* Tommie Dillon’s fourth-sixth-graders are celebrating academic Spirit Week by dressing according to different themes in preparation for Thursday’s Fall Festival.

* Glenda Dixon’s preschoolers and Debra Clanton’s kindergartners are inaugurating the school’s “practical life” classroom, which includes a farming center and an indoor garden. Students in Lois Christian’s first-third grade and Lauren Auttonberry’s seventh-ninth grade prepared and planted the school’s fall garden. All classes planted bulbs around the school grounds. 

Beechwood

* Sgt. Roger Ashley, parent volunteer, spoke to Ann Haden’s GATES students about his experiences in Iraq. He demonstrated Army gear and presented a slide show. Deputy Lloyd Autrey also spoke to the class about law enforcement responsibilities and demonstrated homemade popcorn.

* Wendy Smith’s students illustrated “conversations” with whales.

* The faculty and staff had 100 percent participation in the United Way campaign fund drive.

* Ann Haden’s GATES students celebrated National School Lunch Week with a tasting tea, sampling various dishes brought in by students.

Bovina

* Distributed at the honor roll assembly were 71 All-A awards and 97 A/B awards.

* Sixth-grade students of Paige Pratt and Torri Shelton who auditioned for the MMEA All-State honor choir at Mississippi College were Dennis Lewis, Zaria Gibson, Victoria Fothergill, Leah Eldridge and Logan McVan.

• Fifth-grade students of Dixie Henry and Fern Strahan performed “Mighty United,” a patriotic musical under the direction of Jennifer Tillotson, for the student body and the P.T.O.

* Students in grades 2, 4 and 6 attended “Mississippi Sings” at Thalia Mara Hall.

* Caught Being Good recipients were Jaylin Bohanon, Treylan Brooks, Blake Bullock, Dominique Chambliss, Austin Daffron, Marcus Ford, Austin Holman, Zachary Hulett, Hunter Lee, Miriam Rimmey, Axel Santos, Riley Tatum, Colby Walker, Synthia Goodson, Brandon Heggins, Dustin Knorr, Jessica Williams and Jaden Wilson. 

* Wal-Mart donated $1,000 to the Bovina P.T.O.

Bowmar

* Pledge captains for the week were fourth-graders Natalie McMillin, Camille Goodwin, Victoria Winters, John Wilkinson and Lylen Fisher. Fourth-graders Emilee Latham, Andrew Hurt and Cordale Katzenmeyer assisted with kindergarten art classes.

* Accelerated Reader Classes for the Week were Susan Mims’ second grade and Ethel Scott’s fourth grade. Top readers were as follows: first grade — Anthony Njiti, Brandon Buxton, Tommy Martin, Simran Patel and Makayla Walker; second grade — Allie Hilderbrand, Drew Jackson, P.J. Mims, Addie Beth Hale, Lee Fortner and Maggie Davis; third grade — Beth Fortner, Mia Wamsley and Mary Ranager; fourth grade — Amber Chase, Sarah Chipley, Kasey Brooks, Trevor Talbot, Mason Boyd and Walter Boyd; fifth grade — Katie Martin, Dominique Varnado, Olivia Oakes, Vidal Thuha, Todd Heusinger, Chandler Dare, Brooks Boolos, Madison Kendall and Allison Nunnelee; and sixth grade — Blake Parmegiani, Nathan Fox, Amy Dixon, Tyler Tunnell, Tyler Smith, Avery Lynn Liddell, Jordan Patterson, Jamayra James and Avery Parman. Those meeting library semester goals were Lee Fortner, Walt Hopson, Christian Oakes, Haley Steed, Alex Velazquez and Chandler Upshaw. The school’s annual storybook parade will begin at 8:30 a.m. Friday.

