Webster Co. Elementary students in Mrs. Lana Bennett’s 5^th grade class read about the Harlem Renaissance.  They learned lots of interesting facts about influential artists of the 1920s such as Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, and Langston Hughes.  Students loved listening to original recordings of jazz music, including Armstrong’s famous “What a Wonderful World” and hearing his style of “scat” for the first time.  

Do you know what endothermic and exothermic mean? Mrs. Gorton’s Chemistry class is learning what those words mean. Students worked in groups and mixed baking soda, endothermic (absorbs heat) and vinegar, exothermic (releases heat) together. What they noticed was chemical reaction occurred that produced carbon dioxide gas, water, and sodium acetate, essentially creating fizzing bubbles due to the released carbon dioxide gas. 

Students in Mrs. Scott's Visual Arts class at Webster County High School showcased their creativity with air-dry clay, experimenting with textures, shapes, and forms. From detailed sculptures to abstract pieces, their work highlights the power of hands-on expression and teamwork in the art classroom.

One standout piece from the class is a collaborative effort to create miniatures of Mrs. Kori Gorton’s class pet guinea pigs, Pork Chop and Meatball.  

Webster County High School Competed at the FBLA Region Leadership Conference

The Future Business Leaders of America members of Webster County High School and their adviser, Mr. Michael Baker participated in the FBLA Region Leadership Conference. Peach County High School in Fort Valley hosted the conference on Tuesday, January 14. Awards were given at the end of conference for members who scored high enough against their competitors in testing events which took place prior to the conference and performance events which occurred at the conference.

The Webster County High School Chapter of FBLA was represented by eight competitors in the Region Leadership Conference events. These members competed in a total of six events. Madison Holbrook was awarded third place for her performance in the public speaking competition. Tobias Hayward and Serena Lockett received third and fourth place awards respectively for their results on the Introduction to Information Technology test. Tobias’ and Serena’s ranking was high enough for them to advance to the State Leadership Level of competition in their event. Yatzibeth Mejia-Lopez was honored with the first place award for the Future Business Leader event. She will advance to the State Leadership Conference in that event. Yatzibeth also represents Webster County High School as an FBLA state officer. She is the Southwest Region Vice-President.

WCHS is very proud of those members who received awards and those members who worked hard preparing for their competitions even though they did not receive awards this time. The chapter members who are regularly pushing themselves to do better and achieve more are the pride of the Webster County High School Chapter of FBLA.

The Webster County FFA officers, Tucker Gill, Madison Holbrook, and Ruby Lee, had the opportunity to witness President Jimmy Carter’s funerals in his hometown of Plains, Georgia. Their visit to Plains was a chance to honor our 39th President and a man who grew up just 7 miles from their school. Throughout the day, the officers reflected on President Carter’s life and the impact he had on their own community and around the world. Students shared stories of him reading books to them in elementary school and seeing him around town in their younger years. The man who was known around the world for being a humanitarian and peace keeper is known to them for being a pillar of the community who cared about them and their families.

The students started their day touring the Plains High School Museum and Plains Train Depot, something they have done countless times. They were able to see this little town that is so familiar to them filled with military officers, park rangers, other FFA chapters, and tourists from around the county. While waiting for the funeral, the FFA officers spent time meeting and connecting with these groups of people, even bonding over a few friendly games of Uno.

The afternoon became more solemn when the officers witnessed the presidential motorcade pass through the small town of Plains followed by the “Missing Man” flyover, a powerful tribute performed by the U.S. Air Force to honor Carter’s decades of service to the county. The streets were lined with spectators who quietly paid their respects to the President waving American flags.

Finally, the Webster County FFA officers joined others in watching the funeral service live from the Plains High School auditorium, directly across from Maranatha Baptist Church, where the funeral took place. It was an honor for this group of students to be a part of something so historic.

As the officers returned just a few short miles back to their school, they carried with them valuable lessons from President Carter’s presidency and life. It was a reminder of the lasting impact young leaders, even from South Georgia, can have on their towns and around the world. 

Thank you Mr. President for your service to the country, our state, and FFA.

