Wildcats in the Swing of Spring and Doing Big Things!

Would we say that we are in the swing of spring? More like fluctuating temperatures, pollen, "Is Noah showing up in his ark to take us to school today?" April showers do bring May flowers, but more accurately, they bring mid-April sinus infections.

It's all good. May is only a couple of weeks away. I can smell the Memorial Day cookout from here...or at least I could if it were not for the sinus infection.

Let's dig into what's making its way into headlines and conversations lately.

• Congratulations are in order for every administrator, educator, staff member, and student at Eastern Guilford HS. This week, we hosted a visit to welcome AdvancED, a team of professional educators who evaluate schools for accreditation purposes. Through interviews with a variety of Wildcat representatives, classroom observations, and a collection of artifacts, it has been determined that EGHS is an accredited institution of learning through June 30, 2020. This is concrete evidence that EGHS is comprised of talented individuals all working toward a common goal! Tell EVERYONE!!

• The Occupational Course of Study (OCS) students won 2nd place in the GCS Employability Duel this past Wednesday. Congratulations to these students, Ms. Wilkins, and our fantastic team of teachers who contribute so much to this program of super kids.

• One of our very own assistant principals, Mrs. Jamisa Williams, is showing exemplary leadership through a service learning project focused on literacy. The focal point of this project is to expand literacy in the community and model its importance to our future Wildcats at our feeder elementary schools. Ms. Jobe's Early Childhood Education classes are visiting McLeansville Elementary and Sedalia Elementary to read books to students. In conjunction with modeling literacy skills, a QR code has been developed for students to take home to their families. This QR code links to parent resources and interactive storybooks. Feel free to scan the code, which is posted by the article. This is such a rewarding experience to everyone who is a stakeholder in this wonderful service learning activity.    

• Have you received a compliment this week? Maybe someone passed you something you needed to hear, or maybe you picked out something for yourself. Throughout this quarter, expect to see some fun and interesting happenings around our school, as several students and teachers are conspiring to spread random acts of kindness throughout the building through exams. Each week will be a little different and every week will be exciting. Someone might pay for your lunch soon. You might find some treats in unexpected places. Someone may deliver you a message that you have been waiting for someone to say. If you get a compliment, choose a motivation for yourself, or participate or receive something in the movement, please take a picture and post it on Instagram with the hashtag #eghsrak . Who DOESN'T want to feel a little happier? :) Join the movement and I promise you will be changed, just as these two students on the right.

• The EGHS Travel Club, along with Ms. Canoy and Ms. Laws, enjoyed spring break in France and Italy. This was reported to be a fantastic experience. Please ask these students about this amazing opportunity: Lexi Bridges, Jermaine Martin, Tanner Cagle, Eve Trammell, Webay Jimenez, Matthew Ferris, Dorian Johnson, and Selena Zobro

• Our students have contributed over 17,000 service learning hours since August of this school year! This number is continuing to grow as spring service learning activities are recorded. We surpassed our goal for this school year, and we will be naming those seniors who will graduate with a service learning diploma very soon.

• Quayson Williams joins the SoCon as he signs to become a cadet for the prestigious Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina. Quayson has earned a full scholarship to The Citadel as a member of the Citadel Bulldogs Men's Basketball team. What an accomplishment!!

• Jarius Morehead, who has been signed to play football for NC State in the fall, is very excited for the future, and he plans to share about the hard work and dedication it took to get him to his dream. You can see a video interview from EGHS sportswriter Tre McLean in our last edition. This week, we will be sharing a video about Jarius and what it takes to be successful on the field and in the classroom.

• If you are still debating on whether or not to go to prom next Saturday, let's make the decision easy: GO! :) We need to sell 50 more tickets, so stop by the prom ticket table during lunch to purchase your ticket for 40.00. You will NOT be disappointed

• The American Red Cross spring blood drive co-sponsored by Ms. Offhaus and the EGHS Student Council and Ms, Melvin's Nursing Fundamentals II students was integral in providing 47 units of blood to our community!

• Ask a senior how his or her senior project is coming along! It's starting to get a bit more intense as the paper, board, and speech are coming into fruition. Please encourage these students as they prepare for the final mile of a 13 year marathon!

• Congratulations to Mrs. Jamila Jones-Watts on the birth of her beautiful daughter. Ms. Jones-Watts had her on April 10. Everyone is just fine! :)

• Our Wildcat spring athletics are staying fiercely competitive! Please encourage our student athletes!

• The newest series created by The Wild Times of EGHS journalism students includes an in-depth focus on music. Be prepared to hear some throwbacks from the wayback, as well as receive introduction to some music sure to be in regular rotation. Many EGHS students are featured in this series, so scroll down to check it out!

• Please let Ms. Crider or lead editor Katia Landeros-Ruiz know of any newsworthy information in the Wildcat habitat as we run headlong towards the finish. Stay tuned for more releases and projects from our publication. Thank you so much for your readership. Please share our link far and wide on social media, email, etc. You have the appreciation of 16 student journalists and 1 very grateful newspaper adviser.