Education

Bedford County Board of Education held an appreciation reception Tuesday night at Harris Middle School for 22 retiring employees who have a total 469 years of combined service benefitting local students. Jan Hall, system instructional coach, topped service times with 44 years. Connie Boutwell, federal programs supervisor, followed close with 43...

Ruth Smith of Shelbyville, a projected member of The Webb School's class of 2021, was selected to receive the third Johnson-Fort Memorial Travel Scholarship from a fund endowed by John F. "Jeff" Whorley, a member of the class of 1979. In naming the award, Whorley chose to honor two of his teachers, Alsey Johnson and Joyce Fort, whose impact inspired him...

Jessica Osterhaus has been named the 2019 June Dairy Month Chairman for Bedford County. Osterhaus will be honored Thursday at the Tennessee June Dairy Month Kickoff Event at Battle Mountain Farm in College Grove. The event includes recognition from Celeste Blackburn, president of the American Dairy Association of Tennessee...

Each year Cascade Middle School’s eighth grade students participate in a self-selected inquiry project. These projects are displayed at the school’s Research Fair. The top scorer’s move on to compete in the regional science fair. The following Cascade Middle School and Cascade High School students participated in the Middle Tennessee Science and Engineering Fair at Belmont University. From left: Blake Olive, Cole West, Isaiah Smith, Audrey Perry, and Mikey Lucich. Olive placed third in eighth grade and Perry placed third in high school Engineering.

As Learning Way Elementary students pick up their final report cards today, most are probably thinking of fun stuff, rather than the construction about to begin at their school. Bedford County Board of Education members talked about it and shouldered the concern at the board’s regular monthly meeting Tuesday night at Harris Middle School. Over $1 million in school funds, already placed in a restricted account, will need to be spent to complete this new project...

A grand celebration was held at Cascade Elementary last week when it was announced that students read over 36,000 books this school year through the Accelerated Reading program. Amidst the confetti, signs read: “Readers are Leaders!” This is the newest slogan for the reading program...

Readers of all ages will explore all things space this summer as Shelbyville-Bedford County Public Library presents “A Universe of Stories” during its summer reading program. Activities will include a trip to Mars, meeting a Solar System Ambassador, hands-on activities, space-related crafts, art projects, science and engineering experiments, and more...

Columbia State Community College has announced 553 students named to the dean’s list for earning academic honors during the spring semester. Local students include Abigail Stroud, Savana Tucker and Carlee Ward, all of Shelbyville. “We are so proud of the students who made dean’s list this semester,” said Dr. Mary Lou D’Allegro, Columbia State vice president for academic affairs. “The academic talent and perseverance of these students are remarkable.”...

More than 100 Columbia State Community College students were recently honored for excellence in academics, leadership and service at the 53rd Annual Student Honors Convocation. Savana Tucker of Bell Buckle received the Academic Disipline Award in philosophy and was recognized for her efforts as a peer leader. (Submitted photo)

Community High School held a signing day ceremony for its most recent military recruits, similar to the ceremonies held when an athlete signs with a college. “I believe the true heroes that protect this great country deserve a signing day and recognition,” said Chris Grooms, Community’s head football coach. Front row, from left: Tyler McBride, son of Crystal McBride and Mike McBride, signed a four-year commitment to serve in the infantry of the U.S. Marine Corps; Jayden Moody, son of Chrissy and Greg Conway, signed a four-year commitment to serve in the U.S. Army as an airborne infantry ranger; Nathan Derting, son of Wendy Derting, signed a four-year commitment to serve in the U.S. Army in satellite communications; and Zac Monroe, son of Debbie Monroe and Mike Monroe, signed a four-year commitment to serve in the U.S. Navy in aviation ordnance. Back row: Luke Bowling of Community, Mike Martin of the U.S. Navy, Staff Sgt. Lloyd of the U.S. Army (first name unavailable), and Grooms. (Submitted photo)

Chase Clanton of Shelbyville has accepted an offer of lifetime membership in The National Society of Collegiate Scholars, the nation’s preeminent certified honor society for high-achieving first-and-second year college students. “NSCS is more than just a symbol of academic achievement; it is a distinction of honor,” said Stephen S. ...

