Family, faculty and friends watched May 22 as the 8th grade classes were formally recognized before moving on to high school next year. Students with the highest averages were honored. Brayden Antoniak dominated academically in all subjects.

Here’s a breakdown of how students performed. In English Language Arts, Antoniak scored 98 and Breanna Cothern, 97. There was a three way tie in History between Antoniak, Cameron Kempton and Hagen Waggoner with a 98 average. Antoniak had a perfect 100 average in Math followed closely by Cothern with 98. Seven students tied with a nearly perfect score in Science. Cothern, Antoniak, Alley Beth Cook, Summer Crook, Jonathan Littleton, Malayna Nokes and Victoria Rodano all had the highest averages with 99.

On the Principal’s List for earning all A’s during the school year were Brayden Antoniak,

Alley Beth Cook, Nathaniel Crook, Summer Crook, Cameron Kempton, Rebecca Lawrence,

Jonathan Littleton, Malayna Nokes, Victoria Rodano, Jathan Willoughby, Dawson Bandy,

Breanna Cothern, and Hagen Waggoner.

Students who had the distinction of remaining on the A/B Honor Roll all year were Cordell Collier, Lucas Hale, Kenzie Hayes, Kayla Hight, Kaia Howard, Ariel Patterson, Lydia Willoughby, Makayla Cook, Allen Curtis, Allison Eastes, and Josie Ketchum.

The award for Most Improved went to Jon Lawson in Karen France’s homeroom and to Makayla Cook in Cynthia Wilson’s room. The peer-chosen Citizenship Awards were presented to Kenzie Hayes and Cordell Collier in France’s homeroom and in Wilson’s homeroom–Rebecca Lawrence and Brayden Antoniak. Kayla Hight earned the PAWS Award from Mrs. France, and Summer Crook was selected in Wilson’s class. PAWS is the school’s positive behavior reward program.

DMS Teacher Lesa Hayes presented Hagen Waggoner with the Georgia Young award, named in memorial to the beloved late Kitchen Manager.

Junior Beta Sponsor Bill Conger awarded Brayden Antoniak with the Beta Club’s service award. Antoniak served the most volunteer hours of anyone in the club with 127.25. Service certificates were presented to Dawson Bandy with 70.25 hours, Alley Beth Cook, 15 hours, Makayla Cook 28.5, Nathaniel Crook 18.25, Summer Crook 53.5, Izzy Haugh 17.5, Becca Lawrence 44.75, Victoria Rodano 10, Jathan Willoughby 53, and Lydia Willoughby 46.

Special Wags awards were presented from Art, Computer, Library, Music, Guidance, and P.E. to recognize students who shine in the classroom. Parker Winfree and Rebecca Lawrence received a Guidance award, Marissa Clark and Jonathan Littleton were given the Art award, Computer awards went to Kaia Howard and Victoria Rodano, P.E. Wags went to William Harris and Lydia Willoughby while Allen Curtis and Jonathan Littleton were given Music awards.

The following students are members of the DeKalb West School 8th grade class of 2017-18. From Cynthia Wilson’s homeroom: Sean Antoniak, Savannah Chapman, Alley Beth Cook, Makayla Cook, Nathaniel Crook, Summer Crook, Allen Curtis, Allison Eastes, Carter Hale, William Harris, Rakell Hooper, Cameron Kempton, Josie Ketchum, Rebecca Lawrence, Jonathan Littleton, Malayna Nokes, Harmoney Patterson, James Pitman, Victoria Rodano, Jathan Willoughby, Jacob Wiloth, and Bailey Winfree; From Karen France’s homeroom: Dawson Bandy, William Buterbaugh, Alonna Christian, Marissa Clark, Khloe Cline, Cordell Collier, Breanna Cothern, Joseph Evans, Michael Fender, Lucas Hale, Isabella Haugh, Kenzie Hayes, Kayla Hight, Kaia Howard, Jonathan Lawson, Elizabeth Markham, Ethan Marshall, Ariel Patterson, Billy Rose, Sierra Sabatino, Hagen Waggoner, Lydia Willoughby, and Thomas Winfree.

A local man is in trouble after he allegedly stole an automobile and later broke into the home of his victim.

40 year old Darnell Gurley of 151 Cemetery Road was arrested by Smithville Police on Wednesday, May 9 for theft of property, burglary, and vandalism. According to a report filed on Friday, May 4, Gurley had gone to his victim’s residence and stole a vehicle. The automobile was later found and returned to the victim. On Saturday, May 5, another report was filed by the same victim informing police that Gurley had sent her a text message stating that he was in her house while she was gone. The back door and a window had been broken where entry was made to the residence. On Wednesday, May 9 police found Gurley in an abandoned burned duplex on Estes Street where he was laying on a couch asleep. The victim’s key fob was next to Gurley on the couch. He was arrested and taken into custody without incident. Gurley’s bond is $17,500 and his court date is May 24.

23 year old James Dillon Matthews of Sparta was cited for theft of merchandise on Saturday, April 28. A Wal-Mart employee observed Matthews open a pack of Gillette razors and put them into his pants.

25 year old Makenzi Rene Creasy of Hohenwald was arrested on Sunday, April 29 for disorderly conduct. Police responded to 398 East Main Street in reference to a disorderly person. Upon arrival officers learned that Creasy had been yelling at the staff of the halfway house. She had even put her hands on a roommate as she was walking through the room. Creasy acted belligerently toward the officers and accused Sergeant Travis Bryant of not being a real police officer saying she didn’t have to listen to him or his directions. As officers attempted to place her in handcuffs Creasy began to physically resist but she was subsequently taken into custody without further incident. Her bond is $3,000.

