This years PTA Reflections competition theme was "Diversity Means..." And the students at High Point Elementary had plenty to say about that. With entries ranging from stories, poems, and visual art, to photography, our students showed that diversity can be explained in many ways. Here is the list of High Point's winners that will compete at the district level.

• Literature Intermediate Level (3-5): 1st Place Nicholas F., 2nd Place Tiffany M., 3rd Place Tabitha B.
• Visual Arts Intermediate Grade Level (3-5); 1st Place Mikan S., 2nd Place Grace G., 3rd Place Shawn S.
• Visual Arts Primary Grade Division (Pre-K-2); 1st Place Maggie S., 2nd Place Kassie B.
• Photography Intermediate Grade Level (3-5), 1st Place Caroline H., 2nd Place Olivia K., 3rd Place Katie F.

The Wallace Middle School sixth grade boys discovered their “wild” side with a fossil adventure five million years in the making. On Friday, November the 18th, the boys discovered the Gray Fossil Site Natural History Museum that was formed by the collapse of an underground limestone cave. Scientists believe the collapse formed a sinkhole that was used as a watering hole by animals from near and far. The site was a thriving ecosystem at the end of the Miocene Epoch, about 4.5 to 7 million years ago. The sixth grade boys toured the ongoing fossil excavation site and experienced hands-on wet screening. They participated in the interactive Miocene and Microbes Exhibit and identified fossils in an active research lab. The field trip was a great learning success and was enjoyed by the sixth grade boys.

The boys would like to thank museum staff members Meredith, Sarah, and Kevin for providing information about the displays, being patient, and making their visit fun.

High Point Elementary is full of great spellers, so our annual school spelling bee was a stiff competition. Congratulations to Turner L. He will represent High Point in the countywide Spelling Bee in February. This year's runner-up is Jasmine W. Our grade-level spelling bee contestants were: Ryan M. and Isaiah D. in first grade, Loren A. and Austin W. in second grade, Addyson W. and Lauren L. in third grade, Garret B. and Jasmine W. in fourth grade, and Turner L. and Abby L. in fifth grade. These ten students competed in the High Point Spelling Bee on January 5.

On Wednesday, December 14, 2011, just after “midday” two students each from grades 1-5 competed in the school-wide spelling bee to “decide” who would represent Greendale Elementary School at the county spelling bee. After twenty-six “tiring” rounds, Maddie D.’s “heroic” effort paid off when she sealed her “fate” as champion with the successful spelling of the word “weasel.” Second- and third-place spellers Seraiye J. and Anya N. deserve “praise” for keeping the competition going! Other spellers who participated in the school-wide bee were as follows: Abby N., Dezrae Y., Brynne N., Sydney N., Madison W., Dalton C., and Savannah M. Congratulations and good luck to Maddie, who will compete for the title of county spelling bee champion on February 8 at Rhea Valley Elementary School!

Girl Scout Troop 132 participated in the Bristol Christmas Parade this year for the first time. This troop meets at High Point Elementary on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month. During their Girl Scout meeting, the girls decorated their float in red and animal prints to go with their theme of "Wild About Christmas." The girls were very excited about this event. While waiting for the parade to start, they sang Christmas songs and talked with Santa, who was on the float right beside them. The troop got a wonderful surprise when they were awarded the 'Christmas Spirit' trophy. The Girl Scout mission is to build girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place, and the girls of Troop 132 definitely made Bristol a better place by sharing their Christmas spirit with others.