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By MHS Principal Terry Howell |
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Congratulations to the 2003-04 cheerleading squad. They
successfully defended their state title by winning the
Division I Cheerleading Championship in the Cheer
Category, Non-building. This competition culminates a
long preparation that began after cheerleading selection
last spring. These young girls have dedicated themselves
to performing and getting better, and their efforts have
been rewarded with this championship.
Members of the squad include these young
student-athletes: seniors -- Savanna Cooper, Amanda
Rogers, and Carrie Stambaugh; juniors – Brandi Burke,
Rachael Clark, and Heidi Thomas; sophomores – Callan
Hayes and Whitney Hopper; and freshmen – Wendy Brown,
Heather Huffman, Anna Smith, and Jenna Smith. The
sponsors for the squad are Christie Plunk (football
season) and Jennifer Yates (basketball season).
The Lady Rebels and Rebels began their season on a
positive note with two wins on the road against
Clarksburg last Tuesday. Both teams won by wide margins
which allowed everyone to play. The girls defeated the
Lady Rockets by a score of 71-32 with Anna Trull pacing
the team with 15 points. The boys showed some offensive
prowess of their own in defeating the home team 82-52.
The Rebels had several players in double digits and
reflected a team mentality with balanced scoring from
John French (14), John Craig Howell (12), Clint Anderson
(11), Daniel Duncan (10), Bryan Huffman (10), Drew Hayes
(9), and Randy Lacey (8).
This week the teams travel to Atwood on Friday to battle
West Carroll. The scheduled game against Huntingdon on
December 8 has been postponed because of their football
team’s advancement to the state title game. The teams
will travel to Bruceton on Tuesday, December 9. It is
not too late to purchase season passes. Call or come by
the school for information on getting these cost-saving
passes.
Next week students will take the state-mandated tests in
Algebra I, Biology I or biology for technology, and
English II. These tests will be administered on December
9, 10, and 11 respectively. All students except our
seniors are under the gun to pass these tests in order
to be in line to receive a regular high school diploma.
In addition, the Gateway tests will count 15% of the
second semester grade for the affected class. I sent out
a letter earlier to parents that explained these
guidelines for students in the Gateway classes. If
parents have additional questions, they may call me at
school for more information.
Other upcoming exams are our end-of-the term finals that
will close out the first part of the year. On Thursday,
December 18, we will have our First and Fourth Block
exams. On Friday, December 19, we will have our Second
and Third Block Exams. Students may leave school on
Thursday at 11:30 provided they are exempt from their
Third and Fourth Block exams. Students who are absent on
exam day will need a doctor’s statement to make up exams
missed. Students should clear all fines, dues, and
obligations prior to the administration of tests. Final
exams count 1/5 of the year’s grade. Students should
begin preparation for these comprehensive tests now.
Project Graduation has two meetings in the near future.
On December 2, at 6:00 P.M., the group will have a
business meeting to assess fund-raising to this point
and discuss future projects. On Monday, December 15, at
7:00 P.M., Project Graduation will meet to organize its
Great Pretenders project. As a major project, Great
Pretenders requires the help of parents and seniors to
be a success. I encourage parents to attend this meeting
along with seniors to insure that the project is done
well.
I ask that McKenzie and the surrounding communities keep
in mind that the annual Rotary Charity Auction is
scheduled for Saturday, December 13, at 9:00 A.M. It
will be broadcast on TV on Channel 10 and will feature
some great buys for people for possible Christmas gifts.
The Rotary Charity Auction benefits the McKenzie area in
a number of ways including winter coats for all foster
children in the county, college scholarships to
students, academic banquets and recognitions for
McKenzie students, sponsorship of baseball teams,
donations to charitable organizations, sponsorship of
Boys State/Girls State delegates, support of the local
library, and many other areas of interest to the
community. The items for bid are generous donations made
possible by local merchants and industries. A complete
list of items may be found in the Banner. I ask that
everyone mark on the calendar December 13 at 9:00 A.M.
for the Rotary Charity Auction.
The Rotary Club will sponsor its annual Polio Plus
Basketball Tournament at Bethel College on December 5
and 6 at Bethel College. The proceeds for this
tournament will go toward the complete eradication of
polio by 2005. The Rotary Club has made this eradication
a project for over 20 years and has supplied millions of
dollars worldwide to end this deadly disease. Advanced
tickets are $5.00. See any Rotary Club member for more
information.
With the term winding down, students and parents should
know that our Time-for-Time program is also rapidly
running out of make-up dates. Time-for-Time meets Monday
through Thursday from 3:15 P.m. to 4:45 P.M. in the
library. Students who have missed more than six times in
a class must make that time up in our after school
program. As of December 1, we had 12 sessions left in
Time-for-Time. I have met with students who have this
obligation, and parents should have received written or
verbal notice of Time-for-Time. Students who owe time
but fail to make it up will not receive credit in that
class regardless of the grade. |
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