money Mayor Chaz Molder inspires students to dream big at Woodard Elementary oath of office ceremony
Woodard Elementary School held its first ceremonial Oath of Office ceremony Thursday for Columbia Mayor Chaz Molder and Vice Mayor Randy McBroom, who were elected in the Columbia City Election on Nov. 8.
Molder is entering his second term as mayor with a focus on keeping the momentum of growth and prosperity going in Columbia, as well as supporting education to produce the city’s future workforce and leaders.
Students presented the mayors with gifts from each grade level, performed songs, including a performance by the Whitthorne Brass Quintet, as principal Carol Ann Gent led the ceremony. Maury County Judge Bobby Sands officiated the ceremonial swearing in ceremony as the mayors’ families stood by their side.
Along with the students, parents, Maury County Public Schools Superintendent Lisa Ventura and other members of central office and the community crammed into the gymnasium for the ceremony.
Molder's bright white Air Jordan sneakers, which complemented his mayoral-best suit and tie, caused a big stir of approval among the elementary school students. Looking at the ground, it was difficult to distinguish Molder’s feet from the feet of the K-4 students in the gymnasium.
“I got my first pair of Air Jordans in elementary school, so I thought it might be appropriate to wear them today,” Molder said. “My children voted on whether I should wear them today, and it was 2 to 1. The sneakers won.”
Molder, who attended McDowell Elementary and Whitthorne Middle in Maury County Public Schools, encouraged students to dream big, set goals, never give up and "maybe you can be mayor too."
"It wasn't so long ago that I was an elementary school student in Columbia, Tennessee," Molder said, reminiscing when Woodard Elementary School was first built. He called the school a "shining star" in the school district, praising its most recent accomplishment of being named as a Reward school by the state. The recognition is given to schools that excel in performance and/or progress based on state testing. Only the top 5% of Tennessee schools receive the recognition.
"This school consistently demonstrates excellence, shows public service and trains future leaders," Molder said.
Supporting education top priority
Molder made a promise to students to keep education on the forefront of his decisions and mayoral support.
"Over the next four years, our goal is to shoot for the moon. We will show all who are watching that a new generation of leadership is working to help chart Columbia's course, " Molder said. "And that Columbia's leadership is focused on the future by investing in the future and that includes investing in each and every one of you.
"Columbia remains a city with momentum like never before. We aren't perfect, but we will never stop trying to be. It is a city that was poised for growth and opportunity, and we plan to seize this moment."
The gym erupted into cheers when Molder also promised to provide ice cream for all students on an upcoming Friday.
Ava Grace Toban, 9, a fourth grade student in Emily Ferguson's class, said she was moved by Molder’s speech.
“I thought his speech was very touching," Toban said. "He included the community in his speech, and it really touched my heart."
Toban is also striving to make her own community a better place through a trash improvement initiative she started called "Trashinators" at WES.
“We pick up trash to make the community a better place, especially around the playground swings and under the trees,” Toban said. “Eventually, we want to raise money for churches and charities.”
Molder praised such student-led initiatives, including the school's donation of $2,000-plus to the Miracle League of Columbia nonprofit as part of its Crayons for a Cause program, selling art made from recycled crayons.
Molder also accepted his oath of office during the city council meeting last Thursday.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Herald: Mayors Molder, McBroom sworn in during Woodard Elementary ceremony
