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By MHS Principal Terry Howell |
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The band held its annual banquet last Friday to
celebrate its marching and concert season. All told, the
band has earned 25 trophies this year in the competitive
and parade seasons with the West Tennessee Strawberry
Festival this Friday still to have competition. After an
enjoyable meal prepared by the cafeteria staff, band
members recounted the year and seniors delivered their
memories of the band. Band director Keith Breeden also
reminisced about the year and recognized several award
winners for the year.
These students received special commendations: Joey
Sam, Most Improved Member; Rosannah Qasem, Most Improved
Guard; Nick Laws, Most Improved Percussion; Brittany
Washburn, Most Improved Woodwind; Dana Melton, Most
Improved Brass; David Deaton, Outstanding Freshman;
Jessica Mitchum and Brittany Ellis, Outstanding
Sophomores, Christie Lowe, Outstanding Junior; Deanna
Hickman and Alissa Lee, Outstanding Seniors.
Two seniors received the ultimate award of the
evening: Chase Barton and Matthew Holt earned the
Outstanding Bandsman of the Year Award. Students and the
director applauded the efforts of the Band Boosters
organization which helps to finance a large part of the
$20,000 needed annually to operate the program. Band
Booster president Joel Washburn announced that
fund-raising would be more intense this year with the
trip to Florida in the works. The band plans a trip
every fourth year to different places as a means of
reward for staying in the program. The evening was a
proper celebration to a successful year.
The softball team ended its regular season last week
with games at South Fulton and Huntingdon winning both
games by scores of 5-0 and 7-1 respectively. The Lady
Rebels finished the regular season with a 17-14 record.
On Saturday, the team began its district tournament with
a home game against Riverside High School. Sophomore
Brittany Carpenter pitched a one-hitter for the shut-out
in a 12-0 victory. The Lady Rebels pounded out some hits
and took advantage of three Lady Panther errors to
secure the win. Courtney Creasy went 2-2 to lead the
hitters. The Lady Rebels will continue tournament action
on Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. at Camden against the winner of
the Camden-Milan game to be played Monday.
The baseball team ended an up-and-down season with two
regularly scheduled games last week. On Monday, they
journeyed to Union City to face an improved Golden
Tornado team. The Rebels lost the game 5-1. On Tuesday,
they played a pivotal district game against Riverside.
Led by senior Demerick Diggs' three-run triple and Brian
Winston's three-run homer, the Rebels pounded out a 9-8
victory to earn second place in the district and to knot
their overall record at 10-10. On Friday, the Rebels
opened district competition at Milan against the host
school. After taking a 3-run lead, the Rebels saw their
lead melt through Milan's timely hitting and some key
Rebel miscues. Brian Winston continued his hot-hitting
by belting a home run in the second consecutive game.
The Rebels find themselves in a do-or-die situation when
they play Riverside at 4:30 on Monday at Milan.
Senior exams will be Wednesday and Thursday of this
week. Students will take their 1st and 4th Block tests
on Wednesday and their 2nd and 3rd Block exams on
Thursday. In many cases the outcome of these tests will
determine graduation status. In accordance with School
Board Policy, a senior must have all of his/her credits
to participate in graduation exercises. Two important
upcoming dates are Baccalaureate at Bethel College on
Sunday, May 11, at 8:00 P.M. and graduation on Friday,
May 16, at 8:00 P.M. at the McKenzie High School
gymnasium.
This week our students also take the state-mandated
Gateway tests for Algebra I, English II, and Biology I.
The Algebra Gateway will be Tuesday, May 6; The Biology
Gateway on Wednesday, May 7; and the English Gateway on
Thursday, May 1. It is extremely important that students
attend school these days. The Gateway counts 15% of the
2nd semester grade, and it determines graduation status
for our freshman and sophomores. We will have only one
make-up day on Monday, May 12.
On Friday the track team traveled to Dyersburg to
participate in the Dyersburg Invitational. Our school
was well represented with several medalist and ribbon
winners. Medal winners were Kim Gaskins, Amber King,
Julie Smith, Mallory Brandon, Renee Crawley, and Sarah
Hartz. Ribbon winners were Jessica Johnson, Brittnie
Taylor, Lucy Snead, Andrew Cross, Greg Pruitt, Lee
Barham, Caleb Owen, Ty Winkler, Matt Blaylock, Daniel
Duncan, and John Craig Howell. The team competes in the
Regional Track meet this Thursday at U.S.J.
School will not be in session on Friday, May 9 because
of the Strawberry Festival Parade. Our band and royalty
will represent our school at this event. |
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