DCHS Winter Guard Competes in Columbia

March 11, 2024
By: Bill Conger

The DeKalb County High School Winter Guard improved its score at Columbia Central High School this weekend over the previous contests. The team placed 8th out of the 13 teams in their class.

“Each of them continues to grow their character presence and skill level,” says Winter Color Guard Instructor Shannon Johns. “We had a great run and showed improvement since our last show. The judges have very good feedback on the equipment and movement skills of the team.”

The 8-member guard unit is putting on “A Killer Show,” that features some of the horror movies greatest villains.

Students in the Winter Guard are Ashton McClain – Captain (sabre, rifle, flag), Crissy White (sabre, rifle, flag), Elizabeth Cardin (sabre, rifle, flag), Bairon Hernandez-Avalos (sabre, rifle, flag), Jamey Bradshaw (sabre and flag), Kara Inglis (rifle and flag), Jay Bare (rifle and flag), Hadley Vergeson (flag)

“We still have work to do to improve precision and general effect, but overall we have a crowd pleasing show,” Johns says. “Most of the judge’s feedback focused on character development and keeping up the spooky storyline. Those are the things we will focus on heading into the Siegel contest on Saturday [March 16) and then later at Championships”

“If you love watching your students do what they do best, and that is entertain, then, you have to come out and see our Winter Guard perform,” DCHS Band Director Don Whitt encourages. “Our students are multi-talented and lead by Shannon Johns, our phenomenal director. What I love about our kids is that they are so gifted and passionate about what they do. One of our very own, Crissy White, has come up with a lot of the dance choreography in this.”

“This is one exciting and entertaining show,” Whitt says. “When we were leaving the school Saturday afternoon, several students from the other schools told me how much they were entertained by it. I had people that sat around me from other schools say how current our shows are. Ninety-percent of our shows from Winter Guard to Marching Band to Concert Band music has our students input in it. Shannon and I want them to show ownership through their work. When students buy into their music and the work they do, they become better performers plus they work harder and longer. This is one of the most gifted and talented groups we have. I am so proud to be their band director. Thanks to all of our Winter Guard members for showing off your skills, smiles, and talents!”

The championships will be held April 5 at Western Kentucky University’s Diddle Arena in Bowling Green, KY.

March 10, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

As one 2024 election has come and gone, the DeKalb County Election Commission is preparing for another one.

Persons may now pick up qualifying petitions from the DeKalb County Election Commission to run for offices in the Tennessee Democratic and Republican Primaries as well as the Alexandria, Dowelltown, and Smithville Municipal Elections all to be held on Thursday, August 1, 2024.

In the State Primaries on August 1, nominees in both the Republican and Democratic Parties will be selected for the offices of US Senate, US House of Representatives (6th District), Tennessee House of Representatives (40th District), and Tennessee Senate (16th District).

Those positions are currently held by US Senator Marsha Blackburn (R), Congressman John Rose (R)- US House of Representatives (6th District), State Representative Michael Hale (R)- Tennessee House of Representatives (40th District), and State Senator Janice Bowling (R)- Tennessee Senate (16th District)

In the Smithville Municipal Election August 1, three aldermen will be elected, each to serve a 4-year term. The positions are currently held by Aldermen Shawn Jacobs, Danny Washer, and Jessica Higgins.

The Alexandria Municipal Election on August 1 will be held to fill the positions of mayor (unexpired term), three aldermen, and three other aldermen (unexpired terms).

In the Dowelltown Municipal Election on August 1, a mayor and two aldermen will be elected.

The qualifying deadline for the August 1 elections is Thursday April 4 at 12 noon and the withdrawal deadline is Thursday, April 11 at 12 noon. The voter registration deadline for the August 1 elections is Tuesday, July 2. Early Voting for the August 1 elections is Friday, July 12 to Saturday, July 27. The absentee ballot request time period is from May 3 to July 25 for the August 1 elections.

Meanwhile the DeKalb County General Election will be August 1 in which party nominees selected in the March 5 primaries will be running for the offices of Assessor of Property, Board of Education (Districts 5 & 6), Constable (Districts 1-7), and Criminal Court Judge- Part III in the 13th Judicial District.

The offices of County Commission District 6 and District 7 will also be on the August 1, 2024 ballot to fill unexpired terms. This election will be held in conjunction with the 2024 DeKalb County General Election. Independents may now pick up petitions.

County parties may certify candidates for these two county commission district races through the caucus process by the qualifying deadline 12 NOON April 4, 2024.

March 8, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

Smithville Elementary is one of 343 schools to be awarded a grant from the Tennessee Valley Authority, in partnership with Bicentennial Volunteers, Inc., a TVA retiree organization, to develop science, technology, engineering, and math education programs for students that will inspire interest in STEM-related fields.

Citing specific projects or programs they hope to implement, educators from across TVA’s seven-state region applied for grants of up to $5,000.

“This grant will help us offer hands-on activities and programs for students that develop skills that can help solve real-world problems,” said Beth Cantrell, the computer teacher who wrote the grant application. “We know that opportunities in STEM fields are the jobs of the future and TVA’s commitment to STEM education will allow us to begin preparing our students for those careers.”

Schools who are awarded grants must receive their power from a local power company served by TVA. Smithville Elementary is served by Smithville Electric System.

Smithville Elementary will use the grant to introduce students to a wide variety of STEM careers and provide them with opportunities to learn about these careers. This will be accomplished through the use of picture books and a vast selection of STEM learning materials, including legos, picasso tiles, real world STEM kits, architecture kits, chain reaction kits, roller coaster designer kits, and many other items. Students will interact with these materials to experiment and use critical thinking skills to create new things and develop their own ideas as they explore a variety of careers. Students will take on the roles of various careers as they problem solve and become successful at a variety of challenges. The materials will be available to every student in the school.

“TVA is committed to supporting schools and educators who are inspiring an interest in STEM education in students across the Valley, as we know our young people will design and build the energy systems of the future,” said Jeannette Mills, TVA executive vice president and chief external relations officer. “Providing resources and access to STEM education is key to inspiring innovation and we’re proud to contribute to the next generation’s visionaries.”

Since 2018, TVA and BVI have awarded nearly $6 million in STEM grants to support local education.

A full list of grant recipients, and information on how to apply for a future STEM grant can be found at www.tvastem.com.

(Pictured with Ms. Beth Cantrell are Rachel Crickmar representing TVA and Richie Knowles representing Smithville Electric System.)