DeKalb West School Stimulates Excitement for Reading on Family Literacy Night (VIEW VIDEOS HERE)

February 28, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

Students and their families took a fun filled journey through the halls of DeKalb West School Thursday night interacting with story book characters and participating in unique learning games and activities as part of an effort to increase excitement and improve children’s reading abilities.

(VIEW MORE PHOTOS ON WJLE HOMEPAGE SLIDESHOW)

The school’s 4^th annual Camp Read S’more Family Literacy Night drew hundreds of kids and parents, not only from DeKalb West School but throughout the school system.

The night began with an assembly in the school gym where popular children’s author Michael Shoulders read stories to the children. Visitors then were allowed to roam the halls where stations were set up for special games and activities including a literature fair, Book Walk, Amazing Mazes, a Selfie Station, a Literacy Night Makerspace, a Keep-A-Book Campsite, Literacy Detectives, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, and more.

“Literacy is so important in your child’s life and we’re trying to instill that into each child and foster a love of reading in them for the rest of their lives,” said DWS Principal Sabrina Farler.

“I have a doctorate in education and the one thing I have learned after going to all those classes to get a doctorate is that reading aloud to children is the best way to get them interested in books so tonight at DeKalb West I started by reading aloud to the kids to demonstrate to the parents the joy and the fun of reading to kids. Right now I am a retired educator. I gave 30 years of service to Clarksville. Now I am a full time writer and speaker and my job is to try and put good books in their (children’s) hands,” said Shoulders.

IMG_4611 from dwayne page on Vimeo.

D.W.S. Librarian and Family Literacy Night Coordinator Amanda Mullinax said the school puts the spotlight on family involvement with reading each year.

IMG_4612 from dwayne page on Vimeo.

“Like many things in life, parents and caregivers help shape children’s thoughts on education in general, especially reading,” Mullinax said. “When an adult finds value in the act of reading, many times a child will too. When an adult demonstrates the importance of making time each day to read, many times a child will follow. When an adult holds learning to a high degree, its usefulness is typically internalized by that child and will stick with them always! All these things not only alter children’s lives as readers but also as future adults who will hopefully start the cycle again with their own families someday. My hope is that the cycle they continue is one that contains a respect (if not a love) for reading, for learning, and for growing.”

To learn more about Michael Shoulders visit www.michaelshoulders.com.

February 28, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

God’s Food Pantry is on a mission! To feed the hungry in this community and beyond.

For more than a decade the pantry has provided food and other essentials to help meet the needs of the medically frail and elderly, children, veterans, the homeless, and the working poor.

Food is distributed on the first Friday after the first Thursday and on the third Friday of every month from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. from the pantry at 430 East Broad in Smithville but a special drive was held Wednesday.

IMG_4519 from dwayne page on Vimeo.

The effort began twelve years ago as the First United Methodist Church Food Pantry located at the Methodist Church. However because of space issues, the pantry was later moved to its first community location at 107B East Bryant Street. Due to an increasing need for more services and additional space, the pantry moved again to its current location three years ago.

“Today we call it God’s Food Pantry because of the multitude of churches now supporting it. There are people in the community, businesses, civic organizations and even food drives who give us donations along with Food Lion, Tenneco Automotive, and Wilson Bank & Trust who are especially supportive,” said Pat Zornow, a volunteer.

IMG_4520 from dwayne page on Vimeo.

“Each year the numbers of people we serve increases. We started out with 999 people that first year. Now we’re serving thousands. They come from many counties. We are the main pantry in this area especially for children services,” Zornow said.

“On days when we have meat to give away we usually have about 350 families that come through but we also have 106 deliveries and pickups that are special because of the medically frail and the elderly. If someone is on a special diet we’ll purchase the foods they need. We provide extra help with gas cards and Food Lion cards and assist with utilities, rent, and medications especially for our elderly who can’t afford to pay for it. We even buy special clothes for people who may need adequate apparel. For those who can work we let them know where the jobs are. Whatever the need is we’re going to help that person,” said Zornow.

The pantry is staffed by volunteers and supported totally by donations. It does not receive any local, state, or federal government funding. The money raised goes toward purchasing food from the Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee for the distribution.

“This effort is 100% volunteer driven and a community affair and we encourage more churches, businesses, organizations to join us,” said Zornow.

February 28, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

DeKalb County High School has released the names of 57 Top Rank students in the Class of 2019 including the Valedictorian Madison E. (Madi) Cantrell and the Salutatorian Megan F. Redmon.

Cantrell is the daughter of Todd and Jenny Cantrell of Smithville. Redmon is the daughter of Tim Redmon.

The DCHS graduation is Friday, May 17.

To be considered for top Rank, students must take at least 10 honors, dual enrollment, and AP courses and students must have a 21 or higher ACT composite score.

The following students have met requirements to be considered for Top Rank:
1. Madison E. Cantrell
2. Megan F. Redmon
3. Andrew J. Fuson
4. Callie E. Mulloy
5. Robin T. Pafford
6. Trey L. Fuston
7. Macy E. Hedge
8. Maddison B. Parsley
9. Justin D. Trapp
10. Shaunta R. Koegler
11. Isaac W. Walker
12. Chloe E. Sykes
13. Faith E. Judkins
14. Corbin E. Gassaway
15. Lydia A. Brown
16. Lance W. Davis
17. Ethan G. Jenkins
18. Dulce C. Ortega Maciel
19. Hannah G. Anderson
20. Alexander P. Gassaway
21. Addison G. Oakley
22. Sarah A. Colwell
23. Sophie R. Cripps
24. Christopher B. Mitchell
25. Colter A. Norris
26. Aaron W. Carpenter
27. Anna R. Blair
28. Audrey A. Garland
29. Chance A. Mabe
30. Brayden C. Howard
31. Grace E. Crips
32. Tanner J. Poss
33. Derek J. Young
34. Corina M. Crook
35. Madison F. Whitehead
36. Braya S. Murphy
37. Noah A. Byrge
38. Emilee R. Finan
39. Madison F. Mick
40. Molly R. Hall
41. Matthew L. Agee
42. Joni L. Robinson
43. Jonathan C. Birmingham
44. Joshua C. Martin
45. Luke A. Oliver
46. Alanna R. Woodham
47. Ashley B. Phillips
48. Ashley N. Reynolds
49. Cedric A. Cruz, Jr.
50. Madison S. Judkins
51. John W. Stephens
52. Kassandra M. Huven
53. Malone C. Fletcher
54. Hunter D. Davis
55. John R. Puckett
56. Nicole E. Fultz
57. Ethan G. Beasley

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