D.C.H.S. Band Excels in Weekend Tournament

October 24, 2022
By: Bill Conger

The D.C.H.S. Band brought home some heavy metal with their 1980s themed “Blast From the Past (Back to the Future)” program this past weekend. The Fighting Tiger Marching Band placed first in its class for drum major [Serenity Burgess], first in its class for percussion, and first in its class for color guard Saturday (Oct. 22) at the Forrest Rocket Tournament of Bands in Chapel Hill. The band took second in its class and 13th out of 20 overall that including several much larger bands.

“They’ve been improving every week everything from the drum major, to the percussion to the band, and color guard,” Band Director Don Whitt said in an interview prior to the awards’ announcements. “Every time we turn around they’re asking, “How can we do better?” They had a really good attitude coming into this. That’s what I’m proud about. Number one, they’re excited about the state championships coming up in a couple of weeks. This competition is like the Golden Globes Awards before you go to the Oscars. Usually, if they do well here, they do well at the state championship. A lot of directors have been telling me about how well they thought the band has done [today], and I really value their opinions. All in all we did really well.”

Assistant Band Director/Percussion Instructor Erica Birmingham said the percussion section performed “absolutely wonderful.”

“I know there were a couple of hiccups here and there whenever the entire electronic system completely went kaput, but the percussion handled themselves very well accordingly. In fact, they improvised on the spot. Nobody knew that anything was going on wrong. They picked it up and listened and made sure everything was on top. I’m super proud of them and all their hard work they have put into this. They deserve this win.”

“The color guard continues to grow and improve as our season progresses,” Color Guard Coach Shannon Johns said. “They not only won best in class, but ranked 5th out of 20 guards overall! Also, several of the students helped write this show, so they have much to be proud of. I cannot wait to see them show off at the state competition in November.”

The band plays again at the high school’s Open House Thursday followed by Friday night’s last home football game. On November 5th, the marching ensemble journeys to Smyrna for the 41st Annual Tennessee Division II State Marching Band Championship.

October 24, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

The 2022 Fall Fest Queen (age 17-20) is Kenlee Renae Taylor.

She is the 17-year-old daughter of Ken and Cindy Taylor of Smithville and a senior at DCHS. The pageant was held Saturday at the County Complex Auditorium sponsored by the Smithville Business and Professional Women’s Club.

Meanwhile, Deanna Marie Agee, 14-year-old daughter of David and Dama Agee of Smithville was crowned queen of the age 14-16 category. She was also awarded for prettiest eyes, hair, attire, and most photogenic.

First runner-up: McKenna Reece Miller of Dowelltown, 14-year-old daughter of Charles and Christen Cox and David and Casey Miller. Second runner-up: Cali Agee, 14-year-old daughter of Kevin and Jennifer Agee of Smithville. She was also awarded for prettiest smile.

Kaydence Shontae Johnson, 12-year-old daughter of Jeremy and Trista Ashburn of Smithville won the Fall Fest Queen crown of the age 11-13 category Saturday.

First runner-up, Baylei Benson, 11-year-old daughter of John and Karey Washer and Christopher Benson of Smithville. She was also awarded for prettiest eyes, hair, and most photogenic.  Second runner-up Jacee Daley, 13-year-old daughter of Megan Linder and the late Jacob Dailey.

Fall Fest Pageant (ages 11-13) Optionals:  Prettiest Attire-Kenadee Rose Prichard, 13-year-old daughter of Luke and Jo Dee Prichard of Alexandria. Prettiest eyes, hair, and most photogenic- Baylei Benson, 11-year-old daughter of John and Karey Washer and Christopher Benson of Smithville. Prettiest smile- Karah Jo Ford, 12-year-old daughter of Hector O’roscoe and Amanda Ford of Smithville

Katie Jo Prichard, 7-year-old daughter of Luke and Jo Dee Prichard of Alexandria was the winner of the Fall Fest Pageant in the age 7-10 category Saturday. She was also awarded for prettiest smile, eyes, and attire.

First runner-up Alexis Nicole Graham, 10-year-old daughter of Derek and Andria Graham of Smithville. Second runner-up Aryanna Virginia Grace Marks, 7-year-old daughter of Rebecca and Nicholas Marks of Smithville. She was also awarded for prettiest hair and most photogenic.

Ansley Grace Snow, 6-year-old daughter of Ashleigh Snow and Andy and Laura Snow of Smithville is the Fall Fest Queen for ages 4-6.  She was also awarded Saturday for prettiest attire.

First runner-up Brynlee Allana Rankhorn, 4-year-old daughter of Jacob and Ashlee Rankhorn of Rock Island. She was also awarded for prettiest hair. Second runner-up Dallas “Toby” Agee , 5-year-old daughter of Donny and Stephanie Agee of Smithville.

Fall Fest Pageant (ages 4-6) Optionals:  Prettiest Attire-Ansley Grace Snow, 6-year-old daughter of Ashleigh Snow and Andy and Laura Snow of Smithville; Prettiest eyes-Briar Rose Kilgore, 4-year-old daughter of Clay and Mariah Kilgore of Smithville; Prettiest hair- Brynlee Allana Rankhorn, 4-year-old daughter of Jacob and Ashlee Rankhorn of Rock Island; and Prettiest smile- Jane Grant, 4-year-old daughter of Burt and Danielle Grant of Smithville.

