It was a night of joy and celebration Friday evening for the Class of 2012 on the occasion of graduation at DeKalb County High School.
(SEE VIDEOS BELOW OF CHORUS AND GRADUATES RECEIVING DIPLOMAS)
Three of the most outstanding members of the class were singled out for special recognition. This year’s White Rose Awards went to Adam James and Ally Judkins while the Citizenship Award was presented to Elizabeth Sanders.
The White Rose is presented to a boy and girl from the class for outstanding achievement and leadership, academics, and other activities. The Citizenship Award is given to the senior who has demonstrated outstanding service, devotion and loyalty to DeKalb County High School. The honors students were also recognized during the program.
The 168 students received diplomas during the commencement, each one shaking hands with Director of Schools Mark Willoughby as their names were called by Principal Kathy Hendrix.
In his remarks, Valedictorian Adam James urged his fellow classmates to embrace the future with courage and confidence. “This mystery of what the future holds can be scary. And sure, we can choose to be afraid. We can choose to approach life cautiously- yes, we’ll be safe, but never will we ever be able to truly embrace all that life has to offer. With this guarded lifestyle, we will work and grow old, but, honestly, not much else. Or, there is another path, another lifestyle, which we can choose instead of living in the shadows, we can choose to live a life filled with joy. We can choose to be amazing. We can choose to be absolutely incredible. Because, that is just what we are–incredible. Each and everyone of us has the capabilities necessary to leading a long, happy, and successful life. The fact that we are here tonight proves that. We only get one shot–one chance–to live this life right. So live it, and live it to the fullest,” said James.
“You make your own happiness. Ask yourself, why do some people have more than others? Because they visualize it and go after it. What is it that you want out of life? Because whatever your answer may be, it can be yours. All you have to do is use your imagination and ask for it. Obstacles can’t stop you. Problems can’t stop you. Most of all, other people can’t stop you. Only you can stop you. So don’t be afraid to think big, for it is the person who thinks big that lives big. No one is better than you. You truly do deserve every happiness life has to offer,” he said.
“There is a quote I like that says “Life is like a roller coaster. It has its ups and downs. But its your choice whether to close your eyes and scream or throw up your hands and enjoy the ride”. Whether it be 5, 10, 15, or 100 years from now, I hope each and everyone of you graduates will look back on these years as students of DeKalb County with pride and think “Wow, what a ride,” said James.

Victoria Tatrow, Class President, paid tribute to the teachers and parents and challenged her fellow classmates to strive for excellence ” It is true, our experiences over these past years have allowed us to discover for ourselves who we are meant to be. Furthermore, I hope in my heart that each of you find happiness and joy in everything you do throughout this next adventure. At times, it may seem difficult, but so long as you believe in yourself, nothing will be impossible. Each of you are amazing individuals, so talented, intelligent, and inspirational. Please, always remember that by knowing who you are, striving for excellence, and believing in your dreams with all of your heart, you can accomplish anything,” said Tatrow.

Motivational speaker Michael Burt, in his address to the class, urged the graduates to live each day with purpose and passion. “Your destiny truly has no city limits. If you read any of the six books that I have written, I very seldom talk about goals. Not because I don’t believe in goals, but what I think wins out is a dominant focus in your life. A definitive aim. For all of the parents who are here tonight, the strongest way to get these young people to chase their dream is to let them see you chasing your dreams. So remember this, young people, here’s a simple concept. We become the sum average of the five people we hang around the most. The second thing is this. We will be the exact same people five years from today with the exception of two things. The people that we meet and the books that we read. Every person in this stadium has a dream. You’re either at one of two places tonight with that dream. You’re either ready to go after it or you’re ready to give up on it. My hope is that tonight’s talk will help you get the inspiration you need to go after it. Don’t ever let your confidence be predicated by people who tell you that you can’t do something with your life, because if this Woodbury boy can write six books, win a championship, and speak to 125,000 people, then you can do it too,” said Burt.
