Autumn approaches and Walton County School District continues to exemplify Excellence, Professionalism, Innovation and Collaboration. All though our District has received an unprecedented #3 state ranking, teachers, students and staff strive to improve and reach higher levels of achievement! Freeport Middle School exhibits this “reach” within its growing Forensics and Biomedical elective programs. Mr. Nathan Smith, the Principal, announced that Mrs. Angela Robinson, a FMS science teacher, had been awarded a $10,322 grant from the St. Joe Community Foundation! These funds will go towards assisting the growth of science elective programs at Freeport Middle. Superintendent Russell Hughes also expressed appreciation to the St. Joe Community Foundation for this generous contribution.
Superintendent Hughes welcomed the Walton County Sheriff’s Office to the Magnet Innovation Center, thanking the WCSO for their generous donation of approximately $50,000 worth of drones. These state-of-the-art drones will help engineering and robotics students develop their understanding of and skilled work with drones, which are increasingly prevalent across most 21st-century industries. One Magnet Innovation Center student remarked, “This has made my day, my week, and probably this school year! I saw these and thought, ‘What can’t we do?'”
Walton County School District participated in the 2022 Walton County FAIR with its booth entry: “Excellence in 5G,” highlighting the achievements of the Walton County School Board, Superintendent Hughes, Instructional staff, and students. Our District System was recognized by Cognia Accreditation for its efficiency, ranking with only five other Florida school districts. Our ranking of #3 among 66 Florida school districts was also a part of this display. Walton County School District appreciates the community’s support, and our team members enjoy seeing parents and students in a relaxed atmosphere.
Walton County School District art teachers had the opportunity to participate in a professional development workshop as part of the Rosemary Beach Foundation’s 12th Annual Music in Pictures art initiative. Dr. Benjamin Sung, Associate Professor of Violin at Florida State University, presented a violin mini-concert and a session on the music selected as inspiration for the Music in Pictures artistic renderings. Malayne DeMars, Executive Director of the Rosemary Beach Foundation, and Winky Dowdle, Chair of the Music in Pictures Program, were the gracious hosts and organizers of the workshop. Walton County School District is grateful for our collaboration with the Rosemary Beach Foundation and its incredible cultivation of student creativity and self-expression.
Our Elementary Music students participated in FVA (Florida Vocal Association) and FEMEA’s (Florida Elementary Music Educators Association) auditions in September. As a result, students from Dune Lakes Elementary, Freeport Elementary School, Van R. Butler Elementary, and West DeFuniak Elementary were selected to represent our District in the state choral performances to be held in Tampa, Florida, January 12-14, 2022. Congratulations to these students for representing their schools in EPIC Fashion! Other outstanding students were chosen for the All-State Orff Ensemble, North Regional Honor Choir, and the North Regional Honor Orff Ensemble.
In athletic news, “high-fives” are appropriate for the South Walton High School Sea Hawks Girls Volleyball team who won their Regional Quarterfinals game. Congratulations to each of these hardworking, talented girls. Go HAWKS! A rousing ovation is due to the Walton Middle School Football team also. They are the reigning Panhandle Athletic Conference champions! WMS defeated North Bay Haven 44-14 on Tuesday, October 4, 2022. Congratulations Braves!
The Walton County School District seeks to provide a first-class education for ALL students enrolled in our schools, and we continue our quest to be the number one (#1) District in Florida!
Author: SWal Life
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