DCHS to face Marshall County in Quarterfinals of State Tournament

March 3, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

The DCHS Lady Tigers will face the Marshall County Tigerettes in the quarterfinals of the TSSAA Class AA State Tournament known as the BlueCross Basketball Championships Wednesday afternoon at MTSU in Murfreesboro.

Game time is 1:15 p.m. and WJLE will have LIVE coverage with the Voice of the Lady Tigers John Pryor on AM 1480/FM 101.7 and LIVE streaming at www.wjle.com

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The Lady Tigers are 23-11 while the Marshall County is 26-7

March 3, 2019
By: Bill Conger

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An out-of-the-box approach to teaching is one of the reasons Jessica Antoniak has been named Teacher of the Year at DeKalb West School.

“It is very humbling to be voted by my peers as Teacher of the Year,” says Antoniak. “I do not feel deserving of the title. I see teachers in our building everyday giving everything they can to our students. I feel honored to work among them.”

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A graduate of the Gordonsville High School class of 2000, Antoniak earned her Associate’s degree from Motlow State Community College and her Bachelor’s at Tennessee Tech University. She did her student teaching at DWS in 2013-14 and immediately began teaching 6th grade there, where she has been ever since.

“I start my day with high expectations for each student,” Antoniak said. “I expect my students to give good effort all day, not just in my classroom, but wherever they are. I want them to be confident and to be hard workers. I want them to see just a glimpse of the greatness they each hold and who they can become.”

“The students love her because she has a way of teaching that the students can understand,” fellow teacher Jennifer Martin says. “She makes her classes fun for the kids.”

“She has high expectations for everyone and brings the best out of others,” 5th grade teacher Nadina Martel said. “She is always looking for engaging and interesting ways to teach.”
“Mrs. Antoniak is constantly thinking outside the box to make her students enjoy learning!” says librarian Amanda Mullinax.

“She always gives a smile, positive attitude, and love to each student at DeKalb West, truly touching and inspiring lives at school and in the community,” her co-teacher in 6th grade Tammy Payne said. “She serves as an excellent role model and is tops in making a difference.”
Antoniak, who is also the DWS Jr. Beta lead sponsor, uses innovative approaches to help her students achieve their best.

“I try to allow my students opportunities to make good choices about where and who they work with in the classroom (life skills in the classroom),” explains Antoniak. “The standing tables, yoga ball, chairs, clipboards all allow for moving and making choices for how they feel they learn/work best. Yes, sometimes, I have to make a decision for them, but for the most part, they know with whom and where they work best.”

In addition to Antoniak, this year’s  Teacher of the Year honorees are Justin Nokes, seventh grade World History teacher at DeKalb Middle School; first grade teacher Vicky Hawker at Smithville Elementary School; Linda Parris, a family and consumer sciences/culinary arts teacher at DeKalb County High School; and Cheryl Vandagriff, a fifth grade teacher at Northside Elementary School.

The overall DeKalb County Teacher of the Year winner will be announced during the twelfth annual Teacher of the Year banquet Tuesday, March 5 at the Smithville First Baptist Church Life Enrichment Center.

March 3, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

Members of the DeKalb County Republican Party met Saturday at the courthouse for leadership re-organization which is done every two years.

Dustin Estes was named chairman to succeed retiring chair Mingy Bryant. Renee Steff is the Vice Chair, Clint Hall-Secretary, Tom Chandler-Treasurer, and Brandon Cox Vice-Treasurer.

Local public officials were recognized including Sheriff Patrick Ray, Trustee Sean Driver, Assessor of Property Shannon Cantrell, Circuit Court Clerk Susan Martin, and Road Supervisor Danny Hale along with Smithville Mayor Josh Miller, Smithville Alderman Brandon Cox, and School Board Chairman W.J. (Dub) Evins, III.

State Senator Mark Pody and State Representatives Terri Lynn Weaver and Clark Boyd also made brief remarks. Mae Beavers, former State Senator and now Chair of the Wilson County Republican Party was in attendance with her husband Jerry Beavers, GOP State Executive Committeeman, District 17 and Terri Nicholson, GOP State Executive Committeewoman, District 17.

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