The graduation program included the processional by the DCHS band; Invocation by Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) Vice President Laura Martinez; Music by the DCHS Chorus and Theater Class singing the Beatles “In My Life”; an Introduction by Senior Class President Victoria Tatrow; Recognition of Honor Students by Guidance Counselor Lori Myrick; Presentation of Valedictorian, Salutatorian, White Rose, and Citizenship Awards by Principal Kathy Hendrix; Guest Speaker Micheal Burt; Presentation of the Class by Principal Hendrix; Presentation of Diplomas by Director of Schools Mark Willoughby; Benediction by FCA President Elizabeth Sanders; and Recessional by the DCHS Band.

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

For decades, a bustling downtown was the social, cultural and financial lifeblood of communities across America. With today’s interstates spidering through land that used to be thought of as “out there,” Main Street’s shops and diners, once filled with familiar faces, have been competing with big box stores and parking decks in sprawling bedroom communities. Here in Tennessee, we’re not ready to let downtown become a memory.
Smithville is among the communities seeking to revive its downtown districts. In December, 2010, the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development announced that Smithville was among 12 communities selected to participate in Tennessee Downtowns, a competitive community improvement program for cities and counties seeking to revitalize traditional commercial districts. Communities with central business districts at least 50 years old are eligible to apply for a downtown revitalization package, which includes a site visit, attendance at a two-day downtown revitalization workshop, ongoing technical assistance and an innovation project grant.
Mini-grants are available to local downtown business owners who want to join in the effort.
The new Tennessee Downtowns Design Committee will be taking applications for downtown Smithville building owners who will invest a minimum of $1,000 in exterior improvements to their buildings. If your application is approved by the committee, you will be eligible to receive $500.
The deadline for filing your application is June 30. Your project must be completed within 60 days of the date of approval. After a design committee inspection and Chamber receiving receipts, a $500 reimbursement should be expected within 30 to 60 days.
Fore more information, contact the Smithville-DeKalb County Chamber of Commerce at 597-4163
Tennessee joins a growing national movement to improve the business climate in America’s traditional downtowns. Main Street works with these communities to provide technical assistance, training and guidance to improve the economic, social, cultural and environmental well-being of traditional commercial districts. The “Main Street Approach to Revitalization”™ guides communities to develop strong, broad-based local organizations and to create a road map for implementation and management of the revitalization process.
In the middle 1980s Tennessee Main Street Program joined the National Main Street Center as a coordinating partner. Since then our program has engaged with towns and cities across Tennessee, spreading the national methodology and language of “Main Street” , developed more than 30 years ago and successful in more than 2,500 communities across America.
The National Main Street Center’s © “Main Street Approach to Downtown Revitalization” comprehensive downtown revitalization advocates a return to community self-reliance, local empowerment and the rebuilding of traditional business districts based on unique assets such as distinctive architecture, a pedestrian-friendly environment and local ownership. In other words, we believe in community-driven, common sense solutions to make our downtowns safe, appealing and vibrant places where folks want to shop, live and make memories.
Downtowns play an important role in a community’s economic development strategy. These commercial cores usually account for as much as 30 percent of a community’s jobs and 40 percent of its tax base. Downtown is also a community’s crossroads – a place in our hearts and minds that evoke strong emotions and help define our identity.
The benefits of downtown revitalization are clear:
Revitalization protects the existing tax base. Private investment in banks, businesses and commercial property and public investment in streets, sidewalks and water and sewer lines are protected and enhanced.
Revitalization provides an incubator for new business. A viable downtown offers opportunities and incentives for the new entrepreneurs such as lower rent and technical assistance.
Revitalization helps attract industrial development. Downtown reflects the overall image a community projects to potential investors. An invigorated downtown makes a very positive statement about the whole community.
Revitalization provides a point of focus and stability. A vibrant downtown gives the whole community and region a sense of pride and positive self-image. It also serves as an anchor that holds the community together and provides the stability necessary for economic growth.

More than one million dollars in scholarships were awarded to sixty nine members of the Class of 2012 at DeKalb County High School during Thursday’s annual Senior Awards Day program.
Representatives of colleges, universities, branches of the armed services, businesses, civic groups, and other organizations made the presentations.
Heather Vidal, the Class Salutatorian, received more than $108,000 in scholarships, the largest total award presented to any student during the program. Vidal was presented a scholarship of $84,820 from Union University and the $24,000 Ned McWherter scholarship.
