King William County - Our Schools - In The News....November/December News Here!
HHMS Junior Beta Club Cleans Up!
Story and Photo by Kim Tupponce
As a service project, students in the Junior Beta Club at Hamilton-Holmes Middle School cleaned up litter in the school complex area, covering three school campuses and part of Acquinton Church Road. Five bags of trash were collected. The Junior Beta Club would like the thank the King William County Litter Prevention Coordinator, Ms. Mary Walton, for providing the club with safety vests, bags, trash cans, and grab-its to make the job easier.
Caption: HHMS students pause to take a picture while completing service project.
U.S.Army visits AES
Story by Maris Terry, Photo by Mike Embrey
SGT Ralph Froelich came to visit the students at AES. He shared with them his experience during his deployment in IRAQ and information about his career in the United States Army. Back in December students at AES sent care packages to his troops that were stationed in IRAQ. He brought with him information about the soldiers that had gotten those packages. He spent time signing autographs and taking pictures. The students were able to ask lots of questions. Everyone enjoyed their time with SGT Ralph!
Caption: SGT. Froelich poses with Ms. Maris’ class.
KWHS NHS Supports Our Troops
Story and Photos by Michelle Yates
Students in the King William High School (KWHS) National Honor Society (NHS) supported our troops by participating in Operation Shoebox. This program was founded in 2003 in an effort to send support, snacks and much needed personal care items to our troops stationed overseas. The members of the NHS were excited to make Operation Shoebox one of their community service projects as it benefited a KWHS student´s, DiAndra Harvey, parent´s unit.
NHS members went shopping to purchase items on soldiers´ wish lists with the money they collected. A special request was made for water toys and freeze pops to relieve soldiers from the scorching temperatures, which reach in excess of 110 degrees! Other items included basic hygiene, stationary, and snacks. Students packed and shipped the supplies in boxes provided by U.S. Postal Service.
Anyone interested in participating in Operation Shoebox, can visit http://www.operationshoebox.com/.
Caption 1: NHS member fill boxes to be shipped to troops overseas.
Caption 2: NHS member fill boxes to be shipped to troops overseas.
KWHS Students Attend VHSL Leadership Conference
Story and Photo by Michelle Yates
King William High School (KWHS) students were selected to attend the 15th Annual Bon Secours/VHSL Leadership Conference in Virginia Beach, VA, April 8-9, 2011. The focus of this year´s conference was to develop leadership skills and leadership potential. The schedule provided the students with several opportunities to reflect on their own leadership practices, hear from nationally known key-note speakers, and to network with student leaders from across the state. During the two days, students heard inspiring messages from Jonathan Sprinkles and Mark Scharenbroich, participated in a community service project benefitting Operation Smile, learned valuable lessons in workshop sessions, and worked with other student leaders to produce a group project. Students used this time to enhance leadership, communication, and team building skills.
Caption: KWHS students attend VHSL Leadership Conference.
King William Cavaliers Make Noise at
Regional and State Competitions
Story and Photos by Bill Ballard
The King William High School (KWHS) Cavalier Forensics (Public Speaking) team has accomplished a school record for winning championship cups this winter in the Invitational, District, Regional, and State competitions. The team, which is coached by KWHS teacher Bill Ballard, has enjoyed 12 active students this season who have done exceedingly well in competitions held in New Kent, Mathews, West Point, and in Harrisonburg, where the team earned fourth place in the VHSL State Championship.
Leading the team this year with first or second place wins in ten different speaking categories have been: Seniors Nicholas Creery, Eli Hubbard, Natalie Orentlicher, and Cody Boyd; Juniors Katie Hebner and Ryan Miccio; and, Freshmen Bailey Tyler and Josie Lewis. The team won the Regional A Tournament (Eastern VA) in early March with a total sweeps victory.
The same momentum carried over to States, which was held on Saturday, March 26, 2011. Seven active participants competed, with the following results: Nick Creery won first place in State, Single A Poetry; Eli Hubbard won third place in State, Single A Prose; Josie Lewis won sixth place in State, Single A Oratory; Bailey Tyler won seventh place in State, Storytelling; Cody Boyd won seventh place in State, Impromptu; Ryan Miccio won eight place in State, Extemporaneous; and, Natalie Orentlicher tied for eighth place in State, Impromptu.
Incidentally, all three finalists, Nick Creery, Eli Hubbard, and Josie Lewis, competed in additional rounds and were commended on the stage in front of roughly 1000 participants and supporters. In addition, these finalists earned State Medals and Championship Cups for the Tidewater District Championship, Best Small School-New Kent High School Invitational, and Region A Championship. The team has been District Champ four out of the last five years.
