District News

Rub-a-dub-dub, these cars got a scrub! The Butler Elementary Student Council recently held a carwash to raise funds for the school. Each year the Council purchases items for the school. Some of the most recent purchases of the group include picnic tables, flags, and signage for the campus. Submitted by Tammy Smith.

ECMS held its 6^th Grade Tropicana Speech Competition on Tuesday, November 14, 2017. The winner from each language arts class competed to be the overall 6^th grade winner. All of the competitors did an amazing job, and the judges had a tough time choosing the top three. We are proud of all of our students for participating and would like to send a special congratulations to our grade level winners as well as a huge thank you to our fabulous 6^th Grade Language Arts Teachers, Mrs. Leslie MacPike and Mrs. Christine Solomon for doing such a wonderful job preparing our students for success each and every day!

The first and second place winners will compete at the District Competition on December 14th.

6^th Grade Overall Winners (L to R)

Auburn Hamer (2^nd Place), Maya Sien (1^st Place), Jaiden Morris (3^rd Place)

Class Winners Group Picture:

Back Row (L to R): Natalie Mitchell, Auburn Hamer, Maya Sien, Jaiden Morris, Sami Thompson

Front Row (L to R): Kamryn Cooper, Josie Abicca, Cassidy Cabe, Tyler Johnson

Submitted by Candie Bodie.

Magnet students enjoyed a week of performing arts activities which included a ballet recital at the Mattie Kelly Arts Center, and a performance by the Lux String Quartet. Submitted by Lisa Pitts.

Many families came to enjoy Thanksgiving Lunch with their children at MHS. We are so thankful for all our MHS families and their support for our school. Submitted by Elizabeth Gaither.

MHS Thanksgiving

Our college success students had an awesome trip to Northwest Florida State College today! Submitted by Christy English.

The Student Council at Van R. Butler Elementary School conducted a food drive to help fill the food pantry at Caring and Sharing of South Walton. Students throughout the entire school donated canned and boxed non-perishable foods to help support families in the community who need support throughout the holiday season. Submitted by Tammy Smith.

On the evening of Thursday, Nov. 16, the Walton High School AVID students and their families gathered for the first annual AVID Family Thanksgiving. Every family brought something to add to the Thanksgiving table and Lauran Hebert, a senior AVID student, expressed her gratitude to all the AVID Elective teachers: Mr. & Mrs. Carnley, Mrs. Zodrow, Ms. Bare, and Mr. Cooper. It was a beautiful time of food, fun, and fellowship! #WHSAVIDstrong Submitted by Christy English.

Award winning cellist Dr. Boyan Bonev, a native of Bulgaria, artistic director for Seaside Strings, and music professor at the University of West Florida, performed for students at Bay Elementary, Van R. Butler Elementary, and Emerald Coast Middle School Monday, November 13, 2017 as part of an outreach program by the Seaside Institute.

Dr. Bonev performed for entranced audiences at the schools on a highly prized 300 year old cello built in Cremona Italy. As part of each visit, Dr. Bonev invited students to come forward and try his "baby cello" which he also brought for the visits.

Boyan holds Doctor of Music and Master of Music degrees from the Florida State University, and Bachelor of Music degree from the National Music Academy in Sofia, Bulgaria.

Dr. Bonev is an award winning cellist, and has performed recitals across the United States and Europe. Currently, Bonev teaches cello, double bass and chamber music at the University of West Florida. Prior to joining the faculty at UWF, he taught cello and double bass at the Albany State University and Darton College. Bonev is on the faculty of the Florida State University Summer Music Camps and taught cello and chamber music as a Graduate Teaching Assistant at the Florida State University.

submitted by Keitha Bledsoe