Submitted by Madison County School Superintendent Lou Miller:
Since the State Board moved the cut score to 3.0 for writing, our scores are
4th Grade District – 65%
Central – 54%
Greenville – 39%
Lee – 89%
Pinetta – 90%
8th grade – Central – 53%
10th grade – MCHS – 81%
Lou S. Miller
Superintendent of Schools
Madison County School District
210 NE Duval Ave.
Madison, Florida 32340
(850)973-5022
Lou.Miller@madisonmail.us
Submitted by Sgt. Sharon Shadrick, Madison County Sheriff’s Office
If you are still being flooded with telemarketers’ calls in the middle of the day and night telling you that you just won the lottery or someone wanting to sell you something for your septic tank, and don’t want them to call you anymore, I have a number for you.
The Florida Department of Ag just reopened their Florida Do Not Call Program and this time it is FREE!!
All you need to do is go to www.fldnc.com or call 1-800-HELP FLA (1-800-435-7352) ext. 4 and someone will help you register your home phone and cell phone numbers.
After a few days you should notice a decrease in the number of telemarketers and unwanted phone calls. This registration is good for (5) years!
You can also file a complaint with FLDNC if the calls continue. Just remember you’ll need the following information before hanging up on that telemarketer.
1). The Product or Service Offered the caller is calling about.
2). The Business/Solicitor Name.
3). Their Business address and Phone number.
4). And the person’s name you are talking to (if they will tell you).
If you need more information about this program, feel free to call me, Sgt. Sharon Shadrick with the Madison Co. Sheriff’s Office.
Thomas Pinkard, age 86, died Sunday, May 13, 2012 at Haven Hospice Care, Lake City.
Funeral services will be 11:00 AM Thursday, May 17, 2012 at Beggs Funeral Home Madison Chapel with burial at Oak Ridge Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6 – 8 PM Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at Beggs Funeral Home.
He lived in Madison all of his life and retired from Tri-County Electric Cooperative. He was a member of Mt. Olive Baptist Church.
He is survived by 1 son: John Pinkard (Susan) of Madison; 1 daughter: Charlotte Cannon of Live Oak; 3 brothers: Owen Pinkard of Dothan, AL, Raymond Pinkard of Mobil, AL, and Alfred Pinkard of Madison; 2 sisters: Jean Bell and Kathleen Kinsey both of Madison; 7 Grandchildren and 15 Great Grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife: Marie Pinkard.
Beggs Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. 850-973-2258.
Douglas Blane Dulin, age 67, died Saturday, May 12, 2012 at Lake City VA Hospice.
Graveside funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Tuesday, at Oak Ridge Cemetery. Visitation was Monday from 5 – 7 PM at Beggs Funeral Home.
He was a former farmer, butcher, and Soldier. He was a Army Veteran of Vietnam and Desert Storm. He was a member of the Macedonia Baptist Church in Crofton, KY.
Survivors include his son, Richard Dulin, Grant Park, IL. Daughters, Cheryl Newberry, Wendy Conner, Momence, IL, Kimberly Oglesby (Mark), Monticello, FL, Crystal Bochnia (Keith ), Madison, FL, 13 Grandchildren, Brothers, Irvin and bob Dulin, Crofton, KY and sister, Polly Knight and Nanny Cansler Crofton, KY.) Preceded in death by his daughter Bobbie Dulin, brothers, Dink and Jay Dulin.
Beggs Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements 850-973-2258.
The Madison County Cowgirls softball team finished their season as District 2- 4A Champions for the 2011-2012 year. The Cowgirls faced the Godby Cougars for the first round of District competition and defeated them 6-5 to advance to the District game against the Florida High Lady Seminoles. With great pitching and a strong defense the Cowgirls defeated Florida High 5-1 to become District Champions. The Cowgirls were successful in the first round of post district play defeating Pensacola Catholic 9-1 in the Regional Quarter Finals. Their play ended however after being defeated in the Regional Semi-finals game against Florida High 4-0. Congratulations to the players and coaches for your hard work and for achieving your District 2-4A Championship title!
For the past 25 years, Madison County High School seniors have enjoyed PROJECT GRADUATION. The parents, businesses and community members of Madison County and the surrounding area have wholeheartedly supported our seniors as they focus on the joy of finishing high school. You have generously provided for the MCHS Project Graduation event annually to mark their achievement and emphasize the importance of celebrating this occasion in a safe, alcohol and drug-free way.