* Students recognized as Kelso Kids for conflict resolution were Macy Watts, Elaina Delgado, Ethan Hurt, Zoe Jennings, Barrett Joseph, Lauren Butler, Brandon Steed, Aareauna Stamps, Lauren McMillian, Destiny Davis, Jagger Jones, Madison Embry, Joshua Jones, Michael Waites, Kelsey Lockridge, Justyn Griffin, Alaya Burns, Tameya Tinsley, Greyson Parman, Stuhr Outlaw, Simran Patel, Steed Springfield, Tommy Martin, J’Meiha Allen and Khyrean Jones.

* Parent volunteers for the week were Teresa Brooks, Lula Butler, Polly Smith, Kathy Tanner, Carly Davis, Stacey Ferguson, Karen Fortner, Christie Hale, Valerie Harmon, Pam Parman, Wanda Riles, Brandy Stinson, Bonita Abraham, Anitra Wilson, LaToya Lumpkin, Amy Wilkes, Holly Chewning, Kellye Carlisle and Todd Boolos.

* After a unit on lemons, Magen Westcott’s second-graders donated $52 to the United Way from their lemonade stand sales. Second-grade GATES classes have dinosaur dioramas on display. Susan Mims’ second-graders celebrated Accelerated Reader points with a brownie party.

Dana Road

* Top Accelerated Readers for the week were Jarvis Armstrong, Charles Bagshaw, Jordan Davis, Arcaisha Drayton, William Gatewood, Sara Hasty, Jamesha Jackson, Toni Jackson, Teairra Manzano, Lauren Morgan, Nathan Mosley, Makayla Parson, Sativia Pinkins, Chandler Stanchfield, Asiah Thompson, Jeanna Williamson, Christopher Douglas, Jon Erekson, Darrion Howard, Kamesha Jackson, Tristen Martin, Makayla Moore, Rickera Atkins, LaCaris Johnson, Kiara Jones and Alexander Lawson.

* AmeriCorps team members participated in Make a Difference Day by volunteering at The Initiative.

* Yearbooks are on sale for $20 through Nov. 21.

* LaSandra Davis donated red ribbons and MADD logos to Stacy Chambers’ second-graders.

First Presbyterian

* Kindergartners are observing and documenting the behavior of colony ants, mapping daily tunnel changes as part of a NASA study.

* Mitchell Marsh shared his turtle with prekindergartners. Students created their own turtles and habitats as a craft activity. Erin Lawson provided a haunted castle candy kit for the class. Shannon Bell’s pre-kindergarten students made a voting booth and held elections for favorite books and songs after a study of citizenship.

* Lynnette Smith’s 3-year-olds created family collages and fish aquariums as part of a study of the letter F. Kayleigh Landers taught the students a song about the months. Madi Matthews was named Student of the Week.

* After a study of fall and Halloween, Kari Dupree’s 1-year-olds made pumpkin mobiles and ghost footprints.

* Two-year-olds made pumpkin people, ghost footprints and handprint bats after a study of Halloween.

Jacob’s Ladder

* Students shopped at Wal-Mart Super Center for groceries from menus they made.

* Melissa Stewart, parent volunteer, assisted students and ate lunch with them.

* Cheryl Grogan donated KFC chicken and biscuits for lunch and First Presbyterian Church donated stew and rolls.

* Donna Osburn organized a Social Security meeting for parents for information on wage earning, income, Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid services.

* Parkway Properties employees Lara Biggers, Robin Schnoor, Lisa Chesney and Angie Crawford held a service day with students. Activities included a Coca-Cola Museum tour, pumpkin carving, cooking Halloween cupcakes and eating pizza. They also sampled pig roasted by John Brooks.

