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Two Back-to-Back State
Volleyball Champions at DCS
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DeSoto Central High School
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"You play a different kind of volleyball in DeSoto County," said one Mississippi High School Activities Association official.
And that is a good thing since both DeSoto Central High and Lewisburg High have now won back-to-back state titles.
"I bet people say this because volleyball in DeSoto County is so competitive and teams are so good," said Margaret Falatko, DeSoto Central's Coach .
Allison Burchyette, Lewisburg coach, added, "In DeSoto County, we play an aggressive style of volleyball. We hit hard and block with purpose. Defense is also a key to our success. The girls embrace the concept that 'the floor is our friend' and are happy to sacrifice their bodies to keep the ball up."
DeSoto Central High won the state title in Class 3 and Lewisburg High won in Class 2.
DeSoto Central beat Hancock, 25-21, 25-19 and 25-22, while Lewisburg swept Germantown , 25-17, 27-25, and 25-19.
What are these teams' secrets to have winning programs?
Falatko, said, "One of my secrets is to push my players. I always tell them I believe in them and that they can accomplish their goals, but they have to work for these goals. I try to make volleyball a place for them to grow (both on and off the court), but also an outlet for stress and a place to have fun. I encourage them to be great teammates to one another and be there when they have bad days. Without their teammates, their goals wouldn't be accomplished."
Burchyette added her secrets for success. "Work harder than anyone else. Keep a great attitude and be coachable. Serve tough. Get on the floor. Look for weaknesses in the other team's defense. Hit the ball high and hard."
What is special about each of these teams?
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President of the MHSAA Executive Committee Anthony Jenkins (DCS Athletic Director) presents state championship trophy to DCHS volleyball coach Margaret Flatako.
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Falatko said, "This year's group was young, but they had a ton of motivation and will to want to work hard and win. They faced some tough opponents and lost some matches that they probably shouldn't have, but instead of letting those define them, they worked hard to improve. They knew the road to state would be a challenging one, but they stayed focused and executed during games. We had great leadership from some of the veteran players. The team chemistry was great too! These girls would do anything for each other. I think working together and wanting to improve definitely helped this team reach their goals."
 Burchyette said, "We had no seniors. They had to embrace a new coach. They worked hard at 6:30 a.m. and they loved each other. That made this team very special."
"Many teams win one state championship. But to have two teams win back to back state championships is rare. I am proud of their hard work and accomplishments," said Supt. Milton Kuykendall.
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Music to Our Ears
Hernando High School Band Wins MHSAA 6A Marching Band for 2nd Straight Year
Hernando High School Band Wins MHSAA 6A Marching Band for Second Straight Year
 When DeSoto County School buses start pulling into Pearl High School for the 6A State Marching Band Competition, other schools must look at them with fear and trepidation. That is because they are the teams to beat. DCS Bands swept the awards at the competition. Thirty-two 6A high school bands competed for this title. DeSoto County Schools had five of the top bands in the state.
 Winning first place for the second year in a row was Hernando High School. Their band director is Len Killough.
Second place was claimed by Olive Branch High School. Southaven High School took third place, DeSoto Central High School was awarded fourth place and Horn Lake High School was the 11th place winner.
"I'm very proud of our students and directors for the hard work they put in each and every day to prepare for this competition," said Freddie Joseph, principal of HHS. "Winning back-to-back state championships against the quality of competition we face is amazing. Hard work pays off."
 Preparation for this state title began in July with long hours of practice in sweltering temperatures. To be the best in the state requires a systematic work ethic to make their eight minute show distinctive. Hernando High's band has 129 members and with middle school helpers, their total comes to 150. Transporting this group required four charter buses, one 18-wheeler (donated free of charge by a community trucking company, one large trailer and another small trailer. Their theme was "The Impossible Love" and was the story of Midas.
"Every time the band touched the color guard, they would turn gold," said Killough. "This gradually happened throughout the show until the end when their faces also turned gold."
Parental support is one factor that Killough says is a key to their success. "We had parents who worked EVERY weeknight working on props, driving, selling concessions, and sewing uniforms," Killough said. "It was amazing. Also, the business community and parents gave our band large donations to offset costs."
Killough said a special quality of this award-winning band is their work ethic.
"Even though they are extremely intelligent and have wonderful attitudes, our band values hard work," he added. "They understand the expectations because of last year's success."
 Besides winning state, Hernando High will be featured at the Mississippi Bandmasters' State Band Convention. They were selected out of every other high school to bring their symphonic band to perform at Natchez in front of every band director in the state. "This is a huge honor that has only been allotted to a select few," Killough said. "We are the second band from DeSoto County to receive this honor. Southaven High went in 2007."
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Student Gets to Meet His Idol
A rockstar visited Horn Lake Intermediate School to meet one of his biggest fans.
Bartholomew Orr, pastor of Brown Missionary Baptist Church, a 10,000 member congregation, is the celebrity Ryan Thurmon admires most. As a matter of fact, Ryan's favorite reward for staying on task and being respectful of others is free time to listen online to one of Pastor Orr's sermons.
Ryan is a third grade inclusion student.
"This illustrates our commitment as a district and school to find creative ways to support students with the help of our community partners," said HLIS Principal Rosie King.
At first, the plan was to get Rev. Orr to record a short video message to Ryan; however, when Rev. Orr heard that this student knows many of his sermons by heart and often imitates him, he decided to make a personal visit.
