Hospital employee Susan Bates was surrounded by Massey Hill Classical High School students Wednesday afternoon. She last saw them when they were hospitalized at Camden Medical Center in Georgia. Wednesday, she checked up on them at their school in Fayetteville.
"To come back and see them in school with smiles on their faces and healthy is very gratifying," she said.
Several students were injured in April when their bus crashed on the way to a band competition. During Wednesday's senior awards ceremony, the seniors said thanks to the hospital, school and Mission Ministry that took care of them after the crash.
"I feel funny accepting thanks for something we wanted to do and should have done," said Dr. Ann Proctor, Superintendent of Camden County Schools.
The school's Key Club raised more than $1,200 for the Georgia community hundreds of miles away.
"We just felt the need to give back to their community. The way they blessed us with gifts from businesses, we just felt we should give back," said student Joell Marlowe.
Yellow ribbons are still pinned up at Massey Hill Classical School. Students do not want to forget others who are still recovering.
"It made me feel better because we had a chance to thank them at home, not at the hospital. It's good to see them again. We are like family," said student Peter Kalogerinis.
During the ceremony, "Thank You" proclamations from the city, county and state were also presented to Georgia and Florida agencies who helped out after the crash.
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