Hometown Brandon - Summer 2015

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The CHALKBOARD brandon high school What does it mean to be a Brandon High School Bulldog? The answer to this question might seem as if it would lead to typical responses used for many high schools in America—school spirit, sports and clubs, education. All of this is true for BHS, but trust me; after teaching in three states, and after putting down roots for the past fifteen years in Brandon, Mississippi, the answer to my question is much more than your average cliché. Within the first few weeks of my first year at BHS, I knew I was in the presence of a place that was special. Somehow, in my first year at BHS, I was asked to assist our yearbook sponsor as one of my assignments. Having been editor of my own senior yearbook when I was in high school, I thought I knew the environment I would be a part of. You can imagine my complete surprise, then, when I entered yearbook block and found myself in the middle of a command center. The sponsor spoke with authority, but she was not lecturing. Rather, she was facilitating a business meeting of sorts where students, were doling out tasks and assignments and responsibilities that went far beyond what your average seventeen or eighteen year old student would normally be in charge of. As time went on, I saw this group of young people gradually accept the mantle of facilitation of making this K-12, 300 plus page yearbook a reality. They became journalists, photographers, business managers, managers of people and resources—not just in name only, but in reality. What a joy it was to watch as the high level of expectations was met time and time again. These young people had purpose, and they had an end goal with high stakes that they accomplished with great pride. This was not just a one-time occurrence. I have had the privilege of watching it happen each year for the past fifteen years and have even seen its impact on my own children’s lives. Watching students choose to sacrifice and to have a heart for others through acts of community service is yet another place where I have watched our students thrive. Clubs have long offered service opportunities to their members, but I have watched a sort of transformation take place in that students and groups of students have embraced having a heart to help others and have begun to initiate service opportunities in several different ways. Where else do you see high school students who have planned, advertised, and carried out efforts to raise $5,000 to grant a wish through the Make a Wish Foundation or raised the $2,500 to package 10,000 meals to feed the hungry through Stop Hunger Now or carried out a school supply and backpack drive to help Guatemalan young people have what they need to receive an education? While all of these examples were supported through a club or an organization at BHS, the difference is that sponsors/teachers set the expectations for students to participate in acts of service as we understand the need to develop citizens who care and respond to the needs of our community and our world, but the students chose to exceed our expectations and to lead the charge in searching for opportunities to lead and to expand their understanding of what it means to be a citizen of the world. The really neat thing, though, is that these examples are only a couple of the vast number of opportunities offered where students are challenged to accept great responsibility and develop life skills at BHS. The magic of this place, then, seems to lie in a combination of factors including teachers who are innovators and leaders within their own content areas and who understand the value in creating student-centered experiences with real-world relevance, an administration that values supporting teachers in continuing to grow and to try new things always with the best interest of students in mind, and students who thrive in an atmosphere of challenge to find and develop their talents. Many high schools can attest to having one or maybe even two rare pockets in their schools where this is the case; however, the presence of all of these people and opportunities channeled toward a similar vision has created a community and a culture that I have had the distinct pleasure to become immersed in for these past fifteen years. I would even venture to say that this unique family that is BHS has greatly influenced who I am as an educator and as a person and has allowed me to have professional opportunities that have led me to take on a new adventure in my career as a literacy coach throughout the district beginning in the fall. This tradition of allowing BHS students and teachers alike, even expecting them, to seize opportunities to lead and to learn far beyond the traditional classroom truly sets BHS apart. How fortunate I am to have been a part of Brandon High School’s legacy. In the words of Winnie the Pooh, “How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.” Sheri Blankenship 64 • Summer 2015
The CHALKBOARD Brandon elementary school Field Day On April 23rd, Brandon Elementary hosted a field day for K-8th grade special needs students in the Brandon zone. Nikki Jorden, Brandon Elementary School teacher of students with significant cognitive disabilities at Brandon Elementary, was the coordinator of this year’s event. Jordan states, “I believe that the Rankin County School District and Brandon community have an infinite supply of diverse talents and resources that can partner to help promote the success of our students with special needs.” Jordan enlisted the help of Brandon Elementary School counselors Breckin Harper and Margaret Hollifield, and PTO President Ashley Moss, to plan the details of this special day. Many community volunteers, Brandon Elementary School HALO (Helping and Leading Others) Team and Brandon Middle School BETA Club all pitched in to make this day a success. The children were able to participate in many fun activities including face painting by Sherry Burdsal (Fancy Faces), a building project set up by the Home Depot, space jumps, zoo mobile, and field day games. McAlister’s and Kroger provided a lunch for participants. Plans are already underway for next year’s event. Hometown Brandon • 65
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volume 2 number 3 Summer 2015 Dual
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Whether your dental needs include a
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Publisher & Editor Tahya Dobbs CFO
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teaching career to raise their fami
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Hometown Brandon congratulates Kevi
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Dual Servanthood Camille Anding On
Page 13 and 14: BRANDON Growing Up in the Best Smal
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Page 19 and 20: Brandon Discount Drugs Waymon Tigre
Page 21 and 22: strange peace came over me that the
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Page 25 and 26: H o m e t o w n L o v e brandon Ter
Page 27 and 28: Hearing Hearts with their Camille A
Page 31 and 32: A Community of Faith called to love
Page 37 and 38: BRANDon's finest Chase Beemon brand
Page 39 and 40: 90 is the new 60 Age is just a numb
Page 41 and 42: “I don’t feel like I’m 90. In
Page 45 and 46: Beth went together. Along the way,
Page 47 and 48: Airman Hack Walston Lt. Cdr. Scott
Page 49 and 50: Growing to meet our community’s n
Page 51 and 52: I love Brandon because of all the d
Page 53 and 54: Proclamation (L-R) Lynn Williams, C
Page 55 and 56: Crestview memorial gardens • 24-M
Page 57 and 58: Would you like your child to “Jou
Page 59 and 60: Join us for food, fun, and learning
Page 61 and 62: “Journey off the Map-Unknown to U
Page 63: The CHALKBOARD stonebridge Elementa
Page 67 and 68: CELEBRATING 115 YEARS OF LASTING IM
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