Smithville Elementary Recognizes Students of the Month for September

October 2, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

Smithville Elementary would like to recognize Students of the Month for September. These students were selected for their outstanding character, academics, and other traits that make them an all-around excellent student. Selected as Students of the Month for September are:

PreK- Serenity Tiner, Jahlia Cantrell
Kindergarten – Roz Prichard, Wyatt Shaff
1st Grade – Weston Jones, Elliott Wilmoth
2nd Grade – Aubrey Watts, Laylah Hale

The students are pictured with SES Principal Anita Puckett and SES Assistant Principal Karen France.

October 2, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

A Hunter Safety Education Course will be held Saturday, October 14 at the DeKalb County Fire Department’s Main Station at 782 King Ridge Road, Dowelltown.

TWRA Officer Tony Cross said the class will be held from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. The course is offered free of charge. Participants must Pre-register on-line at www.tnwildlife.org and follow the prompts.

Participants must be at least 9 years old to take the class and must attend for the entire eight-hour course.

For more information call Cross at 931-287-8427.

Under state law, every person born on or after January 1, 1969, before hunting, shall possess, in addition to all other licenses and permits required, proof of satisfactory completion of an agency approved hunter education course.

Those under 10 years of age do not need a Hunter Education certificate, but must be accompanied by an adult at least 21 years of age, who must remain in a position to take immediate control of the hunting device.

The basic Hunter Education Course provides firearms safety training and introduces students to their responsibilities in the fields of hunter ethics and wildlife management. The main objective of the Hunter Education Program is to reduce the potential for hunting accidents and ultimately reduce the number of hunting injuries. The course is taught according to standards established by the International Hunter Education Association. By meeting these standards the Tennessee Hunter Education program is recognized by all states, Canada, and Mexico.

The basic course is free of charge and consists of a minimum of ten (10) hours of classroom participation. Most classes generally last 12-16 hours. Students must successfully pass a written test consisting of 100 multiple choice questions. All students are required to participate in a live fire exercise. Students must attend all classes. Students need to bring their Social Security Number and a #2 pencil to the class.

Course content includes:
*Hunter ethics
•Hunter responsibility toward wildlife, the environment, landowners and the general public
•Archery and the history of modern day bowhunting
•Tree stand safety
•History of firearms
•Blackpowder and muzzleloading firearms
•Knowledge of modern firearms and ammunition
•Proper gun handling and storage
•Marksmanship fundamentals
•Hunt preparation: specific laws and various equipment
•Principles of wildlife management and wildlife identification
•Survival
•Hypothermia
•First aid

October 1, 2023
By: Bill Conger

The DeKalb County High School Fighting Tiger Band gave another rousing performance at the 2023 Yellow Jacket Marching Invitational. Under the direction of Band Director Don Whitt, the band placed first at the September 30th competition in Trousdale County. The band not only bested Coffee County and Livingston Academy in the Class B category, DeKalb also placed third overall.

“I’m so proud of my DeKalb Fighting Tiger band,” Director Whitt said. “I think it was said best by one of our parents, Megan Mosley, who said our kids are on fire. I can attest to that. We have had a lot of great things going well for us this season. We have students that have bought into the discipline, hard work and dedication. They are learning to work together and play as a team. They are listening to our instructions and paying attention to details and showing a sign of success. I am so very proud of our students.”

The D.C.H.S. Color Guard placed first in its class and first overall. The percussion section placed 2nd in its division. Senior Trumpeter Ayden Jones was named Top Soloist for which he received the Tracy Luna Memorial Award.

“He knocked his trumpet solo out of the park with our rendition of “When A Man Loves a Woman,” Whitt said. “I have watched this young man growing in his abilities every day in his hours of personal practice time. The caveat to this competition was that the award is named in memory of our late beloved band director Tracy Luna. When his name was called for this award, we were all more than a little emotional. I know this meant a lot to Ayden Jones. I know Tracy would have given Ayden a high five from heaven.’It is truly an honor to receive this award,’ Ayden said.”

“I would like to give a shout out to all of my band boosters that make my life easier but fun! Some will do everything from working in the concessions to making sure our antiquated musical instruments that have broken down are fixed or rebuilt. I also want to thank the staff Max Patterson and Shannon Johns, leadership, parents, and support that make all of this happen.”