The DeKalb/Cannon County Farm Service Agency recently presented Shawn Rice, Program Technician, with her 30 Year Length of Service Award.
Pictured from left to right: R.V. Billings, Jr (County Committee Member), Shawn Rice (Program Technician), Jack Campbell (County Committee Chairperson), Charles Brown (County Committee Member), and Donny Green (County Executive Director).

Embracing the opportunity to try something new, co-advisers Nallely Prater and Donna Emmons, along with Tiger Media staff members Lydia Trail and Caleb Rowland, chose to publish a product that would showcase student creative talent. Thus, the concept for Tiger Media’s first literary magazine, titled Mirage, was conceived. Twenty-six students chose to submit their creative works of art, photography, poetry and short stories in the full-color, 44 page publication.
“This has been one of the most rewarding experiences as an adviser. Creating this magazine was a learning experience for all of us,” Mrs. Prater said about her contributions to the finished product.
The work was submitted and completed over three months, and each participating student received a free copy of the magazine.
Junior Megan Evans said, “It’s awesome! It isn’t something I typically do, put my poems out there. It felt good to get published.”
“I am always willing to try something new,” Mrs. Emmons said, “and the excitement surrounding this project has been infectious. I am so happy for the students to be able to reach an audience with their incredible talents, and I am honored to have been a part of this effort.”
Besides athletics and the active clubs at the high school, many of the more creative students find it hard to showcase their talents because there has not been an outlet.
“I’m glad to be able to get my work out to express myself and get people to see it,” freshman Riley “Rcade” Sexton said.
Freshman Ami Patel added, “This is a good start for our school, so we can each express our individuality.”
“Maybe others will submit works to publish now that they’ve seen we have put ourselves out there,” freshman Hannah Brown said.
A limited number of magazines are still available to purchase for $5 at DCHS through next Wednesday. Call, come by or send word to own your exclusive copy.
“The staff of Tiger Media would like to thank its sponsors. We greatly appreciate the support of Harry Lasser, DeKalb Funeral Chapel, Family Medical Center, Callie Herman with Art Revolution, and Wilson Bank & Trust,” added Mrs. Emmons.
Picture Caption:
Mirage authors and artists – Twenty-six DCHS students contributed their collective creative talents to publish the first ever Tiger Media literary magazine, Mirage. Front row (l-r): Lydia Trail/Juliette Aurora (editor), Leah Clark, Anna May, Savannah Anderson, Dakotah Cool, Madison Kemper. Middle row (l-r): Hannah Brown, Savannah Belcher, Kristena Bain, MaKayla C. Bain, Ami Patel, Jhoany Gaspar. Back row (l-r): Shea Hicks, Caleb Rowland (graphic designer), Riley “Rcade” Sexton, Megan Evans, Dev Johnson, Kyle Satcher, and Moses Hernandez. Not pictured: Jaynee Angaran, Allen Smithee, Laiza Martinez, Nowhere Man, Kelly Armour, Kupo and Olivia Winter.

The 2015 DCHS Tennessee Scholars were recognized during Monday night’s Annual Awards Program at the high school
The Tennessee Scholars program encourages students to take a more rigorous and challenging course of study in high school. Students graduating as Tennessee Scholars have to maintain good academic, disciplinary, and attendance standards as well as volunteer in the community. Tennessee Scholars also choose to take rigorous courses beyond what is required to graduate. Janney & Associates CPAs generously provided the Tennessee Scholars Medals.
Ruth Woodall, Associate Vice President of Education and Workforce Development for the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce and Industry/Tennessee Manufacturing Association, helped make the presentations.
The following students have met all requirements for the Tennessee Scholars Program.
1. ADCOCK, RACHEL
2. ADCOCK, SHARA
3. BENSHOOF, REBECCA
4. BLAIR, KATHRYN
5. BONE, JUSTIN
6. BROWN, AUSTIN
7. BURCHFIELD, LEAH
8. ELLIS, TAYLOR
9. HAYES, BAILEY
10. HEDGE, KELSEY
11. KANIPE, KARA
12. LEISER, BRANDON
13. LITTLE, JULIA,
14. MCCARDELL, DESTINEY
15. MERRIMAN, MICAH
16. MORRIS, KENZIE
17. OAKLEY, CASON
18. OVERBY, JACQUELYN
19. POSS, BETHANY
20. REFFUE, BROOKE
21. ROBERTS, ZACHARY
22. RUCH, MAKALEE
23. SCOTT, HEATHER
24. STEPHENS, EMILY
25. TRAIL, LYDIA
26. WASHER, JACOB
27. WILLOUGHBY, KATIE

DeKalb County Clerk James L. (Jimmy) Poss is among county officials across the state who have earned status as a Certified Public Administrator after completing the County Officials Certificate Training Program (COCTP).