Winner of the Fall Fest Pageant (girls ages 25-48 months): Maeve Grant, 2-year-old daughter of Burt and Danielle Grant of Smithville.

Winner of the Fall Fest Pageant (boys ages 25-48 months): Sawyer Cordell Oyster, 30-month-old son of Coleman and Morgan Oyster of Liberty. First runner-up Samuel Keith Griffin, 42-month-old son of Luke and Casey Griffin of Alexandria.

Winner of the Fall Fest Pageant: (girls ages 13-24 months) Renly Kayte Roberts, 19-month-old daughter of Jordan and Dalton Roberts of Smithville. She also received awards for prettiest smile, eyes, attire and most photogenic. First runner-up: one year old Maeleigh Allen of Smithville. She also received the people’s choice award.

Winner of the Fall Fest Pageant: (boys ages 1 day to 6 months) Kasen Jacob Franklin, 6-month-old son of Amanda and Jake Franklin. He also won awards for most photogenic and people’s choice.

Winner of the Fall Fest Pageant: (girls ages 7-12 months) Sydney Ann Barrett, daughter of Stephen and Vickey Barrett of Dowelltown. She won all optional categories in which she was entered.

October 22, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

Parents and kids looking to trick or treat on Halloween will find plenty of opportunities downtown Smithville, at the County Complex on South Congress Boulevard, and other places in the county.

It’s the annual “Smithville Boo Bash” Monday, October 31 from noon until 5:00 p.m. Participating businesses downtown will have candy and special treats for the children.

The square will be blocked off around 11:30 to make it safer for everyone participating in this event.

“We have many new businesses in town and will also have many businesses from the city and county setting up around the square, we would like to encourage all that can, to come downtown and trick or treat with us,” said spokesperson Beth Adcock.

“The DeKalb County Community Complex will also be participating again this year so make sure to visit them as they would really enjoy seeing all the tricksters and treaters,” added Adcock.

Maps will be available at the Smithville Police Department’s Facebook Page, Smithville Review, WJLE, and Justin Potter Library.

Also during the Smithville Halloween Boo Bash, the Smithville-DeKalb County Chamber will be sponsoring the contests for Best Costumes and Best Decorations for participating Smithville businesses and offices! For a business to enter, take a picture with your cellphone and send it to 615-464-7760 by 1 PM on Monday, October 31st.

Winners will be promoted in the local media and on social media, announced on the November Chamber Chat WJLE Radio and DTC TV program, and most importantly for “bragging rights!”

Meanwhile, the DeKalb County Fair is hosting Fright Night at the Fairgrounds on Saturday, October 29 with trick or treating from 5-8 p.m. For a candy booth message the fair facebook page.

Indian Creek Baptist Church will have Trunk or Treat on Sunday, October 30th from 5-7 p.m. Wear your costumes, and enjoy candy and fellowship!

You are invited to Trunk or Treat. A Halloween event for the children of Smithville October 26 from 5:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the Smithville Church of Christ. Students of all ages will be able to Trick or Treat, enjoy a free meal, play games. Enter a costume contest and attend the Bible Study at 7 p.m.

DCHS presents an Open House October 27 starting at 5:45 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. featuring several Big Events including a Band Concert from 6 to 6:30 p.m. and a Choir Concert from 7 to 7:40 p.m. Project Graduation will present a Haunted House from 5:45 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. Make a donation to enter. The Haunted House will remain open two hours later than the Open House. Other activities include a LIVE wax museum, trick-or-treating, yearbook FLASH SALE, interactive student projects and work on display, chili cookoff, CTE/STEM demonstrations, face painting, hair braiding, and carnival games, and food trucks!

The DeKalb Animal Shelter and Loyal Dawg Rescue are teaming up for a “Night of Haunted Tails” an original Halloween play to be presented LIVE on stage in the auditorium of the Mike Foster Multi-Purpose Center. It’s Saturday, October 22 from 7-8 p.m.. Doors will open at 6 p.m. Admission is $15 for adults and $5 for children and all proceeds will go to the DeKalb Animal Shelter and Loyal Dawg Rescue. Tickets will be available only at the door. Dress up your little ghosts and goblins and join them for a night of Halloween fun and scares. Enjoy Halloween candy, baked goods, treats, hot apple cidar, and much more. “This is a brand-new original show that we are bringing to DeKalb County,” said John Hillard of Loyal Dawg Rescue. “It’s a LIVE production or play. It’ll be a night full of fun and chills with a lot of little spooks and scares for the kids. It’s going to be a fantastic show about one hour long. Its an interactive show with music and the audience will get to be part of it. All of the money raised will go to the little dogs and cats over at the shelter and at Loyal Dawg Rescue,” said Hillard. Like the DeKalb Animal Shelter, Loyal Dawg Rescue looks to place animals needing a loving home.

« First ‹ Previous 1 522 612 620 621 622623 624 632 722 2455 Next › Last »