High Schools and communities like ours around the state participate in Project Graduation to decrease the risk of fatalities involving teens during this happiest time of the student’s lives. Project Graduation is also supported by the Florida Highway Patrol, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Commissioner of Education and the Governor. The parents, staff and seniors of Madison County High School are planning the 2012 Project Graduation for June 1, 2012. We want the whole community to be a part of this all-night party following our graduation exercises. There will be music, games, dancing, movies, food, prizes and breakfast. Project Graduation proves that a great time can be had without drugs or alcohol.
You will have the opportunity to make a contribution of money, food, prizes, etc. to this worthwhile project. We would like to have all donations collected by May 18, 2012 if possible. One of the parents of our seniors will be contacting you soon. You may also contact the school at 973-5061, or either of the senior parents listed below, concerning your donation. If you would like to donate cash or a check, please make it out to “MCHS Project Graduation”. If you would like your donation picked up, please call the number listed below.
We ask that you join with us in this effort because we all have a stake in the future of our seniors. We want graduation week to be a safe, happy and memorable time for our county and with your help and support we, as a community, can make that happen. Please be a part of Project Graduation and join us with your support.
Sincerely,
Ben Killingsworth
Principal
Senior Parents:
Shannon Webb: (850)971-5325h / (850)464-1711cp
Sandy Fletcher (850)673-7124h
Sunday is Mother’s Day and my mind thinks back on my beautiful mother who did so much for me, Debbie, Danny and Abbie and for our daddy. I have written before that she told me to love books and to love reading. We used to have a great time reading the same books. Either I would read a book first and recommend it to her or she would read a book and recommend it to me. The year before she died, she had read through the Bible two or three times. A few years later, I read through the Bible three times in one year.
Mama had not only taught me to love reading, she also taught me to read. This led to some confusion for me when, a few years later, I was practicing for the school-wide spelling bee and my mother was reading the words to me. She read the word “rendezvous.” I had never heard it and had not seen it on my list of words. RON-DAY-VOO Mama had read to me. I told her that word was not on the list. She showed it to me. “Oh, that’s ren-dez-vious,” I said. Mama laughed and said, “No, it’s not.”
Mama had taught me to read phonetically so that word just about blew her whole teaching technique out of the water.
Although I am six years older than my sister, Abbie Gail, sometimes she can be a mother figure to me. Sunday evening, I was not feeling well, so she came and took me by the hand to try and make me feel better. She was worried about me.
My sister, Debbie, can be a mother figure to me also. She inherited our mother’s dark hair and dark eyes and her talent for cooking. When I was in the hospital, Debbie stayed near watching out over me.
I have other mother figures in my life, including aunts, church members and an adopted mom who I have never met before but will the next time she is in Madison County. I adopted her after her daughter would post these pictures of food that her mom brought her, along with the fact that she is a really sweet woman, just like my mama was.
I am glad that mothers have been given their own day to celebrate. One of my favorite songs of all times is “The Hand That Rocks the Cradle,” which was sung by Steve Wariner and Glen Campbell. Let us always remember “the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world.”
Thank you, Lord, for the good, kind mothers of this world.
Jeffery Todd Carter
209 SW Garner Street, Greenville, FL 32331
Please join us for a
Madison High School
Class Reunion
for 1971, 1972, 1973
Saturday, June 30
Madison Country Club
6:00 Beer & Wine Happy Hour or BYOB
7:00 Dinner and Dancing
Cost: $25 per person
To make reservations
Send check payable to
MHS Class of 72 to
1190 Cunningham Creek
Jacksonville, FL 32259
To send updated info: madisonclassreunion@gmail.com
Frank Mercer: 850-933-5410
Gene Rutherford: 850-673-9912
C
Greenville: Zelma Bishop Thigpen, age 81, died May 6, 2012 at her home.
Graveside funeral services will be 10:00 AM Tuesday, May 8, 2012 at Evergreen Cemetery, Greenville, FL.
Donations may be made to Big Bend Hospice, 1723 Mahan Center Blvd., Tallahassee, FL 32308, or to Gideons International, Capital City North Camp, PO Box 1245, Tallahassee, Florida
She was a lifelong resident of Greenville and graduated from Greenville High School. After graduation from Greenville High School she began working as a teller at the Florida National Bank at Madison. Later she transferred to the Bank of Greenville and was a vice-president at the time of her retirement in 1991. She was an active member of First Baptist Church in Greenville and supported the Gideons International.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Bert Thigpen and her parents, Walt and O’Dessa Bishop and brother, John Edwin “Bo” Bishop.
