Family and educators recognized the 8th grade class today (May 18) at DeKalb West School. Students were honored for a variety of achievements.

Named to the Principal’s All A Honor were Abby Joe Crook, Autumn Dies, Izzy Hendrixson, Johnathan Keith, McKenna Miller, Landon Roehner, Caitlin Shoemake, Cameron Stanley, and Connor Talley. Three students made the A/B Honor Roll: Ethan Reynolds, Chaylea Lunsford, and Alex Vaughn.  Students who had the highest grade point average for their middle school days in 6th-8th grade were Autumn Dies with a 3.810, McKenna Miller and Connor Talley each with a 3.744, Izzy Hendrixson with a 3.725, and Jonathan Keith with a 3.656.

Homeroom teachers Karen France and Mollie Bratten handed recognized students with academic awards. Carter Vickers, Autumn Dies, and Alex Vaughn received the ELA award, Johnathan Keith was honored with the Algebra I award, Izzy Hendrixson, Alayzia Ray, and Ethan Reynolds were tops in Math, Connor Talley and Autumn Dies picked up the History award, Johnathan Keith, McKenna Miller, Caleb Tipton, and Alex Vaughn received the Science award.

Teachers also recognized students with the Making Tracks Award for the Most Improved which went to Baylee Dunn and Kaleb Gomez. The teacher award, “4 PAWS” was presented to Connor Talley from Mrs. Bratten’s homeroom and Peyton Key from Mrs. France’s homeroom.  The Mrs. Georgia Young Award in memory of the late longtime DWS Cafeteria Manager was presented to Cole Bain.

Peers selected classmates for the Citizenship Awards. Out of Mrs. Bratten’s homeroom, Justin Checchi and Caitlin Shoemake took home the honor and from Mrs. France’s homeroom, Ethan Reynolds and Abby Joe Crook were honored.

Jr. Beta 8th grade students were recognized for their service to the club. Abby Joe Crook volunteered 52.5 hours, Korbin Hill 30 hours, McKenna Miller 29.5 hours, Cailtin Shoemake 20.75 hours, and Landon Roehner 11 hours.

Librarian Mrs.Amanda Mullinax presented awards for the school’s Accelerated Reader program. Abby Joe Crook, Chaylea Lunsford, and Connor Talley were the Top Readers for the grade, Shoemake and Talley earned the 1,000 points plaque while Crook picked up the 800 Points plaque. Autumn Dies, Izzy Hendrixson, and Chaylea Lunsford earned the 600 Points award, Autumn Dies, Ethan Reynolds, and Kolby Slager the 500 Points award, Cole Bain, McKenna Miller, and Carter Vickers the 400 Points award, Danica Collier, Korbin Hill, and Peyton Key the 300 Points award, Korbin Hill and Nick Maddox the 200 Points award and Angelique Barrick and Alex Vaughn the 100 Points award.

Here are the members of the 2022 DWS 8th grade class: From Karen Frances’s homeroom—Angelique Barrick, Will Bouldin, Abby Joe Crook, Autumn Dies, Kaleb Gomez, Jadyn Howard, Cierra Jennings, Peyton Key, McKenna Miller, Elijah Mullins, Alayzia Ray, Ethan Reynolds, Arianna Sparkman, Cameron Stanley, Caleb Tipton, Alex Vaughn, and Isaiah Whitlock; From Mollie Bratten’s homeroom: Cole Bain, Justin Checchi, Danica Collier, Baylee Dunn, Izzy Hendrixson, Korbin Hill, Johnathan Keith, Chaylea Lunsford, Nick Maddox, Nick Murphy, Landon Roehner, Caitlin Shoemake, Dixie Smith, Kolby Slager, Connor Talley, Hunner Tittle, and Carter Vickers.