • Thursday, January 24 2013 4:12 AM EST2013-01-24 09:12:06 GMT
    Here's something every parent with a teenager needs to know--- one in 10 high school students has been hit, slapped or physically hurt by a boyfriend or girlfriend.       
    Here's something every parent with a teenager needs to know--- one in 10 high school students has been hit, slapped or physically hurt by a boyfriend or girlfriend.       

  • Thursday, January 17 2013 4:13 AM EST2013-01-17 09:13:03 GMT
    You've heard the saying – reading is fundamental. The Literacy Alliance wants to help Muscogee County Pre-K students with the fundamentals of reading, but they need volunteers to get it done.
    You've heard the saying – reading is fundamental. The Literacy Alliance wants to help Muscogee County Pre-K students with the fundamentals of reading, but they need volunteers to get it done.

  • Thursday, January 10 2013 4:24 AM EST2013-01-10 09:24:06 GMT
    You may not know this but one in 10 high school students has been hit, slapped or physically hurt by a boyfriend or girlfriend.       
    You may not know this but one in 10 high school students has been hit, slapped or physically hurt by a boyfriend or girlfriend.       

  • Thursday, January 3 2013 4:09 AM EST2013-01-03 09:09:01 GMT
    Over the next couple of months, dozens of students from the Muscogee County School District will be preparing for interviews for the Georgia Governor's Honors Program. Kendrick High School Junior Moriah
    Over the next couple of months, dozens of students from the Muscogee County School District will be preparing for interviews for the Georgia Governor's Honors Program.

  • Thursday, December 20 2012 12:32 AM EST2012-12-20 05:32:01 GMT
    While many people are finishing up holiday shopping before next week, some 5th grade students at Hannan Elementary Magnet Academy in Columbus are brainstorming about New Year's Resolutions. Some students
    While many people are finishing up holiday shopping before next week, some 5th grade students at Hannan Elementary Magnet Academy in Columbus are brainstorming about New Year's Resolutions.

  • Thursday, December 13 2012 4:19 AM EST2012-12-13 09:19:03 GMT
    After about a month of collecting, students from the Muscogee County School District were finally able to give away items like food and clothing to help those in need in our community. Students from the
    After about a month of collecting, students from the Muscogee County School District were finally able to give away items like food and clothing to help those in need in our community.

  • Thursday, December 6 2012 4:10 AM EST2012-12-06 09:10:02 GMT
    Students throughout Columbus are gearing up to help the more than 1,500 homeless and unaccompanied youth in the Muscogee County School District. Scarves, hats, and gloves are just a few of the items students
    Students throughout Columbus are gearing up to help the more than 1,500 homeless and unaccompanied youth in the Muscogee County School District.

  • Thursday, November 15 2012 12:41 AM EST2012-11-15 05:41:03 GMT
    Officials with the Muscogee County School District say more than 1400 students have been identified as homeless. Now, a new initiative is under way to help those children and their families. "The families
    Officials with the Muscogee County School District say more than 1400 students have been identified as homeless. Now, a new initiative is under way to help those children and their families.

  • Thursday, November 8 2012 4:28 AM EST2012-11-08 09:28:09 GMT
    Even though the elections are over, local schools throughout Columbus are using Tuesday's General Election as a way to teach kids more about how our government works. It was hard to miss the campaigning
    Even though the elections are over, local schools throughout Columbus are using Tuesday's General Election as a way to teach kids more about how our government works.

  • Thursday, November 1 2012 6:18 AM EDT2012-11-01 10:18:11 GMT
    Studies show that of the ten fastest growing occupations in the country, eight are science, math or technology related. However, those subjects can be daunting to some children and even their parents. "My
    A local school helped students and their parents learn more about math and science through a fun, interactive event.

  • Thursday, October 25 2012 5:16 AM EDT2012-10-25 09:16:13 GMT
    For some it may be hard to believe, but according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, millions of teenagers across the country abuse substances. Donating a few cans of food seems like a small act,
    For some it may be hard to believe, but according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, millions of teenagers across the country abuse substances.

  • Wednesday, October 17 2012 6:07 PM EDT2012-10-17 22:07:44 GMT
    Students at Reese Road Leadership Academy in Columbus are working on a music video they hope will help them get healthier. The school is entering the 2012 Healthy School Makeover Contest. It is a nationwide
    Students at Reese Road Leadership Academy in Columbus are working on a music video they hope will help them get healthier.