Porters Chapel

* Top Accelerated Reader for the week was Josh Arias. Top class was the kindergarten. Top readers by grade were as follows: K5 — Bailey Andrews, Gunner Hutchins, Amberlyn Kelley, Landon Kraemer, Jaylen Patel, Brianna Poole, Katelyn Reuter, Morgan Smith and Audrey Woodruff; first grade — Hailie Braswell, Nathan Bullock, Faith Burgess, Gracie Burgess, Hannah Embry, Brittnee Martin and Joshua Smith; second grade — Jake Arias, Bradley Collins, Abbie Dees, Caitlyn Denley, Molly Smith and Kristen Spell; third grade — Josh Arias, Crosby Dotson, Sabrina Embry and Mei-Ling Fredrickson; fourth grade — Cody Bryant, Amanda Carney, Ryan Collins, Spenser Davis, Storey Douglas, Annie Reuter and Rebekah Rogers; fifth grade — Booth Buys, Cole Davenport, Bailie Dees, Kailee Edwards, Bryce Fleming, Miranda Jackson, Emily Kolb, Austin Kraemer, Kyle Learned, Anna Masterson, Austin Muirhead, Brandon Muirhead, Griffin Nunelee, Nicholas Stump and Trey Wright; and sixth grade — Samantha Hawn, Zachary Holdiness, Savannah King, Zachary Morgan, Logan Pickering, Rachel Ross and Taylor Rushing.

* The Snake and Reptile Man spoke to elementary and high school students about the importance of snakes in our ecosystem and the danger of releasing unwanted pets that are not native to our area.

* David Parnell, a former crystal methamphetamine user, spoke to junior high and high school students about the drug’s dangers.

* Suzanne Latham’s first-graders will receive a cookie party for being top fundraiser sellers.

Redwood

* Pledge leaders for the week were Bailey Arnold, Marissa Brown, Morgan Caruthers, Chance Curtis, Jonathan Taylor, Chloe Moses, Taylor Coats, Lawrence Jackson, Nick Carter and E’Yanna Butler.

* Charles Hanks, principal, spoke about idioms in Kathryn Hullum’s fifth-grade class.

* Darlene Taylor’s third-graders carved pumpkins and Belinda Watkins’ third-graders painted pumpkins to conclude a unit on pumpkins. Watkins’ students also made noodle skeletons after a study of the skeletal system.

* Ken Hall shared pumpkins and gourds grown in his garden with Misty Hossley’s first-graders. The students were also treated to a sundae party for reaching their Accelerated Reader goal. Maddie Watkins and Josh Hallberg were top readers.

* Dr. Eddie Boleware, parent volunteer, presented a slide program to fourth-graders about the digestive system.

Sherman Avenue

* Heather Williams’ students who were crowned “Math Royalty” for completing the math marathon were Natalie Clanton, Kristofer Clark, Adison Hearn, Charlie James, ShiAndrea Shelly, Danielle Shoops, Carley Smith and Kené Smith.

South Park

* Beverly White’s GATES students in grades 3-5 toured the Mississippi River and Yazoo Diversion Canal as part of a study of the river, Native Americans and the Civil War. They also visited the Vicksburg Riverfront Murals. Volunteers Summer Moseley, Amy Sessions, Rene Irons, Laura Fulghum, Erin Buckner, Joy Tousant and Rena Edleston served as chaperones.

* Parent volunteers Stacy Truesdell, Tina Waldrep and Susan Trest assisted with projects in Susan McKinnie’s kindergarten.

* Sgt. Chad Stout from the Air Force and Lance Cpl. Joseph Clemts from the Marines demonstrated proper flag procedures and meanings to flag helpers Henry Johnson, Terry Brooks, Quandarius Armstrong and Romeo Carter.

* Students who met Accelerated Reader goals for the first nine weeks were third-graders Jason Benard, James Carpenter, Leslie Carter, LaBrone Chapman, Austin Cheslek, Ke’harvey Gary, Michelle Haggan, Colton Jamison, Darieus Jones, Savannah Kennedy, Pleasure King, Daniel Lewis, Fabien Lovett, Jacob Mergner, Brittney Palmer, Kimberly Presson, Payton Price, Nathan Rowell, Kyley Ryals, Kevin Stampley, Lexi Stewart, Raven Thompson, Jesslynn Wicker, Jewel Williams, Kenneth Barrentine, Kimberlyn Christian and Dalton Daffron and fourth-graders Parker Demeranville, Aaliyah James, Bethany Martin, Quamysia McNair, Joshua Penalver, Raegan Sikes, LaNitra Walker, Madeleine Gaul, Ja’la Tousant, Channing Curtis, Kenzie Irons, Tyler Kimble, Jamesha Montgomery and Amy Smith.