COCTP is a comprehensive training program administered by the University of Tennessee (UT) County Technical Assistance Service (CTAS) in cooperation with the Tennessee County Services Association and the County Officials Association of Tennessee
The program is designed to provide specialized, technical and managerial training to elected officials and their employees in order to help them run their office more effectively. It also offers a comprehensive knowledge of the inner workings of county government. CTAS believes that a broader understanding of the mechanics of county government will afford COCTP graduates a better knowledge of the county as an entity, which will help them to better serve their constituency. Graduates of the COCTP will obtain a thorough understanding of county government and be designated with the title of Certified Public Administrator.
“Once participants go through the County Officials Certified Training Program and complete the process they become a certified public administrator,” said Ben Rodgers, CTAS County Government Consultant. “The training gives participants a good knowledge of what it takes to be in county government and how to run offices and be involved with the county commission and all the legislative branches. After everything is said and done its eighty hours of training to become certified,” he said.
“Jimmy did a great job. He is a great guy. I know they bragged on him from the training he went through. He learned a lot and I am proud of him,” Rodgers added.
Participants must complete four of the
10 core classes.
Core classes include:
• Audit
• Capital Budgeting
• Debt Management
• Ethics
• Financial Issues
• Legal Issues – for each Elected Office
• Operating Budget
• Personnel
• Purchasing
• Risk Management
Once completed the individual is recognized as a Certified Public Administrator for their county.
In order to retain the designation of Certified Public Administrator, participants are required to complete 16 hours of continuing education each fiscal year to maintain their certification.

The DCHS Tigerettes have been eliminated from the TSSAA Class AA State GIRLS Softball Tournament after losing to South Gibson 9-0 Wednesday morning in Murfreesboro.
The Tigerettes also lost Tuesday night to Chattanooga Central 8 to 3.
South Gibson scored nine runs on nine hits and made one error. DeKalb County was held scoreless on two hits and made one error. Tyra Graham and Loren Cripps each singled.
South Gibson scored three runs in the first inning, four runs in the second, and two runs in the sixth inning.
Kayley Caplinger, the losing pitcher, gave up nine runs on nine hits through seven innings. She struck out nine and walked four.
The Tigerettes finished the season at 27-8 overall. They won championships for the regular season district, district tournament, region tournament, and sub-state before advancing to the state tournament.
In the game Tuesday night, the Tigerettes lost 8-3 to Chattanooga Central
Chattanooga Central scored eight runs on six hits and made one error. The Tigerettes scored three runs on seven hits and made three errors.
DeKalb County scored one run in the first, fifth, and seventh innings. Chattanooga Central scored two runs in the first inning, one run in the third, fourth, and sixth innings, and three runs in the seventh.
Kayley Caplinger, the losing pitcher, faced thirty one batters through seven innings. She gave up eight runs on six hits. She struck out eight and walked two.
Loren Cripps and Kayley Caplinger each belted a homerun while Dani Meadows, Katie Hall, Myranda Bailiff, Hannah Walker, and Allison Maynard each singled.

A week dedicated to celebrating emergency service workers is being recognized in DeKalb County.
The community relies on emergency workers to rush to the rescue, no matter what the circumstance.
County Mayor Tim Stribling signed a proclamation Monday designating May 17-23 as Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week in DeKalb County. Interim EMS Director Hoyte Hale and other EMS staff joined County Mayor Stribling for the occasion at the ambulance service headquarters.
The proclamation is as follows:
“Whereas, Emergency Medical Services is a vital public service; and
Whereas, the members of Emergency Medical Teams are ready to provide lifesaving care to those in needs 24 hours a day, seven days a week; and
Whereas, access to quality Emergency Care dramatically improves the survival and recovery rate of those who experience sudden illness or injury; and
Whereas, the Emergency Medical Services system consists of emergency physicians, emergency nurses, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, firefighters, educators, administrators, and others; and
Whereas, the members of Emergency Medical Services teams, whether career or volunteer, engage in thousands of hours of specialized training and continuing education to enhance their lifesaving skills; and
Whereas, it is appropriate to recognize the value and the accomplishments of Emergency Medical Services providers by designating Emergency Medical Services Week;
Now, Therefore, I Tim Stribling, County Mayor, DeKalb County, Tennessee, in recognition of this event do hereby proclaim the week of May 17-23, 2015 as Emergency Medical Services Week.