  • Wednesday, October 10 2012 7:26 PM EDT2012-10-10 23:26:49 GMT
    It can be one of the most stressful times for some teenagers and their parents: college application time. "I want to go to Valdosta State University and I would like to be a nurse, a nurse practitioner
    It can be one of the most stressful times for some teenagers and their parents: college application time.

  • Wednesday, October 3 2012 6:16 PM EDT2012-10-03 22:16:05 GMT
    They normally spend their days training to keep our country safe, but on Wednesday, some Fort Benning soldiers spent time teaching local kids what it means to be in the Army. From learning first aid to
    They normally spend their days training to keep our country safe, but on Wednesday, some Fort Benning soldiers spent time teaching local kids what it means to be in the Army.

  • Wednesday, September 5 2012 6:28 PM EDT2012-09-05 22:28:45 GMT
    For some kids, going to school can mean getting sick. Some experts say it is hard to avoid with all the children in one classroom for most of the day. "There are germs where they are lots of children.
    For some kids, going to school can mean getting sick. Some experts say it is hard to avoid with all the children in one classroom for most of the day.

  • Wednesday, August 29 2012 4:57 PM EDT2012-08-29 20:57:19 GMT
    For about a week, kids like Jayla Thomas and Cliff Tankersley throughout Muscogee County and the nation have been filling up their plates with healthier foods. "I like fruit, and I like green beans and
    As school enforce new federal guidelines for student lunches, how can parents help make sure their kids are eating the healthy food on their plates?

  • Friday, August 17 2012 11:19 AM EDT2012-08-17 15:19:29 GMT
    About 17,000 students in Columbus ride the bus to school every day. With that comes a lot of responsibility for bus drivers to make sure everyone is well-behaved and safe. John Clarke has been a Muscogee
    About 17,000 students in Columbus ride the bus to school every day. With that comes a lot of responsibility for bus drivers to make sure everyone is well-behaved and safe. John Clarke has been a Muscogee

  • Thursday, May 24 2012 8:20 PM EDT2012-05-25 00:20:41 GMT
    The "Be There" campaign is all about schools and parents working together to help with education, but what happens when a student doesn't have a parent to support them while in school? Two graduating seniors
    The "Be There" campaign is all about schools and parents working together to help with education, but what happens when a student doesn't have a parent to support them while in school? Two graduating seniors at Carver High School in Columbus have made it through virtually on their own.

  • Thursday, May 17 2012 6:09 AM EDT2012-05-17 10:09:29 GMT
    The school year is coming to an end which means many schools will host "end of the year" events and parties, but these celebrations aren't just for the kids, they are also an easy way parents can get involved
    The school year is coming to an end which means many schools will host "end of the year" events and parties, but these celebrations aren't just for the kids, they are also an easy way parents can get involved with their child's school.

  • Thursday, May 10 2012 6:28 AM EDT2012-05-10 10:28:58 GMT
    It is School Nurses Day, and the men and women in the clinic have done a lot of work to be thanked for. "We are there to help identify those children that have health problems, We're there to make sure
    Deborah Harris, who is a clinic worker at Wynnton Fine Arts Academy, added, "We take care of the children. They come in with a fever, or a temperature, or a cold, or need a band-aid."

  • Monday, April 30 2012 12:18 PM EDT2012-04-30 16:18:28 GMT
    WTVM morning anchor Chuck Leonard spent Sunday afternoon at Columbus State University serving as the master of ceremonies for the third annual National Signing Day for Scholars. 
    150 students, from both public and private schools in Muscogee County, brought in nearly $11 million in scholarship money this year alone.

  • Thursday, April 26 2012 6:06 AM EDT2012-04-26 10:06:30 GMT
    April is "Teach Children to Save" month and in order help kids begin the banking process, Wells Fargo has teamed up with some Muscogee County Schools. Local bankers stopped by Marshall Middle School to
    April is "Teach Children to Save" month and in order help kids begin the banking process, Wells Fargo has teamed up with some Muscogee County Schools.

  • Thursday, April 12 2012 4:31 AM EDT2012-04-12 08:31:23 GMT
    Teachers help students prepare all year for the ten day CRCT, but there are some things parents can do the week of the test that can help.

