Autism Awareness
We were asked to make 150 bookmarks for the Autism Awareness event held at Waycross Middle School. NEHS members did a great job of creating these brightly colored bookmarks.
Special Olympics
We travelled to the high school to cheer on our fellow Wacona students at the 2013 Special Olympics. It looked like it might rain, but the rain held off and we all had a blast. Our students did a great job in their events and then had fun at some of the other activities such as the bouncy house and the ring toss. We enjoyed a picnic lunch together and as the DJ blared the music, our students spent some time dancing before we headed back to school. See the photo gallery for the pictures.
Pennies for Patients
In February, we had our Pennies for Patients project. Pennies for Patients is a fundraiser for Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. We used great big pickle jars to collect the money. Each grade level had its own jar and we encouraged competition. Fourth grade was the first grade to fill their jar, but third grade ended up bringing in the most money by the end of the contest. We raised a total of $1,511 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society!!! Great job Wacona students!
Ringing the Bell
On Saturday, December 1, students from Wacona's NEHS rang the Salvation Army bell at Walmart. We had so much fun out there and the bucket was completely filled up twice. Check out the photo gallery to see the rest of the pictures.
1st Place at the Fair
Since we already recycle aluminum cans, it made sense to do our fair booth on the topic of recycling. "Recycling Rocks" was the title of the informative booth, which won a first place blue ribbon and $150. The money will be used to spruce up the garden area between the media center and the main building.
Wacona Supports Bravo Company
NEHS students, along with all 650 Wacona students, spent recent months collecting wish list items for a company of marines stationed in Afghanistan. In early November, we shipped 36 boxes to Afghanistan. Included in one box were letters from many of the students and a large banner that had been signed by all of the students and staff of Wacona. The banner is shown in the picture with NEHS members.
We were quite excited to receive a Thank-You card signed by many of the marines in Bravo Company. We also received a picture of those marines holding up our banner. Just one month ago, that banner was hanging in our school and now it is overseas in Afghanistan.
This was a wonderful service project for the NEHS and all Wacona students. We were able to show our appreciation to the men and women serving in the marines.
We were quite excited to receive a Thank-You card signed by many of the marines in Bravo Company. We also received a picture of those marines holding up our banner. Just one month ago, that banner was hanging in our school and now it is overseas in Afghanistan.
This was a wonderful service project for the NEHS and all Wacona students. We were able to show our appreciation to the men and women serving in the marines.
NEHS Students "CAN" Make a Difference
Students in the Wacona Chapter of the National Elementary Honor Society have been on a mission to make a difference in their community. For most of the school year, Wacona’s NEHS members have collected and recycled aluminum cans. The students collected a total of 79 pounds of cans this school year. The proceeds from the recycled cans, a total of $51.35, were donated to the Okefenokee Humane Society. Humane Society manager Ben Hood stopped by Wacona to pick up the check and thank the students for their hard work. Wacona's NEHS students plan to collect cans again next year and hope to raise even more money for the Humane Society.