Meanwhile, Adam James, the Class Valedictorian, was presented an award for perfect attendance during the 2011-12 school year. Honor students, Tennessee Scholars, and students who have received the High Schools That Work Award of Educational Achievement were also recognized.
Other scholarship recipients are as follows:
Lela Ambrose
University of Tennessee at Knoxville: $30,600
Joseph Angaran:
Anthony Duane Trapp Memorial: $1,000
Christian Atnip:
Smithville Women’s Club: $350
Jessica Ball:
DTC Communications McAllen Foutch Memorial: $8,000
Thomas Beltz:
U.S. Marines Enlistment
Dustin Brown:
DeKalb County Children’s Service Council: $500
Chelsea Cantrell:
Love-Cantrell Funeral Home: $500
Megan Cantrell:
DeKalb Fire Fighters: $500
Tiffany Cantrell:
DeKalb Funeral Chapel: $500
Michael W. Caldwell:
Jolly Angels: $1,000
DeKalb County Scottish Rite: $1,000
Yesenia Cintron:
U.S. Marines Music Award
Erin Colwell:
David Wayne Alexander Memorial: $1,000
DeKalb Funeral Chapel: $500
Smithville Rotary Club: $750
Jakob Craven:
Dailey & Vincent Scholarship: $1,000
Alex Cripps:
U.S. Navy Enlistment: $85,000
Chelsea Crutcher:
U.S. Army Enlistment: $71,500
Jonathan Edwards:
University of Tennessee at Knoxville: $23,200
CIC Foundation: $10,000
Jolly Angels: $1,000
DCHS Beta Club Scholarship: $500
Matthew Elliott:
U.S. Marines Enlistment
Katy England:
Class of 1966: $500
Whitney England:
Tennessee Tech University: $16,000
Love-Cantrell Funeral Home Allen D. Hooper Memorial Award: $500
Jolly Angels: $1,000
DCHS Beta Club Scholarship: $500
Jeremie Ferdelman
U.S. Navy Enlistment: $85,000
Sloane Garrett:
Jeff Garrett Memorial: $500
AmVets Auxiliary: $250
Jolly Angels: $1,000
Jessica Garrison:
Tennessee Tech University: $10,000
Liberty State Bank: $1,000
Leadership DeKalb
Zachary Goldstein:
Universal Technical Institute Imagine America Foundation: $1,000
Katelyn Goodwin:
First Bank: $500
Love-Cantrell Funeral Home: $500
Todd Hasty:
Mentors Association Scholarship: $5,000
Tiffini Hendrixson:
Covenant College: $12,000
U.S. Marines Athlete Award
Johnna Hensley:
Dailey & Vincent Scholarship: $1,000
DeKalb Community Hospital: $500
FCCLA: $200
Heather Hughes:
Mentors Association Scholarship:$5,000
Brooke Hutchings:
Covenant College: $12,000
DeKalb Funeral Chapel: $500
Adam James:
Belmont University: $40,000
Sarah Jones:
Tennessee Tech University: $3,000
DeKalb County Soil Conservation District: $500
Doyle & Melford Smith Scholarship: $1,000
Stephanie Jones:
Martin Methodist:$25,000
Ally Judkins:
Kyle & Kenny Robinson Memorial: $1,000
Danielle Knowles:
DeKalb PTO: $300
Smithville Rotary Math Award: $100
Monse Leon:
Martin Methodist:$41,600
Tammy Li:
Liberty State Bank: $1,000
DCHS Student Council: $500
Elzie & Nell McBride Memorial: $500
Allison Little:
Tennessee Tech University: $4,000
Sarah Lomas:
Dailey & Vincent Scholarship: $1,000
Laura Martinez:
Tennessee Tech University: $10,000
U.S. Marines Scholar Award
Alex Meadows:
Lucille Stewart Memorial: $2,000
U.S. Army Athlete Award
Mason Merriman:
Kyle & Kenny Robinson Memorial: $1,000
Smithville Rotary Club: $750
Dustin Netherton:
U.S. Marines Enlistment
Tevin Owens:
Agee Oil Scholarship: $1,500
DeKalb Firefighters: $500
Jacob Odom:
University of Tennessee at Knoxville: $30,600
U.S. Army Athlete Award
Laura Pafford:
Mentors Association Scholarship: $5,000
Tennessee Tech University: $4,000
Hailey Perry:
DeKalb Republican Women: $500
Sebastian Phillips:
Clay Edwards Memorial Tiger Pride Scholarship: $500
AmVets: $250
U.S. Marines Athlete Award
Chris Powell:
U.S. Navy Enlistment: $85,000
Kidman Puckett:
DeKalb Funeral Chapel: $500
Stephanie Rackley:
Smithville Rotary Club: $750
Smithville Business & Professional Women’s Club: $500
Cora Beth Rhody:
Smithville Women’s Club: $350
Louis Richards:
Smithville Rotary Vocational Award: $100
NADC