  • Wednesday, March 14 2012 5:27 PM EDT2012-03-14 21:27:52 GMT
    Chef Jamie Keating with the RiverMill Event Center in Columbus is participating in the program and gives parents some helpful tips on making healthy meals.

  • Wednesday, March 7 2012 6:08 PM EST2012-03-07 23:08:53 GMT
    The Muscogee County School District is using real life lessons to deter bullying in schools. And in order to start the prevention before bullying gets too serious, the seminars are aimed towards younger kids.

  • Wednesday, February 22 2012 5:21 PM EST2012-02-22 22:21:58 GMT
    Technology is a huge part of children's lives and now it's making its way into the classroom. In this week's Be There we take a look at how new smart boards are changing the way your children learn.

  • Wednesday, February 15 2012 6:23 PM EST2012-02-15 23:23:21 GMT
    Wednesday, five male students from every high school in Muscogee County loaded on to a bus with Mayor Teresa Tomlinson a to go out to the movies.

  • Wednesday, February 1 2012 5:54 PM EST2012-02-01 22:54:24 GMT
    Keeping your children safe in school is always a priority for administrators and teachers and some of those safety drills at school can also be used at home.

  • Wednesday, January 25 2012 9:44 PM EST2012-01-26 02:44:48 GMT
    Even as adults we may forget to give someone a word of encouragement or a little bit of praise for a job well done, and the students at Fort Middle School are showing that a little compliment can go a long way.

  • Wednesday, December 14 2011 5:36 PM EST2011-12-14 22:36:24 GMT
    If you're a hearing impaired child, telling Santa what you want for Christmas could come as a challenge. That's why the Sertoma and Optimist Clubs of Columbus bring a "Signing Santa" to meet with the kids and hear their gift wishes.

  • Wednesday, December 7 2011 6:03 PM EST2011-12-07 23:03:03 GMT
    The Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority and the Muscogee County School District are taking a simple lesson and putting into action, showing kids how easy it can be to give back to the less fortunate.

  • Combining homework with games is a sure-fire way to make your kids sit down and get it done. That's how one mom created a game to help her daughter overcome a difficult math lesson.

  • Wednesday, November 30 2011 6:17 PM EST2011-11-30 23:17:46 GMT
    Combining homework with games is a sure-fire way to make your kids sit down and get it done. That's how one mom created a game to help her daughter overcome a difficult math lesson.

  • Wednesday, November 23 2011 6:31 PM EST2011-11-23 23:31:56 GMT
    There are more than 300 schools in Georgia participating in the Clean Air Program, which encourages drivers to stop idling in school zones. And out of all those schools, Mathews Elementary was chosen to host a special guest to give them a friendly reminder.

  • Wednesday, November 2 2011 5:28 PM EDT2011-11-02 21:28:09 GMT
    Fort Middle School in Muscogee County is a "Service Learning Magnet Academy" and part of their curriculum is giving back to the community. As they gear up for Thanksgiving and Christmas, the students decided to help the less fortunate have a happy holiday season.

  • You usually see a large group of students piling on to a bus to get to school, but for International Walk to School Day they laced up their shoes and let their feet take them to school.

  • One organization at Shaw High School is called RADD, Raiders Against Destructive Decisions, and they tell us texting and driving is one of the most destructive decisions teens can make. That's why they are launching a campaign to encourage fellow students to put down their phones while driving.

  • Everyone seems to know exactly where they were and what they were doing on September 11th 2001, but what about kids who were barely old enough to understand what that day means? News Leader Nine sat down with some high school students to hear their stories about that tragic day.

  • They may not be in the classroom every day, but when they do come to teach, they mean business. The substitute teachers in Muscogee County are vital to the full time teachers they fill in for.

  • News Leader Nine has been keeping you updated on the Tuesday morning house fire that claimed the lives of a Columbus mother and her two young daughters, and the Muscogee County School District is helping the young girls' peers deal with their loss.

  • Children cope with grief differently than adults. The organization Kids Health provides a few suggestion for parents wanting to help their child cope with grief.

  • At times parents and teachers may have to help children cope with grief. The National Association of School Psychologists has these suggestions for teachers and parents.

  • 33,000 school aged children headed back to the classroom Monday for the first day of school in Muscogee County and as some very special guests joined them at school this morning.