With a large smile, Shelbyville Central High School senior Sarahi Rincon Molina said she's very proud to be her school's first Hispanic-American valedictorian. The 18-year-old is articulate, charming and her Latino heritage is evident. But it was her 101.5 scholastic average which earned her the coveted title for the graduating class of 2019...

Around half the crowd of Bedford County Boys & Girls Club members raised their hands Thursday when asked if they were Alabama football fans. That answer probably didn't surprise Phillip Fulmer, University of Tennessee athletic director and former head football coach. After all, he did ask.....

Columbia State Community College honored 24 radiologic technology graduates in a pinning ceremony April 30 in the Cherry Theater on the Columbia Campus. Carlee Ward of Shelbyville was among the graduates. Also included was Jessa Mae Tucker of Linden, granddaughter of the Rev. Jack V. Carney of Shelbyville...

Caitlyn Howell of Wartrace has been awarded the 2019 Mary Mildred Sullivan Award by the University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg, Kentucky, from which she graduated this month. The Algernon Sydney Sullivan and Mary Mildred Sullivan Awards honor a male and female student from the senior class who have made significant contributions to university life while demonstrating outstanding spiritual values...

Several Shelbyville Central High School health students had the chance to tour and watch the landing and takeoff of an EC 135 Vanderbilt LifeFlight helicopter Wednesday morning from the football field...

Bedford County FFA of Shelbyville Central High School has announced its 2019-20 officers, as follows: She is the daughter of Jennifer McCarty. She says she chose to be an officer because she wanted to help lead and guide the incoming members to strive to always do their best. Her favorite FFA activity is the Land Evaluation CDE...

No students were on board a Bedford County school bus involved in a head-on accident on Knob Creek Road east of Wartrace early today. The crash occurred approximately four miles east of Wartrace around 6 a.m. The driver of the Chevrolet Tahoe also involved was pinned in his SUV for around 15 minutes before its driver’s door was removed with extrication equipment. He was conscious and talking to rescue workers...

At least eight Class of 2019 members in Bedford County public schools say they feel called to enter the education arena. The future holds whether they'll come back home to teach. However, Bedford County school superintendent Don Embry said recently he would like nothing better than to be able to hire Bedford County alumni as teachers...

Spring time is one of the busiest times of the year for most agriculturists and this is no exception for Cascade High School FFA. The chapter has been busy competing in several contest and conducting community service. The Cascade FFA has had 28 different members compete in an FFA contest...

Eakin Elementary and Learning Way Elementary are presenting Disney-themed musicals this spring as the first outside of Nashville to benefit from Tennessee Performing Arts Center's "Disney Musicals In Schools" program. The program allows each of the two local schools to produce a 30-minute Disney musical without having to pay a royalty or fee, and with the support of TPAC teaching specialists and educational materials...

Bedford County schools Superintendent Don Embry tells prospective educators Bedford County is a great place to work; he then hands them what he considers a pretty competitive salary figure and benefits package. He’s probably one of the best recruiters for this county. Embry is confident his school system has great merit...

The Bedford County 4-H Dog Project hosted a Central Region seven county invitational dog workshop on March 23. The Bedford County's dog project's goal is to educate youth in Bedford County who are interested in canines. The workshop was held at the Bedford County fairgrounds and instructed by Joshua Wade, president of the Bedford County dog club. ...

School superintendent Don Embry advised Bedford County Board of Education during its recent business meeting that he's going to be busy from now until August just trying to fill open teacher positions. "We are looking at a shortage of teachers, especially in hard-to-fill areas," Embry told the board...