Students wishing to join next year’s team will be asked to speak with clarity, expression, and passion. They will participate in clinics, workshops, demos, and scrimmages as well as competitions around Virginia. They should love literature and the spoken word. Congratulations to the KWHS Forensics team.
Caption: Finalists gather outside of Harrisonburg High School in Harrisonburg, VA at the State VHSL Championship.
KWHS Students Accepted to Harvard
Secondary Summer Program
Story by Michelle Yates
King William High School students DiAndra Harvey, Ryan Miccio, and Steven Lohrey were accepted to the Harvard Secondary School Summer Program. This will be an opportunity for these students to receive college credits while studying at Harvard during the summer. Credits earned are recorded on an official Harvard transcript and are transferable toward a future undergraduate degree at most colleges and universities.
During the seven week program, they will have the opportunity to attend college prep workshops, a college fair, and talks by Harvard admissions staff. Harvard Summer School offers an exciting, enriching schedule of free films and concerts, events, volunteer opportunities, and sports competitions, as well as short trips around New England. In addition, students will live in Harvard Yard where Harvard freshmen live and have a chance to meet and socialize with students from all over the world.
Dr. Chambers, KWHS chemistry teacher, encouraged these students to apply and has been an asset to the students throughout the application process. The faculty and staff at KWHS congratulate these students on this remarkable achievement.
King William Public Schools´ Education Foundation
Sponsors First "Bridging The Gap" Event
Story by Mike Embrey
The Virginia Student Training and Refurbishment program (or VA STAR) is a collaborative effort of the Secretaries of Education and Technology and the Departments of Education and General Services to introduce Virginia´s students to the field of IT repair. The ultimate goal of the VA STAR program is to create a sustainable educational program that takes surplus hardware from state agencies or private companies in order to offer students IT repair certification.
King William High School students, under the direction of Mr. Joe Harper, have participated in the VA STAR program since the beginning of this year. In the program students refurbish donated computers as part of their technology training. When enough computers have been diagnosed, fixed, and cleaned a "Bridging The Gap" event is held. The event, sponsored by the King William Public Schools Education Foundation, allows the VA STAR students an opportunity to give back to the community. Acquinton Elementary students without computers in their home are identified and chosen to receive a refurbished computer. The first King William event was held on March 25th in the King William High School library. Over twenty computers were donated by the King William Education Foundation. "The smiles on their faces make it all worthwhile," states Joe Harper.
Cool Spring Students Become The Teachers
Story by Lisa Thompson, Photos by Mike Embrey
Cool Spring students became teachers for the day at the county principal´s meeting
Caption 1: Dr. Jones and Dr. Walters get some math instructions from CSPS student
Caption 2: Director of Finance seems puzzled with math problem.
Students Place in VA DECA State Leadership Conference
Story by Suzanne Cambell, Photos by Vivian Watts
Zack Jones, a junior in the Marketing I class at King William High School (KWHS), placed in state during the VA DECA State Leadership Conference. Zack entered the Principles of Marketing event at VA DECA´s District 23 competition in January where he won first place. This event requires applying the information learned in class in a role-play situation and on a test. Winning first place in the district qualified Zack to compete at the VA DECA State Leadership Conference held on March 6, 2011 where he received medals for being in the top ten for his performance on both the test and role play. He also received a trophy for placing fifth in the state and will represent VA DECA at the International DECA Career Development Conference in Orlando, Florida in April to compete again.
Brianna Kelly and Hayley Jezek, senior and junior marketing students at KWHS respectively, placed ninth in the state in the Sports and Entertainment Marketing Team Decision Making event at VA DECA´s State Leadership Conference held on March 6, 2011 in Norfolk, VA. Both Brianna and Hayley are third year marketing students. They competed with a written test and a role-play. They were required to apply the knowledge they have gained in class in a role-play situation where they were evaluated on covering the marketing performance indicators and working equally as a team. Placing ninth out of fifth-six teams puts them in an alternate position for competition at the International Career Development Conference in Orlando, Florida, in April. They are scheduled to represent VA DECA as voting delegates at the international conference and hope an opportunity arises to allow them to compete.
Caption 1: Zack Jones placed fifth in the state for the Principles of Marketing event held on March 6, 2011 in Norfolk, VA during the VA DECA State Leadership Conference.
Caption 2: Brianna Kelly and Hayley Jezek, KWHS marketing students, place ninth in the state in the Sports and Entertainment Marketing Team Decision Making event at VA DECA´s State Leadership Conference held on March 6, 2011 in Norfolk, VA
Third Grade Students Travel to the
MathScience Innovation Center
Story by Jessica Robinson, Photo by Nicole Davis
Third grade students at Acquinton Elementary School (AES) travelled to the MathScience Innovation Center to learn that Legos are more than just your ordinary building blocks. While at the center, the students were able to explore the six types of simple machines and, using the scientific method, they were able to construct their own Lego race cars. The students were able to test their race cars on various surfaces, such as carpets and poster board race tracks. The students were able to hypothesize, predict and record their data during the experiment.