She is survived by two daughters, Tempy Johnson (Rudy) and Lydia Charlene “Sheen” Thigpen, two granddaughters, Brittany and Jessie Johnson all of Tallahassee. A sister, Lynnette Ray of Tallahassee, A sister-in-law, Ruth Bishop of Greenville, and many nieces, nephews, as well as other relatives and friends.
Beggs Funeral Home Madison Chapel is in charge of arrangements 850-973-2258.
Madison County has a new county forester, Justin Kania, a native of Naperville, IL. He is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point. Justin received a Bachelor of Science in forestry management with a minor in soil science.
Justin has several years of experience in the field of natural resources. His work has mainly focused on ecological restoration and forestry management. His past employers include a County Forest Preserve District, an ecological restoration company, and the U.S. Forest Service.
If you need any forestry related assistance, Justin can be reached at: (850) 973-5115 or by e-mail at: Justin.Kania@freshfromflorida.com.
By Diann Douglas
Guest Columnist
May is National High Blood Pressure Education Month, a time to get your blood pressure checked and know your numbers. Consumers are often confused by products on the market that claim to reduce blood pressure. One proven meal plan is DASH, a researched based guide that can reduce blood pressure.
First conducted in the early 90’s, the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH), was a scientific dietary study to determine if a diet plan without medication could reduce blood pressure. The study was funded by the National Institute of Health and conducted at Harvard, Duke, John Hopkins and Louisiana State University. Results showed that both men and women eating the DASH plan experienced a significant drop in both their systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings.
The DASH eating plan emphasizes fresh fruit and vegetables and low fat dairy products. It is moderate in total fat and low in saturated fat and cholesterol. It also includes whole grains, poultry, fish and nut. It also recommends reducing salt and sodium intake.
Starting on the DASH eating plan is easy. It requires no special foods and no recipes to follow. Here are some tips to help you get started:
Reduce your intake of sodium and foods high in sodium
Make gradual changes like adding a serving of fruit or vegetables at lunch and dinner.
Gradually increase your intake of fat free and low fat dairy products to 3 servings a day.
♦If you eat large portions of meat, cut them back by a half or third at each meal.
♦Try two or more meatless meals each week.
Try serving casseroles and stir-fry dishes, which have more vegetables, grains and dry beans.
♦Eat baked or grilled fish during the week but be careful of bottled marinades, they are often high in sodium.
♦Eat fresh fruit, raw vegetables, or low fat and fat free yogurt for snacks.
Use herbs and spices to enhance the flavor of you foods instead of sodium.
Limit your meals eaten out, since most prepared food is high in sodium.
Make one or two changes each week. Eat a variety of foods and cut back on serving sizes. For more information about the DASH eating plan and recipes, visit the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute’s “Your Guide to Controlling High Blood Pressure at www.nhlbi. nih.gov/hbp/index.html and click on Prevention.
If you are under a doctor’s care for high blood pressure, be sure you take you medication and follow the doctor’s recommendations. Your efforts to reduce sodium intake will help you overall health.
The Madison County Extension office has several fact sheets on eating to reduce sodium and alternative seasonings, which will give you creative ideas for seasoning food without salt or sodium products. For a free copy of our Extension fact sheets, call or stop by the Extension office.
The University of Florida Extension – Madison County is an Equal Employment Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function without regard to race, color, sex, age, handicap or national origin.
By Jacob Bembry
Editor
A cold December night. 20 degrees in Monticello, Florida and I am standing outside in the freezing cold.
I am in the west end zone at Tiger Memorial Stadium. The place is packed. Fans from Jefferson County are here as the Fighting Tigers host the 1982 Class AA state football championship. We are all cold. The fans who have made the trek from Clewiston have to be even colder than we are. To a point, we are all used to it because when it gets cold in Monticello, it feels like the coldest place on Earth, even if it is in the Sunshine State.
The game is a nail biter and Clewiston is leading until our All-American tailback James Massey crashes into the end zone, tying the score.
Massey is also the kicker on extra points but all season long, the Tigers have run for two-point conversions and almost every time, the Tigers have converted those two-point conversions. This time, however, Tiger Head Coach Blair Armstrong makes the decision to kick the extra point. The Clewiston Tigers’ defense is tough, like the Jefferson defense. In close games, you play your cards close to the vest.
The Jefferson Tigers go for the kick. Randy Dixon, Clewiston’s All-American defensive tackle, jumps off sides, which is good because the kick was bad. Surely, we will go for the two-point conversion now.
