I have read this short story several times over the years and each time I come across it, it resonates with me. Most recently, I thought about it in relation to the 'rope' that may be holding our students in place. What I know is that each of you have a heart for kids and can help show them the way to cut that rope and be the best they can be.

“As a man was passing the elephants, he suddenly stopped, confused by the fact that these huge creatures were being held by only a small rope tied to their front leg. No chains, no cages. It was obvious that the elephants could, at anytime, break away from their bonds but for some reason, they did not.

He saw a trainer nearby and asked why these animals just stood there and made no attempt to get away. ‘Well,’ trainer said, ‘when they are very young and much smaller we use the same size rope to tie them and, at that age, it’s enough to hold them. As they grow up, they are conditioned to believe they cannot break away. They believe the rope can still hold them, so they never try to break free.’

The man was amazed. These animals could at any time break free from their bonds but because they believed they couldn’t, they were stuck right where they were.”

Bonham ISD collected a total of 8,845 food items that were distributed among The Food Pantry, Crisis Center, Manna House and the Blessing Box at the First Presbyterian Church.

The students at I.W. Evans donated the most cans per student - their collection averaged 10.5 cans per student. Congrats go to I.W. Evans!!

As a District, BISD students donated 4.6 cans per student.