Parent Teacher Magazine Union County Public Schools Nov/Dec 2015 | Page 19

Piedmont High student receives escort of a lifetime

A sea of yellow shirts, bandanas and face-painted 10th graders
and their teachers flooded the sidewalks and entrance at Piedmont
High School on Sept. 15, as shouts and cheers greeted the arrival of
Greg Floyd, a sophomore battling Leukemia.
Hometown
Hero arrives
Greg was
brought to
school by
Union County
Sheriff Eddie
Cathey,
accompanied
by a convoy
motorcycles
driven by
volunteers
and area law
enforcement.
This
unprecedented
Union County Sheriff Eddie Cathey escorts Greg Floyd, a
and memorable
10th grader battling leukemia, to school as part of the
event was
Hometown Heroes event.
made possible
by the non-profit organization Hometown Heroes.
Prior to getting into the sheriff’s car, Greg said he was nervous
and excited. “I’ve seen these before, but I’ve never been a part of it.”
Upon arrival at his school, Greg waved to fellow classmates who were
lined up outside clapping, cheering and chanting. School Resource
Officer David Ludlow opened the car door and he and Piedmont
principal Dr. Jonathan Tyson welcomed Greg to school. Students and
family then surrounded Greg, offering greetings and hugs.
“Are you ready to go to school?” Tyson asked, as the students
cheered. Hundreds of 10th-grade students shook Greg’s hand as he
entered the building.
Being the focus of all the attention didn’t seem to be a problem for
the 16-year-old, who smiled as he greeted his fellow classmates.
“Greg is very outgoing and enjoys being around his friends,”
Tyson explained.
Greg had been surprised that morning with the news that he
would be escorted to school in a motorcycle procession that would
travel along Independence Boulevard and ultimately end at his
school.
Hometown Hero with officials The motorcade began at Texas
Roadhouse in Matthews earlier in the day, when the Hometown
Heroes organization honored families of children stricken by cancers.
Approximately 70 to 80 volunteers with Hometown Heroes rode on
their motorcycles behind Greg and Sheriff Cathey.
“Hometown Heroes has done a lot for us,” Greg said. “I can’t say
enough about them. I’m really happy they’re doing this for all of us.
They always have fun. Big kids helping little kids.”
His mom, Sara, and younger sister, Madison, were on hand to
enjoy the event with Greg.
“I’m excited for Greg to get to do this and especially because we
were able to keep it from him,” said he mom, Sara Floyd. “This is an
awesome day that they’re doing this for Greg. I can not say enough
about Hometown Heroes they