* Accelerated Reader Super Stars for the nine weeks were second-graders John Beck, Emily Bishop, Enina Brisco, Maylea Haggard, Hannah Huskey, Claire Jamison, David Jones, Alyshia Moore, Benjamin Plummer, Rheagan Smith, Montarvis Stubbs, Corneisha Thomas, Abby Truesdell, David White, Joshua White, Andrea Williams, Julian Hunt, Jalen Love, Kianna Stubbs, Dalton Clack, Kenneth Fuller, George Gaskin and Laura Logue; third-graders Zachary Davis, Dalton Day, DeAvion Galtney, Jeremiah Gardner, Deharvey Gary, Benjamin Hawthorne, Jasmine Jefferson, Daniel Jennings, Michael Jones, Anna Lance, Ja’Quien Montgomery, Tyler Morgan, Arvin Nuguid, Antonio Peoples, Miranda Reichenbach, Summer Rigney, Frances Shelton, Leon Simms, Tierra Stewart, Tyre Washington, Johnathan Wilkinson, Luke Wilson, Cameron Yocum, Kendrick Burks and Marlaysia Tucker; fifth-graders Zachary Coomes, Demichael Harris, Alexander Newell, Carley Pitzer, Marlee Stewart, Keymontez White, Ashley Winstead, Brian Cassidy, Bill Cohen, Madison McCool, Shelby Muirhead, Eugeiya Shulga, Kiera Thomas and Tyler Truebel; sixth-graders Carrol Damion, Ke’Aubrey Clark, Deyannah Flowers, Keithen Hargo, Will Martin, Roosevelt Patterson, Hunter Screws, Jamaal Shelton, Kayleigh Thorpe, Ama Arkorful, LaDaurius Butler, Adrielle Green, Chelsea Jefferson, Austin Neihaus, Alexis Thompson, Morgan Trest, Adrianne White, Taylor Anderson, Romeo Carter, Erica Darden, Austin East, Henry Johnson, Andrew Lanier, Alexis Oliver, Kira Smith and Ja’Khalah Williams.

Travelers Rest

* Claudia Donerson’s first-graders made clown faces and acorn men as an art activity. They are also using a word wall to identify blends.

* Annie Brown’s fifth- and sixth-grade students have raised reading comprehension levels to the highest standard.

* P.T.O. will meet at 6 p.m. Monday.

* Second six-weeks exams for grades 1-6 will be Monday – Nov. 7.

Vicksburg Catholic

* Kindergarten students of Zena Phillips and Janie Hollowell celebrated Grandparents Day with a luncheon. Parent volunteers Meta Abraham, Lori Burke, Bethany Easterling, Tiffany Walker and Greg Warnock assisted.

* As part of a study of the letter M, kindergarten students of Lori Tzotzolas and Denise Sweeney graphed, measured and made muffins after reading “If You Give a Moose a Muffin.” Parent volunteers Nalini Torres and Carlos Latorre served as guest readers.

* Winners of the Sally Foster gift wrap sale were Brenda Kalusche’s third grade, first place and recipient of a pizza and movie party; Debbie Slawson’s first grade, second place and recipient of a sundae party; and Kristy Ehrgott’s fifth grade, third place and recipient of a Popsicle party.

Vicksburg High

* Dr. Jack Killgore spoke to the Mississippi River class about aquatic life in the river.

* Henry Dulaney and Shirley Smith were recognized as Outstanding Corps Employee Volunteers as part of the Adopt-a-School program. They received certificates during a ceremony at the football game vs. Pearl High School.

* “Gators Haunt the Swamp” Homecoming will be Friday; dance will be 10 p.m.-1 a.m. at Vicksburg City Auditorium. Semi-formal dress is required.