  • People say there is no such thing as a free lunch, but the Muscogee County School District if proving that wrong by providing every kid a meal this summer.

  • Schools in Muscogee County are closing their doors this week for summer vacation, but before the final bell rings we want to take you inside one of the high schools. It's called Early College Academy of Columbus and we will let the students and staff tell you all about their school.

  • When Tess Fisher was riding from Texas to Georgia she took the time in the car as an opportunity to teach her kids about some historic sites along the way. The main stop revolved around Martin Luther King Jr.'s march from Selma to Montgomery.

  • It's the test that students and teachers prepare for every year, but what do the CRCT results really mean for school districts?

  • The mother in this "Be There" was at odds with her son over a homework problem. Not only did she want to prove to him that she was right, but she also wanted to teach him the reasons behind her answer. It was a teachable moment that neither one of them have forgotten.

  • Wednesday, March 23 2011 10:22 PM EDT2011-03-24 02:22:32 GMT
    "Be There" is all about creating teachable moments for your children, but if you're stumped for ideas, one Muscogee County School is helping parents jump start their creativity.

  • What would you do if you found a $20 bill lying on the ground? Better yet, what would your child do with the cash? In this week's "Be There" we tell the story of how one boy learned to do the right thing with his findings.

  • Britt David Magent Academy in Columbus played host to a very special guest Wednesday. Georgia State School Superintendent, Dr. John Barge, flew in to the fountain city to honor the school for its hard work.

  • With high school graduation just three months away many families are scrambling to get enough cash together to send their kids off to college.

  • During Tuesday's manhunt for murder suspect Richard "Ritchie" Dodelin, several schools in the north Columbus area were put on lockdown. Most parents may panic hearing that kind of news, but the school district has a plan in place to keep all the parents educated on these types of situations.

  • A lot of parents will admit they feel the urge to leave their children at home before heading to the grocery store, but one mother brings her kids along and makes them do the shopping.

  • Shari Ellison not only told her daughter to go and work out with her Hardaway High School basketball team, but she got herself to the gym as well.

  • The Muscogee County School District has been honored with an $18,000 grant to help students against destructive decisions, or SADD, in area high schools.

  • Students in Muscogee County may be out of school for winter break, but one Key Elementary School student isn't letting that stop him from learning.

  • When the school start times in Muscogee County changed this year, one mother faced the question -- what do I do with my middle school student? She found the perfect solution in the form of a teachable moment.

  • Free helmet giveaway from Safe Kids Columbus

  • You can recite the multiplication tables at the dinner table or have your kids balance the checkbook while you balance all the errands, or you can incorporate math into your child's day in some easier ways like these…

  • As kids progress in school, some subjects become more difficult to grasp, especially math. We find out how one family used a simple concept to teach a difficult math lesson.

  • Many of you may be shocked to know that more than one thousand students in the Muscogee County School District are listed as homeless and a Columbus organization is trying to help those children and their families.

  • Teach your children the importance of giving back to the community by donating to the new Goodwill Donation Center.

  • This week's "Be There" takes us to Wesley Heights Elementary School in Columbus where they are finding new ways to help students with math, but as News Leader Nine found out, its not parents you'll find sitting at the desks.

  • The majority of Muscogee County students ride the bus or are dropped off that school by parents, but Wednesday many of them hit the road on foot.

  • Employees at the Columbus Best Buy know how important education is to this community, so they have come up with a three tier program to literally "Invest in Education".

  • We've all been in this situation, you open the bills and the amount due is a lot greater than you expected. Well one Columbus woman found a way to bring that number down.

  • Being nice is an easy concept, but Davis Elementary School is finding a unique way to encourage kids to treat each other with respect.

  • South Columbus Elementary School has been without a PTA, or Parent Teacher Association, for ten years now, but the administration is looking to change that.

  • Kids love to learn new things, especially when their parents are the ones teaching them. The mother we caught up with this week is teaching her daughter how to cook, and take the time to talk about their lives.

  • It's been more than ten years since the shooting spree that took place at Columbine High School in Colorado, but the memory of that tragic event will never fade. Now a school in Columbus is using a program that stems from Columbine to discourage future violence.

  • For the second year in a row the Literacy Alliance is hosting a "Heroes Read" event, introducing children to the ease and fun of picking up a book.