Both Shelbyville Central High School resource officers suffered injuries as a student violently resisted arrest Wednesday morning at the school. Officers John Cooke and Chasity Gunn were trying to arrest the male student on a felony warrant connected with an out-of-school incident...

Shelbyville Central High School principal Tim Harwell (left) accepts a special graduation gift of $5,000 on behalf of his students Tuesday from John Stefanski, president of Global Homes Inc. A portion of the funds will also go into the Renaissance program, which is aimed at creating a positive student body culture. Stefanski said he is proud to be a part of this community and wanted to help by making this contribution to SCHS. Harwell said this donation is a great financial shot in the arm as teachers are often the ones who voluntarily help students purchase caps and gowns. Harwell estimates that of his anticipated 340 graduates, at least 50 or more are likely in need of assistance. “This will cover us a couple of years,” Harwell told Stefanski. (T-G Photo by Dawn Hankins)

Andrew Maraniss, a second-generation journalist and a New York Times-bestselling author of narrative nonfiction, will discuss his book about a trailblazing black athlete at The Webb School in Bell Buckle on May 7 as a part of the Follin Speaker Series...

Motlow State Community College held a grand opening Friday for its new Automation & Robotics Training Center in McMinnville. The grand opening was an invitation-only event for business and industry leaders. An open house will be held May 8 from 10 a.m. ...

Bedford County Board of Education learned at its recent business meeting how 2020 graduates could possibly earn a workplace ethics diploma -- one which could give them a leg up toward potential job interviews. "It does not guarantee them a job," said Sarah Beth Spray, Career and Technical Education (CTE) supervisor. "It will give them the opportunity to show the employer they've really taken the initiative."...

Dylan Steenbergen is the 2018-19 Career-Technical Education Student of the Year, according to Shelbyville Central High School marketing director Sam Blevins, who made the official announcement Monday. Blevins said Dylan has completed Introduction to Business & Marketing, Marketing I, Marketing II, Supply Chain Management, and Work-Based Learning. In addition to all his studies, Dylan maintained an "A" average, Blevins revealed...

On April 26, the Bedford County FFA of Shelbyville Central High School traveled to Tennessee State University in Nashville to compete in the Tennessee State FFA Nursery and Landscape CDE. The team placed eighth in the state. The team members were, from left: Elizabeth Atonsa; Nancy Diaz, 14th high individual; Cayla Lynch; and Mia Moore. (Submitted photo)

Community High School drama department's Smokestack Theatre has closed the curtain on year 25. Anthony "Tony" Davis, director over all those years, says the department just finished a three-show season. He couldn't be more pleased, he says...

Many things that United States senators can do to cause 20 million American families -- including 400,000 families in Tennessee -- to say, "thank you." After five years of work, Congress is ready to do just that by shortening the Free Application for Federal Student Aid -- the FAFSA -- from 108 questions to two dozen, and eliminating the need for families to give their financial information to the federal government twice...

Jacob Wade and Chance Phillips have been invited to compete in the 4-H National Shooting Sports Championships in June in Grand Island, Nebraska. Wade and Phillips were invited to the Tennessee 4-H State Invitational in October 2018 after the first year Air Rifle team placed third overall. Wade was named Air Rifle Champion at the 4-H Invitational held at the Ridley 4-H Center in Columbia...

Misty Griffith, Motlow State Community College associate professor of biology, and Peter Dowd, Motlow biology adjunct instructor, were awarded the 2019 Motlow College Foundation’s Faculty Excellence Awards during a recent ceremony on the Moore County campus. From left are Motlow President Michael Torrence; Dowd; Griffith; and Fran Marcum, vice chair of the Motlow College Foundation. (Motlow College photos)

