HHS Tomcats make community proud

The Haywood High School basketball Tomcats made their community proud when they completed a most outstanding 2005-2006 season. The Tomcats earned the District 14AA regular season and tournament title, the Region 7AA title, then beat Memphis Hillcrest in a sub-state game on March 3. The season came to an end on March 16 in the state AA quarterfinals in Murfreesboro when the Cats gave their final effort but lost to Liberty Technology Magnet School, 78-69, in a close match until the end. Coach Winston Varnado, in his first year as Haywood’s varsity basketball coach, expressed pride in the team’s hard work and determination.

Haywood’s team, which was ranked No. 3 in the state, ended the season with 29 wins and five losses.

HHS spring musical a success

Under the director of drama teacher Allyson Byrum and Vocal Director Michelle Tillman, students at Haywood High School did an outstanding job of showcasing their talent in the school’s spring musical, “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” March 2-4.

The group gave several warm-up performances on Thursday before opening the curtains to the community on Friday and Saturday nights, where they wowed packed houses both nights. More than 65 students participated in the production. In addition, parents, family members, and friends helped with the many aspects of putting together this annual production.

Mrs. Byrum dedicated the production this year to the many “unsung heroes” who “give of their time and talent to help with the costumes, props and a million others things that need to be done.”
 

Local sponsors for the HHS musical were the Brownsville-Haywood County Arts Council, Insouth Bank, First South Bank, Dixie Printing and Video Creations of Alamo, and many other individuals and businesses lent their support in many ways.

HHS Academic Decathlon Team places fifth in state

The Haywood High School Purple team placed fifth in the state at the Tennessee Academic Decathlon State Competition over the weekend of March 18-19 at Austin Peay State University in Clarksville. Local students won three gold medals, two silver medals, and two bronze medals and placed fourth in the Super Quiz competition.

This marks the twentieth consecutive year that HHS has ranked in the top five in the state.

The HHS team had three medallists in speech, more than any other school in the competition, and presented their speeches at the prestigious Speech Showcase.

Coaching the team members are HHS English teachers George Norvell and Glynn Bridgewater.

Local Mock Trial Team in state Top Ten

 Haywood High School’s Mock Trial Team has won the last five regional contests,
advancing to state competition.

Haywood High School’s Mock Trial Team made their “case” in the state competition March 18 and placed 10th among the 16 regional teams that participated, according to HHS sponsor and teacher Eddie Keel. The HHS team has won the regional contest for the last five years.

“We went 2-2,” Keel said, “and won a plaque for 10th place. We were disappointed, but our two losses were close. I am still very proud of our team members for their efforts.”

In Round 1, the Haywood team lost to Saint Mary’s 247-228. “We beat them last year, and this was Saint Mary’s lowest score during the whole competition,” Keel said. In Round 2, Haywood lost to South Greene 237-228. “If we had gotten those nine points, we would have been in fourth place instead of 10th,” Keel added.

In Round 3, Haywood beat Kingsport Dobyns-Bennett 259-231, and in Round 4, they beat Oak Ridge 253-215. Winning first place in the state was West High School of Knoxville.

HHS student best bass fisherman

HHS student Nick Kelly receives a certificate from Haywood County Mayor Franklin Smith (left) and Brownsville Mayor Webb Banks in honor of his winning the Junior Bassmaster World Championship in Leesburg, Florida, on February 18. Nick is the son of Sam and Patsy Kelly. He won in the 15-18 year-old age group with an impressive limit of 12 pounds, weighing in more fish than his closest competitor by 1 pound, 10 ounces. Kelly was also a 2003 Junior Bassmaster World Champion, and this was his third trip to the world competition. He is a senior at HHS and plans to pursue a degree in marketing at the University of Tennessee at Martin, then turn profressional with BASS. Kelly’s prize for winning - a $5,000 college scholarship and a Triton boat and Mercury motor.

Construction Technology students perform community service

 Kenneth Emerson’s Construction Technology students built and installed buildings
for the city and county’s Volunteer Park baseball fields.

The Construction Technology program has been very active in the community this semester, according to their teacher, Kenneth Emerson. This class is part of the Career and Technical Division of Haywood High.

Among these activities, Mr. Emerson and two students recently presented a short program to the Rotary Club. The program showcasd the new CAD software and technology the students are using in the Engineering Design/CAD classes. During the program, Emerson and the students shared information on the partnership between the construction technology program and the local Habitat for Humanity association. The house plans, designed by one of the students who gave the program for the Rotarians, for the next Habitat for Humanity home were used to demonstrate the students’ capability in solving complex problems using the latest technology.

“The opportunity to have their designs actually built has been a real inspiration to these talented HHS students,” Mr. Emerson said.

The students and Mr. Emerson also designed and built new announcer/scorekeeper stands for the Haywood County Parks and Recreation Department. The 9-foot by 9-foot buildings were fabricated in the Career and Technology building and erected at the three baseball fields in Volunteer Park. The students used a variety of skills and techniques to nail, screw and bolt the structures together. The designs had to be easy to move and reassemble, as well as durable enough to last for years in the elements. The classes also cut and painted recycled metal roofing to complete the buildings. The students are currently designing a bridge to cross the drainage area separating the three small ball fields from the larger ball field on the hill.

On March 8, six SkillsUSA members and Mr. Emerson attended the West Tennessee SkillsUSA Regional skills competition. Haywood was well-represented in architectural drafting, job interview and residential wiring. The students did not bring home the “gold,” but have another opportunity at the state conference and skills contest in April.

HHS teams playing spring sports

HHS athletes are now in the throws of the spring sports season with five teams competing against other West Tennessee schools.

The boys’ soccer team has played five games, winning all but one by a good margin. They defeated Chester County 6-0, Crockett County 9-0, Milan 10-0, and Lexington 11-0, with only one close game against Trenton Peabody 3-2. The season will resume on April 6 when they play Martin Westview at Martin. Coaching the soccer team is Steve Svebakken.

The boys’ baseball team has also completed five games to date, beating Jackson North Side but losing to Tipton-Rosemark, Ripley, FACS and Gibson County. Their games resumed this week with games against Gibson County, Ripley and Bolivar. Coaching the baseball team are Tyler Faucett and Pete Norville.

The girls’ softball team only played two games before spring break losing to Madison Magnet School 0-9, but winning over Covington 8-2. They resume play on April 4 when they meet Crockett County on their home field. Chandra Franks and Matthew Shearon are coaches for the girls’ softball team.

The school’s tennis matches began on March 14. Both the boys and girls have played 2 matches, each winning one and losing one. The girls lost to Madison Magnet 0-9 and beat Covington 8-2. The boys also lost to Madison Magnet 2-7 and beat Covington 5-1. The teams play Crockett County next on April 4 at home. Coaching the tennis teams is Alex Melton.

Both the boys’ and girls’ track teams have competed in one meet against University School of Jackson on March 17. No results are available. The next meet will be against Millington at Millington on April 8. Tim Seymour coaches both teams.

Go to the Haywood High School website at www.haywood.k12.tn.us/hhs/, then click on athletics to view each team’s complete schedule.