"I felt humbled and honored that Ryan uses my sermons as a reward," Rev. Orr said.
What was Ryan's reaction when the person he idols entered the room?
Joy. Pure joy.
"Reverend Orr!!!," Ryan exclaimed, pausing to pose for a picture.
"I came to see you today," Rev. Orr said. "Can I see your classwork? Math is my favorite subject. I understand you are working on your multiplication facts."
The two worked on multiplication facts and then Ryan asked Rev. Orr to come to the classroom's computer where Ryan quickly pulled up Brown Baptist's website. While he did not express his feelings, he wanted Rev. Orr to know that he was in awe.
He handed Rev. Orr a play microphone and said, "Go ahead."
Later, Rev. Orr made a short video encouraging Ryan to try his best.
"Ryan, stay safe. Do not go into the street without permission. Will you do that for me? No running or throwing objects in class. Will you do that for me? I want you to always obey the teacher and like II Thessalonians, I pray that you will never get tired of doing good," Rev. Orr said.
His teachers will use the video to remind Ryan of his expectations in the classroom. They think this will be a new tool to help him develop into the young man that God wants him to be.
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Student Led Effort Works to Acquire a Grand Piano
Memphis Men of Harmony Make Significant Contribution
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Memphis Men of Harmony Chorus donated more than $1,000 to the Grand Piano Fund at CHHS. On hand for the donation are from left to right, Supt. Milton Kuykendall, Jim McLane, Eric Shultz, Choral Director Catherine Feazell, Jim Warner, Jim Sams and CHHS Principal Doug Payne.
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A student at Center Hill High School had a vision. She wanted her choral teacher and her choir to have a grand piano; she is steadily making progress, one key at a time.
Tyler Theodore realized other choral departments had a grand piano. Hers did not. She went to a website called "GoFundMe," submitted her idea and started getting donations. She worked with her choral teacher, Catherine Feazell, and the two came up with other efforts to raise funds, including assigning a dollar value for each of the 88 keys on the piano keyboard. An individual or group could purchase one or more keys, an octave or may donate any amount.
One group, the Memphis Men of Harmony Chorus, an all-male chorus that sings four-part harmony in the a cappella barbershop style, decided they wanted a few keys and contributed more than $1,000 to the Center Hill High fund.
"Our fundraising efforts and our singing events provide money for us to contribute to youth programs. We are pleased to help Center Hill work toward their goal," said Erich Shultz, president of the organization.
"Art is as critical to making a life as education is to making a living," said Shultz.
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Tyler Theodore started the efforts to earn a grand piano for Center Hill High School's Choral Department.
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In presenting the check, Shultz said, "On behalf of the Memphis Men of Harmony, QuickSilver quartet, and individual member donors (Ed Johnson, David Howell, Mike Lowry, Ignatius Brown and Shultz), I am pleased to present this check. We hope that our gift may inspire others to help meet this goal and provide continuing support for your outstanding program."
Feazell said, "Putting a top quality instrument in our choir room will enhance not only our school music program, but will enrich the opportunities for our entire community. We are very appreciative of this generous gift."
Tyler Theodore also learned an important lesson. She can reach her goal of earning a $7,800 piano if she shares her vision and works to make it happen. She has a sign posted in their choral room that reads, "Buying a Piano is a Group Effort!"
Feazell says they hope to purchase the piano in 2016.
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Veterans Receive Gifts from Home
Will Norris and Brooklyn Farmer used their lunch hour at DeSoto Central Middle School to pack "Shoeboxes for Soldiers". Many schools participated in the program.
For the last few months, students have been collecting treasures to share with soldiers around the world in the "Shoeboxes for Soldiers" project organized by Baptist Memorial Hospital-DeSoto. A presentation of the boxes took place on Veterans' Day as a way to honor veterans, far and near.
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The DeSoto Digest is a publication of the
Communications Department
DeSoto County Schools
5 East South Street, Hernando
Mississippi 38632
Katherine Nelson, Director
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The DeSoto County School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups.
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The DeSoto Digest is produced by the Communications Department and delivered to all employees and subscribers on the first of each month.
Katherine Nelson Director of Communications |
Foundation for Excellence
Laura Walker, Jeannine Foucault
From left, Laura Sloan, Lawanda Schief, Toni Coleman, and Jen Tidwell
Barry Bouchillon with State Farm, Olive Branch Mayor Scott Phillips
Sarah Denison and Amanda Klein
HMS Principal Rob Chase and HLHS Principal Andy Orr
Toni Coleman and Mindy Taylor
Theresa Holland, OBMS Principal Jerry Floate, and Jennifer Morrison
Deborah Morgan, DeSoto County Economic Development Council and Supt. Milton Kuykendall
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Calendar 2015-16
| Dec. 21st - Jan. 1st | | Christmas Holidays | | | January 4th | | Teachers & Students Return | | | January 18th | | King/Lee Holiday | | | February 12th | Professional Development
(Student Holiday) | | | February 15th | | Washington's Birthday Holiday | | | March 14th -18th | | Spring Break | | | March 25th | | Good Friday Holiday | | | March 28th | | Easter Holiday | | | May 20th | | Students' Last Day | | | May 25th | | Teachers' Last Day | | | May 30th | | Memorial Day Holiday |
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