Nope. Coach Armstrong calls for the kick again. Center Ricky Watson snaps the ball over quarterback Kelly Lynch’s head. Massey picks up the football and tries running with it but he has a kicking shoe on and for one of the few times all season, he is stopped dead in his tracks.
The game ends in a tie. Fans from both sides were expecting a tiebreaker. Assistant Coach Bill Brumfield (who would later become Jefferson County High School superintendent) runs alongside the fences telling everyone to go home. The game is over.
That game ended in disappointment for me and thousands of other fans that night. We were state champions and both teams played with all their heart but we had to share the title. A tie. The game was over.
Don’t let your life end in disappointment. Get out and enjoy your family and things while you can. If you are not a Christian, give your life to the Lord today.
By Lynette Norris
Greene Publishing, Inc.
It’s been quite a year for the seven different 4H Clubs of Madison County, and Becky Bennett acknowledged the support 4H receives from Kiwanis as well as other civic groups as she recounted some of the year’s highlights in a slideshow presentation and talked about some of the upcoming summer camps that will finish out this year’s 4H calendar. This 4H year ends August 31; the new 4H year begins September 1 and runs through August 31, 2013.
There was the Livestock Show, a horse show, a talent show, last summer’s camp at Cherry Lake, various other camps, sewing classes, painting classes, arts ‘n’ crafts, gardening, face-painting and lots of other fun activities and hands-on projects.
“I guess you could say our theme for this year was getting our hands dirty,” she said.
4H teaches skills in a learn-by-doing environment that primarily focuses on such things as healthy lifestyles, STEM (Science-Technology-Engineering-Math) activities, and citizenship/ leadership skills, the latter especially among the older 4H members.
Whether it’s basic sewing skills like sewing on a button that will help the children take care of themselves later in their daily lives, or learning the political processes of government or practicing public speaking skills or developing competence in livestock care and horsemanship or just plain having fun with friends who share their interests, 4H has something of interest for every age group.
For five-to-seven-year-olds, there is “Cloverbuds.” For eight-to-ten-year-olds, there’s the “Junior” division. For 11-to-13-year olds, it’s the “Intermediate” division, and for 14-to-18, the “Senior” division. In some areas, there is even a Collegiate 4H for those who go off to college, but want to continue their affiliation with the organization.
Because Madison is such a small county, local 4H groups don’t adhere quite as strictly to age grouping; however, Bennett told the audience, right now they are trying to build up interest among the Intermediates – the preteen and early teen age group where membership is sometimes a little low.
With summer arriving and school letting out soon, there are several 4H day camps and overnight camps for children ages eight to 18. Since summer of 2012 is also the time of the 2012 Summer Olympics, there will be a 4H Olympics Camp where 4H-ers can bring home the green, and Camp Cherry Lake will be playing up the Olympics and healthy lifestyles with its outdoor activities. STEM – related camps include Space Camp, concentrating on the science of flight and space engineering, and Camp Hard Hats explores the science and technology of the heavy machinery that keeps Madison County operating. There are also beginning and advanced sewing camps and a Camp Cloverbud for the little one ages five to seven.
For a complete schedule of this summer’s 4H camps, registration deadlines and costs, go to http://madison.ifas.ufl.edu/4h_camps.shtml or contact the Madison County Extension Office at (850) 973-4138.
By Kristin Finney
Greene Publishing, Inc.
There are several names that come to mind when you think of historic and prominent Madison residents. One of those names would be Ashley Beggs. Ashley Beggs has lived in Madison for all of his life, not including his time serving in the military. The Beggs have been in Madison for generations. Ashleys’ grandfather opened the Beggs Funeral Home in 1886 and it is has been passed down through generations. Ashley is currently the owner of the Beggs Funeral Homes in Madison and Perry and has been for many years.
Growing up in Madison was very different than it is today. “Madison is a small town, back then we used to play stick ball and baseball in the streets. Neighborhoods were friendly and things were a lot calmer back then. Back then no one locked their doors at night. Now most people lock their doors as soon as they get home. Crime has risen all over the world and Madison is no exception.”
For fun, Ashley enjoyed going fishing at Lake Rachel at his aunt’s and uncle’s house. “We called it the Hornets Nest. We would go through the woods. We would swim. We also went to Blue Springs a lot, that was one of our favorite watering holes. Another thing we did for fun was going to the public beach at Cherry Lake. Back then there weren’t any pools in Madison. Those came along later.” He also recalled some of his favorite places to eat, “I liked going to Frank’s Café, Country Kitchen and Pep’s.”
