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NAHS School News

Patricia Wiseman, NAHS School Reporter

Good week to you all, New Albany! I am sad to say that this is my last time to report the weekly news. I have enjoyed my time for being your NAHS reporter, and I appreciate your feedback and praise these past nine weeks. Your comments mean a lot to me as well as shape me into the writer I hope to be one day!

And now, to the news for the last time…Congratulations to all students who were recognized at the Awards Ceremony last Monday! Your contributions and hard work truly made a difference toward yourselves and the school! Keep up the hard work! I would especially like to mention one special scholarship that was being given that night…It's hard to believe that nearly a year ago, we lost a beloved student---Marshuan Braxton (aka "The Prince of NA.") On June 21, 2009, during a mission trip to Costa Rica, Marshuan lost his life as a huge wave took him, causing him to drown.  In memory of this tragedy, our student body president, Callie Creekmore, planned the Marshuan Braxton Scholarship. Callie, along with the rest of the NAHS Student Council, coordinated events and projects (such as the Tennis Block Party and selling Prince of NA T-shirts) ---raising $1500! This money would be presented to one student of the 2010 Senior Class. In order to receive this scholarship, this student should demonstrate good character and leadership towards both his/her peers as well as the school. The lucky student who received the Marshuan Braxton scholarship on Awards Night was none other than Amanda Frazier. Amanda is an Honor student who is involved in several school activities, such as Anchor Club, Science National Honor Society, National Honor Society, the HUNCH team, and the Krewe of Grenouille. She is ranked the third top student in the 2010 Senior Class. Upon graduation, Amanda plans to attend the University of North Alabama and major in Nursing. Congratulations, Amanda, and may you be successful in all that you do in the future!

The Athletic Banquet last Tuesday was a success! Kudos to Bobby Coltharp and Callie Creekmore who were the recipients of the Bulldog Award---the highest athletic honor that our students could receive.

Also, congratulations to the upcoming Senior Mentors of Camp Freshmen! This year's Senior mentor roster includes: Chantel Shead, Rebekah Joslin, Kayla Condon, Haven Boyd, Adam Coombs, Haley McBryde, Tarver Reeder, Danica Gray, Cody Cissom, Porshe White, Lindsey Powell, Parker Hill, Brittany Ellett, Anna Claire Stokes, Ellen Tarrant, Kaitlyn Cochran, Marbreshia Ticer, Jake Neuhaus, Paige Green, Taylor McCreight, Russell Browning, Tyler Jackson, Jamie Benefield, Micha Washington, Caroline Stroud, and Victoria Clift. Throughout this summer, it is the Senior Mentors' responsibility to go around local business areas and convince people to send monetary donations for Camp Freshmen. All details will be explained during a mandatory Camp Freshmen meeting, which will be on Tuesday, June 15th, at 9:00 a.m. in the Media Center. Camp Freshmen will take place on Tuesday, August 3rd. I would like to say best wishes to this year's Senior Mentors, and I know you all will be great leaders to the incoming freshmen!

NAHS students of the 2010-2011 school year…summer reading assignments can be downloaded from the school website, www.newalbanyschools.us, under the link "2010 Summer Reading Programs." This applies to all English levels (regular, accelerated and gifted).  Be sure to have these summer reading assignments done! Believe me; it will leave a good impression towards your English teachers for the upcoming year!

For those who bought an NAHS DVD from the Journalism Department, orders will be issued throughout exam week. This DVD includes videos that can be viewed on the school website and are created by members of the Maroon and White Journalism Staff.

Graduation will occur the following day at 8:00 p.m. at Kitchen's Field (Middle School gym if raining). Seniors are to report to the cafeteria no later than 7:00. Dress code applies. Please be on time and on your best behavior, seniors! This will mean a lot to Ms. Burchfield, who has spent all year preparing for this special event just for you!

Remember to keep checking our school website, www.nahighschool.com for new videos this summer. The journalism class has been creating lots of movies the last few weeks in order for you to have fresh new videos. Look forward to seeing: “Piñatas”…another day at NA, the history of Kitchens Field, a day in the life of a non-hearing student, the Fine Arts department of NAHS, history of “The Pride of NA”, Frog-a-Nanny 2010, and more. Just last week the student body election speeches were added. Thanks to all who purchased the DVD set, we think you will be really glad you did!

And now, I would like to close this news update with some "Words of Wisdom" to each class:

-Freshmen…no longer will you be the "rookies" of high school next year. You all have made a great start on your high school journey. Continue to study hard (especially in English next year) and with determination and motivation, success is possible in anything you do.

-Sophomores…next year you will be considered as part of the upper-class students. These next two years will be the most memorable times of your high school life. So much lies ahead of you. So make the right choices and you will go far.

-Juniors…your time to shine has come! Keep in mind that senior year will go by quickly, and this may be the last time you will get to spend with some of your high school friends. Make the most of your final year in high school! Have fun, but as always, study hard! 

-Seniors…you have come a long way. A chapter of your lives has ended, but with every ending leads to a new beginning. The past has gone, but the future is now. You have the ability to determine how you are going to live your lives. So continue to chase after your dreams, and remember, God is always on your side. You just have to have faith in Him, and you will be awarded happiness and success.

It has, indeed, been a memorable year. Once again, it has been a pleasure of being your NAHS reporter. It is one of those high school memories that I will cherish after graduation. To everyone whom I became acquainted with for the past few years…thank you for all the memories and making my high school years (especially senior year) an amazing experience! I wish everyone a great and safe summer! God bless!