The Teen Trendsetters program, sponsored by The Barbara Bush Foundation and funded in part through a grant from the St. Joe Foundation was a huge success for the 2016-2017 school year. Selected Van R. Butler Elementary second grade students were paired with a mentor / tutor student from South Walton High School. Each pair met once a week throughout the school year. An overall gain in student reading Lexile levels of 10,315 points was achieved!  The Elementary and High School participants enjoyed an end of the year celebration of the program's success on Wednesday, April 26th.

Pictured below:  Dr. Alexis Tibbetts, Principal of South Walton High School; Shelly Hinojosa, SWHS Leadership Class Instructor; Kelly Layman, Barbara Bush Foundation; Janet Greeno, St. Joe Foundation; Carrie Chavers, Walton School District Literacy Coach; and Tammy Smith, Principal of Van R. Butler Elementary School.

Submitted by Debbie McBroom.

Forty–one fourth and fifth grade student leaders from Maude Saunders Elementary took a field trip to Walton High School to learn about the leadership opportunities they will have when they become Braves.  Mr. Brown and Mr. Smith gave the students a school tour, and representatives from various clubs and organizations talked to the students about the many ways they can become involved in extra-curricular activities in high school.  The highlight of the trip was a special Drone demonstration by the Embry Riddle Aerospace Program, and the opportunity to pose for this aerial photo of the group! Submitted by Krisy Spence.

First grade students have enjoyed having WHS students visit regularly throughout the second semester of this school year. WHS students in an Early Childhood Development course have been given the opportunity to visit and work with students in grades K-2. During these visits, they have read with students & interacted with them in the elementary setting, including during recess. Submitted by Jessica Dawkins.