Saturday, October 7,  the Walton HS Marching Braves traveled to Andalusia HS for the A-Town Invitational - a longstanding competition bringing some of the best bands from South Alabama and the Panhandle of Florida.  The Braves were set to compete in class 1A for hopes to not only receive Superior Ratings, but aiming for Best in Class awards for each caption judged, and overall 1st place in their classification.

The competition was almost canceled due to Hurricane Nate which was still a few hours away in the Gulf but set to hit early that evening in the Mobile and Pensacola area.  The competition went on as scheduled, despite a few bands having to back out who were close to the storms path.

The Braves arrived at Andalusia High School with intentions of performing earlier than originally scheduled so they could travel back to Walton HS if the weather started to worsen throughout the day.  The band went into warmup at 12:00 and then took the field at 12:35 that afternoon.  As usual, the band put on a great show with new additions visually and musically to help add to their show, RAGE.  Upon finishing their show the Braves loaded their equipment and filed into the stands to watch upcoming bands while the weather stayed clear.

Finally, as the last band finished the awards were given out with the Braves not only receiving Superior Ratings, for the second time this season, but also winning Best in Class Drum Major, Color Guard, Percussion, and Band!  The Braves were not only ranked 1st in their class, but were awarded the Overall Grand Champion of the entire competition!  This award was given to the band who had the highest combined scores of Band, Percussion, and Guard.  This type of achievement is a huge accomplishment for this program and its students.  The band is set to compete again on Saturday October 14th at Rip Hewes Stadium in Dothan Alabama for the Southern Showcase and will perform at 12:45 in class 1A.  Great job Braves and Good luck!  

Submitted by Chad Robbins

Walton County School District will be participating in EmeraldCoastKids.org's 3rd Annual COLOR THE COAST ORANGE#UnityDay2017 on Wednesday, October 25, 2017 * * * 

WEAR ORANGE in support of bully-free schools and a safe community. Join Emerald Coast Kids for its 3rd Annual COLOR THE COAST ORANGE #UnityDay2017 on Wednesday 10-25-17. 

WEAR ORANGE to send a message of support, hope & unity that the Emerald Coast is together against bullying — united for kindness, acceptance & inclusion. Schools, businesses, homeowners, individuals, all community members, everyone!
We can do this Emerald Coast (Bay, Okaloosa & Walton Counties)… let’s make a difference… let’s COLOR THE COAST ORANGE! Visit http://www.emeraldcoastkids.org/health-fitness-nutrition for teen resources & anti-bullying info and links.

HOW YOU CAN JOIN IN UNITY DAY, Wednesday, Oct 25th:

1. WEAR ORANGE
Wear ORANGE on Oct 25th (shirt, tie, hat, wristband, socks, shoelaces, hair bows, nail polish, hair extensions). Think outside the ORANGE box: tie orange ribbons around a tree or mailbox; decorate your door; have an all-orange lunch… be creative! 

2. UNITE IN ORANGE
Make ORANGE “unity” banners; make ORANGE “unity ribbons”; hold classroom anti-bullying discussions; etc. 

3. SHARE THE ORANGE L♥VE
Go viral about “going ORANGE” by posting about Unity Day & share your photos & events on social media and use #ECKUnityDay and #UnityDay2017.

submitted by Keitha Bledsoe

Submitted by Nancy Currie.

Just a reminder that this Friday, October 6, 2017, will be an Early Release Day due to Staff Professional Development.  Students will also be out of school on Monday, October 9, 2017, for a Teacher Work Day.  Students are expected to return to school on Tuesday, October 10, 2017.