The Perkerson chorus performs their rendition of the "Pledge of Allegiance," for Col. Deborah B. Grays, commander of Fort McPherson and Fort Gillem Ga., who was their principal for a day on Oct. 28, 2008. The chorus is comprised of third-, fourth- an...

W. Kameron Stevenson of WIGO 1570 AM radio prepares Grays and Mable Johnson, principal at Perkerson, before a live radio interview. Grays fielded questions about being the first African American commander of Fort McPherson and Fort Gillem, Ga. and th...

FORT MCPHERSON, Ga. -- Students at Perkerson Elementary School in Atlanta, Ga., a partnership school with the Fort McPherson community since 2006, embraced Col. Deborah B. Grays, commander, U.S. Army Garrison, (USAG), Fort McPherson and Fort Gillem, as their principal for a day Oct. 28, 2008.

The goal of principal for a day is for community leaders to continue to engage themselves and their organizations in continued involvement and support throughout the year at their school, according to Zelmer Dawes, the elementary school program manger for the USAG Community Outreach Office.

Teaching 350 students, it is the zoned elementary school for children that live on Fort McPherson. Fifteen Soldiers and civilian employees tutor and mentor students at Perkerson for one hour weekly.

The program has a long track record of success in many school districts, Dawes explained. "Inviting community leaders to shadow a principal for a day is a concept designed to help participants understand the rewards and rigors of the principalship. Participation in the program has resulted in appreciation and respect for schools, teachers and principals. They have also built lasting public relations benefits."