August 7, 2019
R porter
Page 7C
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I.
By Dione Glklewell
news@mymcr.nef
Forsyth Main Street brought
music and a crowd to downtown
Forsyth on Saturday, Aug. 3 with
a new event that garnered favor-
able responses from both those
who attended and the bands that
entertained them. Six bands gave
listeners on the square their best
from 8-11 p.m. as they competed
for some enviable prizes.
Sponsored by Shadow Sound
Studio, Studio G, Robin Gatti Pho-
tography and 1st Franklin Finan-
cial, the bands that took the stage
on the square to compete included
Southbound Mojo, Barry Damell
and the Mobile Slim Band, Kato,
Mahalo, The Delta Moan and Low
Frequency Messiah. Most of the
music could best be described as
mixed genre, with a lot of rock plus
count, blues, soul and Southern
rock.
Barry Darnell, center, represents the Mobile Slim Band; it won 2nd
place in Battle of the Bands. He is with Winifred Berry and Monica
Cordy of Forsyth Main Street.
Southbound Mojo took home
the $500 first place prize, which
also induded eight hours of studio
time with Blank Media, a one-
hour music consultation with Joey
Stuckey of Shadow Sound Studio
and a photo shoot with Robin Gatti
Photography. Second place went to
,Barry Damell and the Mobile Slim
Band; it claimed $250, four hours of
studio time and a one-hour music
business consultation, q-he bands
were judged on vocal skills, musi-
cianship, stage presence and overall
performance.
Director of Forsyth Main Street
Tammie Pierson said attendance
was good and feedback from those
who attended was positive. Monica
Cordy of Main Street said the crowd
was really interested in who would
the '%attlC'
"People liked the variety of the
bands and the bands also enjoyed
it themselves ' said Pierson. "Our
sound and lights man said it was
one of the best he has ever done
because all the bands were so
talented."
She said the idea behind the event
was to do something different that
would bring some people to the
square that don't usually come.
Adding to the event were specials
from downtown merchants indud-
hag delivery to the square by Jonah's
Pictured is the Southbound Mojo band with Winifred Berry, left, and
Monica Cordy, right, of Forsyth Main Street presenting the band first
place prizes for winning the Battle of the Bands on the square Satur-
day night. (Photo courtesy of Tammie Pierson)
on Johnston and a 10 percent
discount for the evening by Scoops
Ice Cream. Participants were also
allowed to bring their own coolers
and picnic items to the free concert.
"What a great night ofmnsic!!"
posted Southbound Mojo on its
Facebook page. "We would like to
thank The City of Forsyth, For-
syria Main Street, all the vendors,
promoters, staff, sound/stage guys,
and all that came out to make this
event a great success. All the bands
were awesome and put on a great
show for the people that came out
to support local music?
Judges who made the tough deci-
sion on winners for the night were
Tom Phelan, Kemper Watson and
"v rmifred Berry.
"It was fun;' said Cordy. "I liked it.
We'll probably do it again?
t
I
I
By Diane Glklewell
news@mymcr.nef
Monroe County Schools
held its annual convoca-
tion for school system
employees to launch the
new school year on Mon-
day, July 29. The theme for
the 2019-20 school year is
"Put me in coach! I'm ready
to play!" with a nod to
baseball.
Superintendent Dr. Mike
Hickman said the admin-
istrators had no idea how
well the Atlanta Braves
would be doing at this point
when they decided on the
theme last year. Each school
dressed in baseball jerseys
denoting their team. The
meeting was punctuated by
appropriate music, 'chops'
and 'waves.'
The gathering was a pep
rally for the school system,
celebrating recent achieve-
ments and motivating all
the 'players' to play their
best in the coming innings.
Pay for year
in advance, get
one month FREE
It ended with the Mary Per-
sons band and cheerleaders
leading the full assembly
at the Fine Arts Center in
the Bulldog fight song and
singing of the Mary Persons
alma mater.
