Cougar Call
Volume 4, Issue 7. November 2017
Secret Santa
This year's 18th annual Secret Santa occurred on December 6th. Everyone was excited about the return of this tradition. Our local vendors, PAC Grandparents Club, Monticello Drugs, Sylvermyst Creations, and Peddler’s Corner were set up in the gym selling gifts to the students. While students enjoyed shopping, our very own Grandparent's Club wrapped the gifts for the student shoppers. The high school and middle school students assisted the elementary and pre-k students with shopping for gifts for their family. Secret Santa shopping is a great time to enjoy shopping for others and a great way for our students to practice budgeting. It’s enjoyable for teachers and students and a fun way to buy gifts for family and friends.
By: Taylor Boyd
Elective Spotlight: Money Skills
This month’s elective spotlight is Money Skills. The teacher, Mrs. Hawkes, explained that Money Skills helps teach students how to be a wise consumer and to balance a checkbook. She teaches them how to make wise financial decisions and to be smart with credit and debit cards. She makes up games, shows them videos, and brings in guest speakers to teach them about being wise with money. They are taught about debt and credit, so they can be aware of it in the future. It is a useful subject that will be helpful for the students in the future in many different ways. When asked what the best thing was about this class for her and the students, she said, ”The best thing is seeing how the students will understand this concept in real life.” She enjoys teaching the students to help them be wise with money in the future.
By: Taylor Boyd
South’s BEST Robotics Competition
This year is Piedmont Academy’s second year in a row going to the South’s BEST robotics competition at Auburn. Altogether, the team went through eight rounds during the seeding rounds. The driving schedule was the following: senior, Daniel Respus; senior, Caleb Vander Ven; senior, Kevin Davis; senior, Rustin Starker; and sophomore, Mallory Boyd. The spotters were Daniel Respus and Caleb Vander Ven. This year, like last year, the PAC team did not quite make it to the semi-finals. After the seeding rounds, the team finished in 34th place out of 65 teams, but unfortunately, that is not enough to move on to the semi-finals. Thank you to Mr. Ralph Hickman for coaching this team to South’s BEST. Wish them luck next year!
By: Mallory Boyd
10 Most Popular Holiday Side Dishes
- Mashed potatoes
- Stuffing
- Macaroni and Cheese
- Rolls
- Cranberry Sauce
- Green Bean Casserole
- Sweet Potato Casserole
- Brussels Sprouts
- Creamed Spinach
- Candied Yams
Teacher Spotlight: Coach Wilson
This month's teacher spotlight is Coach Wilson. He has been with us for five
years and has taught many subjects such as social studies, economics, and psychology. He has also coached many sports such as girls and boys basketball, football, and golf. He has two nieces, Raleigh and Rainey, and a stepson, Cotton, who go to Piedmont. He has taught social studies for grades 7-12. He has helped many students by teaching them social studies and hopes that it will help them in the future.
By: Taylor Boyd
FFA
Recently, our FFA members have been learning about horses, sheep, and various diseases. They are also participating in an event where they choose a project that is agricultural based and write individual essays. They have been working hard on their essays. Along with their essays, they have also recently harvested collard greens. For Christmas, they are planning a Christmas party for the FFA officers.
By: Mallory Boyd
Devotion
"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea." Psalm 46:1-2
The Christmas story of Jesus’ birth is obviously well-known. An angel told the virgin, Mary, that she would conceive the Son of God. Joseph and Mary went to Bethlehem, and Jesus was born in a manger. However, the story is much more special and interesting than this, but this is basically what happened. For most people, Christmas is a happy time, but for some, Christmas can be one of the toughest times of the year.
Not everyone is as fortunate as some people. I have a family, friends, a warm house, and many blessings; however, some children and adults have none of that. Some people have lost loved ones at Christmas time, too. Psalm 46:1-2 reminds us that it God is there for us in hard times. In trouble, He is always there to be our help. He wants us not to fear because He gives us our strength. This Christmas, pray for someone in need who is not as blessed as you are. Or better yet, do something nice for someone less fortunate than you. Be there for people and support them because that is what God wants us to do.