Martin Riley:
U.S. Army Enlistment: $71,500
Yazmin Rivera:
Martin Methodist: $41,600
Sydney Robinson:
First Bank: $500
Leadership DeKalb
Johnna Roller:
Tennessee Tech University Cheerleading
Elizabeth Sanders:
Eddie Crips Memorial: $1,000
DeKalb Funeral Chapel: $500
Leadership DeKalb
Russell Storey:
U.S. Navy Enlistment: $85,000
Laura Sullivan:
Motlow State Community College: $4,000
DeKalb Retired Teachers: $750
Victoria Tatrow:
Tennessee Tech University: $10,000
Jolly Angels: $1,000
Zach Thompson:
MTSU: $16,000
Briana Vidal:
Cedarville University: $42,000
Comcast: $1,000
Heather Vidal:
Union University: $84,820
Ned McWherter Scholarship: $24,000
Krystal White:
MTSU: $16,000
Ashlee Whitehead:
Smithville Business & Professional Women’s Club: $500
Jacob Williams:
U.S. Marines Enlistment
Austin Wilmore:
Tennessee Tech University: $4,000
Alyssa Young:
Dailey & Vincent Scholarship: $1,000
Smithville Rotary Club: $750
Riley Young:
Tennessee Tech University: $3,000

Although she has lived elsewhere for much of her life, DeKalb County is the place Carol Williams and her husband Don have called home now for about fifteen years.
For the past seventeen years, Williams has been a special education Algebra teacher at DeKalb County High School, a position she will be giving up at the close of the school year when she retires.
Williams, who has family ties in DeKalb County, lived here for a while herself as a child. “I am related to the Trapp family. All of my mother’s family graduated from high school here,” said Williams. ” I went to first grade here at College Street Elementary. We lived here when I was sixteen months old until the end of my first grade year. My father was Chief of Flight Service at the airport when the Civil Aeronautics Administration, which is now the Federal Aviation Agency, was in the airport here over on Smith Road. They later closed this CAA down and moved it to Crossville, so we moved to Crossville and from second grade to high school I finished at Cumberland County High School,” said Williams.
Williams said she knew early in life that she wanted to become a teacher, having been inspired by family members who were educators. “My goal in life was to be a teacher because my great aunt, Lillie Trapp Spencer, taught here for many years. An aunt and an uncle also taught here for a period of time until their job moved them elsewhere,” she said.
When she took the job at DCHS in 1995, Williams taught both special education English and Math. “We split English and Math but as standards changed, it was hard to prepare lessons for two subjects. I’ve been teaching Algebra alone for four or five years,” said Williams.
As a special education teacher, Williams has helped students master a subject that often poses challenges. ” I love seeing the students start believing in themselves. They come in here thinking that they can’t do the Algebra because its such a scary word. But over time that I have them in class, they begin to develop more self confidence and a majority of the time, they pass the tests and they feel better about themselves. I think its more than just educating math. Its also trying to build self esteem and knowing that, even though they do have some disabilities, how minor they may be, they have learned that they can be better than what they think they can,” she said.
Williams and her husband Don, who is from Livingston, had lived in Cookeville for some twenty years before moving to DeKalb County, looking for a good place to retire. “Our plan was to retire. We had lived in Cookeville and our plan was to retire to DeKalb County. My husband worked for the state and got to know the people at the courthouse and he really liked the community too. That’s why we moved here. It’s a good place to retire and has great memories for me,” said Williams.