The Webster County High School Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) chapter under the guidance of Adviser, Mr. Baker, is gearing up for the Region Leadership Conference to be held this January at Peach County High School in Fort Valley. Several members have already completed rigorous online testing as part of their competitive events. These tests cover a wide range of business-related topics, providing students with the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and skills. Harmoni Andrews and Damarcus Walker tackled the Introduction to Business Communication exam, while Tobias Hayward and Serena Lockett tested their abilities in Introduction to Information Technology. Kaleia Holmes took on the challenge of Business Management, and Kimora Johnson showcased her financial expertise in the Introduction to Financial Math competition. These dedicated students have put in considerable effort to prepare for these challenging assessments, and we are proud of their commitment to excellence.

In addition to the online testing, Webster County will also be represented in presentation events at the conference. Madison Holbrook will be competing in Public Speaking, a dynamic event that allows students to showcase their communication and presentation skills. These events are performed live at the conference, adding an exciting element of competition. Awards for both the pre-conference tests and the on-site presentation events will be presented at the Region Leadership Conference. We are confident that our FBLA members will represent Webster County High School with pride and distinction at the upcoming regional competition. We wish them the best of luck as they strive for success.

Caption: Kimora Johnson prepares for her FBLA RLC competitive exam in Introduction to Financial Math exam.

It is with immense pride that we honor Mrs. Paige Balish as Webster County School’s Teacher of the Year. With a heart full of compassion, a classroom filled with creativity, and a spirit that can brighten even the toughest of days, Mrs. Balish truly embodies the qualities we all hope for in an educator. Her genuine care for every student, paired with a talent for making learning both fun and engaging, makes her a beloved figure among both students and staff. Whether it’s through an art project, a kind word, or a well-timed joke, Mrs. Balish has an exceptional ability to connect with others and create an environment where everyone feels valued and inspired. Congratulations, Mrs. Balish! 

Webster FFA Veterinary Science Team 

We are excited to announce that Ruby Lee, Madison Moore, and Madison Holbrook recently competed in the Georgia FFA Area 5 Veterinary Science Career Development Event (CDE) at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC) in Tifton, Georgia. 

Before the contest, our students had the opportunity to tour the ABAC campus, gaining valuable insight into the college's agriculture programs and facilities. During the competition, Ruby, Madison M., and Madison H. participated in a variety of challenges designed to test their expertise in areas such as identifying veterinary equipment, parasites, and animal breeds. The event also included hands-on practicums in animal handling. In addition, students completed a written exam covering various aspects of veterinary science.

We are proud to share that our team placed 16th in the competition. While they didn’t take home a top spot, their performance demonstrates their commitment to learning and excelling in this important field. The team is eager to continue learning and improving their skills for next year!

Please join us in congratulating Ruby, Madison M., and Madison H. for their strong performance and for representing our school with pride. We look forward to their continued success in future events!

Webster County Elementary Students Visit the Historic Little White House

On November 4, 2024, students from Webster County Elementary School in grades 3 through 5 took an educational trip to the historic Little White House located in Warm Springs, Georgia. This visit allowed students to step back in time and learn about the personal life and legacy of President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

The Little White House, famously known as President Roosevelt’s retreat during his time in office, provided an immersive history lesson. Students toured the cottage and explored exhibits showcasing artifacts and photos that offered a glimpse into Roosevelt’s life, his battle with polio, and his connection to Warm Springs. Teachers and guides shared stories about his determination and leadership, inspiring the young visitors with the historical significance of the site.

The field trip enhanced the students’ understanding of American history and the importance of perseverance, aligning with their current social studies curriculum.

5^th Graders Exploring Volume 

Mrs. Pamela Alridge’s fifth-grade math students at Webster County Schools are diving into the concept of volume. Through a variety of hands-on activities, the students are developing a deeper understanding of how to measure volume. Using manipulatives like unit cubes, they are able to build and calculate the volume of rectangular prisms, making the learning process both interactive and engaging. These activities help the students grasp key mathematical concepts in a fun and practical way, while improving their problem-solving skills.

8th Graders Discover Coding Through Unplugged Activities

Mrs. Pamela Alridge’s 8th-grade Computer Science class is exploring the world of coding without the use of actual computers. Students are engaging in a variety of unplugged activities, including board games and puzzles, to explore core coding concepts. These hands-on activities provide a creative and interactive approach to understanding programming logic, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills without relying on digital devices. The middle school students, enrolled in  Computer Science courses, eagerly look forward to the different unplugged activities each week.

