Wheeler BOE Has Busy April Session

Along with approving a quote for sports logos and adopting a five-year action plan, it was another night for recognizing winners in the Wheeler County School District as the Board of Education met for its regular April session.

The Board received an update from Director of School System Facilities Greg Wilcher about the ongoing sports complex painting project, which is nearing completion. The project is part of the System’s strategic plan to upgrade athletic facilities on the school campus. Painting and maintenance projects were proposed for the old gym, press box, visitor’s locker room and concession stand at the athletic field. The “W” logo on the press box was also targeted for an upgrade. The project concept calls for coordinating the paint colors on these structures to blend with existing structures to create a look of uniformity on campus.

The Board previously approved a bid of $32,462 from Ware Paint and Drywall for painting facilities at the football field, including the old gym, press box, concession stand, and goal posts so that the color scheme will extend the use of these facilities and match the completed refurbishments at the school baseball field. In conjunction with the improvement scheme, Superintendent Dr. C. Alex Alvarez presented a quote of $11,756 from BSN to add logos to the Sports Complex, which the Board sanctioned.

The Board also gave a nod to the proposed summer schedule for employees: four, 10-hour days (MTh) for the month of June with a break from June 30 through July 4.

Dr. Alvarez updated the Board on the Superintendent’s 90-day entry plan review, as well as his activities during the months of March and April.

In other business, the Board agreed on a letter of approval to grant the City of Alamo temporary access to an easement fronting the old elementary school for a drainage project. The Board also approved the District’s five-year action plan which garnered several commendations from the State Board of Education during its review of the proposal.

The Board approved the following personnel changes: the hiring of Chelsea Upchurch as an ELA teacher at Wheeler County High School; the hiring of Tyler Harris as a substitute instructor; and a transition for Carrie Ellis from lunchroom manager to nutrition co-assistant manager. Wheeler Wins Initiative

The Wheeler Wins Initiative, which has become a regular feature of the monthly Board meeting, continued in April with the recognition of several students, instructors and volunteers.

First up for recognition was the new Superintendent’s Advisory Council. Dr. Alvarez introduced members of the Council: Makinzie Fowler (6th Grade), Kellen Horne (5th Grade), Rory Carrillo (5th Grade), Kinslee Fowler (8th Grade), Kyleigh Gallaway (9th Grade), Nikita James (11th Grade), Dakari Robinson (8th Grade), Xylan McMillian (9th Grade), Adrianna Bazemore (10th Grade), Elisha Williams (6th Grade), Reginald Willis (7th Grade), Vianey Mendoza ( 7th Grade), Ryan Medina (10th Grade), Aiden Lanier (11th Grade), Treasure Ferguson (12th Grade), Caden Wooten (12th Grade). Softball, Flag Football

Coach Cory Reynolds announced Softball and Flag Football awards.

He introduced softball region offensive player of the year Mackenzie Scott; 1st team-Ava Dixon/Mackenzie Johnson; 2nd Team-Shiann Carey/Kyleigh Horne; and honorable mention- Shelley Conner/Anna Beth Ethredge/Paisley Mc-Cranie.

Next, he introduced Flag Football Area Defensive Player of the year-Shiann Carey; All Area Running Back-Mackenzie Scott; All Area Wide Receiver-Nikita James; All Area Center-Paisley McCranie; All Area Cornerback- Esmeralda Ramirez.

Literary Team

High School history and social studies instructor Philip Parker announced winners in the Georgia High School Association’s Literary region and state competitions. The region meet was held on March 8 at Telfair County High School, and the state meet was held on March 22 at Georgia Military College in Milledgeville. The Literary Team's performance at the GHSA state literary meet resulted in a team finish of tied for fourth place in the state.

Jakob Tarpley competed in “Boys Solo” and was named both Region Champion and State Champion. He prepared and sang two Italian pieces as part of his competition: Alma del Core and Pur Dicesti, o Bocca Bella. Ariana Durden, who competed in “Literary Analysis” was named both Region Champion and State Runner Up (second in the state).

Chelsie Gruber, who competed in “Argumentative Essay,” placed second in the region; Alyssia Weeks, who competed in “Personal Essay,” placed fourth in the region; Roxy Evans, who competed in “Humorous Interpretation,” was named Region Champion; and Annmarie Adams, who competed in “Domestic Extemporaneous Speaking,” placed third in the region.

