Update
Volume 35, Number 4-December 2021
SWMS Robotics Squad Place 1st and 5th Overall
It was a chilly start to the day, Saturday, November 6, but the air quickly warmed as the robots took to the field for Harding Academy’s annual LEGO Club Cup competition. This day was the culmination of 10 solid weeks of work, designing, programming, and remote controlling their robots and soon the two SWMS teams would compete for the coveted LEGO Cup! Team members Mason Smith and Paxton Crum made up Team Alpha. Team members Aubrey Reynolds and Erin Miller comprised Foxaphant.
Both SWMS teams were highly successful in the morning’s qualifying rounds, each ranking high enough to select, and captain an alliance team. After a total of 37 matches, battling 10 other competitors, Team Alpha’s alliance came in a strong 5th, and Foxaphant with their alliance partner triumphed, placing them in first place overall. Aubrey and Erin also won the LEGO Autonomous Award for best programming!
CONGRATULATIONS to the SWMS ROBOTICS SQUAD on an amazing season!
Sponsors/teachers Sheryl McKenzie, Shelly Yeakley, and Joseph Holland are shown with robotic team members.
Westside Canned Food Drive
Westside collected a total of 1468 cans for our locals in need during our November Food Drive. The winning grade was SECOND GRADE who brought in a total of 600 cans!!! #BeTheBean #JuniorAuxiliary
G/T Classes Participate in Creative Projects
4th Grade G/T Creates History of Searcy
Southwest Middle School 4th grade students in Mrs. Freeman's and Mrs. Cook's classes created History of Searcy museum projects. Photos and their class slideshows are shown below.
3rd Grade G/T Students Practice Engineering
Searcy 3rd Grade G/T students work together to engineer and code creative bots with the Lego WeDo kits.
Westside Elementary School Hosts Boxcar Derby
The Box Car Derby has been a Westside kindergarten tradition since 1995. Each year, family and fans from all over the community gather, not only to watch the derby, but to admire the extraordinary range of box car designs. From bright red race cars to unicorns, dragons, and even Thanksgiving turkeys, each box car is as unique as the Westside student who crafted it. The derby is a valuable learning experience in sportsmanship and engineering design, but it is also a cherished day resulting from the collaboration between students, their families, Westside staff, and the local community. The year 2020 broke this memorable tradition. This year, however, both kindergarten and first grade students participated in the 25th Westside Derby, and to make it extra special, it was held at Lion Stadium with a special visit from a professional race car driver, Gage Raines! Champions from both kindergarten and first grade races received a trophy and got their picture taken in front of the real race car!
Searcy School District Celebrates Veterans Day
Searcy High School recognized Veterans on November 11th with a Veterans Recognition Board that includes photos of Veterans who are special to SHS students and staff members. Additionally, the school honored SWMS music teacher and former Searcy band director Tony Luzzi at the Veterans Day Assembly/Pep Rally.
McRae Elementary School hosted a Veterans breakfast. Pictured below are McRae students Ellis Anne Yancey, Pax Streit, and Carver Yancey with their veteran friend Harley Bridger.
Harding University SALT Club Donates to Sidney Deener Families
The Harding University Future Educators Club (SALT Club) recently provided groceries for two selected families at Sidney Deener. Both families were grateful for the relief during the holiday season. We offer a big thanks to Harding University SALT Club for assisting these families.
Searcy Learning Center Hosts Thanksgiving Meal
Searcy Learning Center (SLC) provided a Thanksgiving lunch that students prepared for administrators and some staff members. It was delicious and delightful! Big thanks to the high school students, Mrs. Graham, SLC support staff, and Junior Auxiliary of Searcy for funding the meal!
Student Requests an Affirmation from Governor to School Nurse
Sidney Deener Elementary School student Andrew Adams wrote Governor Asa Hutchinson asking him to send a personal letter to Nurse Dovie Baxter at Sidney Deener, and Governor Hutchinson sent Mrs. Baxter a letter thanking her for her service. Nurse Dovie is the Deener school nurse and the elementary/middle school COVID point of contact for Searcy Schools.
Searcy High School FFA Earns Silver Medal at National FFA Convention
Congratulations to Searcy FFA's Ag Mechanics team for earning a Silver Medal at the 94th National FFA Convention & Expo Career Development Event Competition. Individually, Connor Davis scored the 9th highest overall individual score in the nation. Connor and Dallas Pence earned individual gold medals; Tate Cofer and Garrett Sheppard earned individual silver medals. The team also received the Distinguished Team Award sponsored by Caterpillar, Inc. for their performance with hydraulic systems.
Searcy High School Drama Presents The Nineteenth Princess
Searcy High School Drama Department presented The Nineteenth Princess, a play written by Searcy High School alumnus Ken Wrobel. The cast and crew had the opportunity to visit with Mr. Wrobel about his writing process and vision for the production.
801 North Elm Street
Searcy, Arkansas 72143
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