Investing in Young Leadership: Supporting Yatzibeth's Journey with FBLA

Dear Webster County Family,

On behalf of Webster County High School’s first FBLA state officer, I am writing to you today with great excitement and a request for your support. Yatzibeth Mejia-Lopez, a sophomore, has the incredible honor of serving as the Southwest Region State Vice President for the Georgia Future Business Leaders of America. This is a significant accomplishment, not only for her personally, but also for our FBLA chapter at Webster County High School. She is not only the first student from our school to hold this prestigious position at the state level but also the first member from Webster County High School to hold a region office, Region 6 President.

As a state officer, she is committed to leading and inspiring her fellow FBLA members across Georgia. Throughout the year, she will be attending mandatory conferences, workshops, and training sessions, representing our state chapter and participating in activities that promote business education, leadership development, and career exploration for all students. These events will take place throughout Georgia and potentially across the country, and her estimated travel expenses from April 2024 to July 2025 are approximately $13,000.

While our dedicated FBLA chapter at Webster County High School will be holding fundraising events, these efforts alone may not be enough to cover the entirety of these expenses. This is where your generous support comes in.

A contribution to aid this young leader would be greatly appreciated and will directly contribute to her ability to fulfill her responsibilities as a state FBLA officer. Your investment will not only support her personal growth and leadership development, but it will also empower her to serve and inspire other students across Georgia.

Through FBLA, she has gained invaluable skills in communication, teamwork, and public speaking. She is passionate about helping others discover their potential and believe that FBLA provides a platform for students to develop the skills and confidence they need to succeed in the future.

Thank you for taking the time to read our letter. For any questions or additional information, you can reach me at mbaker@webster.k12.ga.us.

With sincere gratitude,

Michael Baker

Webster County High School

Future Business Leaders of America, Adviser

Email: mbaker@webster.k12.ga.us

Phone: 229-828-3365

Students in Ms. Beth Blankenship’s American Literature class have been working on a group assignment over American Literary Periods.

High School Quarter 3 Exams

Students in the Webster County Horticulture class are reaching for the moon through agricultural research! These students are competing in the Plant the Moon Challenge, a global competition organized by the Institute of Competition Sciences and NASA Solar System Exploration Research. This project challenges students to research and test what nutrients, fertilizers, or other modifications are needed to grow sustainable food for astronauts! 

These students have divided into two groups to attempt to grow green beans and bell peppers. The students conducted research prior to starting this project to determine what they thought would add the best nutrients to their plants; they decided on coffee grounds and fish fertilizer. 

The growing season for the challenge is from February 3rd to March 30th. Our students will carefully monitor their projects and complete tasks, like documenting their findings in scientific papers, throughout the season. 

The students and Webster County Schools Agriculture Department would like to thank the Georgia Space Grant Consortium for their funding which made these experiments and participation in the Plant the Moon Challenge possible. The students are eager to see how their plants grow and excited to see about the possibilities of contributing to the future of agriculture in space! 

Students in Webster are now able to explore the world around them using VR (Virtual
reality). Students in Mrs. Gorton’s Science class have been studying the different Atomic Structures. Students were able to look at different models using a new an amazing tool that Mrs. Moore, the school’s media specialist, got for the school to use. Students used VR headsets to walk around the room, view different types of Atomic structures and just for fun they even got to experience swimming with sharks. The students were able to see things in 3-D, view the world around them, and experience things they have only read about. Mrs. Gorton says she is very excited about the use of VR in the classroom and plans on using it next with her Anatomy class to explain and explore the skeletal system.

Students in Mrs. Pamela Alridge’s middle school computer science classes at Webster County Schools have been taking their learning experience to the next level by collaborating on standards-based projects while incorporating key elements within rubrics to ensure the quality of their work.

Through project-based learning activities that align with curriculum standards, students explore new concepts and skills.  They sometimes work independently before coming together to develop presentations that incorporate essential components such as research, data organization, and multimedia elements.  By collaborating in teams, they gain valuable experience in problem-solving, communication, and the effective use of technology.