With the theme, EMS STRONG, I encourage the community to observe this week with the appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities”.
Members of the DeKalb EMS Staff in addition to Interim Director Hoyte Hale are:
Donna Melton- EMT-IV
Jonthan Rudd-EMT-P
Kristie Johnson-CCEMT-P
Tyler Grandstaff-EMT-P
David Hamlet-EMT-P
Misty Green-AEMT
Kim Johnson-EMT-P
Allen Mason-EMT-P
Trent Phipps-EMT-P
Daniel Summers-EMT-P
Becky Atnip-EMT-IV
Tim Briggs- EMT-P
Matt Melton-EMT-IV
James Allen-CCEMT-P
Jamie Parsley-EMT-IV
Stephanie Brown-EMT-P
Charles Nokes-EMT-P
Houston Austin-EMT-P
Greta Stone-EMT-P
Jamie Williams-EMT-P
John Poss-EMT-IV
Lonnie Laxton-EMT-IV
Wesley Slager-EMT-IV
Trent Hillis-AEMT
Jennifer Phillips-AEMT-IV
Jason Rice-EMT-IV
Scotty Jones-EMT-IV
Richard Underwood-AEMT
Edward Brooks-AEMT
Dick Kinsey-AEMT
Teena Allen-EMS Office Manager

More than $560,000 in scholarships were awarded to members of the Class of 2015 at DeKalb County High School during Monday night’s annual Senior Awards program.
Representatives of colleges, universities, branches of the armed services, businesses, civic groups, and other organizations made the presentations.
Charlie Young received the largest single scholarship award of $66,176 from Western Kentucky.
Clint Hawker and Lydia Trail received perfect attendance awards for not missing a day of school during their four years of high school. Hawker had perfect attendance throughout thirteen years of school from kindergarten through the twelfth grade. Trail’s perfect attendance spanned from the fifth grade to her senior year.
Scholarship recipients listed in alphabetical order according to last names and their award amounts are as follows:
Shara Adcock: UT Martin-Rodeo $22,096; UT Martin-Academic $6,000; American Quarter Horse Association-Horse of the Year $250; DeKalb Funeral Chapel $500; Class of 1966- $500; DeKalb County Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers Association- $500; DeKalb Firefighters- $500; DeKalb Soil Conservation District-$500; National High School Rodeo-$500
Rayanna Baker: DeKalb Funeral Chapel $1,000
Lance Ball: Tennessee Tech University $4,000; W. Doyle & Melford Smith Scholarship $3,000; Dual Enrollment Math-College Algebra/Pre-Calculus
Lane Ball: Tennessee Tech University $6,000
Katherine Blair: UT Chattanooga $6,000; DeKalb County PTO $250; First Bank $500;
Luke Boss: DeKalb Fire Fighters $500;
Austin Brown: DeKalb County Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers Association $500; DeKalb Soil Conservation District $500;
Leah Burchfield: MTSU $12,000; FCCLA $125; Jolly Angels-2 year $2,000
Michael Caplinger: Brandon Elder Scholarship 2 year $2,000; Dailey & Vincent Scholarship $2,000; UT Chattanooga $6,000;
Wendy Cassinera: Brandon Elder Scholarship 4 year $4,000; Scottish Rite $1,000;
Brandon Chapman: Smithville Rotary Vocational Award $100
Franco Clavel: DCHS Honors English IV Award
Loren Cripps: A.F. Bridges $1,000; Alan Hooper Memorial $500
Savannah Driver: UT Knoxville $24,000; Jolly Angels 1 year $1,000
Austin Ellis: Tennessee College of Applied Technology $1,000; and DCHS English IV Award
Taylor Ellis: William Snodgrass Scholarship- Association of Government Accountants $2,000; Liberty State Bank $1,000
Michael Ferguson: American Legion Boys State;
Corey Ferrell: U.S. Marines Scholar Award
Matthew Foutch: Tennessee Tech University $6,000; Clyde Thomas Family Trust Scholarship $1,000; Caney Fork Electric-2014 Essay Contest Washington Youth Tour Winner
Kelley Goodwin: DCHS Visual Art Award
Dustin Griffith: U.S. Navy Enlistment
Haley Hale: DeKalb Funeral Chapel $500
Jacob Hale: DCHS English IV Award
Bailey Hayes: Tennessee Tech University $20,000
