Honor Roll - April 2016

Educational Shout-outs this month:  Bay High Cheer earns second place in national competition, Bay St. Louis Rotary Teacher of the Month Dan Munger, BH senior tapped as semifinalist for prestigious national scholarship, HMS Junior Beta rolls at state convention, new basketball coach at St. Stanislaus, Bay High students place second in regional academic competition and K-registration for Hancock and St. Stanislaus video goes viral!

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More Current Stories!

Bay High Cheer Earns Second Place in National Competition

Early in March, the cheer team from Bay High walked onto the stage at the ESPN Wide World of Sports at Disney World and performed a routine they had worked diligently on for months.  This was Bay High's first time to compete nationally, and only their second competition this year.

Named 2nd place winner in the non-tumbling category of the 2016 Contest of Champions Cheerleading Nationals, the team walked away with its first national trophy.
 
With them every step of the way was coach Courtney LaFontaine, the school nurse with North Bay Elementary. “To say that I am proud of this team is an understatement,” said LaFontaine, following the victory. “We were faced with a lot of adversity this year, including being forced to change our routine  three different times. Each time, they came together as a team and overcame every obstacle.
 
“We knew going into a national-level competition there would be a lot of teams that were a lot better than we were but we could not get intimidated,” continued LaFontaine. “All that I asked of them was to do the very best they could do, and that is exactly what they did and were rewarded.

“Our team motto is ‘One team, one dream,’ and they lived that out all year, and especially at this competition. They came together as a team and represented their school and community well.”
 
Sophomore Keely Jones also received the individual WOW award, chosen by the judges and recognized for having the “Wow” factor and standing out.
 
“The Bay High Cheer team and their coaches are an example of perseverance, hard work, dedication, and determination,” said principal Dr. Amy Coyne. “Words cannot describe the pride that I have in this group obtaining such phenomenal results on their first time competing at a national competition like the Contest of Champions.”
 
Team captains are Keely Jones and Baylie Cornfoot, team manager is Lauren Russell, and cheer alternate is Shelby Oliver.

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After winning 2nd place in the national cheer competition, the Bay High squad headed to the Magic Kingdom for one last day of fun. Pictured L-R are (front row) Ariane Helsel, Shelby Oliver, Metri Lyons, Marion Pohl; (middle row) Daley Bell, Kaitlyn Chaisson, Keely Jones, Ka'derryah Luckett; (back row) Lauren Russell, Robert Williams, Jade Coleman, Leah Grainger, Danica Gilbert, Morgan Ulrich, Baylie Cornfoot, Taylor Bentley, Heather Moss, and Camaryn Bush.

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Rotary Club of Bay St. Louis Teacher of the Month for March 2016:
Dan Munger, St. Stanislaus

The Bay St. Louis Rotary Teacher of the Month for March was Dan Munger.  Mr. Munger teaches 7th and 8th grade Religion and Intro to Construction.  He has a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the University of Maryland and a Master of Religious Education from Liberty University.

Mr. Munger was nominated by St. Stanilaus Principal, Patrick McGrath, who had this to say: 
“Dan Munger has a servant’s heart and always works for the good of our school and our boys. He has taught religion to our 7th & 8th graders for the last five years, but has also been happy to volunteer in any capacity that the school needs, freely and generously giving of his time and talent.  A great example of this is his work as an assistant (volunteer) sailing coach and the countless hours he puts in for our kids.  He has taken the initiative to begin an Introduction to Construction class, again on a volunteer basis.  He provides all materials and outside help free to SSC, simply because he believes it will be of benefit to our boys.  Most importantly, he leads by example, putting his Christian faith into action by serving others outside of school in a variety of ways.  He is a wonderful role model to our boys.”

Thank you, Dan Munger! 

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Share Fair Draws More Than 40 Participants

Hancock Middle School recently hosted its annual Share Fair. Over 40 business and community leaders shared their careers with the students in grades 6 through 8. The purpose of the program is to inspire the students and share information about various careers. Presenters share their backgrounds, education, and why they chose their fields of study. The program helps students focus on the future, and to value the schoolwork that prepares them for that future. Feedback from former students indicates information from Share Fair sparked interest and set them on paths to current careers.  Several former students returned to share their careers with the students.

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Haas Named Semifinalist in National Coca-Cola Scholars Program Scholarship

Addie Haas

Addie Haas, a senior at Bay High School, was recently chosen as a semifinalist in the Coca-Cola Scholars Program Scholarship, an achievement-based scholarship awarded to select high school seniors each year. Students are recognized for their capacity to lead and serve, and their commitment to making a significant impact on their schools and communities.
 
To date the Foundation has provided over 5,550 Coca-Cola Scholars with more than $56 million in educational support. Only 150 Coca-Cola Scholars are selected each year to receive this $20,000 scholarship.
 
Coca-Cola Scholars are well-rounded, bright students who not only excel academically, but are also actively involved in their school. These leaders are passionate, service-oriented, and demonstrate a sustained commitment to bettering their communities.
 
The Coca-Cola Scholar Foundation’s vision is to develop a powerful network of community leaders whose vision will help shape the world, leaving a lasting legacy for generations to come. The program also hopes to enhance the intellectual and personal growth of students to create positive, lasting change in their communities.

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New Basketball Coach at St. Stanilaus

Saint Stanislaus is pleased to announce that Aaron Dunklin, Class of 2000, has been named as the Head Basketball Coach for the Saint Stanislaus Rock-A-Chaws.Dunklin received a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management from Charleston Southern University in Charleston, SC, in 2004 and received a Master’s in the Art of Teaching from William Carey University in Biloxi, MS, in 2013.

