Inside The Blue And White
This week was filled with a ton of events. I felt like every day at school was insane because so many students were out for sports or competitions. The hallways even felt different with so few students walking them. However, the lack of students at school this week was a good thing because it meant that Water Valley students were off winning medals or games.
The Health Science program competed at the HOSA State competition at the Jackson Convention Center on March 16 through the 18th. Evey Brooks, Cora Story, Preslee Fischer, Bri Parrish, and Jake Crawford participated in a computerized test as well as a skill competition in specific categories. Jake Crawford placed first overall in nursing assistance, while Preslee Fischer placed fifth overall in the same category. Cora Story placed fourth overall in physical therapy and Bri Parrish placed third in sports medicine.
Water Valley Science students competed in the State Competition that was held at the University of Southern Mississippi on April 1. Six students competed and all walked away with individual placements. Peyton Ferguson placed second overall in Inorganic Chemistry. Gabbie Terrell placed fifth overall in Plant Sciences. Mya Harden and Jasmine Wilson placed fourth as a team project in Biochemistry. Annaliese Coughlin placed second in Engineering and Levi Bryant placed fifth in physics.
The Water Valley High School Band competed at the MHSAA State Evaluations at Oxford High School this past week where they received an overall score of one in Concert competition and an overall score of two in Sight Reading. The Blue Devil band works hard all year for each performance whether that be at games, assemblies, or competitions.
Secretary of State Michael Watson also congratulates Bre Spearman, Sien McNatt, Ethan Walton, and Kyle Camp.
High school art students from Mrs. Elizabeth Corso’s art program participated in the “Promote the Vote Art Contest” in Jackson on March 31.
In the ninth and tenth grade competition, Sien McNatt received honorable mentions, Bre Spearman placed third, Kyle Camp placed second, and Ethan Walton placed first. In the eleventh and twelfth grade competition, Amya McCray and Skyla Smith received honorable mentions, Mya Vasser-Hardy placed third, and Maddie Adams placed first.
The Blue Devil baseball and softball team competed this week in home games. Baseball played Booneville on April 1, winning 3 to 2; a and Strayhorn on April 2, taking home a victory of 19 to 1. The boys will be back in action at home on April 8th against Mantachie for a division game. Junior varsity starts at 5 p.m. and varsity starts at 7 p.m. The Lady Devils softball program took on Independence and Bruce on April 2. The girls beat Independence 5 to 3, but fell short to Bruce. The softball team will face Byhalia at home on April 12 for a region matchup with junior varsity at 5 p.m. and varsity at 6:30 p.m.
The Water Valley High School archery team qualified for state competition after finishing north in the north half with a team score of 3,231 last Friday. Senior Mallory Adams (above) scored 284 and eighth grader Bella Humphreys (below) scored 276 in the north half. Their scores earned them an invitation to compete in the All Stars AIMS shoot Saturday in Jackson. The archery team is coached by Steve Lindsey.
The archery team competed at North Half on April 1st at Itawamba Community College. The team came in fourth with a team total of 3,231 behind Mantatchie placing third with 3234, Itawamba Ag placing second with 3322, and Alcorn Central placing first with a team total 3359. Mallory Adams won highest shooter with a score of 284 and Walker Tedford and Arthur Fielder tied for highest male shooter at 275. Mallory Adams and Bella Humphreys also qualified for Archery All-stars that will take place on April 9. The shooters advanced to the state competition in Jackson on April 5.
The Girls Powerlifting team was named the 2022 3A State Runner-Ups. The girls came in second place behind State Champs, Kossuth, on April 1 in Jackson. Jumiah Jones and Chloe Burrowes placed first as individual state champions in their respective weight classes. Maddie Adams placed second in her weight class and Ashauria Luster placed third in her weight class.
The Boys Powerlifting team also competed at the State meet on April 2 coming in third place overall in the 3A competition. Shaun Campbell won first place in his weight class bringing home an individual state champion medal. Brayden Buford placed second in his weight class and Chris Harris, Antonio McIntyre, and Calvin Alford placed third in their respective weight classes. Both teams completed successful seasons filled with meeting goals and memories made along with experience and lessons learned for next year’s lifters.
I think this week just deserves a long applause for every student at WVHS. Athletes, artists, club members, and more really showed out this week and I think it so amazing to see Water Valley High School students make their marks all around Mississippi.
So, if you see a student somewhere this week, whether that be at your church or delivering your Sonic order, tell them that you are proud of them, because they truly deserve it.