Kelsey Hedge: Lipscomb University $44,000; Jolly Angels 2 year $2,000; Katherine Conger Memorial $500; DCHS Beta Scholarship $500; DCHS Literature Club $500; American Legion Auxiliary Girls State;
Rachel Holcomb: DeKalb Funeral Chapel $500; HOSA $100; DCHS Literature Club $500
Nichole Hunt: Caney Fork Electric-2014 Essay Contest Second Place $100
Chelsea Johnson: FCCLA $125; DCHS English IV Award
Brandon Leiser: U.S. Marines Athlete Award
Julia Little: Tennessee Tech University $20,000; General Assembly Merit Scholarship: $4,000; Jolly Angels 4 year $4,000; American Legion Auxiliary Girls State; Daughters of the American Revolution-Good Citizen Award
Destiney McCardell: Southern Landscape Supply Scholarship $500; HOSA $100; U.S. Marines Scholar Award
Ale Maciel: Martin Methodist College $44,000; HOSA $100; Leadership DeKalb $500
Ana May: DCHS English IV Award
Michael May: U.S. Air Force Enlistment
Micah Merriman: Elzie & Nell McBride Memorial $500; Mentors Association Scholarship $5,000; Dailey & Vincent Scholarship $2,000; Smithville Rotary Club $750; U.S. Army Athlete Award; Presidents Volunteer Service Award
Kenzie Morris: Lucille Stewart Memorial $2,000
Jonathan Munoz: Martin Methodist College $36,000
Kalob O’Neal: DCHS Visual Art Award
Cason Oakley: Carson Newman University $40,000; American Legion Boys State
Jacquelyn Overby: DTC McAllen Foutch Memorial $8,000; U.S. Army Athlete Award
Nicholas Parsley: Southern Landscape Supply Scholarship: $500
Aaron Patterson: Cumberland University Baseball Scholarship; Lucille Stewart Memorial $2,000; Anthony Duane Trapp Memorial $1,000; Love-Cantrell Funeral Home $500;
Shayla Pedigo: Tennessee Tech University $14,000; DCHS Visual Art Award
Bethany Poss: Motlow State Community College $2,000; Daily & Vincent Scholarship $2,000; Smithville Rotary Club $750; DeKalb Firefighters $500; DeKalb Funeral Chapel $500
William Puckett: Clyde Thomas Family Trust Scholarship $1,000
Makayla Redmon: Nell Haas Driver Scholarship $1,000
Brooke Reffue: David Wayne Alexander Memorial: $1,500; DeKalb Retired Teachers $750;
Zachary Roberts: Mentors Association Scholarship $5,000; Eddie Crips Memorial $1,000;
Brooke Roller: HOSA $100; Caney Fork Electric- 2014 Essay Contest Fourth Place $50
Makalee Ruch: UT Knoxville $24,000; Brandon Elder Scholarship 4 year $4,000; General Assembly Merit Scholarship $4,000; Smithville Rotary Math Award $100; Tennessee Governor’s School for the Sciences; Woodman of the World $50
Harlli Silcox: Tennessee Tech University $4,000; Kyle & Kenny Robinson Memorial $1,000; AmVets $250; AmVets Auxiliary $250
Makayla Starnes: HOSA $100;
Emilee Stephens: Smithville Rotary Club $750; DeKalb Community Hospital $500
Hunter Stone: Clay Edwards Memorial Tiger Pride Scholarship $500
Charles Tramel: U.S. Marine Enlistment
Lydia Trail: Lee University Dean’s Scholarship $28,000; Lee University Letitie Pate Whitehead Scholarship $2,500; Comcast $1,000; DCHS Beta Scholarship $500; Dual Enrollment Math- College Trigonometry/Pre-Calculus; Leadership DeKalb $500; U.S. Marines Athlete Award
Darrian Turner: Smithville Women’s Club $250
Amanda Vincent: U.S. Army Enlistment
Jacob Washer: David Wayne Alexander Memorial $1,500; Brandon Elder Scholarship 1 year $1,000; Kyle & Kenny Robinson Memorial $1,000; DeKalb Community Hospital in Honor of Dr. Melvin Blevins $500; Love-Cantrell Funeral Home $500
Katie Willoughby: Sullivan University $3,750; Smithville Rotary Club $750; Caney Fork Electric-2014 Essay Contest Third Place $75
Bruce Wilson: Tennessee Tech University $20,000; General Assembly Merit Scholarship $4,000; DCHS Honors English IV Award
Charlie Young: Western Kentucky $46,176; Western Kentucky $20,000; DCHS Honors English IV Award