Wacona NEHS Donates to Southeast Cancer Unit
The Wacona Chapter of the National Elementary Honor Society sponsored a Dr. Seuss Dance at their school on Friday, March 2. The school dance was the highlight of “Read Across America” week, which celebrates the birthday of Dr. Seuss. The dance featured a “Dress Like Your Favorite Seuss Character” costume contest. The dance was lots of fun for everyone who attended, including many grinches, cats in hats, and Cindy Lou Whos. The dance was a fundraiser for the Honor Society students, who supplied all of the snacks and decorations for the dance. As a result of their efforts, Wacona’s Honor Society students presented a check for $500 to the Southeast Cancer Unit. Pictured are faculty sponsor Mrs. Thigpen and NEHS member Kenna Waters, who is presenting the check to Mrs. Jones from the Southeast Cancer Unit. Other NEHS members shown are (front): Blake Barnhill, Jessica Streat, Mia Perritt, Andrea Hernandez, Kimberly Morgan, Tanner Worley, (middle): Kaitlyn Thigpen, Hannah Hancock, Kayla Bunch, Maggie Tyre, (back): Jade Sharpe, Hunter Hooks, and Tommy Clements
Autism Awareness Day
Saturday, April 14, 2012 was the 2nd Annual Autism Awareness Day at Waycross Middle School. Wacona's NEHS members were excited to be able to help out at this event. Students were assigned to different games/crafts stations where they helped children with those activities. We got to pet the Autism dog from Memorial Drive and visit with the horses from SaddleUp. The highlight of the day was the Magic Marc show. This awesome magic show featured a couple of large birds, a rabbit, and a really big snake. Make sure you look at the pictures in our photo gallery. We will definitely be volunteering at this event again next year. The student volunteers included Drew J., Randy S., Megan B., Leigh Ann A., Andrea H., Joey W., Mia P., Kayla B., Heather S., Grace S., Heather H., Ashanti R., and Kaitlyn T.
Special Olympics
March 30, 2012 was a special day for Wacona students who attended the Special Olympics. Wacona had 9 students participating in the events of the Special Olympics, held at Ware County High School. Each student was paired up with two NEHS members who served as their personal cheering team. It was an exciting day for all involved.
Fifth-Grade NEHS Members Attend Conference
On March 9, 27 NEHS members attended the "Step Up and Lead" Student Leadership Conference in Tifton. The conference was sponsored by the Georgia Association of Elementary School Principals, the Georgia Association of Middle School Principals, the University of Georgia, and 4-H.
We had an early day as we caught the bus at Wacona at 6:00 a.m. Then we headed over to Williams' Heights and picked up their fifth-grade NEHS students and teachers. The bus was packed! It was a sea of red and yellow as students from both schools had worn their honor society shirts.
When we got there, we all got name tags and entered the auditorium where high school 4-H team leaders led everyone in some REALLY FUN songs. We learned the Beaver song, the Burrito song, the Froggie song, the Little Red Wagon, 5 little muffins, and possibly a few more I can't remember. Our first session was about team building and we participated in some fun team building activities. One activity involved the students working in teams of 3 and 4 to make letters of the alphabet with their bodies. Our second session was about public speaking. Each person got to introduce himself, tell 3 things he liked about the snack he had chosen, and 1 interesting thing about himself. We had fun and got to eat our snack too. Our third session was about event planning. The students planned an imaginary birthday party for Mrs. Thigpen. I wish it was real because we ended up with a milion dollar budget for our birthday bash at the beach. The students learned how important it is to be organized and have a plan. You can see pictures of our fun field trip in the photo gallery.
We had an early day as we caught the bus at Wacona at 6:00 a.m. Then we headed over to Williams' Heights and picked up their fifth-grade NEHS students and teachers. The bus was packed! It was a sea of red and yellow as students from both schools had worn their honor society shirts.
When we got there, we all got name tags and entered the auditorium where high school 4-H team leaders led everyone in some REALLY FUN songs. We learned the Beaver song, the Burrito song, the Froggie song, the Little Red Wagon, 5 little muffins, and possibly a few more I can't remember. Our first session was about team building and we participated in some fun team building activities. One activity involved the students working in teams of 3 and 4 to make letters of the alphabet with their bodies. Our second session was about public speaking. Each person got to introduce himself, tell 3 things he liked about the snack he had chosen, and 1 interesting thing about himself. We had fun and got to eat our snack too. Our third session was about event planning. The students planned an imaginary birthday party for Mrs. Thigpen. I wish it was real because we ended up with a milion dollar budget for our birthday bash at the beach. The students learned how important it is to be organized and have a plan. You can see pictures of our fun field trip in the photo gallery.