* Scholarships available to seniors include the Deltapine Monsanto Imagine $1,000 scholarship, applicants must write a 500-word essay on My Future in Cotton by Dec. 7; Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation, deadline to apply is Friday; Ron Brown Scholar Program, deadline to apply is Saturday; National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, applicants must write a Christopher Columbus essay; Elks National Foundation, applications due Jan. 6; and KFC Colonel’s Scholars, applications available Dec. 1-Feb. 10. See counselor for more information on all available scholarships.

Vicksburg Intermediate

* Pledge leaders for the week were LaSabria Walsh, Antonio Brown, Donyea Lyons, Joseph Bowles and Nicholas Murray.

* Students on slots 19 and 21 were treated to Breakfast on the Bus for good behavior, along with drivers Jennifer Fuson and Shelia Friley and bus monitors Denise Hluska and Heather Phelps.

* Grade competition leaders are as follows: fifth grade, first place; fourth grade, second place; third grade, third place; and sixth grade, fourth place. Students participated in Red Ribbon Week “Elect to Be Drug Free” activities.

* After reading “The Garden of Happiness,” the all-boys class of Chloe Thames planted flowers outside their classroom and made flowers for a mural. Fourth-grade classes of Thames, Tee Tee Braxton, Leslie Davenport and Lina Williams visited the Sweet Olive river tour boat as part of a field trip sponsored by the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality.

* Top Accelerated Readers for the week were Amira Alexander, Akia Brown, Ronnie Dee, Akeyiah Jones, Dillion Nevels, Megan Rigby, Stephanie Roach, Nicholas Roberts, Kirsten Silverthorne, Jadyn Stone, Katlynn Burleigh, Troy Jarrett, Cortez Hardy, Marquise Lush, Keven Neal and Darrius Williams.

Vicksburg Junior High

* Fall dance will be 7-9 p.m. Saturday in the gym. Call the school office, 601-636-1966, for more information.

* Top 10 Accelerated Readers for September were Emily Bakovic, Jeremy Weathers, Morgan Ainsworth, Coleman Boyd, Julianne Ranis, Rachel Lynch, Ada White, Timothy Guin, Hollie Johnson and Roya Jackson.

Warren Central High

* Elected as Key Club officers were LaKierra Brown, president; Trina Lloyd, vice president; Sophia Vollor, secretary; C’Era Craft, recorder; and OunJaniese Roper, Miss Key Club. Sponsors are First Sgt. Noland Smith and Erica Taylor.

* Life skills students are recycling ink cartridges and cell phones.

* Veterans Day program and breakfast for area veterans will be at 8 a.m. Nov. 11 in the gym. All veterans welcome; call the school office to RSVP.

* Names of students who have perfect attendance for October and November will be entered in a drawing for a WII system.

Warren Central Intermediate

* Parent volunteer Karen Boyd provided a Friday surprise for Zenobia Harris’ class.

* Community volunteer Joyce Johnson and parent volunteer Wanda Woodruff painted faces at the school’s Fall Festival.

* Students attended the Mississippi Sings concert at Thalia Mara Hall in Jackson.

* Fifth- and sixth-graders attended a voting rally where sixth-graders Marquis Smith and Gage Quimby represented Barack Obama and John McCain. They also participated in a Promote the Vote mock election. On election day, Tuesday, students will wear red, white or blue shirts and the cafeteria will serve red, white and blue desserts.

* Students are celebrating Red Ribbon Week with various themes each day, including Crazy Sock Day, Hats Off to Drugs Day, Favorite Jersey Day and Backwards Red Shirt Day. Judging for the $25 door contest will be Thursday; winner will be announced Friday.

