Joaquin Students Participate in Teens in the Driver Seat Program - May 9, 2012
Composed by J.J. Ford

For album please click here

Joaquin HS students have been learning and educating their peers about the dangers of teen driving. Teacher Danielle Smith had her students participate in the "Teens in the Driver Seat" program. The peer-to-peer safety program raises awareness of the top five dangers of teen driving: driving at night; speeding and street racing; distractions, such as cell phones/texting and too many teen passengers; low seat belt use; and alcohol use.

As part of the program, student decorated the hallways of Joaquin ISD with facts about the number of teens killed in car crashes as well as other teen driving statistics. The students also participated in a poster contest: Driving the Message Contest. The contest for Texas students encourages teens to speak up and save a life. Julia Prewitt, one of the students who participated in the contest, received honorable mention for her poster - Don't let Distractions, Texting, Drowsiness, No Seat Belt, or Alcohol Abuse be the end of your road. Other participates in the contest were Tristan Wilkerson, Victoria Furlough, Shelby Lebouef, Ryleigh Yates, Tiffany Mayfield, Kendell Foley, Courtney Holt, Mikah Atkinson, Cody Causey, Chasity Baker, Anna Petrova, Amanda Trent, Bridgette Raymond, and Jessica Murphy. Click here to view the winning posters.

As part of the awareness campaign, the school had the Amber Menefee Mobile Memorial visit the campus. Amber was a student at Texas Tech University when tragically, on February 11, 2006, Amber’s promising life came to an end. A 21-year old Amber Menefee died when her car collided with a SUV that was traveling the wrong way on the West Loop in Lubbock. The driver of the other vehicle, 20-year old Erin Reagan, had a blood alcohol level of 0.147, nearly double the legal limit, at the time of her arrest.

Sam Owens, a police officer with the mobile memorial, spoke to students about the dangers of drunk driving and told Amber's story. Officer Owens educated students about not only the dangers of drunk driving but spoke about the consequences for those who drink and drive and survive. He then took the students to see the memorial where they could see the vehicle from Amber's crash. Student also watched a video about Amber with clips of her growing up, the news clip about the wreck, and then testimonies from those affected by the crash.

Links:

http://www.tabc.state.tx.us/laws/underage_drinking_laws.asp
http://www.ambersmobilememorial.org/
http://www.dui-usa.drinkdriving.org/Texas_dui_drunkdriving_statistics.php

Hip, Hip, Hooray, JHS Seniors Who Made a Difference! - May 4, 2012
Submitted by Debbie Leggett

May 3rd, 2012 was an evening several JHS Seniors will long remember. Students along with their parents were treated to a steak and shrimp dinner at the Windham Civic Center. These students were chosen by the JHS faculty as students who stand out as leaders. The students were allowed to choose a teacher who has made a difference to them. For the past ten years Texas State Bank has sponsored this unique experience. Joe Lowery and Mark Ivey, President of TSB, along with other bank representatives congratulated these students, teachers and parents on the accomplishments of the students thus far. Mr. Worsham, JHS Superintendent, thanked TSB for its continual support of our students and education.

The students chosen along with their teachers were Carsen Jones/ Lynn Cooper, Kain Yates/ Rodney Prnka, Patrick Schmutz and Kaitlyn Cockrell/ Ronnie Wolfe, Morgan May/ Lisa Barton, Taylor Wilkerson/ Lynn Silvey and Kinsey
Carrington/ Yesenia Diaz. Congratulations to students, parents and teachers!

The Lucky Pennies - May 4, 2012
Submitted by Debbie Leggett

Joaquin ISD nurse, Mrs. Portia King, put forth a challenge to all the homerooms at the Elementary and Junior High School to see just how many pennies and other monies they could collect and give to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in the annual Pennies for Patients Drive.

The Elementary School grades Pre-K through fifth collected $ 5,249.89. Also, grades six through eighth collected $ 340.80. The top collecting class was Mrs. Monica Smith’s second grade with a total of $688.61. In second place was Mrs. Mary Hovey’s third grade collecting $ 601.76. First and second place homerooms will be rewarded with a lunch at Olive Garden in Lufkin, Texas. At the Jr. High level the eighth grade took top place with $ 145.76 and will be have a reward party. Mrs. Portia is proud to announce that 2012 has been the best year of collecting for Pennies for Patients. She would also like to thank all the students, teachers, parents and friends for their encouragement and generosity.

All money collected goes to helping in research to find a cure for all blood cancers. Joaquin ISD extends a special thank you to Texas State Bank for counting and handling all the pennies and money. Congratulations students for a job well done!

Joaquin JCC and “Hats Off to Brooklyn” Day - April 5, 2012
Submitted by Debbie Leggett

Joaquin ISD students, faculty, staff and community gave freely on Joaquin JCC “Hats Off to Brooklyn” day. Together, we are proud to announce that $2,334.52 was raised for Brooklyn Oliver. Please continue to keep Brooklyn and her family in your prayers. The Joaquin JCC sends their thanks to everyone who helped make this event successful.

Joaquin FFA CDE Compete at SFA Invitational Career Development Contest - April 5, 2012
Submitted by Shane Vance

The Joaquin FFA participated in the Stephen F. Austin State University Invitational Career Development Contest Tuesday April 3rd.

The Dairy Evaluation team consisting of Jodi Cockrell, Vanessa Rivera, Lisa Garrett, and Shaun Rogers placed 2nd in the Area IX contest, qualifying for the State Competition to be held in Stephenville at Tarleton State University April 19th. Jodi was 5th high point individual, Shaun 7th high point individual, Vanessa 8th high point individual, and Lisa 16th high point individual of the Dairy contest.

