District News

During the March 27, 2018 Walton County School Board Meeting, School Board Member Kim Kirby and Superintendent Russell Hughes presented certificates to several Walton County teachers for being recognized by the Commissioner of Education, Pam Stewart, as some of the highest impact teachers in the state of Florida.

Pictured left to right: Kim Kirby, WCSD Board Member; Lydia Cochran, Van R. Butler Elementary; Jeannine Abadie, Emerald Coast Middle School; Dana Akridge, Seaside Neighborhood School; Nina Borthwick, Constance Morreale, Deborah Shost and Christine Solomon from Emerald Coast Middle School; Taylor Griffith, Seaside Neighborhood School; Superintendent A. Russell Hughes, and Charlotte Sause, Seaside Neighborhood School. Not pictured were Brandy Wesson, Emerald Coast Middle School; Sandra Goulding, Sharon Martin and Joy Robbins, Seaside Neighborhood School; and Angela Reilly, South Walton High School.

A big congratulations and thank you to these teachers for their hard work in and out of the classroom. Once again, proof that Walton County is the best school district anywhere.

Submitted by Keitha Bledsoe

These six students recently attended the FBLA State Convention in Orlando. They represented WHS and Walton County well and learned a lot. They are ready to win state, not just district, next year!

Pictured from left to right:
Will Huff
Abigail Hewett
Katelyn Lloyd
Katelyn Gillert
Belle Lloyd
Tanner Grey

Submitted by Christy English

WHS FBLA

A giant congratulations to members of the South Walton High School Band who competed in the Florida Bandmasters Association State Solo & Ensemble Music Performance Assessment this week in Gainesville, Fl. The student musicians worked very hard to achieve the honor of performing at State MPA (receiving the top rating of Superior at District MPA), and that hard work was evidenced by their exceptional performances at State. 4 students achieved a rating of Superior--Katie Betts (saxophone solo), Caitlin LaPlante (euphonium solo), and Emma Marks/Rocky Villanueva (piano duet). Other superstar performers at State were: Kenna Betts (clarinet solo), Nick Binkowski (drum solo), Mia DuToit (piano solo), Emma Marks (piano solo), Pia Paval (tuba solo), and Joe Sills (saxophone solo). The adjudicators for State MPA are considered top in their fields, and a Superior rating at the State level is definitely an EPIC accomplishment!
Submitted by Robert Escamilla

Nonie’s Ark Animal Encounters visited Mrs. Jessica Dawkins’ 2^nd grade classroom at WDE on Tuesday. Mrs. Dawkins’ class earned this reward for collecting the most Box Tops in the school for grades K-2. Students enjoyed a one hour presentation of seven different animals. They learned about their natural history, behaviors and habitats. More information can be found at www.noniesark.com

Submitted by Jessica Dawkins

To honor the 17 lives lost in the Parkland shooting and to start off the last nine weeks on a positive note, the PHS Builder's Club challenged the rest of the school to participate in the "17 Challenge," in which each students strives to complete 17 acts of kindness. The Builder's club students met the rest of the school as they arrived holding up posters with suggestions of different acts of kindness that they could do throughout the day. Way to make a difference, Builder's Club! Submitted by Kalli McMillan.

South Walton High School observed a presentation of a fatal vehicle crash to demonstrate the dangers of driving while impaired or distracted.

Special thanks to Walton County Fire Rescue, South Walton Fire District, Florida Highway Patrol, Walton County Sheriff’s Office, All-Pro Towing, Clary-Glenn Funeral Home, Renee Napier Lord, Eric Smallridge and SWHS drama students for an impactful assembly.

Submitted by Barbara Stratton

On Friday, March 23, the Marching Braves departed for Disney World at 3am for three days in the parks along with a parade performance and instrumental workshop with one of Disney’s clinicians.

The students had a great time and represented themselves, their school, and their county well with model behavior and quality performing – as they always do. The students traveled to Animal Kingdom, Magic Kingdom, and ended with Hollywood Studios.

The students performed in a parade at Magic Kingdom on Saturday evening to a crowd of about 40,000 people and were well-received by all spectators! Many screaming, clapping, and excited families watched the Braves march right in front of Cinderella’s Castle down Main Street.

On Sunday, while at Hollywood Studios, the Symphonic Band had the great opportunity to collaborate with a Disney Clinician for 2½ hours working on never-before-seen music and learning the tricks of the trade on how Disney Musicians record soundtracks. The students recorded almost the entire session and even had a chance to work on music from the movie "Tarzan" and see the footage edited together with their recording by the Video and Sound Engineer once they finished.

The students were engaged and responsive to the clinician, who was phenomenal. They received a trophy following their parade performance...and they also received a set of custom Mickey Ears!

We are proud of our Marching Braves & know this was an experience they will never forget!

Submitted by Chisty English.

WHS Band