Florida’s Director of Safe Schools,  Mr. Damien Kelly, recently toured Butler Elementary. School Administrators, Resource Deputies, and Walton County Safe Schools Coordinator, Mr. Charlie Morse, shared campus safety initiatives  with the Director and discussed ways to help keep Walton County students safe.

Students at Mossy Head Elementary, West DeFuniak Elementary and Paxton were treated to a special performance by the Sinfonia Gulf Coast Resident String Quartet on Friday, February 8, courtesy of Sinfonia Gulf Coast!

Founded in Tallahassee, Florida, (Lucky Strings) is a dynamic and evolving ensemble. This quartet features violinists Taylor Giorgio and Tracy Morgan, violist Daniella Isabel Angulo Martinez, and cellist Holden Bitner. With a passion for community engagement, (Lucky Strings) has performed interactive concerts in public schools, college classes, and in community spaces around the North Florida region. The ensemble performs often at Florida State University, where all four members are pursuing graduate degrees in music performance.

Mr. Dennie Smith, 8th grade AVID teacher at WMS, works tirelessly to equip his students for future success.  On Friday, February 8th, his third period AVID class presented about their future career aspirations with a captive audience of their peers and teachers and administrators at WMS.  Mr. Smith began the class period by emphasizing the public speaking standards his students have been learning and practicing.  Students confidently stood in front of the class and provided detailed information about careers they might one day like to pursue.  After each presentation, Mr. Smith asked the audience to offer positive feedback to each brave presenter.  The students offered gracious and constructive comments to each of their peers about the merits of each presentation.  Not only did students explore career pathways that interested them but they also practiced public speaking skills--thereby gaining invaluable knowledge and confidence they will continue to develop as they blaze their own bright and unique paths in life.

Pictured:

1--Cynthia Ramirez (Translators and Interpreters)

2--Cerina Smith (Science, Technology, and Electronics)

3--Magen Duke (Singer)

4--Logan Potts (Logging)

Submitted by Kristen Nelson

Congratulations to WHS senior Joseph Woods for advancing to the State Science Fair competition! His “Rippin’ Lip” project, which studied the effects of tournament fishing on bass health, earned the top spot in the Earth & Environmental Sciences category at the regional competition.

Joseph has received a 2-year scholarship from Northwest Florida, as well as a 4-year scholarship from Bethel College to be on their bass fishing team.

Congratulations and good luck at the state competition!