Williams plans to stay busy, even in retirement. Her immediate plans are to help Judy Fuson and Ria Baker do some research for another DeKalb County history book. “I plan on spending more time with my husband who has been retired for twelve years. I plan to work with Judy Fuson and Ria Baker and another lady on trying to find the displaced people from Center Hill Lake. It’s a new book that we will be working on, trying to find all the properties and families of the people who lived on Center Hill Lake, where they moved, where the cemeteries moved. We’ll be looking for any pictures we can find and any type of memorabilia that has been handed down through the years as to what happened on the river and how their families adjusted to moving off the river. So that will take quite a bit of time. Plus, I enjoy bird watching. I have been doing the DeKalb County Christmas bird count for quite a number of years. I am going to be busy I’m sure,” said Williams.

In an effort to raise awareness about what Memorial Day is all about, Coleman Ruiz, a former Navy Seal, and his Carry the Load relay team will be passing through DeKalb County this week as part of their 1,700 mile march from West, Point New York to Dallas, Texas.
They began their cross-country journey on May 1 as a way of honoring the service and sacrifice of American troops past and present. The relay team will enter DeKalb County early Thursday morning, May 17 at around 1:00 a.m. coming from White County on Highway 70 through Smithville, Dowelltown, and Liberty and then onto Highway 96 toward Rutherford County.
The idea for the relay came about last year after Ruiz and other members of Carry the Load, a Dallas-based nonprofit, organized a Memorial Day relay in Dallas as a charity fundraiser. This year’s relay wraps up in Dallas on May 27, the day before Memorial Day.
Proceeds from the relay go to such charities as the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, which offers support to the families of fallen troops.
The team hopes to find volunteers to walk each leg of the round-the-clock relay, divided into five-mile stretches. They walk the miles themselves otherwise.
Some carry tokens in honor or in memory of friends or strangers. Ruiz carries the badge of New York Fire Department Capt. Harvey Harrell, who died in the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

A total of 177 students make up the Class of 2012 at DeKalb County High School and the seniors will receive their diplomas during graduation exercises Friday, May 18th at 7:00 p.m. on the high school football field.
CLICK THE FOLLOWING LINK TO VIEW A PHOTO GALLERY OF ALL AVAILABLE PHOTOS OF THE CLASS OF 2012 AT DCHShttp://www.wjle.com/image-gallery/dchs-class-2012
The program will feature remarks by the Valedictorian, Adam James and Class President Victoria Tatrow. Motivational speaker Micheal Burt will deliver the commencement address.
The prestigious White Rose and Citizenship Awards will also be presented by DCHS Principal Kathy Hendrix to three outstanding members of the class. Honors students will be recognized. Diplomas will be presented to each graduate by Director of Schools Mark Willoughby. The DCHS Chorus will perform.
Meanwhile the DCHS Senior Awards Day program will be Thursday, May 17 at 8:30 a.m. at the gym. Scholarship awards will be presented. WJLE will have LIVE coverage of awards day on AM 1480/FM 101.7 and LIVE streaming at www.wjle.com.
During the graduation exercises, the honor students will be recognized including the 2012 Valedictorian Adam James and the Salutatorian Heather Vidal.
Students among the top twenty five senior academic ranking from numbers one to twenty five are as follows:
Adam James, Heather Vidal, Whitney England, Laura Martinez, Briana Vidal, Hailey Perry, Heather Hughes, Jessica Garrison, Jonathan Edwards, Erin Colwell, Jessica Ball, Alex Meadows, Victoria Tatrow, Riley Young, Lela Ambrose, Katie Merriman, Laura Pafford, Abigail Hendrix, Allison Little, Mason Merriman, Talisa Cantrell, Elizabeth Sanders, Brooke Hutchings, Sydney Robinson, and Joseph Angaran
Students earning “Highest Distinction” with a grade point average of 3.8 to 4.0 are:
Adam James, Valedictorian 4.0; Heather Vidal, Salutatorian 4.0, Jessica D. Ball 4.0, Erin L. Colwell 4.0, Jonathan D. Edwards 4.0, Whitney N. England 4.0, Jessica B. Garrison 4.0, Heather M. Hughes 4.0, Laura E. Martinez 4.0, Hailey D. Perry 4.0, Victoria D. Tatrow 4.0, Briana Vidal 4.0, Christopher R. Young 4.0, Lela E. Ambrose, Joseph L. Angaran, Talisa M. Cantrell, Taylor M. Cantrell, Morgan S. Garrett, Abigail Hendrix, Nicholaus T. Henry, Morgan B. Hutchings, Allison Little, Alexandria Meadows, Katie L. Merriman, Mason B. Merriman, Jacob A. Odom, Laura S. Pafford, Sydney Robinson, Elizabeth Sanders, Krystal T. White, and Austin T. Willmore
Students earning “High Distinction” with a grade point average of 3.6 to 3.79 include Chelsea L. Cantrell, Megan L. Cantrell, Yesenia L Cintron, Alicia D. Crook, Jamie Florence, James D. Freeney, Tiffini Hendrixson, Johnna G. Hensley, Sarah L. Jones, David S. Phillips, Kidman D. Puckett, Lindsay B. Snyder, Erik Z. Thompson, and Alyssa A. Young.
