Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Classy Moments

My goodness gracious, a phrase I have heard for years, seems to be inadequate in describing how time seems to simply be flying by. May is here and graduation for our seniors will be Friday, May 15. It seems only "yesterday" that we had those seniors at the middle school as students who were a little bit scared upon entering the fifth grade and seeing faces who were unfamiliar to them. They had new rules to learn, and were expected to be quick "learners." When they had doubts of any rule, all they had doubts of any rule, all they had to do was ask those "big guys," better known as the sixth graders. Pep rallies were really a treat for these newcomers. I can assure you that they were loud. I believe those newcomers won the spirit stick more often than any class had in the past. Their second year with us, they were in charge. When the new group of fifth graders arrive, it was the experience of the sixth graders to make sure those "little people" did just what was expected of them.

Then came the seventh grade. Wow! Now they are in the "big hall" and once again, they are the little kids, as the eighth grade is in charge. There is no recess for these students now. They had to change classrooms, go to their lockers and get the right books for the next class, get a drink, go to the rest room, find the right class room and be in their assigned seats on time all of that completed in five minutes. Can you imagine? But, now they can be involved in football, basketball and cheerleading. This was a big achievement for those students, as they had chosen for themselves.

Eighth graders! Now they are in charge! They are the big guys, the role models for the other students. This is also the year for the girls having the giggles about anything and everything, and the boys wandering what was so funny. They experienced their own doubtful moments when they were required to recite, without notes and in front of the entire class, several historical documents, but to their surprise, they succeeded with greater confidence in themselves than they ever imagined.

Then the day came for them to leave, move on, start over at a new place, new faces, new rules and new expectations. Although they left us, we have our memories that remain with us. Now we pause a moment to wish each of you congratulations, and sincere best wishes as you pursue your dreams. We are proud for you!

The GMS Student Council candidates gave their speeches at the assembly. My compliments to the candidates as they did a wonderful job of explaining why they choose to run for a particular position. If they were nervous, you certainly could not detect it. Results of the election were:

President Lacey Jester; vice-president Tracy Coplen; secretary, Jamie Smith; treasurer Nikita Briscoe; reporter Lindett Kadire; parliamentarian Jake Plyler; sixth grade representatives Christine Daniels, Chirsta Hopson and Taylor Pace; seventh grade representatives Kimberly Hulan, Tabitha Manely and Jill Plyler; eighth grade representatives Bonnie Ferguson, Andi Finely and Heath Griffin.

Congratulations to each winner and those who did not win because of the good sportsmanship that was shown.

Citizen students were announced.

The students are: fifth grade Ashley Coveness; sixth grade Tashia Morgan; seventh grade Jenise Jackson; and eight grade Whitney Smith.

The fifth and sixth grades' science classes received science kits containing painted lady butterfly caterpillars and sunflowers seeds to celebrate Earth Day. There was great excitement as the students watched the caterpillars change to chrysalides and then to hatch out the adult butterflies. Each student received a package of sunflower seeds to take home and plant. They appreciated the thoughtfulness of International Paper Company for providing them with the kits.

We remain busy making those classy moments at GMS.