Each school year means more volunteer opportunities for Kimla Drawdy.

"When I volunteer in my children's schools, I look for ways to help the administration and teachers with different tasks," said the parent volunteer for A.R. Johnson Health Science and Engineering Magnet School and the Academy of Richmond County.

"It gives me a lot of joy each year knowing that I'm doing something to help the schools," she said. "That's why I try my best to help with anything they need."

Her eagerness impressed A.R. Johnson's school counselor, Emma McCain.

"She came in the first week of school and asked, 'What can I do to help?" Dr. McCain said. "Because our office deals with a lot of confidential information, I wasn't sure that there was anything that she could do at first. Then, I began thinking about the ideas I had, but haven't had the time to implement."

One of those ideas was to create a Panthers on the College Prowl wall to recognize seniors who have been accepted to colleges and those who have received scholarships.

"When I told her about it, she didn't hesitate to get started on it. Yes, it was my idea, but I fully credit her for making it happen," she said.

Mrs. Drawdy has also helped the office with other projects and activities geared toward recognizing and encouraging students. She has become such a regular at the school that the guidance office has set aside a work area for her, Dr. McCain said.

Parental involvement at all school levels is important, said Mrs. Drawdy, who has been volunteering since her oldest child was in kindergarten.

"So many times, parents will stop volunteering at elementary or middle schools, but it's very important that parents continue to volunteer through high school," she said. "Their involvement can mean a world of difference to the school and the students."