Those earning “Distinction” with a grade point average of 3.2 to 3.59 include Christian J. Atnip, Michael W. Caldwell, Tiffany D. Cantrell, Tiffany A. Celestino, Emily B Dawson, Jasmine M. Dimas, Katy J. England, John B. Foster, Quinton R. Harbaugh, Allyson R. Judkins, Danielle L. Knowles, Mary F. Knowles, Monserrat Leon, Xing (Tammy) Q. Li, Renny A. Mason, Preston S. Melton, Lorrie M. Merriman, Kalli A. Mitchell, Samanvi R. Munagala, Tevin M. Owens, Bradley C. Pack, Stephanie C. Rackley, Johnna R. Roller, Kayla D. Self, Laura A. Sullivan, and Ashlee M. Whitehead
Members of the DCHS Class of 2012 are as follows:
Alexander J. Ader, William A. Ader, Lela Ambrose, Joseph Angaran, Jordan Arnold, Christian Atnip, Andrew Atnip, Justin Avera
Terry Bain, Jessica Ball, Thomas Beltz, Macie Bouldin, Micheal Braswell, Dustin Brown, Jennifer Butler,
Michael Caldwell, Chelsea Cantrell, Megan Cantrell, Talisa Cantrell, Taylor Cantrell, Tiffany Cantrell, Austin Carlson, Juan Carrillo, Tiffany Celestino, Yesenia Cintron, Erin Colwell, Jakob Craven, Alex Cripps, Jackson Cripps, Alicia Crook, Chelsea Crutcher, Adam Cubbins,
Tanner Davis, Emily Dawson, Jasmine Dimas, Rebecca Duffield,
Jonathan Edwards, Matthew Elliott, Katy England, Whitney England, Gage Estes,
Jeremie Ferdelman, Zacharias Ferrell, Jamie Florence, Brady Foster, Dylan Freeney, Caleb Furnival,
Benjamin Gard, Sloane Garrett, Jessica Garrison, Jordan Gash, Zachary Goldstein, Katelyn Goodwin, Clayton Gott, Joseph Gray, Hannah Green, Lucas Griffin, Jonathan Griffin,
Steven Haas, Kara Hackett, Quintin Harbaugh, Todd Hasty, John Hayes, Abigail Hendrix, Tiffini Hendrixson, Nicholaus Henry, Johnna Hensley, Taylor Hensley, Jessie Herman, Savannah Hershman, Heather Hughes, Hunter Humphrey, Brooke Hutchings,
Adam James, Jessie James, Kaitlin Jennings, Matthew Johnson, Garrett Johnson, Ian Johnson, Kenneth Johnson, Sarah Jones, Heather Jones, Stephanie Jones, Allyson Judkins
Alexander Keith, Clay Kilgore, Danielle Knowles, Mary Knowles, Tabitha Knowles,
Jeremy Landsem, Steven Lawrence, Amanda Laxton, Monserrat Leon, Tammy Li, Allison Little, Aurora Little, Sarah Lomas, Erika Lucio,
Zachery Malone, Laura Martinez, Renny Mason, Wesley Mason, Andrew McCoy, Cheyenne McDaniel, Alexandria Meadows, Preston Melton, Corey Merriman, Katie Merriman, Lorrie Merriman, Mason Merriman, Kalli Mitchell, Terry Mollinet, Justin Moore, Samanvi Munagala, Alex Murphy,
Raul Narvaez, Teddy Nelson, Dustin Netherton,
Jacob Odom, Tevin Owens,
Bradley Pack, Christopher Pack, Laura Pafford, Tiffany Pease, Ashley Pedigo, Hailey Perry, David Perry, Trey Petty, Sebastian Phillips, Westly Poss, Christopher Powell, Kayla Presley, Kidman Puckett,
Stephanie Rackley, Brenda Ramirez, Dylan Reagan, Deshon Reeder, Blake Reffue, Cora Beth Rhody, Louis Richards, Collene Riley, Martin Riley, Gabrielle Ritchie, Yazmin Rivera, Sydney Robinson, Johnna Roller, Makenzie Roller,
Elizabeth Sanders, Kayla Self, Justin Skinner, Brooke Snyder, William Sowell, Corey Spare, Daniel Stanley, Mark Stanley, Russell Storey, Laura Sullivan,
Billy Tate, Victoria Tatrow, Ashley Taylor, Zachary Taylor, Destiny Thomas, Zachary Thompson, Billy Tiner,
Nicholas Underhill, Jonathan Upton,
Gabriella Vanatta, Briana Vidal, Heather Vidal,
Brian Waggoner, Tia Ward, Krystal White, Ashlee Whitehead, Jacob Williams, Breanna Williams, Austin Willmore,
Alyssa Young and Riley Young.

