Page 57 - 2019 Sustainability Report

One such idea – acquiring a spirit rock – initially seemed
like a pipe dream. That is until Peeples received a bit of Painted by local artists Alyson and Sherry
help from the school’s Youth Development Coordinator Wyche, the spirit rock has become a rallying
Yokeisha Colvin. point for students and teachers alike. From
left: Peeples, Lucero Parada and Colvin.
Colvin took ownership of the project and eventually
came in contact with Plant Manager Shane Hopson and
Foreman Jerry Easter, who welcomed her and Peeples into
Central Rock Quarry in October. After picking out their
3,500-pound boulder, Colvin arranged for a local firm to GIVING IN KIND
transport the spirit rock at no cost. The youth development
coordinator says the excellent performance by both the Not all material donations come in
students and Peeples made her efforts to bring the spirit the form of spirit rocks. In fact, most
rock to its new home well worth it. come in the form of crushed stone for
parking lots, concrete for walkways or
landscaping rock that add beauty to
“I know it was a dream for Dr. Peeples. She’s local communities. In 2019, Martin
really helped us all to flourish here. There’s Marietta donated:
something about her that just shouts, ‘Go!
Do! Fly little chick!’ She’s supportive and has
set a foundation for greatness. She deserves 12,287 tons
this, too.”
“The children immediately started asking to take photos of aggregate material
next to it. On the first day, they thought it was a meteorite
that had fallen from the sky,” said Colvin. “And I know it
was a dream for Dr. Peeples. She’s really helped us all to
flourish here. There’s something about her that just shouts,
‘Go! Do! Fly little chick!’ She’s supportive and has set a 1,051 cubic yards
foundation for greatness. She deserves this, too.”
of ready mixed concrete
The rock, now painted Carolina blue and featuring the
Cone Cougar, has already meant much to the school. It’s
allowed Cone to visibly project its pride into the community.
It’s given parents and families a picturesque scene for
school-related photos. It’s provided the students with a
place to focus their school spirit.
George Lucero Parada, 11, a fifth-grader and Cone’s
student body president, agreed.
“I don’t think our school spirit has been as high as it
should, but the spirit rock will help,” he said. “It’s a
motivator for me. Every time I see it, I get excited to
come to school.”
For Peeples, the rock has been an especially important gift
— one she says has helped strengthen relationships across
the school community simply by its presence.
“So much of what we do here is about greeting people
with a smile — whether that comes with a fist bump or
a hug — and the spirit rock has gone a long way to help
foster that,” she said. “It shows people that we care. This
building is from 1935, so it may look a bit more like a high
school or middle school, but the spirit rock adds a bit of
whimsy. It makes people realize that we have kids here
who are capable of great things.”

57 / MARTIN MARIETTA / SUSTAINABILITY REPORT / 2019