On Thursday, September 4, Mrs. Sally White received an anonymous envelope in her mailbox. To her surprise, it was typed using an old-fashioned typewriter and bore an Atticus Finch (actor Gregory Peck) stamp, which is one of the main characters from Mrs. White’s favorite novel, To Kill A Mockingbird.

Inside the nameless envelope was $800.00 worth of gift certificates for McKay Used Books. Mrs. White was beyond grateful and ecstatic at this wonderful surprise.

“I’ve never seen anybody that excited!” remarked Skylor Turner, a student in Mrs. White’s Honors English 10 class.

“She cried tears of joy. That obviously meant the world to her,” noted Hannah Holmberg after seeing Central’s thankful teacher open the envelope that morning.

Not only were Mrs. White and her students in shock, but the generous gift left even Mr. Finley King, Central’s principal, at a loss for words. When speaking with King afterwards about the gift, he explained that he had no idea where it came from.

“Even though I’m not sure who it came from, I’m positive it was given by somebody who truly knows Sally,” King said. “Whoever gave her the certificates paid great attention to detail, from the Atticus Finch stamp to typing it out, knowing that Mrs. White would check the handwriting. They knew what they were doing. It definitely spoofed me.”

Not long after White received the $800.00, she made the decision to share her present with the rest of the English department. Not only is this an incredible display of character, but it is also the perfect demonstration of why White received the gift in the first place.

Somebody took it upon themselves to commit such a kind and thoughtful deed which in turn, Mrs. Sally White decided to pass forward.