On Wednesday, April 12, 2017, three area Walton County School District high schools participated in a Shark Tank experience with the assistance of the Walton County Chamber of Commerce.  Each of the high schools developed a new business and business plan that was presented to members of the Walton County Chamber of Commerce for judging and feedback.  Freeport High School participants; Martha Freeman, Ceanna Thomaston and Kathryn Dier presented a business plan for Sweet Buns on the Run.  Walton High School participants; Melanie Nowell, Will Huff and Joey Wilkerson presented a business plan for the Country Side Cookery. South Walton High School participants; Ben Balfanz, Matt Garrett and Greg Garrett presented a business plan for the Beach Box.  The presentations included a business description, marketing and industry analysis, sales and marketing strategies, management, and financials.  Students were also judged on creativity, professionalism, grammar/spelling, and each member’s participation.  The students gained valuable knowledge from the Chamber Members through the feedback they were provided at the end of the presentations.  Special thanks to Megan Harrison, Chamber President/CEO and to Gabrielle Kilgore, Event Coordinator for organizing this worthwhile event for Walton County students to experience. Submitted by Donna Honish.

Main Article Picture includes left to right: Mrs. Kelley Stephenson - WHS Instructor, Matt Garrett, Mrs. Donna Honish - WCSD (back), Greg Garrett, Mrs. Shelly Hinojosa - SWHS Instructor (front), Ben Balfanz, Joey Wilkerson, Will Huff, Melanie Nowell, Martha Freeman, Mr. Jamey Goddin - FHS Instructor (back), Ceanna Thomaston, Kathryn Dier, Megan Dunaway, and Wendy McCormick. 

Pictured above left to right: Greg Garrett (SWHS), Ben Balfanz (SWHS), Matt Garrett (SWHS), Martha Freeman (FHS), Ceanna Thomaston (FHS), Kathryn Dier (FHS), Melanie Nowell (WHS), Joey Wilkerson (WHS), and Will Huff (WHS)

SWHS Youth Leadership Students

WHS Youth Leadership Students

FHS Youth Leadership Students

WDE is "BUZZING with Excitement." Recently, Mrs. Katie Adams, a 4th grade teacher at WDE, received a grant for a bee hive from The Bee Cause. This project has provided hives for 220 schools in 46 states and 4 countries. Through this exciting project students will have the opportunity to learn about the natural world in a unique way and will be challenged by STEM activities. We are grateful to NoWal Farms of DeFuniak Springs for providing the bees. We welcome students and parents to stop by the media center to see what's buzzing. Books, posters, and interesting facts are ready to help answer your questions. Find out more information about The Bee Cause at www.thebeecause.org. Submitted by Jessica Dawkins.

On April 7^th, West DeFuniak Elementary School’s kindergarteners went on a field trip to the Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge Zoological Park. Students are learning about living and non-living things in the classroom. This field trip allowed students were to observe, compare, and contrast different types of plants and animals. Students saw many different types of animals, such as llamas, lemurs, wolves, peacocks, and even a lion! There was a petting area where students could feed and pet goats. After all the excitement of seeing all of the animals, kindergarteners enjoyed eating lunch in the zoo’s picnic area. Students really enjoyed the zoo and want to go back! Submitted by Jessica Dawkins.

On Friday, April 7, FMS AVID students created and implemented an event called “Donuts for Donations” to support Child Abuse Prevention Month for the Children’s Advocacy Center.  It was held in the FMS parking lot for the community to drop off donations for children in need and receive a donut for their generosity-donated by The Donut Hole and Dunkin Donuts. FMS students received over a truckload of items from the CAC’s wish list including diapers, personal care items, clothing, art supplies, snacks and drinks in addition to cash donations.  Brenda Farris, 6^th grade AVID teacher, said,” Seeing my students help their community in such a caring way brought tears to my eyes.  I loved how the kids brought so much fun to the event.”   “Seeing these young adults work with their community to contribute to such a worthy cause was a heart lifting experience,” said Kendra Peloquin, 7^th and 8^th grade AVID teacher. Submitted by Kendra Peloquin.