Plaza Towers Hero Finally Moving On

She was hailed a hero after the May 20 tornado last year, when she shielded her students at Plaza Towers Elementary school. Saturday night, the teachers' assistant says she is just now moving on with her life.

Saturday, May 24th 2014, 8:10 pm

By: News 9


She was hailed a hero after the May 20 tornado last year, when she shielded her students at Plaza Towers Elementary school. Saturday night, the teachers' assistant says she is just now moving on with her life.

Maylene Sorrels and her 10 children have been living in a rental home since the tornado. And while they are all ready to start that new life together, a lot of it looks very familiar to them.

"Being displaced and not knowing what you're going to do when you get home, you know, this is truly incredible," said Sorrels.

Sorrels watches as her family's new house comes together; beds, dressers, couches and the kitchen table.

"It's been a long year. It's been so hard and to end the day sitting at my table in my house with my children at enough chairs for all of us," said Sorrels. "I don't think I can put into words what that's going to feel like."

7/20/2013 Related Story: Graduation Ceremony Held For Plaza Towers Students

Sorrels can see Plaza Towers from her front door. That's where she shielded students from the tornado, despite the memories it brings up, this is home and Sorrels credits her kids with helping her to stay strong.

"I didn't want to get out of bed. But it was because they had something to do or somewhere to go. I did it for them. They are ones who helped get me through this past year," Sorrels said.

The Sorrels have come full-circle after moving into their new home and through it all, they learned there are special people willing to help.

"The people who are willing to show up to help you pick up the pieces and pack up when we lost everything and…to show up and you know help pick up the pieces when we're trying to move back home."

And through all of it, Sorrels says that's the best lesson her kids could ever learn.

"There really are good people left in the world, that you can believe in people and that people always want to help."

Sorrels was actually on a national talk show when she was surprised with $10,000 worth of furniture. Bob Mills delivered that furniture on Saturday.

Sorrels plans on being back at work inside the new Plaza Towers Elementary School next year. Eight of her children went to Plaza Towers.

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