By: Kelsey Leach
Basketball
There are two varsity basketball teams for Piedmont Academy: the boys and the girls. The varsity boys are 2-3, and the varsity girls are 4-1. The coaches are Ron Holder, Will Johnson, Michael Wilson, and Mike McCart. The teams began the season on November 14th against Loganville Christian Academy at home. The most recent game was on December first against John Milledge Academy in Milledgeville. The student section was also at the home games to support. Coach Will Johnson bought the students special shirts in order to support the teams in the student sections. The scores against the first five opponents are listed in the chart below.
By: Kelsey Leach
Basketball Cheer
Piedmont Academy began its first basketball cheerleading team this season. MC Sikes, the athletic trainer, put the team together. The squad only includes freshmen and juniors. The team includes Cally Cook, Ava Anglin, Taylor Smith, India Lindsey, Meg Collins, Rainey Loftin, Rylee Owens, Madison Sanders, Maddie Morton, Maddie Johnston, Sydney Davis, Ryn Smith, Cassidy Cook, and Neely Bradford. The girls only go to some away games, but they cheer at every home game for varsity boys and girls. When Rainey Loftin was asked what the best part of basketball cheerleading is, she responded, “I like it because it is much more laid back than football cheerleading.” When Meg Collins was asked if she liked to cheer in the boys' or girls' game more, she said, “The boys' games are better because it is more exciting and fast-paced.” Also, the team got new pom-poms, t-shirts, and bows. They practice every day during study hall. They have done really well so far this season, and basketball cheerleading seems to be an exciting addition to Piedmont’s athletic program.
By: Kelsey Leach
Christmas Jokes
Why did Santa's helper see the doctor?
Because he had a low "elf" esteem!
What kind of motorbike does Santa ride?
A Holly Davidson!
Who is Santa's favorite singer?
Elf-is Presley!
What do you call a bankrupt Santa?
Saint Nickel-less!
Where do elves go to dance?
Christmas Balls!
What do you call a frozen elf hanging from the ceiling?
An elfcicle!
What do you get if Santa goes down the chimney when a fire is lit?
Krisp Kringle!
What do you get when you cross a Christmas tree with an apple?
A pineapple!
Which reindeer likes to clean?
Comet
What do you get if you cross Santa with a detective?
Santa Clues!
Paws at a Glance
Varsity Basketball Boys @ JMA
Start: Fri Dec 01 - 7:30 pm
End: Fri Dec 01 - 8:00 pm
Varsity Basketball Girls @ JMA
Start: Fri Dec 01 - 6:00 pm
End: Fri Dec 01 - 7:30 pm
South's Best Regional Robotics
Start: Sat Dec 02
End: Sun Dec 03
Fine Arts Dress Down
Start: Wed Dec 06
End: Wed Dec 06
Secret Santa Shopping
Start: Wed Dec 06
End: Wed Dec 06
Varsity Basketball Girls Vs Twiggs Academy
Start: Thu Dec 07 - 6:00 pm
End: Thu Dec 07 - 7:30 pm
Varsity Basketball Boys Vs Twiggs Academy
Start: Thu Dec 07 - 7:30 pm
End: Thu Dec 07 - 8:00 pm
Varsity Basketball Boys @ TJA
Start: Fri Dec 08 - 6:00 pm
End: Fri Dec 08 - 7:30 pm
Varsity Basketball Girls @ TJA
Start: Fri Dec 08 - 6:00 pm
End: Fri Dec 08 - 7:30 pm
Westfield Individual Tournament
Start: Sat Dec 09
End: Sat Dec 09
Elem Christmas Program
Start: Tue Dec 12 - 6:00 pm
End: Tue Dec 12 - 8:00 pm
First Semester Exam Dismiss @ 12:30
Start: Wed Dec 13
End: Fri Dec 15
Varsity Basketball Boys @ Bethlehem
Start: Fri Dec 15 - 6:00 pm
End: Fri Dec 15 - 7:30 pm
Varsity Basketball Girls @ Bethlehem
Start: Fri Dec 15 - 6:00 pm
End: Fri Dec 15 - 7:30 pm
Christmas Holidays
Start: Mon Dec 18
End: Tue Jan 02