"It's almost unbelievable
the amount of growth our
children are showing;' said
Hickman. 'A new school
year is like a new season--
renewed energy and a pas-
sion for teaching. Winning
teams do the little things
that others won't"
Hickman announced that
the website schooldigger.
com has ranked Monroe
County Schools 11th out of
the 189 school districts in
Georgia for performance
on test scores. Assistant
Superintendent Jackson
Daniel announced that all
school employees will be
getting a raise this year. All
certified personnel will get
the $3,000 promised by the
state plus individual step
raises, and the supplement
paid in January will con-
tinue. Paraprofessionals will
get a 5 percent raise, and all
other school employees will
get an additional 2 percent
added to their paychecks.
"We hope we can con-
tinue to provide financial
supportS' said Daniel.
Athletic coaches from
each school delivered in-
formation on their school's
accomplishments over the
last school year using vid-
eos, props and large doses
of humor. Principals from
each school introduced
their new employees. Each
principal also named the
school's Rookie of the Year,
Most Valuable Player and
Hall of Famer.
Mary Persons principal
Dr. Jim Finch asked all of
the school system em-
ployees who are alumni of
Monroe County Schools
to stand, and at least half
of those in the auditorium
rose to their feet. He named
Stephen Smith and Jennifer
Dews as co-recipients of
Rookie of the Year. Leonard
Battle is MVP, and Charles
Hernandez is the choice for
Hall of Fame.
Monroe County Achieve-
ment principal Grady
Caldwell named Lisa Lee
Rookie of the Year, Randal
Monroe County Middle School staff raise their bats to show
school year. (Photos/Diane Glidewell)
Bigham MVP and DanitaFame.
Harvey as choice for Hall of K.B. Sutton Elementary
Fame. principal Becky Brown
Monroe County Middle spotlighted Ashley Turner
School principal Dr. Efrem as Rookie of the Year,
Yarber announced Brittany Megan Smallwood as MVP
Koppen as Rookie of the and Shirley Johnson as Hall
Year, Susan Wood as MVP of Famer.
and Racine Dorsey as the Hubbard Elementary
MCMS pick for Hall of principal Jay Johnston told
the crowd that Rookie of
the Year for his school is
Morgan Long, MVP is Re-
becca Wachtel and Michelle
Major goes in the Hall of
Fame. "Hubbard Elemen-
tary is home of the hardest
working staff in the state of
Left, the Hubbard Elemen-
tary Tigers staff get into
the spirit of excitement for
the new season of learning
about to begin.
Below, the staff of K.B.
Sutton Elementary shares
some smiles at the annual
convocation for the new
school year on July 26.
TUTORING CLASSES
The Leon Goodrum Tutoring Program will begin
September 7, 2019 on the Tiff College Campus,
Hardin Library, from 9 a.m. until 12 noon.
All interested parents should contact Mr. Stewart
at 478-954-8609 or Ms. Kim Stewart at
478-394-1713 to enroll their child.
Sponsored by The Leon Goodrum Foundation
their enthusiasm for Monroe
County Schools and the new
Georgia" said Johnston.
TG.Scott principal Dr.
Dick Bazemore named
Shakia Daniely as Rookie
of the Year, Paula Cobb as
MVP and Michelle Collier
as Hall of Famer. "I have
one of the most dedicated
staffs I've ever seen in my
life" said Bazemore. He said
he could not put into words
how much Collier, who has
37 years in education, is ap-
preciated and loved by all.
HAckman said the Rookie
of e Year for Central
Office is Patrick Hamilton,
MVP is Diane Czarnowsky
and Hall of Famer is Sandy
Colwell. New employees
for 2019-20 at Central Of-
fice are Pat Napier, Vickie
Nickel, David Riggins and
Terra Euckert.
Teacher of the Year Can-
dice Lewis of K.B. Sutton
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Elementary encouraged
teachers to learn from
other coaches and teach-
ers the best coaching style
to encourage each of their
students to grow. Board of
Education chairman Nolen
Howard introduced all of
the board members. "When
I first got on the board, we
were in the middle of the
pack. Now we're right at the
top" he said
School system employ-
ees picked up treat bags of
candy, including Baby Ruth
bars, as they headed out to
board school buses for a
ride back to their schools.
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