PICAYUNE —
Picayune Memorial High School biology students in Coach Kristi Mitchell’s class were rewarded last week for a full year of hard work by being taken to a local snowball shop during class time.
“These students have shown up all year and put forth great effort in my class. I want them to know that it’s ok to work hard and reward yourself at the end of it,” says Mitchell.
She says her third period class had almost perfect attendance throughout the year and of this she is particularly proud.
When asked, the third period students have plenty to say about why they show up and work so hard in class.
“I come to school because one day I want to be something in life,” says Xavier Haralson. “In order to accomplish my goals, I have to get my education. In the long run, my attendance will pay off and help me succeed in in taking care of a family and anything else that I want to do.”
Sarah Dawsey says, “I would like to prepare myself for my future ... and attendance is part of that preparation. It never hurts to practice.”
Anna Breland and Taylor Stuart agree with Dawsey.
“I have goals in life and I know I have to have an education to accomplish them,” says Breeland.
The class particularly enjoys the hands-on activities in the labs. They also appreciate that this is one class where they are not cramming notes, they are moving around and learning through participation in activities. They also credit their teacher for making it fun to learn.
Mitchell says, “A lot of times they will ask me, ‘Why do we need to know about covalent ionic bonding?’ I will tell them, I don’t know. We may never understand why, but the thought process we go through to answer a question about it on a test will be the same thought process we go through to answer other questions in life. It is a process and it helps when you show up for class.”
There are many factors that play into a student’s attendance. Some enjoy socializing and others know it is an important part of extra-curricular activities. Mitchell says the third period class is full of athletes, band members, drama members, NJROTC members and dancing.
“It seems to help attendance when a student is actively involved in other school activities,” she says. Many comments from the students confirm Mitchell’s theory.
Band student, Stephon Lee, says, “I come to school because of the love of music. Music just drives me.”
Kimberly Penton says, “I come to school to see my friends and to get an education.”
Brandon Rouse says, “I come to school for football and since I am going to have be something someday, I might as well start trying now.”
Other students, such as Richard Ducre, show up just for the love of the subject. He says, “Science has always been a favorite subject of mine, which is one reason why I am always here for class.”
Assistant teacher, Wendy Bracey, says, “I am honored to be part of their learning process. We have an amazing group of students here and they are committed to the learning process. It is a joy to come to work.”
Features
Related Photos
-
Students in Coach Kristi Mitchell’s biology class were rewarded for their hard work throughout the year and also celebrated the end of state testing by getting snowballs during their biology class time last week. photo submitted
Hard work gets rewarded for Picayune High biology students
- Features
-
-
City and PRC school work together for flower power
The City of Picayune began a partnership with Pearl River Central High School this past year in a pilot program to supply its own flowers and greenery for flower beds throughout the city. The program, which has been in the works for two years, became a reality as plants were put in the ground in the median area by Exit 6 on Mississippi Highway 43.
-
Miller partners with sponsor for Myasthenia Gravis Awareness Month
In a press release, MasterChef Season One winner and cookbook author Whitney Miller announced she is partnering in her Myasthenia Gravis (MG) fundraising campaign with a national sponsor for the month of June.
- Vocability Words can set a tone for a situation, alter someone’s perception of an individual or group — in short, there is power in them. The Bible cautions, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue...” — Proverbs in 18:21, ASB. With that in mind, I will be focusing on words, some recently used and some obscure, to test the readers and build on what you already know. There will be theme weeks, for instance next week will focus on words involving wine — for no particular reason! So try your vocabulary skills with the following and see how you score. I’m always open to suggestions for material.
-
Precautions for pet evacuation during natural disasters: Part 1
June is the official start of Hurricane Season. Many people have more than human family members to consider as they make their preparations, they have pet family members also. Maria Diamond of the Picayune Animal Shelter which rescues cats and dogs along with RedRover.org Communications Manager Leili Khalessi have recommendations for pet owners of all types.
-
Beginning: Delayed by deployment
Family and loved ones greeted their soldiers at the National Guard Armory in Picayune on Friday as the guardsmen returned from a year-long deployment to Afghanistan. Among those in the crowd were three women holding babies whose husbands had not yet held them because they were deployed.
-
Phares to fill Tufaro’s position
Carol Phares has been selected as the new head librarian for the Pearl River County Library System by the board of Margaret Read Crosby Memorial Library. She also will be head librarian of the Crosby Memorial Library in Picayune. These two libraries make up the Pearl River County System
-
southern gardening
Every spring the home gardener is bombarded with new and improved petunias for the garden and landscape, making it hard to decide which to bring home from the garden center. In my opinion, you simply can’t go wrong selecting any of the Supertunias.
-
arboretum paths
Spring is now in full swing at the Crosby Arboretum, and the show is well on its way toward a crescendo. The blooms of native purple Iris can be seen along the edge of the Piney Woods pond, pink “honeysuckle” azalea is flowering near the Pinecote Pavilion, and the yellow blooms of the pitcher plants — called “buttercups” by local residents — are beginning to carpet the south Savanna Exhibit.
-
USM set to host Children’s Book Festival
One of the most anticipated events celebrating children’s literature, the Fay B. Kaigler Children’s Book Festival at The University of Southern Mississippi, will be held April 10-12 at the Thad Cochran Center on the Hattiesburg campus.
-
Amber Bounds breaks six-year-old state swimming record
The Southern MS Aquatic Club (Mantarays) participated in the Santa’s Best Swim Invitational in Biloxi Nov. 30-Dec. 2. The Mantarays finished 6th out of 22 teams competing from LA, AL, FL, and MS.
- More Features Headlines
-
Hoffa Mystery Still Fascinates After 4 Decades
Raw: 1 Dead in Shooting at Mo. Apartment Complex
Raw: Huge Fire Near Yosemite National Park
Raw: Obama Arrives in Berlin
3 Charged in Ohio With Enslaving Mom, Daughter
Obama Seeks G-8 Support on Syria
Raw: Volcano Erupts Near Mexico City
Kid Couture: Spending Big Bucks on Babies
Suicide Bombs Target Baghdad Mosque, Killing 29
Military Plans to Put Women in Combat Jobs
Solar Power Chargers in NYC Parks
Civil Rights Groups Sue NYPD Over Muslim Spying
Raw: First Lady, Daughters Enjoy Irish Sights
RAW: NSA Director Says 50 Plots Foiled
Boeing, Airbus Battle for Sales Supremacy
