DCHS Tigerette Kenzie France Signs with Cumberland to Play Softball

January 23, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

Another outstanding DCHS softball player has signed a letter of intent with Cumberland University of Lebanon to play collegiate ball for the Phoenix after she graduates here.

Kenzie France, a senior, put pen to paper Wednesday at DCHS. Members of Kenzie’s family, coaches, and fellow players joined her for the occasion including Heather Stanfill, head coach of the Cumberland University Phoenix.

Cumberland is a member of the Mid-South Conference affiliated with the NAIA.

“The reason I chose Cumberland is because I have always been a little bit of a home body and it was close enough that I could be away from home but I could also come back whenever I needed to and when I went to visit there it was a great family atmosphere and Coach Stanfill really made me feel I was part of the family. Everyone there is just so loving. I am so blessed and thankful for this opportunity and I give all glory to God,” said France.

“The first time we saw her play we definitely knew we wanted her. She is just an all around athlete. A good hitter and a good fielder and more importantly she is just a good person. I think for us she will fit right in with our current team. Everybody is excited to have her. Personality wise she just clicked with our team. Everybody wanted her and I think she will be a standout player for us. My goal is for her to move right into that first base position,” said Coach Stanfill.

Kenzie joins a growing list of softball players from DCHS who have made the move to Cumberland University after their high school playing days.

“We have had great success with players from DeKalb County. It started with Victoria Bennett and then we got Tyra Graham, Kayley Caplinger and down the line. It’s been incredible the character they have which matches really well with what I want,” added Coach Stanfill.

Although Kenzie will be handling first base duties at Cumberland, she will primarily be on the mound for her senior season with the Tigerettes this spring where she has had past success. Kenzie also achieved another feat last season by having set the DCHS softball program’s all time homerun record as a player for her career.

“I am expecting more big things from Kenzie this season. Big things from a big hitter. She will be primarily on the mound for us this year. She has been very good there for us but at the plate is where she owns it. As s sophomore she hit 15 homeruns and last year as a junior she had 60 RBIs. Everybody pitched around her. She set the all time homerun record here for her career at the end of last year. I have to check but I believe she had five homeruns as a freshman, 15 as a sophomore and 8 last year. She tied Tyra Graham for all time homeruns in a season as a sophomore. Kenzie is a prolific big bomb hitter,” said Tigerette Coach Danny Fish.

Kenzie said her career goal is to work in health care. “I would like to go into nursing and be a nurse practitioner with a major in mental health,” she said.

As for the upcoming softball season, her last as a Tigerette, Kenzie has high hopes. “I am so excited to see what this season has in store for us. We are going to work for it and I am hoping we go back to state,” Kenzie concluded.

Cumberland University softball has been selected fifth in the Mid-South Conference Preseason Coaches’ Poll. Head coach Stanfill begins her 12th season with the Phoenix and returns five starters from last year’s club that finished 26-22 overall, 11-15 in conference action. Senior Tyra Graham of DeKalb County and junior Madison Woodruff both earned First Team All-Mid-South accolades last season.

January 22, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

A lucky Tennessee Lottery Powerball player in DeKalb County recently won $50,000.

Jason Moore purchased the winning ticket at Kwik N Ezy Exxon in Smithville.

About the Tennessee Education Lottery Corporation.

The Tennessee Education Lottery Corporation operates entirely from the revenue it generates through the sale of its products. Since January 20, 2004, the Lottery has raised more than $5 billion to fund designated education programs, including after-school programs, college grants and scholarships and Drive to 55 initiatives.

In addition to the educational beneficiaries, players have won more than $14.3 billion in prizes and Lottery retailers have earned more than $1.3 billion in retailer commissions.

For additional information, visit tnlottery.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram.

January 22, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

January 27-31, 2020, is School Board Appreciation Week in Tennessee. This week helps build awareness and understanding of the vital functions locally elected boards of education play in the community.

The DeKalb County School District is joining public school districts from across the state to celebrate School Board Appreciation Week and honor local board members for their commitment to DeKalb County and its children. “Our school system is the backbone of our community, and these men and women devote countless hours to making sure our schools are helping every child,” said Director of Schools Patrick Cripps.. “There is no greater honor that can be bestowed upon a citizen than membership on a local board of education. They spend countless hours studying the issues and regulations and make the tough decisions when called upon to ensure the type of accountability people expect.”

Cripps said the key work of school boards is to:

• Create a vision for what the community wants the school district to be and for making student achievement the top priority;

• Establish standards for what students will be expected to learn and be able to do;

• Ensure progress is measured to be sure the district’s goals are achieved and students are learning at expected levels;

• Create a safe, orderly climate where students can learn and teachers can teach;

• Form partnerships with others in the community to solve common problems; and

• Focus attention on the need for continuous improvement by questioning, refining and revising issues related to student achievement. “Our local school board impacts every student every day in DeKalb County by influencing the high quality of education that our children and youth receive. The DeKalb County school board shows its commitment to educational excellence and equity – and for that we are very grateful for their attitude of service,” added Director Cripps.

The members serving DeKalb County are as follows: Danny Parkerson, Alan Hayes, Jim Beshearse, Kate Miller, W.J. (Dub) Evins, III, Doug Stephens, and Shaun Tubbs.

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