Ashley attended elementary school in Madison. The elementary school was located where CVS sits today. He recalled, “When I got in the 7th or 8th grade a lady named Mildred Bruner took us on a tour of Madison County and taught us about the history of the county.” Ever since, Ashley has been very interested in the history of the area. “There are many people in the county that deserve thanks because with their help we have found out many historical things about Madison.” He also shared some of the information they have found, “This is a very good county and it is also one of the oldest counties in Florida. Madison County originally went from the Georgia line to the Gulf of Mexico, but then Taylor County was created. There was also a shoe factory in Madison before the Civil War that made a lot of the shoes for the soldiers.”
He then went to Madison High School where he was active in many sports. He played football, baseball, basketball and he also ran track. Back then Madison was not known as the Cowboys, they were the Red Devils. While in high school, Ashley was also active in Future Farmers of America. “My project in FFA was raising chickens,” he said.
Ashley has been married to his wife Martha for 40 years. He had three sons prior to their marriage, Appie (who is deceased), Kyle and Brad. He and Martha have two children, Ansley, who is a teacher in Madison, and Justin, who helps Ashley run the funeral home. Ashley has also been active in the Masonic Lodge. He was previously a Master of Madison’s Masonic Lodge, and also the Shriners.
When asked what his favorite thing about living in Madison was, Ashley said, “My favorite thing about living in Madison is the slow pace of living here. I also love taking care of my dogs and staying at home.”
Anyone interested in being interviewed for this article can call 973-4141 and make an appointment with Kristin Finney, or may drop by Greene Publishing, Inc. any day before noon. Those interviewed must have lived in Madison for a large portion of their life, and be able to recall a few things that have changed since that time..
By Nell Dobbs
Guest Columnist
“Without Him, I’d surely fail
Without Him, I would be drifting
Like a ship without a sail.”
Sung as our new Hymn of Commitment
How blessed we were for a delightful morning service as the Awana Cubbies under Gina Rutherford, Patsy Davis, Leigh McNutt, Lori Newman, and Stacey Newsome sang and acted out three songs, including their Cubbie song, “This Little Light of Mine” and “I’m in the King’s Army.”
for Jim able to be back leading music after knee surgery, and for their thanks for prayers, food, cards, love and for Mark filling in for him
for all the songs we sing,
for Deacon Doug Finney saying the offertory prayer,
for beautiful flowers by Bill Brown in honor of Cindy’s and Mary Alicc’s birthdays on April 26 and April 29,
for the Worship Choir special “I Must Tell Jesus,” which was our mother’s favorite song (I think), though she never sang. On May 5, 1989, 10 days before she would have been 88, she died at Hilda’s and Jimmy’s in Decatur, Ga. Some years earlier, Marjell had written this poem for her, saying it well:
Little Angels’ Britches
I pray when called that I’ll be led
And may in glory stand;
A crown of thorns upon my head
A needle in my hand.
I never learned to sing or play
So let no harp be mine;
Through life until my dying day
Plain sewing is my line.
And so accustomed to the end
Of applying useful stitches
I’ll be content if asked to mend
The Little Angel’s Britches
Marjell Dobbs for Nell’s Mother, 1974
Preacher Law’s message was about “The Lord’s Supper.” Jesus’ last week was very busy as He preached and taught. The time of Passover came and Jesus told Peter and John to prepare it. They did. At the right time, He sat down with the Twelve and said, “With desire, I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer” and He took bread, broke it, gave it to them and also the cup and said, “As oft as you do this, do it in remembrance of me.”
As believers, we have Open Communion which means any believe is welcome to partake. This belief had not always been held.
As believers, we are to live as Jesus commanded us, to love Him with our whole heart, mind, body, soul and our neighbor as ourselves and use our gift or gifts we’ve been given to help the poor and needy and tell of His great love, mercy, grace, and forgiveness as long as we live.
We’re praying for and preparing for Work Day on May 19 at the pastorium for our new preacher.
We’re praying for Kristen Parks and her group as they share the love of God with people in Haiti and appreciate her big “Thank You” for all support received.
SAM had as their guest speaker on May 2, Joe Boyles, who is very active in the community and for 10 years has written the “National Security” column in The Madison County Carrier.
Pray for all sad ones – Dr. Patacxil and his family in the sudden death of his wife – and all others I don’t know about. Also, we pray for all the ill ones, the very ill ones and ask Your Will to be done in their lives. Amen!
