2020 WJLE Radiothon for DCHS Project Graduation Sets New Record at $11,609 (View Videos Here)

June 5, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

Students in the DCHS Class of 2020 have been disappointed in recent months due to the cancellation of so many of their senior year plans because of the COVID 19 pandemic but they had reason to celebrate Friday.

During a three hour WJLE radiothon which was also LIVE streamed on the DCHS Tigers facebook page, the community rallied in support of the class with pledges and donations totaling a record breaking $11, 609 for the 2020 Project Graduation event which will be held following the graduation ceremonies on Friday, June 19.

The support was overwhelming, not only exceeding the $10,000 goal but easily surpassing last year’s radiothon fundraiser of $8,100, which had also set a new record up until that time.

The radiothon was hosted by DCHS Teacher Chris Vance and many members of the class and their parents took part in the program either on air or from behind the scenes. A special thanks to Jordan Atnip and Daniel Leslie who set up the LIVE facebook streaming broadcast from the WJLE Studios which was telecast on the DCHS Tigers facebook page and shared by others.

To add extra fun and excitement, members of the class agreed to gulp down a few spoonfuls of baby food and dog chow to meet the challenge from some callers in order to up the ante. One student even ate a banana with a stocking covering his head.

Michiko Martin and Shea Colwell, co-chairs of the Project Graduation Committee, said they could not have been more pleased with the outcome of the radiothon.

“We are pleased the kids are going to have something nice, safe, and something they can remember and enjoy with their friends for one last time as a class. We appreciate WJLE for allowing us to come in here and do this. We also want to thank Mr. Vance and the youth pastors from around town and so many others. It is a community thing and we are so thankful to everyone that has made this possible,” said Martin.

Project Graduation is an all night drug-free, alcohol-free graduation party for members of the DCHS Class of 2020 committed to having a safe, wholesome, yet entertaining celebration together for the last time as a class. This year’s event will be held at the Smithville First Baptist Church Life Enrichment Center.

“ We will have all kinds of games including volleyball, cornhole, karaoke and more with chances for them to win money and take home something,” said Colwell.

“Our administrators and the teachers at the school have also gone above and beyond to help our students to have a great year as much as possible and to carry on with the prom, graduation, and project graduation,” added Colwell.

You can still make donations to the DCHS Class of 2020 Project Graduation event by dropping off a check to either Cindy Washer at First Bank in Smithville or to Michiko Martin at the Family Medical Center.

A special thanks for the generous donations of First Bank ($2,000), Liberty State Bank ($1,000) and Wilson Bank and Trust ($1,000) and to all others who supported the radiothon.

The commencement for the DCHS Class of 2020 will be Friday, June 19 at 8 p.m. on the high school football field. The prom is set for Friday, June 12 at 8 p.m. at Twisted Oaks in Smithville.

June 5, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

For the second time in a little more than a month, a Smithville man has escaped possible life threatening injuries.

23 year old Braxton Bennett was taken by DeKalb EMS to Ascension Saint Thomas DeKalb Hospital Wednesday afternoon after being involved in a one car crash on Allen Ferry Road. Just 34 days before on April 30, Bennett suffered stab wounds during an altercation which began at a residence on Adcock Cemetery Road.

According to Trooper Brent Collier of the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Bennett was driving south on Allen Ferry Road (State Highway 83) in a 2008 Nissan Rogue when the car went off the right side of the road and struck a fence before coming to rest lodged in between two trees near the Herb Cottage.

Members of the DeKalb County Volunteer Fire Department’s Extrication and Rescue Team were called to help Bennett from the car. He was then taken to the hospital by EMS.

Trooper Collier said Bennett has been charged with failure to exercise due care, no insurance, and driving on a revoked license.

In the April incident, Bennett was stabbed and another man, 20 year old Christian Owen was shot. Both were airlifted at the time to an undisclosed hospital but were expected to recover from their wounds.

Investigators have still not revealed any further details about that case.

June 5, 2020
By:

The Smithville-DeKalb County Chamber of Commerce has been awarded the TVA Telework Technology Grant in the amount of $3,500. This grant is available to economic development organizations in TVA designated SOC (Special Opportunity County) communities to enhance their technology capabilities specific to remote work requirements.

“The Chamber is very excited about being awarded the funds to set-up and maintain a Zoom type meeting/training/class space at the DeKalb County Complex Conference Room. One of the Chamber’s main purposes is to promote and support economic, civic, commercial, industrial, and educational interest and the welfare of our area,” says Chamber Director Suzanne Williams. “Especially with the recent public safety challenges, having the complex conference room outfitted with this much-needed technology will be a real asset to our community.”

The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) has long strived to play an impactful role in fostering economic growth in the region. TVA Economic Development is committed to enhancing the capacity of economic development organizations in the Valley as the need to telework increases. An equipped and prepared community leads to a resilient and more prosperous Tennessee Valley.

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