School Board Recognizes Students
Members of the Jasper County Board of Education recognized the basketball teams from Jasper County Middle and High Schools and also the STAR student and teacher during their regular business meeting Tuesday.
The board first recognized the JCMS boys basketball team. Principal Dianna Blizzard told the board, “we have some great coaches and players that made this program successful.” She turned the floor over to Dr. Gus Robinson, athletic director, who thanked the board for having them and thanked the team, coaches, and parents for “all of the time and the hard work that went into making this season great.”
Head coach Yelberton Frazier introduced the team and said, “I would like to thank the parents and the young men for everything. We had a hard, heartbreaking season.” The JCMS boys lost their first game of the season to Putnam Co. and won the rest (defeating rival Putnam in the second match-up of the regular season). They made it into the semifinals where they lost to Putnam, ending their playoff run.
Supt. Mike Newton said, “guys, this was intense, exciting basketball. You all gained quite a following here in Jasper County. We appreciate the coaches and the hard work in addition to their work during the school day.”
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Dr. Shannon Barton, board chair said, “Everyone in here looks great. I’m so proud of how hard you worked this season.”
Mrs. Blizzard commented that “these boys are good role models as well as students and are great assets to have on our team.”
Assistant coaches Rufus Whitlock and Tyrone Dennis also thanked the board for the opportunity to serve as coaches and mentors to the team.
The board then recognized the varsity girls basketball team and head coach Dionka Davis. High school principal Robyn Mullis said that “the ladies had a great season. We travelled a lot. I commend Dee Dee and all of the time that she spent with the program to make it successful.”
There were only two varsity girls present, Morgan and Maya Stokes, sophomores as coach Davis said, “we have a great group of girls and fortunately my girls also make up parts of the tennis team, the softball team and the track team and could not be here due to other obligations there.”
“We had an up and down season. And through it all, the girls came to practice devoted to the game and ready to work.”
“We ended our season sixth in the region and upset the #3 seed, our rival Putnam. This was the first time in five years that we made it to state and we had to travel almost to Florida, to Thomasville Central, and we played well even with the long travel time.
“I am most impressed that almost all of our seniors are committed to colleges, C.J. Jackson to Agnes Scott on a softball scholarship, Paissley Stewart, Aaliyah Barnes, and Miriacle Hardwick have all been accepted into schools.”
“I would also like to thank Mrs. Mullis and Coach [Earnst] Scott for helping me…and the parents because it takes a lot, and its not easy to get up and get your kids to practice and games and I thank them for that.”
Dr. Newton thanked Coach Davis as well for her commitment and for the fine young ladies. Dr. Barton commented on how her recreation team was able to practice with the Lady ‘Canes and how good they were to the little ones.
The board also recognized the county STAR student Olivia Aldridge and her STAR teacher Brian Patrick. Mr. Patrick commented to the board, “I’ve only been teaching four years, and being named STAR teacher was a remarkable experience. I can finally say, ‘I made a difference’ in a students life, which is why I teach. It’s definitely not for the money.”
Ms. Aldridge thanked Mr. Patrick again and said that “he pushes me and everyone else into excellence. He was the first to challenge me and helped me to recognize my gifts.”
Dr. Newton then recognized the school board members and gave his appreciated for their service.
The board then voted to apply for the FY14 HeadStart grant for the same amount as last year, $595,879.
They voted to honor the retirements of Vickie Vickers and Bixie Pearson, both from Jasper County Primary School. They voted to hire Rebecca Savage as Assistant Nutrition Director at JCHS.
They also voted on a 1-10 waiver for class size and discussed the finances including the birthday tax and the effects that it may or may not have on the FY15 budget.
