A special homecoming at OMIS

In September, Oak Mountain Intermediate School witnessed a special homecoming.

During a school pep rally, student Serene Sims was reunited with her father, Sgt. William Sims, who returned that day from his fifth — and final — deployment to Afghanistan.

The reunion was arranged by teacher Tara Schultz, who received an email from Serene’s mother notifying her that Sgt. Sims was returning.

“I wanted it to not only be a special moment for my sweet, outgoing student and her family, but a hero’s welcome too!” Schultz said. “The willingness and support of her family, excitement of my principal and school coaches and the timing of Sergeant Sims’ arrival at school — right at the beginning of a school wide pep rally — made a little girl’s dream come true. Our students along with teachers and staff members witnessed an unexpected and joyful reuniting of a little girl and her daddy!”

After father and daughter were reunited Coach Mike Goodwin, who was leading the assembly, explained the significance of the event just witnessed. On behalf of the school he thanked Sergeant Sims for his service and then shared, “Boys and girls… if you ever wonder what a real hero looks like, this is it.”

- Submitted by Dana Thrasher