Inside The Blue And White
PROTECTED CONTENT
If you’re a current subscriber, log in below. If you would like to subscribe, please click the subscribe tab above.
Username and Password Help
Please enter your email and we will send you a password reset link.
Water Valley High School students almost swept the Mississippi Secretary of State’s Secretary of State Office’s Promote the Vote art contest. Winners in the 9th-10th grade category selected from entries across the state are (from left) Gracie Hartlein (1st place), Saniyah White (second), Jalylah Horton (third), Shane French (honorable mention) and Jayden Bridges (honorable mention). Winners in the 11th -12th grade category selected from entries across the state are Kayleigh Camp (second place), Angelina Whitten (third), and Ashlyn Darby (honorable mention) and Mya Harden (honorable mention.) Promote the Vote is the Secretary of State office’s K-12 voter education program. This year’s theme is “Voting – the POWER to Change the Future!”
ANDDD, we’re back from our refreshing spring break with a whirlwind week at Water Valley High after returning to class. The halls are loud and flowing with laughter, and the activities are increasing like never before. Give the kids a break, and they come back full force, ready to learn!
While not much engagement happened on Monday, Tuesday was extravagant! The cheerleaders were peppy, the teachers were enthusiastic, and the students were chanting as the sixth-grade students and teachers entered the high school building for their yearly high school orientation. The sixth graders come to tour the high school and are guided by the senior class star students!
This orientation is a great way to show the sixth graders just what high school is like, the courses they can take, the rules to be followed, and the many activities they can participate in. The students were intrigued as they traveled from class to class and from hall to hall learning the many courses they will take the next school year. The activities were endless.
They visited the health class and viewed the daunting manikins stretched out on beds. They traveled down to the agriculture class and inspect the greenhouse and even held the class chickens.
This was a fun experience all around, not only for the sixth graders but also for the senior leaders and teachers as well. The sixth graders ended their day with a candy treat and a warm embrace from the high school.
The archery team made it a Wonderful Wednesday as their scoring continues to soar in each match! Matthew Surette was the top male shooter with an overall score totaling 288 (out of 300), and Bella Humphreys was the top female shooter with a score of 283. The team dominated, placing first with a team score of 3,297 – beating Hamilton and Hatley high schools. The north half competition will be held March 25th-27th in Starkville, stay turned for more details.
It was a Thrilling Thursday as art students who participated in the “Promote the Vote” art contest traveled to two museums in Jackson early that morning to receive a special award from the Secretary of State Micheal Watson. After arriving at the museums, students were seated and presented a lovely presentation executing the significance of these art contests.
The main goal of “Promote the Vote” is to encourage students to create an art piece that promotes voting. This project is used to help spread the importance of civic engagement to younger generations. Multiple students from Water Valley were selected as the 2023 Promote the Vote winners. Water Valley High swept the entire 9th-10th grade category with Gracie Hartlein claiming first place, Saniyah White taking second and Jalylah Horton winning third place. Shane French and Jayden Bridges each earned honorable mentions.
In the 11th-12th grade category, Kayleigh Camp won second place, Angelina Whitten took third, and Ashlyn Darby and Mya Harden each received honorable mentions. Along with their awards, the students were encouraged to view each museum, receiving a free one-day pass! Congratulations to each student who hand-crafted a piece to share with others in hopes of promoting the vote!
We ended the week with a Fantabulous Friday and an exciting weekend. Friday morning, the varsity girls and boys track teams loaded the bus with blankets and snacks as they prepared for the first varsity track meet of the season. Sadly, the team ran into inclement weather. Literally! Many of them ran their race in the driving rain.
Aside from track, the student council members worked hard preparing for the annual Water Valley High School Beauty Review. They decorated pillars, cleaned the gym, and ensured it was at its best! Later that evening, the beauty review participants entered the room all dolled up, awaiting their pageant.
The ladies competed in two categories: 9th-11th grade and the senior category. Contestants were judged on beauty, stage presence, and dress on a scale of 1-10. As the night ended, crowns and sashes were awarded. Kennley Pullen received the viewer’s choice award, and Mya Harden received Most Photogenic. In the 9th-11th grade category, Addy Douglas was crowned the 2024 Most Beautiful with the following beauties: Payton Darby, Bella Humphreys and Calicia Hutckins.
In the senior category, Ashlyn Darby was crowned 2024 Most Beautiful with the following beauties: Evey Brooks, Angelina Whitten, and Mya Harden. It was a fantastic night with many shared moments and everlasting memories.
Saturday morning, at a new event in Water Valley, the high school concert band opened the Casey Jones Blues Fest with an excellent performance! The crowd loved it! Another event to add to the annual list of activities!
And just when I think things can’t get more hectic at Water Valley High, the students seem to amaze me! Well, that’s all for ya’ folks! Be sure to return next week as we take on another week of thrill!
Water Valley High School students have been conducting science experiments. Nine students independently performed scientific analysis and competed in the Region VII Science and Engineering Fair at the University of Mississippi on March 21. All placed in their categories. Winners pictured are (top row) Chantaniquia White, 4th place, Biomedical and Health Sciences; Allen Paysinger and Maverick French, 4th place, Biomedical and Health Sciences; (middle row) Shane French, 1st place, Inorganic Chemistry; Evelyn Guzman and Madison Bryant, 2nd place, Biomedical and Health Sciences; and (bottom row) Levi Bryant and Annaliese Coughlin, 1st place, Earth and Environmental Science; Caspian Coughlin, 1st place, Robotics and Intelligent Machines. First and Second Place winners are eligible to advance to the State Science and Engineering Fair on Thursday, March 22nd, 2024. Way to go, Student Scientists!
