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.

After 40 years of dedication to the profession she loves, Dixie Crook will be ending her teaching career this year at DeKalb County High School, the same place it all began for her in 1972.
As the longest serving teacher currently on the staff at DCHS, Ms Crook has announced her retirement, effective at the close of the school year. “I’m thinking about sitting back for a little while, relaxing, and taking it easy. I love to read. I hope to maybe get out and do some things I haven’t been able to do. Maybe spend a little more time with family,” she said.
During her four decades at DCHS, Ms. Crook has worked with dozens of teachers, taught hundreds of students, and served under nine principals. “The teachers that I have had the pleasure to work with have just meant so much to me. A lot of faculty and staff have gone through here. Ms Harriet (Cantrell) and I have been friends for a long time and her friendship is among those I treasure the most. Ms (Ina Ruth) Bess and I are a little bit kin, and we always had a big time together.(Ms. Bess retired a few years ago). I appreciate everyone’s help throughout the years. There’s been a lot of principals I’ve learned a lot from including Mr. Ernest Ray. I always liked the way he did things. Kathy (Hendrix) has been a Godsend. I have enjoyed serving under her these last seven years. She has worked hard and I think we have all profited from her hard work,” said Crook.
In reflecting on her life, Ms. Crook talked about how she quit school as a teenager to start a family but later returned to further her education. It was during this time that she began thinking of becoming a teacher. “I quit school when I was a sophomore and had two children. I came back and finished two years of high school. During that time, I was more focused. In the back of my mind, I had always thought I would like to teach. I had Ms. Ann Puckett as a teacher. She encouraged me. That last summer I worked for Congressman Joe L. Evins and he also encouraged me to pursue my dream. So I went to Tennessee Tech and completed my BS degree.. Then I attended MTSU and completed my Masters in Business Education,” said Ms. Crook.
After finishing college, Ms. Crook was hired by the school system and went to work at DCHS in 1972. “Throughout all the years I have taught different subjects but its always been in the business field. When I first started teaching, it was VOE (Vocational Office Education). Then everything changed a bit. Right now the classes that I am teaching are database, e-business, and administrative management. Those are the classes that I am teaching this semester. But everything has always been in business,” she said.
Today, Ms. Crook’s title is Business Technology/Computer Teacher. She is also one of the local school system’s career level III teachers, an accomplishment only few have achieved.
As times have changed and new technologies have developed, Ms. Crook, like many other teachers, have had to adapt. “I started out with a few old electric typewriters. I had three rows in my room and one row had electric typewriters so to try to make it as fair as I could (for all the students), we rotated. The other two rows were manual typewriters. That was all we had at that time,” said Ms. Crook.
“After they built this new (vocational) building, they bought all new IBM selectrics and that was the top of the line typewriters at that time. We progressed from those to an electronic typewriter which had a little bit of memory. And then computers came into the picture,” she said.
Ms. Crook also enjoyed her club work and beamed with delight anytime one of her students excelled achieving special honors or recognition. “When I first began, the club I was affiliated with was the Office Education Association (OEA). I was fortunate enough to have a lot of students over the years that worked really hard. Several years ago I had the first national officer of any of the clubs here at DCHS, Ella Jane Parkerson Williams. Later our club merged with FBLA and she went on to be an FBLA officer as well,” she said.
Whether it was helping organize high school graduations, proms, homecomings, or cheerleading activities, Ms. Crook found everything she did to be a labor of love. ” I did graduation for quite a few years. I did the yearbook. I worked with cheerleaders and that was back in the day when I had both squads. I also helped with the proms and homecomings. We saw many a parade go by. I’ve enjoyed it all,” she said.
As her career draws to a close, Ms. Crook said it has been a privilege to teach and to have perhaps made an impression on the lives of her students. ” I look back and I see all those students that I had over the years. Its been real rewarding when they come up and say, I remember when we did this, or you taught me how to do that, and I appreciate it. That means a lot when students come up and tell you that. I think in teaching that’s one of the most rewarding things is seeing your students succeed. Over the years, there have been quite a few and I have enjoyed every single minute of it,” she said.