Mr. Hill is a welcomed addition to our High Point family.
High Point is so glad to welcome Mr. Dennis Hill as our new interim Assistant Principal. Mr. Hill retired from Washington County Schools as Principal of Holston High School a few years ago and since then has served the school system in administrative roles in all three other high schools as well as Meadowview Elementary School. The High Point staff welcomed Mr. Hill at a breakfast on our recent midyear workday. In addition to the High Point staff, Mr. Jim Sullivan, Superintendent, Dr. Foney Mullins, Assistant Superintendent and Dr. Janet Lester, Elementary Supervisor joined in the celebration. Ms. Ann Cunningham, Principal and Mr. Dennis Hill will share administrative responsibilities for the remainder of the 2011-12 school year providing the staff, students and parents with added interaction as a "Team of Two." Welcome to High Point, Mr. Hill!
High Point 4-H Members celebrate their blue ribbon win.
High Point 4-H members held their annual "Share the Fun" talent program on December 15, 2011. 73 students from the 4th and 5th grades performed. Talent acts included: dance, variety, instrumental, combination, drama and vocal. Each contestant had four minutes to perform in either an individual or team act. The youth were awarded points in the following areas: chosen material, talent, audience response, creativity, showmanship and their costume and props. "Share the Fun" is a 4-H program targeted to build self-esteem, communication skills and creativity while giving members a chance to show off their talents. The Blue Ribbon winners will represent their High Point at the county competition in March. High Point Blue Bibbon Winners included: Fourth graders, Bonnie D. (dance), Emilee S., Alisen K., Madison C. (combination), Zeb W. (instrumental), Parker S. (vocal), Jayden F. and Major H. ( drama), and Ethan M. (variety) and fifth graders: Allyssa M. (variety), Grace S. and Makayla M. (dance), Richmond R. (instrumental), Abby L., Tiffany M., Grace G. (vocal).
The Abingdon High School Chorus presents a variety of holiday music for full house.
On December 11, the Abingdon High School Chorus, led by director Rose Payne, entertained a full auditorium with holiday music. The 19 girls in the Jazz/SSA took the stage first, followed by the 17 singers that make up the Abingdon High Jazz/Madrigals. To finish off the evening, the stage filled with all four choral groups from 9th to 12th grades singing classics that included “Gesu Bambino,” “The First Noel,” and a medley of “Sleigh Ride,” “Silver Bells,” and “Let it Snow.” According to Mrs. Payne, “This is the first year we have had an SSA Jazz Choir, and they are a bright addition to the AHS choral program." She said that having a large group of singers with strengths in all musical areas allowed for more songs and more difficulty at this year’s concert. It’s been a successful year for the Abingdon High School chorus with 81 singers making Senior All-County Chorus in September. At All-District competition 20 freshmen made Junior All-District, and 40 Falcon singers made Senior All-District Chorus. Joseph B., Jason D., Adam G., Lauren G., Nick R. and Jacob S. will be traveling with Mrs. Payne to Phoenix, Arizona, in March to take part in a 95-member National Conference Choir of the Organization of American Kodaly Educators (OAKE). The Abingdon High School Chorus will present "Grease" for the spring musical, which is scheduled for March 2, at 8:00 p.m. and March 3, at 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. The Spring Concert will be May 6, at 3:00 p.m.
Abingdon High School punter Mitchell L. is the recipient of a Prokicker.com honor.
Abingdon High School Junior Mitchell L. was recently named to the inaugural Ray Guy Prokicker.com High School All-Americans as Third-Team Punter. The inaugural Ray Guy Prokicker.com High School All-Americans include some of the nation’s top punting, kicking, kickoff and long-snapping prospects. According to the Prokicker.com release, players were selected by the Prokicker.com staff, who watched and coached the players during camps, and also by how the players performed on the field during the 2011 high school season. There were four All-America categories – punting, kicking, long-snapping and kickoff specialist. Virginia had two athletes named to one of these distinctions. “These young men have proven that they’re the best of the best,” Mr. Guy of Prokicker.com said. Other honors for Mitchell include being named to first-team district and regional punter, second-team kicker; Virginia preps.com AA First-Team All-State Punter and Virginia Preps.com AA underclassmen First Team All-State Punter. Additionally he set five school kicking and punting records and has one state of Virginia record submitted (single game six punts for 50.33 yard average).
Congratulations to Diane Carmack, VFW's Teacher of the Year.
Watauga Elementary's Diane Carmack has been awarded the VFW's Teacher of the Year. She won the local VFW post 1994 and the district competition. The essay written in her honor has been sent to compete at the state level. Diane was acknowledged for her dedication to teaching civic responsibilities, patriotism, and love of country. The VFW recognized Mrs. Carmack at the VFW Christmas dinner, along with the Patriot Pen and Voice of Democracy essay winners.
Mrs. Carmack's third grade classroom environment is one where students hear, see, and experience the freedom that has been handed down as a sacrifice. She does a wonderful job cultivating good citizens for tomorrow.