Motlow State Community College recently held its annual student recognition ceremony inside Nisbett Center on the Moore County campus. Motlow students were honored for academic excellence during the 2018-19 academic year. Students graduating with a 4.0 grade point average were recognized with the President’s Award. Front row, from left, are Leah Clark, Jordan Sells, Holly Yokley, Hannah Feaster, Daisy Martinez, Rachel Towle, Andrea Figueroa. Second row: Justin Duke, Claire Mason, Elizabeth Mason, Leah Seier, Brittanny McCoy, and Carlee Cowan. Third row: Ethan Tucker, Makenzie Whitlock, Joel Price, Jesse Smotherman, and Jesus Salcedo San Mart. (Motlow College photo)

Learning Way Elementary School students pose with David Adcock of Adcock Facility Maintenance, who painted new lines on the parking lot. Adcock donated the paint as well as the manpower to upgrade the parking lot. The newly painted lines makes car drop-off and dismissal much safer for students and easier for parents to know which lanes to drive in, say school officials. (Submitted photo)

The National Honor Society at Shelbyville Central High School is getting off to a busy start this spring. Activities have included donating scarves to residents at Celebration Way Assisted Living; assisting at the school system’s “Ready! Set! Go! Kindergarten” night, and assisting at Shelbyville Recreation Center’s Easter egg hunt.

Though it’s going to remove over $800,000 from the school budget, Bedford County Board of Education moved Tuesday night to make classroom laptops accessible to every high school student. The approved recommendation, made by the school’s technology department, will purchase 2,600 laptops at $340 each for a total of $840,884. A budget amendment made by the board allows the money to be taken from the school fund balance...

As the school year closes, the Bedford County FFA of SCHS says farewell to three of their most outstanding and successful members, Chapter President Brett Harden, Chapter Vice President Emily Crabtree, and Chapter Secretary Lawson Lemmon. These three individuals have achieved many goals and have left an impact on their chapter while following the FFA 3 circle model: classroom, SAE (Supervised Agriculture Experience), and FFA, the blueprint for all successful FFA members and chapters around the nation. ...

There's a catch phrase: "Bloom where you're planted." Shelbyville Central High School substitute educator Carolyn Buckingham has strong convictions that is what she's doing in her life. "I'm glad God put something in me to blossom out," said the 65-year-old. "God has opened avenues ... allows me to come to this school every morning."...

Principal's List: A Honor Roll Fifth Grade Ella R. Allen, Kolby S. Allen, Laura J. Bennett, Christina M. Bilbro, Kaydence B. Bynum, Caroline L. Cook, Robert A. Cook, Morgan L. Evans, Allison G. Farris, Trenton A. Giel, Daniela L. Jara, James D. Jennings, Tanner W. Johnson, Adelyn E. Jones, Nicholas G. Lineberger, Wyatt J. Petelle, Chere' N. Potts, Caleb M. Smith, Henry G. Stone, Amelie I. Taucare, Kaegan L. Young...

The Webb School, in Bell Buckle, recently announced its A and B honor rolls for the third quarter of the 2018-2019 school year. An independent college preparatory day/boarding school for grades 6-12, The Webb School is the oldest continuously operating school of its kind in the South. The school has a dual emphasis on academic excellence and character development...

The Webb School Theatre will present the musical comedy "The Addams Family" in the Follin Chapel on May 2-4 at 7 p.m. Seating begins at 6:40 p.m. The production is open to the public. General admission is $10 with no charge for children under 10. For more information, call 931-389-5703...

Second graders at Liberty School recently participated in Duck River Electric Membership Corp.’s Louie the Lightning Bug safety presentation and coloring contest. Eighty students learned how electricity is made, how it travels and how to use it safely via a 10-minute video and presentation by DREMC’s Gina Warren, communications and community relations coordinator. All second grade students received special Louie the Lightning Bug prizes for participating in the coloring contest; first place winners in each classroom were received a collectible Louie stuffed toy and certificated signed by the cooperative’s Interim President and CEO Charles McDonald. First place winners were, from left, Zander Smith, Jackson Pyrdum and Layklyn McKin. Not pictured is Gabby Price. (Submitted photo)