Wacona NEHS Inducts New Members
With their parents watching proudly from a packed audience, thirty-two 4th grade students were inducted into the Wacona chapter of the National Elementary Honor Society (NEHS). The ceremony, which took place in January, was led by 5th grade honor society members. NEHS president Alexandria Weekley welcomed everyone to the special event, followed by a beautiful invocation given by Kenna Waters. NEHS secretary Bailey Dickson led the audience in the pledge of allegiance. Jessica Streat read a touching poem she had written entitled “I, A Role Model.” At that time, Danny Aldridge read an essay he had written about how being in the Honor Society had made him a better student.
Jessica Streat introduced the special guest speaker, Zubair Akram. Zubair is a senior at Ware County High School. He spoke to the inductees about the importance of hard work and maintaining good grades. Following Zubair’s message, special music was presented by Alexandria Weekley, who sang a beautiful rendition of the song “Tomorrow.” The candle lighting ceremony was led by Maggie Tyre, Drew Johnson, Kaitlyn Thigpen, and Spencer Hoyt. Each of these students read a brief description of one of the four important values of the NEHS: scholarship, responsibility, leadership, and service.
At that time, NEHS vice-president Tytianna Wilkins read the criteria for membership. She stated that the thirty-two inductees had met the criteria and would join the thirty fifth-grade students already in Wacona’s honor society. Wacona principal Dr. Turner and assistant principal Mr. Chancey welcomed each of the new members and presented them with an NEHS pin and a certificate. Blake Barnhill led the new inductees as they read the NEHS pledge. In her closing remarks, Dr. Turner invited all of the students and their parents to a special reception that had been prepared in the cafeteria.
Shown in the picture are (back, l-r): Josh Peagler, Chance Tanner, Hunter Hooks, Luke Corbett, Mac Johnson, Ridge Bennett, Harrison Cristobal, Tommy Clements, Brock Anderson (3rd row, l-r): Jabari Stephenson, Hannah Hancock, Mackenzie Grantham, Sarah Hodge, Czareah Kay, Kimbron Collins, Brittney Carter, Leigh Ann Ard, Ashante Robinson (2nd row, l-r): Amanda Millard, Kylie Waldschlager, Grace Sirmons, Mabry Rigdon (front, l-r): Megan Brummett, Payton Smith, Heather Spivey, Marissa Lashley, Hunter Waters, and Jordan Woodard.
Jessica Streat introduced the special guest speaker, Zubair Akram. Zubair is a senior at Ware County High School. He spoke to the inductees about the importance of hard work and maintaining good grades. Following Zubair’s message, special music was presented by Alexandria Weekley, who sang a beautiful rendition of the song “Tomorrow.” The candle lighting ceremony was led by Maggie Tyre, Drew Johnson, Kaitlyn Thigpen, and Spencer Hoyt. Each of these students read a brief description of one of the four important values of the NEHS: scholarship, responsibility, leadership, and service.
At that time, NEHS vice-president Tytianna Wilkins read the criteria for membership. She stated that the thirty-two inductees had met the criteria and would join the thirty fifth-grade students already in Wacona’s honor society. Wacona principal Dr. Turner and assistant principal Mr. Chancey welcomed each of the new members and presented them with an NEHS pin and a certificate. Blake Barnhill led the new inductees as they read the NEHS pledge. In her closing remarks, Dr. Turner invited all of the students and their parents to a special reception that had been prepared in the cafeteria.
Shown in the picture are (back, l-r): Josh Peagler, Chance Tanner, Hunter Hooks, Luke Corbett, Mac Johnson, Ridge Bennett, Harrison Cristobal, Tommy Clements, Brock Anderson (3rd row, l-r): Jabari Stephenson, Hannah Hancock, Mackenzie Grantham, Sarah Hodge, Czareah Kay, Kimbron Collins, Brittney Carter, Leigh Ann Ard, Ashante Robinson (2nd row, l-r): Amanda Millard, Kylie Waldschlager, Grace Sirmons, Mabry Rigdon (front, l-r): Megan Brummett, Payton Smith, Heather Spivey, Marissa Lashley, Hunter Waters, and Jordan Woodard.