The Horse Evaluation consisting of Josie Green, Loren Johnson, Maddison Andres, and Miranda Prnka place 13th out of 101 teams. Maddison received an award for being 11th High point individual of the Horse contest out of 434 students.

Other teams that participated in the CDE’s Tuesday were the Livestock Evaluation team consisting of Tanner Williams, Colby Hamilton, Dustin Ramsey, and Bishop Jones; Poultry team consisting of Hailey Cummings, Katy May, Shelby Diven, and Casey Knippers; Milk Qualities and Products team consisting of Julianna Martin, Kristen Harvey, and Mason Naquin; Farm Business Management team consisting of Morgan Dyess, and James Hovey; and the Agriculture Mechanics team consisting of Zack Cheatwood.

All Joaquin FFA teams will compete next Wednesday, April 11th at the Area IX state qualifying competition at Sam Houston State University. The Area IX FFA Association is composed of 94 schools, 1A-5A, boosting almost 8,000 FFA members from four different districts. The Area IX Association President, Jodi Cockrell, will lead the awards ceremonies at 3:00 pm at Johnson Coliseum in Huntsville. Congratulations to all teams and good luck at Area!

Two Senior JHS Students Take on a Challenge - April 4, 2012
Submitted by Debbie Leggett

Taking Agriculture classes under the direction of Shane Vance and Ronnie Wolfe at Joaquin High School cannot help but be educational, life learning experiences, fun and challenging. Many topics and vocational activities are experienced through an agriculture program for all students. However, two students this year wanted to challenge themselves with an extra senior project. Zach Mason made and finished out his own guitar. He sanded and stained the wood. Next, he completed the technical aspects and strung the guitar. Finally, he plugged it in to test the both the guitar and amp. Success! Luke Brown chose to make his card table from walnut wood. After building and finishing the wood one cannot view the table well enough to really appreciate the beauty of it nor the time and materials and effort he put forth. Another success! These are the type of things learned in agriculture, vocational, musical and visual arts classes that students are able to take from high school and apply to their loves after graduating. Great projects by great students!

Joaquin Announces Cheerleading Squads - March 22, 2012
Submitted by Shelli Vaughn

Joaquin High School and Jr. High recently held cheer tryouts for the 2012-2013 school year. Those selected to the Varsity squad were as pictured front left to right: Seniors, Bailee McSwain (Co-Captain), Olivia Worsham (Mascot), Whitney Vaughn (Co-Captain), 2nd row left to right, Juniors, Mallory Martinez, Tristan Wilkerson, Ava Stephens, and Ryleigh Yates. 3rd row, Sophomores, Paige Pinkston, Caitlyn Gates, Chloe Brown, and Annabeth Vaughn. Back Row, Freshmen, Kristen Harvey, Shelby Diven, Hailey Cummings, Kaitlynn Scruggs, and Alexis Byrd.

Those selected to the Jr. High Squad were pictured as follows: front row left to right, Madelynn Hutchins, Mazzy McCann, Lanie Stanley, Annalyn DeChamplain, and Madolyn Covington. Back row left to right: Karley Broadway, Katelyn Jackson, Lila Smith (mascot), and Bailey Murff.

And .. The Race is On - March 2, 2012
Submitted by Debbie Leggett

Second and third grade JES math teachers, Terri Smith and Teresa Jones have begun the race to the STAARS. They are helping all students to master the essentials of basic math skills to not only prepare them for testing but also for growing in knowledge as they proceed to the next grades. As we all know, math concepts continually build upon each other. Once the student understands and demonstrates knowledge then the students name is placed on the racetrack to the STAARS. However, as one can clearly see, the second grade students have stopped to enjoy a banana split along the way as they learn and study about fractions. JES teachers being creative in their teaching!

Joaquin Band Students Participate in UIL Solo and Ensemble Contest - February 10, 2012
Submitted by Donna Vergo

On Friday, February 3rd, 2012, the Region 21 UIL Solo and Ensemble contest was held at SFA and Nacogdoches High School. Joaquin High School entered 11 events to win a total of 13 first division medals. Congratulations for a job well done to all who participated in the contest. Students receiving 1st divisions ratings were:

Steven Evans, Caleb Hill, Katherine Patrick, Alexis Byrd, Raelin Hill, Emily Byrd, Savanna Cunningham, Carsen Jones, Justin Kennedy, and Candace Scruggs.

Joaquin FFA Ag Mechanics Compete at Panola Welding Contest - February 10, 2012
Submitted by Shane Vance

Joaquin FFA Ag Mechanics swept the Panola Welding Contest yesterday with Patrick Schmutz winning First place and Zack Cheatwood winning Second place. Patrick was awarded a $1500 scholarship to Panola College and won several welding prizes. Zack Cheatwood was awarded a $1000 scholarship to Panola College and also won prizes at yesterdays contest. These two senior Joaquin FFA members have become top-notch welders representing the Joaquin FFA well. Agriculture Mechanics advisors are Ronnie Wolfe and Shane Vance.

Joaquin Elementary Second Grade Recycling Projects - February 1, 2012
Submitted by Jennifer McCann

Monica Smith, second grade Joaquin Elementary School teacher and her students are studying about renewable resources. They were so excited to learn that plastics are made with petroleum and metals are made from rock.

Too, they reviewed how all wood products come from plants. Mrs. Smith said, “The students were so interested and excited about their new knowledge that they asked if they could each make a recycled usable project”. Each student, with parent/adult help, created many unique and awesome projects.

Congratulations students and Mrs. Monica for a job well done!