Douglas Mantooth dedicated many years of service to the Cherokee High School Student Assistance Program, and he continues to serve after his death in December 2013.
As part of the funeral arrangements his wife, Mary Mantooth, and the family requested in lieu of flowers that donations be sent to the CHS Student Assistance Program. This unexpected gift of generosity has enabled the program to maintain services to the students.
Douglas Mantooth (Photo contributed)
Program coordinator Reba Elders said approximately $1,500 has been donated in the name of Mantooth. Discussions are under way regarding how these funds will be applied.
The Student Assistance Program began about 25 years ago through a workshop in Arizona. Cheryl Watkins introduced the program and trained 30 staff members at Cherokee Central Schools to create support groups within the school system. Former Principal Chief Joyce Dugan heavily supported the program’s establishment.
Since that time, the program’s mission is to prevent and intervene in the areas of substance abuse and other behaviors that interfere with life development in at-risk youth. Mantooth fostered and mentored at-risk youth for many years.
Elders said the program continues to grow, and they are currently working on a program to get parents and families more heavily involved with the school for the benefit of students’ academic development. She wants them to be more informed and become active participants in their children’s success. This level of participation will aid in targeting dropout prevention in the school system and lead to more at-risk youth moving on to postsecondary education and productive lives.
Elders said, “We are so thankful to all who have donated funds. It is a blessing to see Doug’s legacy live on.”
If you are interested in continuing Doug Mantooth’s legacy of generosity, donations can be sent to the Student Assistance Program, Cherokee High School, Attention: Reba Elders, 200 Ravsford Drive, Cherokee, NC 28719.
A special thank you is extended to his wife Mary and her family for their continued support, and to all those listed below who have made donations in memory of a generous man who served his community well for many years: David and Patricia Mantooth, Peggy Jones Hurt, Gary and Linda Isaac, Richard Weese, Gary and Susan Hubbard, James Hughes and Nancy Janet, James and Elisabeth Kirk, Randall and Velvie Mantooth, Mark Smith and Karen Wilson, Ronald and Sandra Clemmons, Bobby Mulvey and Judith Stephens, Danny and Loretta Mantooth, Virginia Merriman, John and Diana Jurss, Tracey Blackburn, and John Overby.
– Cherokee Central Schools