DeKalb County Schools participated in the Fuel Up to Play 60 Breakfast contest during the month of March through the School Nutrition Department. The contest was a huge success with 4,000 more breakfast served during March than during the month of February. Although DeKalb County did not win the contest, the School Nutrition Department feels that it was a huge success by having more students participate in breakfast and win some really great prizes from local businesses/sponsors. The School Nutrition Department would like to give a huge THANK YOU to the local businesses/sponsors for all the wonderful prizes. The businesses/sponsors included:
SPONSORS
Kwik-N-Ezy, Inc., DeKalb County Tigers Football Team, Wilson Bank and Trust (DeKalb), DeKalb County Tigerettes Softball Team, DeKalb County Soccer Teams, Kilgore’s , Verizon, Foutch Eye Care, Mapco, DCHS Annual Club, DCHS FFA, Los Lobos Mexican Restaurant, Federal Programs, Wal-Mart, DCHS, NES, DWS, DMS PTO’s, DMS, Mr. Randy Jennings-Principal at DMS, Mrs. Kathy Hendrix-Principal at DCHS, Bumpers, Subway, Pizza Hut, Coordinated School Health, Ramsey’s Signs and Shirts
WINNERS
The prizes were presented each week to the students who ate breakfast that week. Their name was put in a drawing every Friday for a prize. The winners included:
Smithville Elementary School
Week One: Claytin Fish-Pre-K and Tori Hensley-2nd grade
Week Two: Brayden Murphy-Kindergarten and Elizabeth Gaines-1st grade
Week Three: John Cook-1st grade and Alexa Hernandez-Dragustinovis-Kindergarten
Week Four: Adriana Shirley-Pre-K and Alexis Soto-2nd grade
Northside Elementary School
Week One: Hunter Murphy-5th grade and Kayla Van Dyne-3rd grade
Week Two: Jenna Cantrell-2nd grade and Rodriqo Sosa-Santillan-4th grade
Week Three: Takota Prinsloo-4th grade and Chelsea Bennett-4th grade
Week Four: Maddison Parsley-5th grade and Isaac Martin-3rd grade
DeKalb West School
(Four Students were chosen: two (boy &girl) from Pre-K-4th grade and two (boy & girl) from 5th-8th grade)
Week One: Sydnee Hendrixson-3rd grade, Jackson Hale-2nd grade, Cody Goff-5th grade, Jayrah Plattenburg-7th grade
Week Two: Brooklyn Sutherland-Kindergarten, Bralin Moss-1st grade, Savannah Anderson-Howell-7th grade, and Samuel Claiborne-6th grade
Week Three: Jayra Plattenburg-7th grade, Preston Clark-4th grade, Jasmen Chapman-Kindergarten, and-Will Mathis-1st grade
Week Four: Savannah Anderson-Howell-7th grade, JD Ashford-Kindergarten, Christian Cryer-6th grade, and Allie Overstreet-Kindergarten
DeKalb Middle School
Week One: Victoria Greer-7th grade and Ethan R. Cantrell-6th grade
Week Two: Elizabeth Cripps-7th grade and Hunter Speaks-6th grade
Week Three: Kelly Armour-8th grade and Jesse Ferrell-6th grade
Week Four: Angeles Soto-8th grade and Shaun Bain-7th grade
DeKalb County High School
(Each week a student from each grade was chosen excluding Week Four due to the amount of prizes)
Week One: Nicole Hunt, Hunter Parkhurst, Laddie Jerrells, and Zach Goldstein
Week Two: Erasmo Godinez, Chris Cameron, Brandon Sells, and Zach Goldstein
Week Three: Bobby Calahan, Annatasia Alexander, Matthew Adcox, and Destiny Thomas
Week Four: Samantha Hayes, Jonathan Munoz, Shannon Freeman, Kaylee Hale, Shaun
McGinnis, Karah Allen, Samuel Giles, Jose Alvarez-Tinajero, and Terry Mollinet,
DCHS had a grand prize winner for the student who ate everyday for the month of March. The winner was Andrew McCoy! He won a $65 Yearbook!