39 year old Jose Luis Padilla Vazquez of 535 Cooper Street was arrested on Sunday, April 29 for domestic assault. Police were called to the residence and spoke with the victim who reported that when she arrived home Vazquez started yelling and arguing with her. He then punched her on the left side of the face and kicked her on the right leg. The victim had a mark/rise on her face consistent with a punch. Police found Vazquez later at the Discount Tobacco Store and he was taken into custody without incident. His bond is $3,500.

46 year old Mark Anthony Mason Jr. of 678 Redmon Road was arrested Wednesday, May 2 for domestic assault and violation of an order of protection. Police responded to 460 West Broad Street due to a fight and upon arrival observed Mason ramming his shoulder into his victim forcing that person into the side door of a truck. Mason was determined to have been the primary aggressor. A check with Central Dispatch revealed that Mason has an active order of protection against him by this victim. Mason’s bond is $6,000.

64 year old Bobby Gene Anderson of 764 Pine Orchard Road was arrested on Saturday, May 5 for public intoxication. Police were called to Bill Page Ball Park due to an intoxicated man passed out on the ground. Upon arrival, officers found Anderson walking around vehicles. He was unsteady on his feet. His speech was slurred and he had an odor of an alcoholic beverage on his person. Anderson was taken into custody without incident. His bond is $1,500 and his court date is May 24.

34 year old Stephanie Nichole Eldridge of 434 Morgan Drive was cited for vandalism on Friday, May 11. Eldridge slashed 2 tires on her neighbor’s vehicle after an argument between them. Her court date is June 14.

20 year old Ashley Danielle Geekie of 1012 Wright Bend Road was arrested on Saturday, May 12 for theft of property. Geekie was observed by a Wal-Mart employee putting items from the store in a purse and in her pant pockets. Once officers arrived and spoke with Geekie but she became loud and would not cooperate with them. Geekie was then taken into custody without incident and the stolen items were recovered and returned to Wal-Mart. Geekie’s bond is $2,500 and her court date is June 14.

28 year old Sarah Elaine Percell of Morrison was arrested on Saturday, May 12 for public intoxication. Police were called to Dearman Street to check on an intoxicated woman who was in the yard. Upon arrival, officers found the woman, Percell. She was observed to have pinpoint pupils and her eyes were blood shot. She also appeared to be dazed and confused as to where she was and how she got there. She was talking incoherently making statements that didn’t make any sense. While questioning Percell, police learned that she had taken ICE (meth) earlier but she didn’t know if it was that day or the day before. Percell was then taken into custody for her safety and that of the public. Bond for Percell is $3,000 and her court date is June 14.

Edgar Evins State Park is celebrating National Trails Day on Saturday, June 2 with a new Hillside Story Book Trail, new aviary and a party and you are invited to join in the fun.

A ribbon cutting for a new kid friendly half mile story book trail will take place along with the unveiling of the newly built aviary next to the Interpretive Center at the park. Read, Exercise, and Explore. The new trail combines a children’s nature story with the thrill of being in the great outdoors. Come see how one of nature’s miracles grows from a tiny egg to a flying jewel as each sign posted at intervals along the trail reveals more of the story, based on the book, Where Butterflies Grow, by Joanne Ryder with pictures by Lynne Cherry.

Miss Tennessee’s Outstanding Teen, Mary Humphrey of Jackson will help Ramble, the Tennessee State Park mascot, cut the ribbon on the new trail. Miss Humphrey, whose slogan is “Pages With a Purpose”, has been campaigning across the state promoting literacy.

Guided and unguided hikes will be held from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. on the Story Book Trail.

Giant pages of the book will be posted on signs at intervals along the trail for youngsters to enjoy. Guides on the tour will help children with their level of reading. The purpose of the Story Book Trail is to stimulate young readers as well as to encourage them and caregivers to enjoy an outdoor experience together. The trail was built by volunteers and park staff as a project of the Friends of Edgar Evins State Park.

The project is endorsed by the Governor’s Books From Birth Foundation, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, Ready to Read, Tennessee State Parks, and Friends of Tennessee State Parks Conservancy. Representatives will be on hand to sign up children from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. to receive free books monthly from the Imagination Library. Refreshments and party favors will be available along with crafts to make and other activities for the children in addition to the trail and aviary.

The aviary is the Girl Scout Gold Award project of Smithville’s Neely Evans, Troop 1146.

“We are proud of Neely and what she has achieved! Come admire this outstanding aviary and enjoy the birds,” said Fount Bertram, President of Friends of Edgar Evins State Park.

“Spearheaded by the Friends of Edgar Evins State Park with help from park staff, this trail has finally taken shape after over a year of planning and working together. We wish to thank the park staff and many others also for the opportunity to complete and present this trail to the children and families visiting the park. Among these are the Cookeville Children’s Museum, the Public Library Systems for DeKalb, Putnam and Smith counties for their help with games and activities for this event as well as the Friends of Tennessee State Parks and the Tennessee Trails Association for grants of money to help defray costs. Thanks also to the many volunteers of all ages who jumped in to help construct the trail from scratch on the hillside, including members of Tennessee Trails Association, Smithville Brownie Girl Scout Troop 3094 under the leadership of Tanya Hale, and the young men of the former Smithville Boy Scout Troop 875 under the leadership of Cameron Beal, and others,” added Bertram.

The Friends of Edgar Evins State Park is an all-volunteer organization with the sole purpose of helping the park. For more information about contributing money or time please visit our website at www.foeesp.com or Facebook at Friends of EESP.