By Lynette Norris
Green Publishing, Inc.
Victoria Crews has been teaching school since she was in second grade.
As a second grader, Victoria, the youngest of four children, discovered her lifelong desire to teach. However, since all her siblings were older than she was, she played school with her dolls.
A typical school day for her dolls included getting on and off the bus safely, going to the cafeteria and paying attention to their teacher in class. “I’d have roll call, give them tests, the whole nine yards,” said Crews.
Her mom and dad fully supported her dream, even providing her with chalk and allowing her to write on walls and the backs of doors while she taught her “second graders.” Her parents also played the part of school principals, occasionally looking on the “class” to see how things were going.
“Imagination can take you a long way if you just believe in your dreams,” she said. Now, she lives her dream every day with real children instead of dolls, commuting from Valdosta where she grew up, to Greenville Elementary School where she teaches a real second grade class. This year, she was also chosen as Greenville Elementary’s Teacher of the Year.
Her passion for teaching was inspired by her own second grade teacher, Mrs. B. Johnson. “She was one of those teachers who was also ‘mom.’ She was a teacher first, but she also wanted her students to feel safe, secure and loved.”
That positive environment awakened a desire to follow Mrs. Johnson’s example. Although she never learned Mrs. Johnson’s first name, she knew what she wanted to do with her life.
Teaching, her lifelong dream, is now her passion. “Just to see the smiles on the children’s faces after accomplishing a task. The ‘ooh’ and the ‘ahh’ and the ‘wow, I did it!’”
At least one other sibling shares her love of teaching. Her brother, William Crews, just moved to North Carolina to accept an instructor position at a community college. Another brother Eric Young, is an independent contractor for a military base in Pooler, Ga., and her sister Tammie Davis is a cosmetologist in their hometown of Valdosta.
She also has an eight-year-old son who goes to school in Valdosta, and a 20-year-old goddaughter.
Before teaching at Greenville, she taught another second grade class at Madison County Central School, where her teaching caught the attention of Principal Davis Barclay. When he transferred to Greenville Elementary, he remembered her, and when an opening appeared at GES and Crews applied for it, he made sure he hired her. “I was in San Francisco at the time, and I hired her from there,” he said. “Have I mentioned what a wonderful, wonderful teacher she is?”
It started with a dream, and that dream was inspired by another wonderful teacher who helped Victoria Crews realize what she wanted to be.
“My motto is ‘educating young minds for future times,” she said.
So perhaps even now, there is a second grader sitting in her class, who will one day realize his or her own dream of teaching, a dream that Victoria Crews herself will have inspired for the future.
By Kristin Finney
Greene Publishing, Inc.
As April draws to a close, high school senior celebrate the final countdown until graduation. Madison County High School seniors will have a little more than a month until they will cross the stage, turn their tassels and toss their caps into the air. The final month of high school is filled with awards ceremonies, Baccalaureate and graduation. Below are the dates for all of these events.
Baccalaureate will be held on Tuesday, May 29. The Madison Ministerial Association will conduct the program. It will take place at the North Florida Community College Van H. Priest Auditorium. The program begins at 7 p.m. Seniors are asked to be at the auditorium at 6:30 p.m. There will not be a rehearsal. Cap and gowns are to be worn for this ceremony. Baccalaureate is not mandatory.
Directly following Baccalaureate will be the senior awards night. This will begin at approximately 8 p.m. Seniors may participate in Awards Night without participating in Baccalaureate. Seniors must be present to receive your award (not the next day). Cap and gowns must be worn.
Graduation will be on Friday, June 1 at 8 p.m. on the football field. Rehearsal will be held at 9 a.m. on June 1. This is mandatory for all seniors who wish to participate in the graduation ceremony. Attendance will be taken and seats will be assigned at this time. No practice=No participation in graduation. A class picture will be taken at practice. Be there! Students will meet in the cafeteria at 7 p.m. before graduation begins. They will be able to pick up their diplomas following the ceremony.
Graduation attire is as follows: Do not bring purses or any valuables to the cafeteria. This is a formal ceremony. Girls will wear nice dresses or dress pants, under their gowns. They must wear high heels, dress shoes or sandals with a heel. Absolutely no jeans, shorts, boots, flip-flops, or tennis shoes will be permitted. Boys will wear dress slacks (khaki dress pants are permitted), dress shirt, dress shoes and a tie. Absolutely no jeans, shorts, flip-flops, or tennis shoes will be permitted. All students are asked to not bring any devices that make noise. Cell phones are to be in the off mode.
