Local Boys & Girls Club celebrates members’ academic achievements

The Madison-Morgan County Boys & Girls Club celebrated their high academic achievers with a first-ever Academic Honors Dinner at the Morgan County Elementary cafeteria the evening of Friday, March 29.

About 30 parents along with a busload of Club members were in attendance as those students passing all their subjects were called to the front and awarded a certificate by Karen Freeman, education coordinator of the Madison-Morgan Club.
"I appreciate what y'all are doing in school," Darrell Corder, club director, told the members present.
Almost 100 Club members were honored.

After the ceremony, a fried chicken dinner, complete with celebratory cake, was served.

CrossRoads students and Steffen Thomas Museum artists work together on art projects

by stephanie johns • photos by jesse walker

From pottery to drawings, from altered books to ceramics, from origami to multimedia works, students at CrossRoads have been exposed to a variety of art thanks to artists from the Steffen Thomas Museum of Art (STMA).
The STMA artists and students from CrossRoads collaborate on art projects every Wednesday for one hour.
Karen Strelecki, Department Director and Arts Outreach Coordinator, said the two groups have worked together in this manner for the past 12 years.

She complimented the students on their artistic abilities.
“A lot of them are just naturally creative because they think outside the box anyway,” she said.
Alvin Richardson, CrossRoads co-principal, had nothing but positive things to say about this program.
“It’s been a great asset for us to do with our kids,” he said. Speaking of the artists from STMA he said, “They’ve always just done a great job.”

Richardson said the STMA artists have a heart for the kids.
“They’re pros at what they do,” he said. “I can’t say enough about what they’ve done for us.”
Richardson also commented on the artists’ patience with the students as well as the wide variety of art they share with students.

story by stephanie johns • photos by jesse walker

A Funky Little Art Thing student art show draws nearly 700 to Cultural Center

usic from a live band – the One Morgan Band – greeted those who visited the annual art show highlighting work from local students, Kindergarten through 12th grade, from the Morgan County Charter School System.

A Funky Little Art Thing (AFLAT) offered a variety of work from pottery to foil relief, from acrylic to watercolor landscapes and more at last week’s annual event held at the Madison-Morgan Cultural Center Annex.

In all, they had just under 700 people – that’s students, teachers, and family members – attend the opening reception, according to Deanna Lamar, membership, box office, visual arts, and front desk manager with the cultural center.
For a dozen years art teachers at the primary, elementary, middle, and high schools have selected student work and come together for what Morgan County High School Art Teacher Ty Manning called a celebration.

Morgan County Middle School (MCMS) Art Teacher Marjean Meadow noted that the event has grown bigger and bigger over the years.

Local celebs compete against fifth graders in TV-inspired fundraiser

by nick nunn
photos by jesse walker

story by nick nunn • photos by jesse walker

In the two years since Jeffrey Rowser has taken the reigns as the band director at Morgan County High School, he has initiated some big changes that altered the face (and dress) of the MCHS Marching Band.

Since last year, the band has taken part in three band competitions, two of them took place this year, and, in each competition, the band has earned a rating of "Superior" in each category while ranking highly in the event.

One thing is for sure – it isn’t the same band it was a few years ago.

“The band was not a competitive band,” said Rowser. “I’ve known Mr. Ellis about 15 years, and he just was not into it. And I think there was a little bit of an itch for it to happen.”

“I have always competed,” continued Rowser. “It makes rehearsals more purposeful. They understand why we are out there in that heat: that we are going to have a cool day to perform it at competition and it will pay off.”

“We call competition our payday; when we aren’t doing it just for the team or school spirit. It is about the ‘One Morgan,' the idea of us representing our school.”

Last fall, the band set out to show what it was able to do in a competition setting.

“We went to one competition, and started the new tradition of scoring Superior ratings in all categories: drum line, color guard, drum major, and band – and placing in a higher ranking; usually third or fourth. This year, we have broken into a new level by placing second.”
The trophies from the previous band competitions rest high atop the lockers in the band room as visual reminders for the tradition of excellence that Rowser hopes to begin.

story by isabela rzeznik
photos by jesse walker

The members of the Bulldog Marching Band have spoken: band camp was hot!

Of course, they are referring to the sweltering days Georgia has had this summer, but under Band Director Jeffrey Rowser, the band has turned up the heat in a big way for the upcoming football season. With an exciting and ambitious half-time show as well as brand new uniforms and not to mention more members, it seems that the Bulldog Marching Band can look forward to a sizzling, successful season.
Band camp lasted two weeks. from July 23 to Aug. 2, from 8 a.m.- 5 p.m., and two days with extended hours, 8 a.m. - 9 p.m. Rowser explained that the two days with additional time were “designed to build stamina, and focus,” as well as allow the band time to bond with one another, especially during mealtimes.

There is fiery competition between the different sections. Each one claimed that they are the best section to play in and take great pride in their instruments. As Rower said, “The discipline that they get from being in band…leads to success in any field or endeavor.”
The tubas advocate that though their instruments are heavy, they provide the best shade. “Tubas are the icons of the marching band,” said Nate Conn, who is the section leader. Garrett Godbey, the band captain, plays the tuba.

The trombones feel unique, since their instruments have slides instead of valves to push.