Alridge’s students are accustomed to sharing their work through virtual presentations.  Even though they are physically present in the classroom, they use digital platforms to present their projects to one another.  This approach not only enhances their technical skills but also prepares them for the growing trend of remote collaboration in professional and educational settings, as seen during recent inclement weather days when virtual learning became necessary.

4^th Graders in Mrs. Lana Bennett’s class at Webster Co. Elementary jumped right back into learning after the Christmas holidays with a fun review game.  Students used the game to help them review previous lessons as they prepared for 2^nd Quarter Exams. 

This month’s employee of the month has a very strong work ethic. She is always willing to take on new tasks, attend professional development workshops, and explore new opportunities to better serve her students without any hesitation or complaint. She can always be seen walking in each morning looking very professional with a big smile speaking to everyone with a warm good morning. Her positive attitude, her commitment to her students, parents, and colleagues, and her ability to be a team player is what make her an outstanding educator. She serves as one of our team leaders for PreK-2 nd grade, a member of the GaMTSS Team, a Mentor Teacher, and she took the initiative to serve as assistant cheerleading coach this basketball season. Her contributions make a difference every day in our school community, and we are fortunate to have her as a member of the Webster County Bobcat Team. Congratulations to Mrs. Lou Ward, our December Employee of the Month!

Students in Mrs. Scott's World History class at Webster County High School recently explored the culture of Rome.  Students showed off their skills of organization, collaboration, and research while learning about this ancient civilization. 

The Christmas Spirit has hit Webster County school High school. The students on High school hall are in a holly jolly holiday mood. The juniors and seniors decorated trees, put up lights, and made paper chains. The students are also making ornaments to show what they have learned in Science class. If you are in need of Christmas spirit just talk to one of our amazing students and let their excitement feel your heart with holiday joy!

As I sit at my desk and think about the Thanksgiving break before me, I am so thankful for so many things this year. My cup runs over with joyful memories and moments. I’m thankful for my job, where I look forward to coming every day. I am thankful for a family who supports me at home so I can do my job at school. I am thankful for a God in heaven who loved me enough to send his son for me and to send me to such a wonderful school. But today, in this moment I am most thankful for my students, who make coming to work a daily pleasure. Yes, there are moments when my students are not perfect, but neither am I. However, I can say with a smile on my face that those moments are few and far between. The moments like yesterday when no one told the kids to say a pray before they ate their Thanksgiving meal, the moments like today when the lab (Ice cream making) worked, and the excitement was seen on their faces, the moments like now while I am on my planning and there isn’t a student in site but I can look back over my short time here at Webster and think of hundreds of memories I would love and could share in the article. All of those moments involve my amazing students. As we prepare for our Thanksgiving break, I am most grateful and thankful for this school and these students who make my life so full of joy and happiness each day. Happy Thanksgiving to my remarkable students and may God keep blessing you like you have blessed me. 

The student body at Webster County High School has elected their representatives for the 2024-2025 Student Council. Pictured are Freshman Class Vice President- Jimear Moses, Freshman Class President-Ruby Lee, Sophomore Class President- Harmoni Andrews, Junior Class President- Yatzibeth Mejia-Lopez, Junior Class Vice President- Laila Crimes, Senior Class Vice President- Iris Weldin, and Senior Class President- Makenzzie Jones. Sophomore Class Vice President Juan Gonzalez is not pictured.  Mrs. Scott is the Student Council advisor.  

Students in Mrs. Scott's World History class at Webster County High School took part in the October 15th mock election sponsored by the Georgia Center for Civic Engagement.  The 2024 YOUth Mock Election allowed students to vote on Presidential and Congressional Offices, and local legislative races.  

Webster County High School Juniors Master Soft Skills Through Role Play

In an innovative approach to teaching, Mr. Baker’s business communication class at Webster County High School has been engaging in role-playing exercises to develop essential soft skills. These high school juniors are stepping into various business scenarios such as conflict resolution. By simulating real-world situations, students are not only learning the theoretical aspects of communication but also practicing how to apply these skills effectively in a professional environment. Mr. Baker believes that this hands-on method helps students build confidence and prepares them for future careers.

Students in Mrs. Scott's government class at Webster County High School have been working on a project detailing citizenship.  This project was designed to commemorate the signing of our Constitution on September 17, 1787 and in celebration of Constitution Day and Citizenship Day.