DCHS students and staff take the Team ALeX “Spend a Day in My Wheels” challenge

April 23, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

Students and staff at DeKalb County High School experienced what life in a wheelchair is like firsthand Thursday as part of the Team ALeX “Spend a Day in My Wheels” challenge.

The idea for the challenge came from 16-year-old Alex Johnson, a tenth grader at Friendship Christian School in Lebanon and a wheelchair user. Alex is the son of Smithville native and DCHS alumni Nathan Johnson. Alex is the grandson of Mike and Jeana Johnson.

The challenge is used to raise accessibility awareness for people that use wheelchairs and other mobility devices. Team ALeX challenges participants to spend a work or school day doing their daily activities in a wheelchair. Alex designed the challenge to open everyone’s eyes to the difficulties people with mobility devices face on a daily basis. The Permobil Foundation supplies the wheelchairs for all wheelchair challenges. Through a partnership with the Permobil Foundation, Alex hopes to change the world one challenge at a time.

DCHS Assistant Principal Thomas Cagle and DCHS Senior Brayden Tubbs were among nine students, three teachers, one administrator, and Director of Schools Patrick Cripps who took part in the daylong event.

“We did as many challenges in the wheelchairs as we could during the day from going to all our classes, the restroom, and cafeteria and we had a pre-checked box of things to try to accomplish today in the wheelchairs. The goal was to stay in the wheelchairs all day and to try to do as many things as possible. Some things we struggled with but that is part of the point to understand the impact wheelchairs can have on individuals that need them and for us to gain some empathy for those people and try to understand what life is like for them and how it is different,” said Cagle.

Tubbs said he took the challenge and found the experience to be an eye opener.

“It was different. You feel like you are on a different level than other people. Its like people have to look down at you. Its just a weird feeling but it was a learning experience. It was hard. My arms are killing me right now. I am definitely going to be sore tomorrow,” said Tubbs.

April 23, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

In the latest report from the Smithville Police Department, 52-year-old Bradley Lynn Luna of Antioch Road was arrested on April 10 for possession of Methamphetamine with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. Police were summoned to the parking lot Mapco Express where a man was found slumped over the steering wheel of a vehicle. Police confronted the man, Luna who was found to be in possession of approximately 1.6 grams of a crystal-clear substance believed to be Methamphetamine, a clear pipe, water bong, and a loaded 9mm Kimber handgun. Bond for Luna is $10,000 and his court date is May 26.

51-year-old Tisha Elaine Burns of Miller Road was arrested on April 12 after being served with a warrant issued by the state of Virginia for a crime committed there. Police found Burns behind Food Lion and a driver’s license check through Central Dispatch revealed she was wanted on a probation violation for Schedule I & II drug offenses. Virginia authorities said they plan to extradite Burns. Her bond is $50,000 and she will be in court May 19.

April 23, 2022
By: Tess Barton, 4-H Member

Tess Barton and Alyssa Crook, sophomores at DeKalb County High School, were selected to represent DeKalb County at the 75th Annual 4-H Congress held March 20-23, 2022 in Murfreesboro and Nashville. Over 500 students from across the state came together for this special 4-H event. These students had the opportunity to get up close with how state government functions. 4-H Congress focuses on citizenship development in Tennessee’s youth. In a hands-on setting, 4-H Congress teaches delegates about the legislative process, how a bill becomes a law, and the role each citizen can play in the political process.

Upon their Sunday arrival at the Embassy Suites in Murfreesboro, Tess and Alyssa joined the other delegates at an Opening Assembly where they enjoyed musical entertainment and dancing from the 4-H Entertainment Troupe as well as a parade of past Congress delegates from decades as far back as the 1940’s. Mary Ann Puckett, DeKalb volunteer leader for this year’s Congress, represented the 1990’s delegates, local attorney Tecia Puckett Pryor represented the 1980’s, and 4-H Agent Leigh Fuson paraded with the 2000’s group.

Monday was a long and busy day as all the delegates took charter buses to the State Capitol in downtown Nashville. Tess and Alyssa were designated as “senators” so they went into the Senate chambers where they participated in a mock Senate session moderated by 4-H student officers. They debated on mock bills with other delegates and even had the chance to cast votes from the actual desks at which our state senators sit. After the mock session, the girls had lunch at TSU Avon Williams campus and went on to explore downtown Nashville on foot in a scavenger hunt. Following the hunt and a group photo of all the Congress delegates on the steps of the War Memorial Plaza, DeKalb extension agents Leigh Fuson and Mykaela Young came downtown and accompanied Tess, Alyssa and Mary Ann on visits to meet state legislators who serve DeKalb County. Clark Boyd and Terri Lynn Weaver were available to share stories and answer questions with the 4-H delegates. Tess and Alyssa were each given a 2022 Tennessee Blue Book as a gift from their legislators. Once their time on Capitol Hill was up, the DeKalb group headed across town for a little shopping at the Assembly Food Hall and dinner on First Avenue at The Hampton Social–Nashville. Naps were in order on the bus ride back to Murfreesboro after the exciting day downtown!

On the final day of Congress, Tuesday, the delegation of students assembled to watch the History Bowl competition which was moderated by Lelan Statom, former 4-H’er and Emmy award winning meteorologist for NewsChannel5. Congress attendees then listened to campaign speeches from student officer candidates for 2023 4-H Congress. The positions up for election were Speaker of the House, Speaker of the Senate, and Governor. At the close of the morning assembly, Congress delegates had an authentic voting experience by selecting their choices among the candidates on actual voting machines used in the real elections in Rutherford County. Once the votes were in and the winners were named, Congress delegates went back to Nashville and enjoyed a lunch cruise down the Cumberland River aboard the General Jackson Riverboat. After lunch, the top-notch country music show “Tennessee Legends” was presented for everyone to watch. A good time was had by all aboard the boat.

Tuesday evening was the Citizenship Banquet where all the delegates dressed in formal attire as musical entertainment played, a delicious meal was served, speeches were given, and 4-H award winners were announced. A highlight of the evening was Governor Bill Lee’s keynote speech. He discussed how being a 4-H member impacted his life and how he remains committed to 4-H, and he encouraged youth to participate in their communities through 4-H and other avenues. Students and adults in attendance felt special having the Governor of Tennessee be a part of the Congress festivities. When the banquet was over, 4-H delegates kicked up their heels at the Inaugural Ball. The DJ expertly got the dance floor hopping with his lighting and music–a perfect way to send this year’s Congress delegates home on a fun, memorable note. Tess and Alyssa were proud to represent DeKalb County in this premiere 4-H event. For more information about 4-H, please call 615-597-4945.

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