Warren Central Junior High

* Seventh-grade students recognized as Viking Victors for positive behavior and work ethic were Sydney Albritton, Blake Boleware, Christopher Bontje, Jazmine Chambers, Steven Channell, William Combs, Gray Cordes, Amy Cuthell, Zakiyah Davis, Jonikqua Dillon, D’Armani Douglas, Jamie Gaskin, Caitlyn Graham, Jacob Greer, Alex Griffin, Brittany Griffin, Sophia Gutierrez, Cody Haggard, Kimberly Harrison, Joshua Hood, Megan Houston, Julie Jackson, Mason Jarabica, Jeremy Johnson, Ryan Kelly, Sam Kirk, Cory Martin, Cameron McClain, Taylor McClain, Polly McGee, Mattea Mobley, Taylor Pace, Destiny Parker, Kristen Pennington, Danielle Proctor, Breanda Reed, Rachel Rhett, Baxter Richardson, Zach Ross, Alex Shoemaker, Jasmine Sims, Nathan Smart, Austin Tello, Cheyenne Terry, Halle Thompson, Jordan Tucker, Abigail Walters, JaMesha Watkins and Sarah Young.

* Student Council is sponsoring a canned food drive. Each homeroom is competing to collect the most cans.

* Good Behavior Committee members sponsored an assembly Thursday that included skits presented by teachers on proper school behavior.

* Debbie Brumitt discussed drug-free behavior with seventh-grade career discovery classes.

* Full-color, hardback yearbooks are on sale for $30.

Warrenton

* Kat Hilderbrand’s fifth- and sixth-grade GATES students have created Washington, D.C., landmark booklets. Third- and fourth-grade GATES students created fossils as part of a study of dinosaurs. Helen Wright’s GATES students created mobiles.

* Right on Target winners for the week were as follows: kindergarten — Kentrez Bershell, nice to a new student; first grade — Shedarian Bell, remembering manners; second grade — Danielle Phelps, hallway manners; third grade — Taylor Johnson, following directions; fourth grade — Chance Williams, hanging in; fifth grade — DeeDee Guillen, working quietly; and sixth grade — Ezequiel Ybarra, following directions.

* Classes with top attendance for the week were Debbie Tate’s kindergarten, Charisse Brown’s first grade, Tammy Taylor’s second grade, Katie Emfinger’s third grade, Rebecca Hughes’ fourth grade, Monica Wilson’s fifth grade and Velma Wince’s sixth grade. Emfinger’s class received chips and ice cream for being the schoolwide winner.

* Top Accelerated Readers for the week were as follows: first grade — John Michael Wilkerson, Erickah Tucker, Najee Carter, RoDaecia Lindsey, Krisie Tillett and Lane Tucker; second grade — Deon’tree Smith, De’Corius Barnes, Keemya Welch, Ethan Ferguson and Dasmyne Fisher; third grade — Austin Lynch, Robert Friley, Demetria Harris, Britasia Burks and Lucas Damas; fourth grade — Tyron Carter, Kiarra Lyons, Desmond Fisher, Katie Coody and Taylor Shiers; fifth grade — Timothy Jackson, Darius Tucker, Markitta Reed-Hunter, Elishia Howard and Kishona Flowers; and sixth grade — Taylor Jackson, Ashlea Flowers, Adrian Nelson, De’Arimus Smith, Tiera Ellis, Merfat Salem, Tinikia Moore and Latoya Williams.

* The school’s 40th anniversary celebration, coordinated by Rose Mary Palermo and Dianne Wilder, featured a massive cake in the shape of the school made by Joy Thomas. Additional activities included a door decorating contest, art contest and writing contest. Door winners were as follows: Debbie Tate, first place; Dru Holdiness, second place; and Pam Jennings, third place. Art winners were as follows: kindergarten — Lonell Earl, first place; A’niyah Hughes, second place; and McKenna Elder, third place; first grade — Brandon Emery, first place; Cory Abney, second place; and Ashanti Hardin, third place; second grade — Andre Ranis, first place; Tyger Williamson, second place; and De’Corius Barnes, third place; and third grade — Jon Bantugan, first place; Hallie Lewis, second place; and Faye Valerio, third place. Writing contest winners were as follows: fourth grade — Taevion Doss, first place; Brittany Cooper, second place; and Destiny Trahan, third place; fifth grade — Jasmine East, first place; Kaitlyn Hunt, second place; and  Justin Mann and Alyssa Pugh, third place; and sixth grade — DeArimus Smith, first place; and Brooke Rigsby, second place.