Thirty-nine members of the 8th grade class at DeKalb West School graduated Friday, May 18. Students received a certificate of completion, and others also were recognized for special achievements.
For the highest grade averages, Kirkland Smallwood from Cynthia Preston’s class and James Sherwood from Melanie Molander’s homeroom swept the top grades in every subject except for Tavia Cantrell, who had the highest average in math, in Mrs. Molander’s homeroom.
Here’s how the final scores stacked up. Math: Cantrell, 93.29% and Smallwood, 98.32%; Science: Sherwood, 98.51% and Smallwood, 99.69%; Social Studies: Sherwood, 97.7% and Smallwood, 98.91%; Literature: Smallwood, 98.72% and Sherwood, 98.52%; English: Smallwood, 99.42% and Sherwood, 98.23%; Spelling: Smallwood, 99.96% and Sherwood, 99.09%.
William Cain and Dani Meadows were recognized for scoring a perfect 6 on the TCAP writing assessment.
Winning the peer-nominated Citizenship Awards were James Sherwood and Anna Malone from Melanie Molander’s homeroom, and Will Cain and Morgan Vickers from Cynthia Preston’s class. The Mrs. Georgia Young award was presented to Will Cain.
The Genrose R. Davis Librarian’s Award also went to Will Cain with 1954.3 Accelerated Reader points. He scored the most A.R. points among the student body this school year as well as earning the most points in Preston’s homeroom. Damian Payne finished first in his class with 1555.3.
Payne also earned an award for perfect attendance, as did Justin Blair and Kirkland Smallwood.
Country star Aaron Tippin was the guest speaker and sang a couple of songs for the crowd. Tippin and his wife, Thea, watched their son, Ted Tippin graduate. Schools Director Mark Willoughby, Principal Danny Parkerson, and Assistant Principal Sabrina Farler also spoke during the ceremony.
Students completing 8th grade are the following: Lucas Barnes, Jessica Billings, Justin Blair, Noah Byford, William Cain, Tavia Cantrell, Lane Davenport, Alex Foutch, Chyna Fullilove, Chasity Garrett, Ashley Grater, Brandon Grater, Katie Hall, Madison Hayes, Josh Hembree, Elijah Hendrixson, Anna Malone, Keely McKay, Sam McMillen, Dani Meadows, Heather Miller, Mary Mofield, Amber Montgomery, Alexis Nokes, Damian Payne, Jared Pyles, Maribel Quintero, Katie Roehner, James Sherwood, Kirkland Smallwood, Haley Smith, Christian Staten, Nathaniel Theriaque, Ted Tippin, Morgan Vickers, Hailey Walker, Chelsey Waters, Jordan Whitehead, and Mathew Winsett.
(TOP PHOTO: For the highest grade averages, Kirkland Smallwood from Cynthia Preston’s class and James Sherwood from Melanie Molander’s homeroom swept the top grades in every subject except for Tavia Cantrell, who had the highest average in math, in Mrs. Molander’s homeroom. Pictured left to right are Tavia Cantrell, Kirkland Smallwood, and James Sherwood.)
(SECOND PHOTO FROM TOP) Winning the peer-nominated Citizenship Awards were (left to right) Anna Malone and James Sherwood from Melanie Molander’s homeroom, and Morgan Vickers and Will Cain from Cynthia Preston’s class.)
(THIRD PHOTO FROM TOP) Attendance: Justin Blair, Damian Payne and Kirkland Smallwood won awards for perfect attendance. Smallwood not pictured.)
(FOURTH PHOTO FROM TOP) The Genrose R. Davis Librarian’s Award went to Will Cain, who was the top reader in his class and had the most yearly points in school, with 1954.3 Accelerated Reader points. Damian Payne finished first in his class with 1555.3 A.R.’s class.) Pictured left to right: Damian Payne and Will Cain
(FIFTH PHOTO FROM TOP) Will Cain was presented with this year’s Mrs. Georgia Young award, named after the late longtime kitchen manager at DWS)
(BOTTOM PHOTO) Aaron Tippin performs for the 8th grade graduation at DeKalb West School
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