Caption: A third grade student, in Mrs. Robinson’s class, programs her race car using a laptop at the MathScience Innovation Center.
The first annual King William County Public Schools Education Foundation Fine Arts Festival is being held on June 4, 2011 at King William High School from 2:00 until 5:00 p.m.
The bands, choruses, and other musical groups from Acquinton Elementary School, Cool Spring Primary, Hamilton-Holmes Middle School, and King William High School, along with Dawn´s School of Dance, a Showcase of Talent of students from the schools, school drama teams, and student artwork will be featured at the Festival. Please join us for an afternoon listening to good music, watching skillful dancers, viewing excellent artwork, and recognizing students for their outstanding performances.
King William County Public Schools´ students wishing to participate in the Talent Showcase may secure an application by clicking on the button below. Applications are due to school offices by Tuesday, April 15, and auditions are being held on April 26 and 28 from 3:30 until 8:00 p.m and on April 30 from 8:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.
Audition Application
March - Music In Our Schools Month
March has been officially designated as Music In Our Schools Month (MIOSM). This is a time to celebrate the importance of music in our lives. MIOSM began as a single statewide celebration in 1973, and has grown over the decades to encompass a day, then a week, and then in 1985 to become a month long celebration of school music. The purpose of MIOSM is to raise awareness of the importance of music education for all children.
Please join in thanking our music teachers for the outstanding job they do with our students.
KWHS Student Receives National Recognition
Story and Photos by Michelle Yates
The Presidential Spirit of Community Awards program, the United States´ largest youth recognition program based in volunteer service, selected King William High School junior Craig Hicks as a Local Honoree. The program´s goals are to celebrate young people who are already making a positive difference in their towns and neighborhoods, and to inspire others to think about how they might contribute to their communities. In addition to receiving a Certificate of Achievement, Craig received the President´s Volunteer Service Award for his volunteer service which exceeded 100 hours within a 12-month time frame.
Craig´s community service included volunteer hours with Mattaponi and Pamunkey River Association, King and Queen Fish Hatchery, King William Ruritan Club, Sharon Baptist Church, Richmond International Raceway, Acquinton Elementary School, and King William High School. His service included a wide range of activities from environmental clean-up to assisting in the media center at RIR.
Currently, Craig is organizing a golf tournament with all proceeds benefiting the Jeff Gordon Children´s Foundation. This tournament will take place June 29, 2011 at Queenfield Golf Club.
Caption: KWHS student and Presidential Spirit of Community Award Honoree proudly displays his Presidential Certificate.
HHMS Students Explore Shapes
Story and Photo by Mike Embrey
Why are some trucks cylindrical while others are rectangular prisms? This is the problem Ms. Pegram and Mr. Phillips seventh grade classes explored in a lesson facilitated by the Math-Science Innovation center. The lesson, which was presented virtually, explored surface area, volume, and the engineering behind these different three-dimensional shapes. The lesson also explored real-world math problems related to how products are packaged and shipped.
Caption: The virtual lesson and a question appear on the SmartBoard while a HHMS student posts his response.
AES Fourth Grade Recorder Concert
Story by Freda Sanford, Photo by Kim Tupponce
March is National Music in our Schools Month and Acquinton celebrates this month each year with an energetic Recorder Concert featuring our Fourth grade students. They have been practicing playing the recorder and learning to read musical notation since October. Mrs. Sanford was extremely pleased with the performance this year. Performing before a live audience is a great opportunity to build self confidence. Thank you to all students and parents who attended. "
Caption: AES students perform recorder concert.
Cool Spring Students Don Most Interesting Duds
Story by Joy Washington, Photos by David Rorick
Students and staff at Cool Spring Primary School (CSPS) have been putting a lot of thought into their wardrobes these days, designing outfits to go along with various themed days at the school. In addition to all of the young men who have been donning their shirt and ties for Gentlemen´s Day, students also dressed like they were 100 years old for the 100th day of school on February 18, 2011. Then, in honor of Dr. Seuss´s birthday on March 2, 2011, students donned their wackiest outfits for "Wacky Wednesday". If it appears that students are just having too much fun, don’´t worry; the 100th day of school was part of a school-wide math activity day and "Wacky Wednesday" was part of NEA´s Read Across America initiative to promote reading and literacy in schools across the United States.
Caption 1: Wacky Dr. Seuss Day.
Caption 2: Students dress from the past.