For the past two years, Dunklin was the Head Basketball Coach at Pearl River High School (LA). Previously, he was assistant coach for both the basketball and football teams at Northshore High School (LA) for two years and for the Bay High School basketball team for one season. Dunklin also volunteered his expertise as the Saint Stanislaus Strength and Conditioning Coach from 2008-2011 and served as a para-professional Assistant Basketball Coach for the 2006-2007 school year.

As a basketball player, Dunklin was a member of the Elite 8 1998-99 team that posted a 31-6 record and also the 1999-00 District Champions that posted a 29-6 record.  During that time, he earned “Best Defensive Player Award” and “Coach’s Award.”  Former Rock-A-Chaw teammates described Dunklin as cerebral, competitive, detail-oriented, and a leader by example. 

In addition to his high school coaching experience, Dunklin worked in the professional arena football league for the AFL’s Everett Hawks (2007) and the Arena Bowl Champion IFL’s Odessa Roughnecks (2006). He was a Class Instructor for Boys and Girls Club in Bay St. Louis, MS (2004), and a Media Department Technician and Finance Committee member for the Powerhouse Deliverance Church in Bay St. Louis.

In spite of his extensive experience with football, however, Dunklin’s real passion is basketball.  Dunklin stated that, “Football was my vehicle, but basketball has always been my love.  I’m privileged and honored to be selected by such a prestigious institution to join others in furthering the Tradition.  Although, it has been many years since I graduated, it feels good to come home because my heart has never left.”

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Bay High  Students Place Second in Regional Academic Competition

 Twenty-eight teams from around the region recently competed in the Hurricane Quiz Bowl, with Bay High earning 2nd place overall. The challenging competition, hosted at the University of Southern Mississippi's Gulf Coast Research Laboratory (GCRL) in Ocean Springs, is designed to bring the area's brightest students in a head-to-head contest of academic knowledge in the subject.
 
A student team from Bay High has competed for the past seven years, ranking in the top three for four of those years. Two teams represented Bay High, with students from Team A dressed in costume as characters from the game CLUE, and Team B dressed as baristas.
 
“I'm very proud of the hard work and preparation that this team put in,” said Thomas Woodward, advisor for the team. “We have been putting many hours of practice in and it has paid off.  The group is highly intelligent and motivated, and this will serve them well in future competitions and in their future endeavors.”
 
Bay High was also recognized with the Sportsmanship Award. “This is a highly sought after award. Our team has shown that they can win and embrace the ideals of good sportsmanship and fair play, which is an excellent skill that they can bring into real-world situations,” said Woodward.
 
Team participants included Nan Qiu, Kyle Ott, Ian Ammentorp, Charlie Luttrell, Kate Cothen, Braxton Kirkland, Daniel Eberhart, Jake Frommeyer, Jackie France, Heaven Martin, Samara Smith, Mary Adelyn Fraiser, and Anna Grace Boxx. Coaching the team were teachers Thomas Woodward and Franklin Williams.

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HMS Junior Beta Rolls at State Convention

 Sixty-six members of the Hancock Middle School Junior Beta Club attended the 24th Annual Junior Beta Convention in Biloxi from March 20th–March 22nd.  This year’s convention theme was “Let the Beta Times Roll.” 

The club performed extremely well, placing in the following competitions: 3rd place in campaign skit (club project), 3rd place in technology (Tyla Cuevas and Izzy Scardino), 2nd place in trading pin (club project), 2nd place in book battle (Olivia Dosda, Destiny Herron, Leesa Patel), 2nd place in banner (club project), 2nd place in cross stitch (Alexa Hardie), 1st place in oil/acrylic painting (Alana Freimanis), 1st place in scrapbook (club project), 1st place in quiz bowl (Kanon Anderson, Brooke Howard, Kaya Penton, Eddie Torres), and 1st place in songfest (club project). 

Additionally, Elijah Dosda, who was elected state reporter at last year’s convention, fulfilled his official duties this year.  Club member Stephanie Austin was elected the new Mississippi Junior Beta State Secretary.  Hancock Middle School was the most recognized club at the 2016 state convention, which was the highest attended Mississippi Convention in history.  HMS has held this honor for seven consecutive years.  Club members who placed at state convention are now eligible to attend National Junior Beta Convention in New Orleans in June. 

Special thanks to Ms. Angela Bennett, Mrs. Sue Gholston, and Mrs. Stacey Necaise.  Club sponsors are Mrs. Denise Austin, Mrs. Penny Carter, Mr. Chad Davis, and Mrs. Judy Turner.

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Hancock County School District Kindergarten Registration

 Kindergarten Registration for students who start Kindergarten in August, 2016 in Hancock County Schools is planned for April 21, 8 a.m.–6 p.m. and April 22, 8 a.m.–1 p.m. Students must be 5 years of age on or before September 1, 2016. It is very important for parents to register students so that plans can be made to ensure an adequate number of teachers.
Download the .doc below for full details! 

hancock_kindergarten_round-up.doc
File Size:	30 kb
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St. Stanislaus Video Goes Viral

St. Stanislaus Marine Science students made the New Orleans paper with the video above on March 16th - which has gone on to garner nearly 1000 shares on Facebook and more than 62,000 views. 

Click here to read the Times-Picayune article.  Congrats to both all involved!