LUCAMA, N.C. (WTVD) -- If you believe something good can come out of tragedy, this is a perfect example.

One year after an EF-3 tornado nearly destroyed Springfield Middle School in Wilson County, the community is stronger than ever.

The tornado struck overnight, heavily damaging the school on Wiggins Mill Road in Lucama.

"The ends of the wings were destroyed. The roof was ripped off. We had things down in the parking lot," said Dr. Ben Williams, Assistant Superintendent of Administrative Services for Wilson County Schools. "I mean, it was really a devastating scene. It was really bad."

Kelly Thomas, the principal at Springfield Middle, vividly recalled those harrowing moments.

"I live here in the community, so I was actually sheltering in place when all this was going on, and ge

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