WCS News & Updates

Whitfield County eighth-grader Gavin Mullis wowed judges Monday with his speech about "A Time When Volunteering Made a Difference." 

Mullis, who attends North Whitfield Middle School, presented his speech at the Dalton Little Theatre during the regional civic oration contest. The Modern Woodmen of America sponsor the competition and set the topic each year.

To earn a spot at the district-wide event, students competed and won the speech contest at their respective schools. Two cohorts of students competed at the district level with trophies awarded to first, second, and third place after each session. First Place winners earned a $50 cash award and advanced to the regional contest.

First Place winners at the district level are Alaina Thompson, a fifth-grader at Dug Gap Elementary, and Gavin Mullis, an eighth-grader at North Whitfield Middle School. Cohutta Elementary fifth-grader Ellie Cross earned Second Place along with Kirsten Shultz from Christian Heritage School. Shane Babb, a seventh-grader at Valley Point Middle, and Westside Middle eighth-grader Lynsey Bridges took home Third Place honors. 

Students hold their awards after competing in the annual civic oration contest sponsored by the Modern Woodmen of America. In the front row, from left, are Kirsten Shultz, Shane Babb, Jack Ridley, Ty Fisher, and Ivonne Barajas. In the back row, from left, are Catherine Duffy, Christopher Vargas, Alaina Thompson, Abby Crossen, and Alexis Rogers. 

Students hold their awards after competing in the annual civic oration contest sponsored by the Modern Woodmen of America. In the front row, from left, are Gavin Mullis, Rachel Walker, Lynsey Bridges, Olivia Mantooth. In the back row, from left, are Hannah Davenport, Cristian Mejia, Austin Brock,  Emileigh Earley, and Ellie Cross.

Student artists from Eastbrook Middle School are eager to share their work during a two-week exhibit that will be on display at the Whitfield County Courthouse beginning Tuesday, May 15.

Students in Eastbrook Middle School’s Visual Arts Honors Program with advanced artistic ability have studied in a year-long program with their art teacher Kristi Harvey. The program provides an independent study/studio environment with opportunities for students to hone their technical skills and creative processes throughout the school year.

Who: Eastbrook Middle School eighth-graders in the Visual Arts Honors Program
When: Exhibit opens Tuesday, May 15, with opening reception from 5:30–7 p.m.
Where: Whitfield County Courthouse
How long: Two-week exhibit

Their classroom extended outside the school to include visits to the High Museum of Art in Atlanta and studio time to teach and mentor second-graders from Eastside Elementary about fundamental art techniques.

Works by these artists have been displayed at the state capitol this year and are currently showing at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in the main and international terminals. They have entered work in numerous competitions both locally and regionally.

“The culmination of this year-long experience is in two forms,” Harvey said. “One is the recent work-study trip the class took to Washington, D.C. and New York City. While they were there, they visited the National Gallery of Art, the Museum of Modern Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Guggenheim Museum.”

Students created artwork at the Guggenheim under the tutelage of one of the studio artists who works there. Attending a broadway musical complemented their study of theater arts and set design. They also used themes and experiences from the theater as subject matter for other artwork.

The second culminating activity is the upcoming community exhibit titled “Passages: An Exit Presentation” to share their best work. This best of the best exhibit showcases work created during the course of their studies and travels includes photography, painting, oil and chalk pastel drawings, pencil/charcoal work, and pen/ink work.

One of the course requirements is this end-of-year exhibit, similar to one of the graduation requirements for Harvey to earn her degree in studio art from the former West Georgia College (now known as the State University of West Georgia). She continued to earn her master’s degree from Central Michigan University.

“Student artwork is typically displayed as part of a whole exhibit based at either the Creative Arts Guild or the North Georgia Fair,” Harvey said. “These students have worked tirelessly and they know that any artist works toward getting their work ‘out there’ to be seen by many!”

Student artists will greet guests at the opening of the exhibit during a reception from 5:30–7 p.m., on Tuesday, May 15.