Thanks for all the support from the community, schools, teachers, parents, and students during this event!

If you don’t think a teacher can have an impact on your life, just ask Harriet Cantrell, Family and Consumer Science Teacher at DCHS.
As she looks toward retirement after thirty three years, Ms. Harriet said she has a former high school teacher to thank for influencing her decision to become an educator. “My high school Home Ec teacher is the one who really steered me in this direction,” said Cantrell. ” She was a wonderful person and just got me so interested in this area and this is what I chose.”
Cantrell’s teaching career began in 1979. After graduating from high school and earning her college degree, she spent the first few years working at the local hospital before becoming a Home Economics instructor at DCHS. “I graduated from high school in Nashville at Two Rivers and then I got my degree from Middle Tennessee State University. I worked at DeKalb General Hospital for seven years before I started my teaching career. I moved to DeKalb County High School in 1979 and have been here ever since,” said Cantrell.
Over the years, the class she teaches has changed courses and has even undergone a name change. “It changed from Home Economics to Family and Consumer Science. We’ve moved a lot from the year long classes to semester classes and I’ve taught pretty much everything in the curriculum since I’ve been here. The courses have changed. We’ve dropped some and added some and we’re still doing that. Its changing year by year,” she said.
Ms. Harriet has enjoyed her job and being around the students, which she said, has always made her feel young at heart. “I have loved my job. Its never been a chore for me to come to work and do my job. My classroom has always been my salvation. The students have always kept me young and young at heart. My class is more like a family life skills class. Its teaching them skills that they can use everyday and I’ve had a lot of contact with students after they’ve graduated who have come back and talked to me to let me know that things they learned in my class have been very useful. It has been very rewarding for me,”said Cantrell.
Along with her teaching duties, Cantrell has been involved in other school activities over the years. “I’ve done a little bit of everything since I’ve been here. I was a cheerleading sponsor for fifteen years. I did the prom for about ten years. I’ve done graduation with Ms. Dixie (Crook) for a long time. Just a little bit of everything out here that had to be done, we’ve always filled in and done it,” she said.
As she leaves DCHS after this school year, Ms Harriett said she will take with her many pleasant memories. She takes pride in having watched many of her former students become successful in their own careers “There are lots of students who have made really strong impressions on me, Danielle Collins is one that I can think of. Dr. David Foutch is one of my former students. There’s just a lot of people in this area who have gone on to great things who I have had the opportunity to teach. There’s so many, they’re hard to name,” said Cantrell.
Cantrell is very grateful to all her friends and family who have supported her. “I would love to thank my DCHS students that I have worked with all these years, the faculty and staff and all of their families, and my family and everyone who has touched my life in so many ways over these last three decades,” she said.
As for what’s next in her life, Ms. Harriet said we’ll just have to wait and see. “I’m going to enjoy my retirement. I’m not sure that I’m going to do anything special for a while. I know that God has something else for me to do. I would love to work with young people in something but I don’t know we’re just going to see what opens up,” she said.