Haywood High ranks 7th in state Academic Decathlon

The Haywood High School Academic Decathlon Team traveled to Austin Peay State University in February to compete in the state contest and placed seventh in the over-all rankings.

In addition, several team members won awards, and one, a scholarship. Jessica Ligon won a silver medal in speech and a silver medal in interview, Amy Olmedo won a silver medal in speech, and Justin Tyus won a gold medal in interview with a perfect score of 1000 points. Isaac Olmedo won a $1,000 scholarship to the college of his choice. Jessica and Amy presented their speeches at the Speech Showcase, in front of all decathletes, officials, and parents.

Other team members representing HHS were Chris Bradford, Angel Briseno, Ellen Hudson, and Tequitta King.

This marks the 21st consecutive year that HHS has ranked in the Top Ten at state competition.
 

“Grease” is the word!

Haywood High School students hit the stage acting and singing at the Marks Performing Arts Center at College Hill on March 2 and 3, wowing crowds with their talent as they presented the HHS Fine Arts Department’s production of “Grease.” The students played to packed houses both nights. Close to 70 students participated, either as cast or crew members, all under the direction of HHS drama teacher Allyson Byrum, and with the help of choir teacher Michelle Tillman.

Michelle Tillman Teacher of the year

Haywood High School choir teacher Michelle Tillman was selected by her peers as the Haywood County Teacher of the Year for grades 9-12. A native of Ripley, Tennessee, Mrs. Tillman holds a bachelor of music degree from Lambuth and earned a masters in education degree from Union University. She has been at Haywood High for six years.

“I started taking piano lessons at age 4,” Mrs. Tillman said, but when she went to college, at first she wanted to be a pharmacist. One of her teachers encouraged her to pursue a career that involved her talent, and she did. In addition to the piano, she also plays the organ for First United Methodist Church, where her husband Sammy works, and she also plays the flute. She and her husband have two children who are now in Haywood County Schools.

She teaches a beginning music class for special needs children, a general music class, and is director for three choirs at the school, the Show Choir, the Girls Ensemble and the Concert Choir.

In her three high school choirs, she has almost 100 students, and she takes pride in their performances. Each performs in the community for special events, and they participate in competitions against other choirs. The Show Choir won first place in Florida last year and was selected from that contest to perform in Hawaii in November 2006 at a Veteran’s Day Program.

“I see a lot of talent in my students, some of whom can go on to major or minor in music in college,” Mrs. Tillman said. “I love what I do,” Mrs. Tillman said, adding that she is so blessed to be able to do what she loves to do every day.

Sports Roundup

The Haywood High School basketball seasons ended with the boys chalking up an 18-14 record, and the girls, 7-17. The boys qualified for the district and region contests but were eliminated by a loss to Crockett County in the first game of the Region 7-AA tournament.

Spring sports are now in practice, and seasons began for most sports on March 12.

The HHS softball team began play on March 12 with a game against Liberty Technology in Jackson. This teams plays 29 games this season. Coaches are Chanda Franks and Matthew Shearon.

HHS baseball also began on March 12 in the Ripley Tournament that lasts through March 17. In the first game, Haywood played Ripley. This team, coached by Pete Norville and Ronnie Burke, plays a total of 36 games.

The boys soccer team began play on March 12 against Milan. Coach Steve Svebakken will lead the team through a season of 17 games.

The HHS tennis and track team schedules have not yet been posted, but for a complete schedule of high school sports, go to www.haywood.k12tn.us/hhs/athletics.

 

Two Tomcats sign with colleges

Two Haywood High School Tomcats signed letters-of-intent in February to play football on four-year scholarships. Johnny Turner signed with Cumberland University in Lebanon, Tennessee. Alex Watkins signed to play with the University of Alabama. Joining the senior Tomcats as they signed the paperwork were Sandra and Johnny Turner, Sr., Johnny’s parents; and Bernard and Lena Watkins, Alex’s parents. Also witnessing the signing event were HHS Coach “Dusty” Rhodes, HHS AthleticDirector Jim Frazier, Tomcat Head Coach Bart Stowe, HHS Coach Alex Melton, HHS Coach Matthew Shearin, and HHS Coach Tim Seymore.
 

Haywood High School Mock Trial team competes in region

On Saturday, February 3, 22 HHS students competed in the Region 2 High School Mock Trial competition in Jackson. Although HHS had won the regional championship for the past five years, we lost this year for the first time since 2001. “Every member of last year’s team that competed at state graduated,” faculty advisor Eddie Keel said. “This was a rebuilding year and we were just not able to beat a good Dyersburg team. Since most all but three of our team members are returning next year, I expect us to return to our winning ways very soon.”

However, HHS won three out of the four possible individual awards for the second consecutive year: Chris Bradford won Best Prosecution Witness, Flamesha Taylor won Best Prosecution Attorney, and Lauren Perry won Best Defense Attorney.

In addition, two HHS mock trial members (Sam Pyron and Hunter Burroughs) were both featured on WBBJ Channel 7’s 6 o’clock and 10 o’clock news.

Team members for Haywood Purple team were attorneys Isaac Olmedo, Alan Olmedo, Angel Briseno, Hunter Burroughs, and Trey McAdams. The Purple team witnesses were Amy Olmedo, Lionell Garcia, Chris Bradford, Sam Pyron, Logan Pyron, and Ellen Hudson.

Team members for Haywood’s White team were Flamesha Taylor, Lauren Perry, Chris Rich, Al Hardaway, and Raven McKinnie. The White team witnesses were Fabiola Calderon, Violet Chavez, Quincey Halliburton, Chris Currie, and Chakeya Bowen.