  • News Leader Nine told you what Rose Hill Alternative School was and how the program worked. This week we let the students tell you what the school has done for them.

  • A recent survey shows that nearly 30 percent of Muscogee County School students say they have easy access to alcohol, but a new initiative is making sure that just because they can get to it, doesn't mean they will use it.

  • In this week's Be There, we give parents an idea to keep their children entertained while at the same time teaching them a lesson.

  • No matter what age your child is, communication is key. In this week's "Be There" we share some helpful tips to break the ice with your kids.

  • With a few clicks of the mouse parents can now monitor what their teens send and receive through text messages.

  • These days kids have access to so many electronic devices, whether its ipods, cell phones, or computers, and for most parents, the kids know more about technology then they do.

  • A lot of parents can testify that their kids ask them hundreds of questions each day. Some may be silly, but the mother we spoke with actually took time to find the real answers for some of the questions her young son was asking.

  • The teachable moment News Leader Nine highlights may seem like a simple concept, but the lesson is going a long way. The parents tell their children stories about when they were growing up, and in turn, the kids learn how to handle certain situations.

  • The Green family submitted their "Be There" entry saying that although their daughter has a few more years living at home, they wanted her to be prepared to take care of herself when she gets into the real world. The lesson teaches her to be self-sufficient, and it also helps out around the house.

  • One family takes the whole concept of our "Be There" campaign seriously, by creating a close relationship with parents, teachers and students.

  • Most kids don't want to spend their weekends in a cemetery, but Columbus High School senior, Robert Oxford had a good reason for being there because he's making a movie for a school project.

  • It may sound crazy, but Brookstone students and faculty are asking people to donate something other than time or money… their hair.

  • It's tough for a lot of working parents to find time to volunteer at their child's school, but one mother we spoke to shows us how her extra time in her daughter's classroom has really paid off.

  • One family fund raises for a cause that is close to their heart.

  • Teaching fairness and acceptance at an early age can really have a positive influence on a child's life. In this week's "Be There" we see how an entire school is doing just that.

  • News Leader Nine found out how one musically inclined family brings entertainment into the home.

  • In this week's "Be There" moment, we see how one family has mastered the art of multi-tasking. The busy mother in our story encouraged her children to finish their homework in the car while she ran errands.

  • When one student at Marshall Middle School started struggling in science, his mother related his class work to some of the things he was doing around the house. It helped his grades and created a teachable moment anyone can use.

  • When kids stay home from school they usually get bored, but one woman forced her granddaughter to get creative, and entertain herself. The result was a fun game of pretend that turned into a lesson.

  • After the Bibb Mill fire in 2008, Eric Van Bibber planned a day trip for his daughter to learn about the building and practice her camera skills.

  • The students at the Teenage Parenting Program in Muscogee County are not only learning the curriculum, but they are learning to be parents as teachers prepare them for both those lessons.

  • One Muscogee County school is teaching their students how to pay compliments, and they hope the lesson will follow them home.

  • The family in this week's "Be There" was just looking to save some time as everyone got ready for school or work in the morning, but they quickly learned their rushing could turn into a teachable moment.

  • We learn how one mother teaches her daughter about volunteering by doing just that.

  • Lamona Griffin has found that when it comes to teaching her daughters life lessons, it's the little things that count the most.

  • The mother in this week's story made a habit out of incorporating math lessons into her son's life, but while he was completing that task, he showed his mom he had learned an important life lesson in the process.

  • News Leader Nine caught up with a pair of men who are teaching parents and students how to prepare for the future, and make plans that stick.

  • Many families are in the habit of grabbing their dinner, plopping down in front of the T.V. and just zoning out, but one family from Wesley Heights Elementary School uses television shows as lessons.

  • Kids frequently ask their parents for money but don't always understand how it's earned. One family from Spencer High School shows us how the kids curiosity about the bank helped him get a savings account.

  • A lot of families treat dinner time like an assembly line -- kids come in, grab their food then everyone heads to a different room. But the family we spoke to makes an effort to eat together and learn more about each other.

  • We understand it's hard for parents to completely stop what they're doing and help their children with homework, but one family is forced to work together for their daughter with special needs.

  • The Cannon family let News Leader Nine come into their home to see first hand how DaMonica Cannon is taking an everyday activity, like cooking dinner and turning it into a teachable moment for her two children.