MCHS Visits Tallahassee’s
Ronald McDonald House

By Bryant Thigpen
Greene Publishing, Inc.
     Madison County High School’s High Tech Club recently had the opportunity to visit the Ronald McDonald house in Tallahassee. The trip was coordinated by Mary Coody, director of the High Tech club.
     The High Tech club collects metal tabs off of aluminum cans to donate to the Ronald McDonald house. Since the fall of 2007, the students collected approximately 100 pounds worth of tabs, and delivered them to the McDonald house, where they cash them in. In addition to the tabs, the students brought individual toiletry bags for guests who may stay at the house. The toiletry items were donated by friends of students, teachers and staff members of the high school.
     Latoya Armstead provided a tour of the facility, which included a few of the bedrooms not occupied, family room, its large kitchen, playroom, laundry areas, and a view of the deck and grill area that is sometimes utilized by families while their child is receiving medical treatment.
In 1989, the Tallahassee Ronald McDonald House opened its doors. Today, the Ronald McDonald House of Tallahassee is “home away from home” for the families of pediatric patients being treated at area hospitals and medical facilities.
     The majority of families who stay at the house live more than 10 miles away and have children being treated at regional hospitals or other clinics. Each year, thousands of children and their families depend on the support of the Ronald McDonald House to provide comfort and care during difficult time.

MCHS Bands Kaleidoscope
Concert Set For April 16

By Bryant Thigpen
Greene Publishing, Inc.
     One of the most exciting concerts of the year will take place on Thursday, April 16, at the Madison County High School Gym. The MCHS Bands will be performing throughout the night, bringing out the best in each band section. The evening concert starts at 7 p.m., and you’ll not want to miss it!
     The concert will feature the high school’s jazz band Cowboy Nights, Concert Band, the drumline Cowboy Thunder, Vaquero Guard and Cowboy Colors.
     Throughout the evening, different soloists and ensembles will amaze guests, such as the Sax Quartet, Flag Duet, Travis Shepard, David Sanders, Nikita Bedard, Preston Brown and many more.
     This concert will be one of the last performances for high school seniors. This year’s seniors are Ariel Blanton (Piano), Preston Brown (Electric Bass), Brittany Collins (Clarinet) Bobbi Crafton (Flute, Tenor Saxophone), Presly Evans (Flute), Steven Godfrey (Tenor Saxophone), Jhamieka Greenwood (Alto and Tenor Saxophone), Camisha Johnson (Clarinet), Christopher Lee (Trombone), Alan Lennon (Tuba), Joseph Lowe (Alto Saxophone), Theo McGee (Baritone Saxophone), Ryan Mugge (Drum Set, Snare Drum), Teri Roessler (French Horn) and Travis Shepard (Trumpet).
     This power-packed concert will be a fun night of music, perfect for the whole family. No tickets are necessary. The concert is free to everyone. The band will be receiving donations for three band students who lost their homes due to the flood. Come out and enjoy a great night of music.

School Board Facing Hard Choices Head On

By Michael Curtis
Greene Publishing, Inc.
     Between budget cuts and a lower local tax base, critical funding cutbacks have left the Madison County School District with hard choices. Staffing reductions are a foregone conclusion, although hopes of stimulus dollars still loom. Even then, there are unfortunately only broad dollar references with no specific details on recapturing teachers and staff.
     Regardless of the outcome, the educational leadership of the county is facing the issue head on. And whatever the result, from the sounds of the discussion at the March 17 board meeting, the county can be sure that the board and superintendent are working at it with the full consideration of all concerned. Human Resources Director Michael Akes, along with input from Finance Director Andy Barnes, outlined the staffing table for the remainder of the 2008-09 school year, also briefly reviewing projections for 2009-10. There too, it was evident that best efforts were being made to allow the core mission of teaching and learning to continue uninterrupted.
     “Our employees are our most precious resource to provide a quality education to our most precious asset – our students. Even when we disagree now and then, we’re still family. When one of us gets sick, we care. When one of us gets hurt, we care. And when someone has to be laid off, we care,” Miller explained. “It’s a horrible situation and we are still praying for a solution, although we have to make the hard choices and hope everyone knows we’re doing the best with a bad situation.”
     There was also brief discussion from the public, including Rev. Marcus Hawkins, regarding future plans for the Excel School, which has also been caught up in the budgeting process. Some current suggestions have made advocates anxious, although, again, it was clear that the board and superintendent welcomed and intended to incorporate public input.
     Education department policy requires the district provide employment status to all faculty and staff by April, meaning that formal notice of the intent to continue or terminate employment would be provided at that time. By contrast, details of stimulus fund availability – including how any local allocations may be used for staffing – aren’t expected for at least another month afterwards, as late as June.
     The Madison County School District meets twice monthly, on the first and third Tuesdays, starting at 6 p.m. The public is always welcome to attend and may conveniently sign up to address the board. The district office phone number is (850) 973-5022.
Michael Curtis can be reached at Michael@greene publishing.com.

MCHS Bands Score High At FBA Competition

By Bryant Thigpen
Greene Publishing, Inc.
     Under the direction of Band Director Geoff Hill, the Madison County High School Bands participated in the Florida Bandmasters Association District 3 Solo and Ensemble Festival at FAMU in Tallahassee on Saturday, Feb. 7.
     Indoor Color Guard, as an ensemble, scored a superior (score of I) at the competition. The guard is made up of: Nikita Bedard, Allison Behler, Shabrielle Haynes, Kira Poole, Jessica Swift, Emily Hagan, Cody Belinski, Amanda Bennett, Kelia Brown, Lindsay Pinkard, Nakosha Pryor, Nyrecia Haynes, Qarquasia Davis, Snowey Hagan, Katie Dedge and Danielle Bentley.
     Superior-rated soloists consisted of: Bobbi Crafton, flute; Kristi Ferrell, flute; Kira Poole, flag; David Sanders, baritone; Angel Stafford, French horn; and Jessy Swift, flag.
     Soloists who scored a rating of excellent (score of II) are as follow: Nikita Bedard, flag; Cody Belinski, flute; Cody Belinski, saber; Katie Dedge, rifle; Shabrielle Haynes, flag; and Lindsey Pinkard, flag.
     The Indoor Percussion Ensemble also performed. The members of this group are Kierystan Johnson, Tori Cherry, Reggie Graham, Desiree Jonas, Theo McGee and Taneja Rodgers.
     The Saxophone Quartet performed during the competition and is made up of Robby Williams, Theo McGee, Jhamieka Greenwood and Kendall James.
     Congratulations to all of these students for their achievements!