WillardPublicSchools
 Student Focused | Strongly Connected | Success Driven
The Pride
December 18, 2015
In This Issue
Willard Parks
  
        
District Office
If I could only give the gift of a Willard education to all kids the debate would be over! 

Christmas is special for educators.  It is a time to recharge and bring new life to our purpose, our efforts, our goals, and most importantly our spirit.  What I get under the tree that costs money doesn't hold a candle to the gifts that God has given me:  Angie (wife), Lacey, Jarred, Jessica, Allie, Jacob (kids), and Emery and Ava (Granddaughters).  My extended family as well as my school family I also count as a gift.
 
If I could only give the gift of a Willard education to all kids the debate would be over!

Advancement of Public Education is the greatest answer for child poverty, economic problems, medical challenges, innovation, exploration, research, etc..........  Every child in Willard classes receives a gift that many will not truly understand for years.  It is the gift of opportunity.  All public schools provide kids the opportunity for knowledge.  Willard Public Schools provides much more.  Willard provides kids the opportunity to grow not only academically but personally.  Relationships, mentoring, encouragement, and advocacy enhance the lives of young people.  That is Willard's gift to students!   
 
My hope is that each of you will receive (and give) special gifts that cost absolutely nothing! 
 
Merry Christmas,
Dr. Medlin  
Athletics & Activities
"Optimism is a free stimulus" - I AGREE!!!!

Congratulations to our wrestling Tigers on starting the season 5-1 in duels.  The team will travel to the Harrisonville Tournament today and tomorrow before getting a break over Christmas.

Congratulations to the Lady Tigers on their victory over Central last night 43-41!  The girls will open play in the Pink and White on Monday, Dec. 28th vs. Camdenton at Drury.

Congratulations to the Tigers on their victory over Hillcrest on Tuesday!  The Tigers will travel to Sedalia tomorrow to play in the Sedalia Shootout.  They will play the host team at 9:00pm.  The boys drew the #1 seeded Kickapoo Chiefs in the first round of the Blue and Gold and will play on Saturday, Dec. 26th at 11:00am in Hammons Center.

With the excitement of the end of the semester I have forgotten to let everyone know about the last two tournaments for speech and debate! On Dec. 4th - 5th the varsity went to Monett to compete, while the novice competed at Cassville. 

Novice results, breaking to semi-finals: Jayce Burney in HI, Grace Hendrickson in Prose/Poetry, Denzel Ransom in Radio. Placing in finals: Ethen Palumbo 6th and Ethan Gambriel 1st in HI, Sierra Akiona 2nd in DI, Ethen Palumbo 3rd and Taylor Gibbs 2nd in Prose/Poetry, Brooke Parton 3rd and Ethan Gambriel 1st in Story Telling, Ethen Palumbo/Xaviera Conley 4th in Public Forum Debate and Tina Pan 2nd in Lincoln Douglas debate. 

Varsity results, breaking to semi-finals: Matthew Crosby and Gage Voss in IX, Zach Kauffman in USX, Maddie Bouttavong, Kate Vincent in Informative, James Ritzendollar, Carson Kroenke, Katie Schroeder, Jamie Weatherford, and Nautika Cruse in Super Session of Congress. Placing in finals: Jonah Perry 6th in HI, Cole Baker/Joe Amundson 4th in Duo, Katelynn Wilson 2nd in the Quad, and Matthew Crosby/ Zach Kauffman 4th in Policy Debate.
The Novice team placed 4th in Sweeps, Varsity 6th in Sweeps and we place 4th overall!

Last weekend we competed at MSU/Gloria Deo. 

Novice results, breaking to semi-finals: John Baker IX, Quinn Morris and Taylor Gibbs in HI, Denzel Ransom in Radio, Nautika Curse in Super Session Congress. Placing in finals: Xaviera Conley 6th in IX, Ethan Gambriel 3rd in HI, Sierra Akiona 4th in DI, Kyle Tuter/LJ Rybczyk 6th, Ethan Gambriel/Madi Jones 2nd, and Kat Prier/jayce Burney 1st in Duo, Julian Erickson 6th in Student Congress, Sierra Akiona 4th in Lincoln-Douglas debate, and Ethan Gambriel/Madi Jones 4th in Public Forum debate.

Varsity results, breaking to semi-finals: Katelyn Graham in USX, Jonah Perry in HI, Zach Kauffman/Matthew Crosby in Duo, Haley Wingender in Program of Oral Interp., Tory Butler and Nate Swadley in Informative speaking, Jonah Perry in Story Telling, and Elijah Pitts in Radio. Placing in finals: Katelynn Wilson 1st in HI, Kelsey Christianson/Aly Marshall 3rd in Duo, and Emily Raney 5th in Student Congress, and Emily Raney also placed 1st in Champ Lincoln-Douglas!

Novice placed 4th in seeps, Varsity 6th and the team placed 4th overall!

It's Good To Be A Tiger!

Jeff Staley
Director of Activities/Athletics
Central Elementary School
We have enjoyed a full first semester at Willard Central.  Our Student Lighthouse Team wrapped up the quarter teaching other students about Emotional Bank Accounts.  They performed skits and gave examples of making deposits into others with positive words and actions and how to avoid making withdrawals by using harsh words or losing your temper.  It has been amazing to hear students use the 7 habits language with each other and we are excited about the parent book study beginning in January.  If you are interested in joining our families for this, please contact the school office at 831-4440.


Our students also welcomed in the Christmas season with our PTO parties on Thursday afternoon.  Students enjoyed the festive games, activities and treats.  On Friday morning, our students were treated to Christmas read-along with a beloved guest teacher, Mrs. Suzanne Bradshaw.  Mrs. Bradshaw then blessed our staff with her wonderful piano playing skills at our staff luncheon after students were dismissed and before teachers started working on 2nd quarter report cards.  


As this semester winds down, we want to wish the very best to Nurse Shannon Jones.  Nurse Shannon has accepted a position at a local clinic.  We wish her the best in this adventure and we are thankful the loving care she provided for our students, staff and families.

May each of you have a blessed Christmas and may the holiday break be filled with joy, peace and rest as we prepare for a great 2016!



Shane Medlin
Principal     




Willard Public Schools | 417-742-2584
500 E Kime
Willard, MO 65781