4-H’ers Programs

Nicole Thornton, Program Specialist, University of Georgia Extension in Wheeler County, updated the Board on the achievements of 4-H’ers, including the Shotgun and BB Teams.

Thornton introduced some of the Wheeler County 4-H’ers who participated in District Project Achieve- continued from page

ment at Rock Eagle 4-H Center at the end of January 2025. “Students spend all year working on a portfolio that highlights their project work, leadership, community service, awards, 4-H and school-related activities. Students also write a speech, make a presentation, and present it in front of other 4-H’ers and adults from across the district,” Thornton explained.

Thornton said in high school, students compete to have a chance to advance to the state competition, which is held in Atlanta during July. Martin Wynn, a WCHS 10th grader, placed 2nd in the very competitive category of “Computer Information Technology” and advanced to State Congress. He will spend several days in Atlanta touring companies, presenting his presentation, and participating in an interview process where he can showcase his project work.

Ten 4-H’ers from Wheeler County make up the Project S.A.F.E. shotgun team for the 2024-2025 school year, Thornton said. Shooters practice weekly with the intention of scoring high enough at the local district competition to move on to the state-level shoot.

On April 12, shooters competed in the Toombs County Modified Trap Qualifier where nine of the 10 shooters advanced to the state competition. Junior 4-H’ers (7th-8th graders) had to hit 16 out of 25 clays, while the Senior 4-H’ers (9th-12th graders) had to hit 20 out of 25 clays.

The Wheeler County Young Guns Junior Team placed 2nd in the competition with all shooters hitting 20 or more clays. Eighth grader, Fisher Thornton tied for 3rd place in the competition, with 23 of 25 clays, and participated in a shoot off at the conclusion of the competition.

The Wheeler County Young Guns Senior Team included three first-year shooters with four of the five 4-H’ers moving on to compete in the state competition in May.

Thornton also introduced the first-year competition BB Team, which was activated after many years of the program being dormant. Shooters have practiced this discipline for months in preparation for their district competition. Students all competed and set their personal best records at the Toombs County BB Qualifier on March 29.

4-H GROUP — From left, back row: Luke Bell, Layton Johnson, Chelsie Gruber, Alyssia Weeks, Martin Wynn, Fisher Thornton, and System Superintendent Dr. Aelex Alvarez; Nicole Thornton, UGA Extension, Anna Bowman, Alexis Ricks, Bryce Conner, Jocie Lanier, and Kinslee Fowler.

FLAG FOOTBALL TEAM — From left, Coach Cory Reynolds, Shiann Carey, Nikita James, Mackenzie Scott and Superintendent Dr. Alex Alvarez. Not pictured are Paisley Mc-Craine and Esmerelda Ramirez.Photo by Melanie Knight

SHOTGUN TEAM — From left are Superintendent Dr. Alex Alvarez, Fisher Thornton, Luke Bell, Layton Johnson, Kaden Knight, Lockland Bell, Brannen Ricks, Jack Nelson, and Nicole Thornton, UGA Extension. Not Pictured are Coach Brandon Keene, Ginnie Connell, Layton Connell, and Bricyn Wooten.Photo by Melanie Knight

ADVISORY COUNCIL — Front row, from left, Makinzie Fowler, Kellen Horne, Rory Carrillo, Kinslee Fowler; back row, Dr. Alex Alvarez, Kyleigh Gallaway, Nikita James, Dakari Robinson, Xylan McMillian, Adrianna Bazemore, Elisha Williams. Not pictured: Reginald Willis, Vianey Mendoza, Ryan Medina, Aiden Lanier, Treasure Ferguson, and Caden Wooten.

BB TEAM — From left, System Superintendent Dr. Alex Alvarez, Jase Oliver, River Thornton, Ian Widener, Carter Hay, Coach Camrom Spell, Nicole Thornton, UGA Extension. Not pictured are Cortez Powell, Colton Clark, Gunner Clark, and Ayden Lopez.

LITERARY COMPETITION WINNERS — From left, Chelsie Gruber, Jakob Tarpley, Alyssia Weeks, and Ariana Durden. Not pictured are Roxy Evans and Annmarie Adams. Also shown are instructor Philip Parker, left, and Superintendent Dr. Alex Alvarez.Photo by Melanie Knight