Elementary Named After Local Couple

"We can amend that the new name is Mel and Zora Rashkis Elementary School," said board Chairwoman Valerie Foushee.

Kim Hoke, the district spokeswoman, said the board struggled to choose one from the six final names. It used community feedback to narrow the choices.

"We sent fliers home with children, local newspapers ran articles, local radios made announcements, and people could suggest names over the Internet," Hoke said.

At the meeting, the audience supported the school's naming by loudly applauding for the deserving couple.

"It's thrilling because from the age of 2, I told people I was going to be a teacher," Zora Rashkis said.

Zora Rashkis said she taught her entire life and instructed in Chapel Hill for 20 years, while Mel Rashkis was involved by serving on the board of the Chapel Hill Public Library Foundation and the board of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Public School Foundation.

"We've loved every minute of it," Zora Rashkis said. "We love the schools, we love the kids, and we love the town."

The naming committee recommended five other names for consideration by the school board: Caldwell Elementary School, Dubose Elementary School, Frances Hargraves Elementary School, Howard and Lillian Lee Elementary School and Meadowmont Elementary School.

A total of 60 names were suggested from the 150 participants who responded to the inquiries. Out of the 150 participants, 48 requested the school to be Meadowmont.

Respondents said the community already referred to the school as Meadowmont because this was the area in which the school was built.

Hoke said more than 500 students will attend the school, yet fewer than 100 students will actually live in Meadowmont.

"Not all the children that form the school come from that development," Hoke said.

Board member Elizabeth Carter wants to make sure that the names not used will be passed on to be considered for another school naming in the area.

"I would like the next naming committee to have access to that," Carter said.

All board members agreed to keep family names not voted upon for future use.

Board members, as well as Hoke, said the area is lucky to have so many families, couples and individuals who influence education.

"We are fortunate in this community that so many people are willing to serve very selflessly to schools and to the furthering of eduction," Hoke said. "There are so many people that deserve to have a school named after them."

The City Editor can be reached at citydesk@unc.edu.