Cody Denard Cody Denard accepted a first grade challenge from Kermit Hocutt 12 years ago and has the Easter egg to prove it.

First grade teacher Debbie Lindsey, now retired after 30 years of teaching at Washington-Wilkes Primary School, had a volunteer, Kermit Hocutt, who loved to think of unique ways to inspire and challenge students. As in years before "Mr. Kermit" presented the 1996-97 first grade students in Mrs. Lindsey's class with sugar Easter eggs complete with dioramas inside. He challenged each student to keep his or her egg until graduation at which time, if they could show the egg to be intact, he would do something "really special" for them.

Cody, a W-WCHS Class of 2009 graduate, was the only student who met the challenge this year. Cody presented his egg in tact to "Mr. Kermit" who kept his promise by doing something "very special" for him in return.

Cody is the son of Shane Denard and grandson of Ralph "Coot" and Mary Will Denard.