BY AMBER J. CRAFT
Special to the Times
On April 8, Lake Butler Elementary School students, parents, and staff gathered in the school’s cafeteria for the third nine-week honor roll ceremony.
Assistant Principal Julee Ricketson acknowledged that the third nine-week period presents a unique challenge for students.
“The rigor goes up,” she explained, noting that the added complexity in coursework combined with Spring Break right in the middle of the quarter can be a tough balancing act. “Additionally, we are moving into requiring students to read at home more. This makes it quite an accomplishment when we see so many students achieving honor roll status.”
Superintendent: Teamwork is key
Superintendent Mike Ripplinger, a regular presence at these award assemblies unless out of town, emphasized the crucial role that support systems play in student success.
When asked about the challenges of maintaining focus during this quarter, he said, “In general, as with anything, you begin to wear down a little bit, so keeping students engaged with all the activities that are going on is always a challenge. Also, helping them see what the end result will be—that’s always a challenge.”
According to the superintendent, the key to overcoming that hurdle is teamwork.
“There are two ingredients,” he said. Number 1 is the parents and the support the parents provide at the house, but also the teachers and what the teachers do, and our teachers do an amazing job in the classroom to keep the students motivated. And our administration and our coaches do as well. So, everybody working together helps keep that a primary focus and keeps our students moving towards the goals we set for them.”
First graders advance in reading
First-grade teacher Katherine Holmes said she has seen incredible transformation in her students.
“Their ability to read has really grown leaps and bounds,” she shared. “They went from reading simple sentences to reading whole paragraphs and texts and being able to comprehend and identify the key details and the topic. It’s been really great to see how much they’ve grown and changed.”
Fellow first-grade teacher JoAnn Hickcox echoed that pride.
“Being able to make the progress they’ve made so far this year and showing a lot of growth,” she said. “Having more students make the A Honor Roll and students make A/B Honor Roll who were struggling before—I would say this is one of my best classes this year.”
Let’s root for each other
Principal Michelle Fuist attributes much of this success to the school’s focus on support, communication, and engagement. She said the school’s theme for the year—“Let’s Root for Each Other and Watch Each Other Grow”—has been more than a motto. It’s a mission.
The school visually represents the theme with a symbolic tree covered in colorful handprints from students who have earned TIGER awards. The awards represent the school’s core values, with each letter in the acronym standing for a different trait: Try hard, Integrity, Great Attitude, Eagerness to Learn, Respect for Others, and Safety. Students add a handprint each time they demonstrate one of these values in their daily school life.
“This year, our focus has been let’s root for each other and watch each other grow, so we have been learning how to support each other and challenge each other in learning and asking why—not just giving answers,” said Fuist. “I’m most proud that our kids are getting in-depth conversations that are really growing from their learning, and they’re applying it.”
The principal said that growth is evident not only in report cards but in school climate.
“As a result, we’re seeing more kids with academic achievement,” she explained. “We’re seeing a lower amount of kids with discipline referrals. Our kids are more engaged with each other and learning behaviors that are positive and appropriate for school and learning how to handle conflict.”
Fuist credits innovative teaching strategies for this transformation.
“Our teachers have implemented carousels and other engagement strategies for our kids where they have to work in teams and solve a problem, so that has really grown their thinking and allowed them to work with each other and develop some of those communication skills.”
Kindergarten A Honor Roll
Teacher: Black- Landon Bishop, Saveon Conney, Brooklyn Crews, Piper Dortch, Elle Green, Adelynn Fowler, Kayden Klein, Paislyn Lewis, Kaislyn Martin, Everleigh McSpadden, Roxana Mecusker, Janessa Pena, Dawson Peugh, Roux Taylor, Luke Walker Teacher: Taylor- Eli Bly, Claire Dukes, Haven Mock, Teacher: Williams- Remington Dowling, Shep Dukes, Cullen Jones, Cayden Lee, Scarlett Smith, Magnus Tyler, Teacher: Lamb- Conway Clemons, Jackson McCallister, Tristan Roberts, Harleigh Welch, Amiyah Yates, Kane Harman, Sawyer Stalnaker, Teacher: McDaniel- Adalyn Scott, Anthany Johnson, Cole Monaghan, Isabella Reeves, Jypsen Markham, Teacher: Harris- Loni Bowman, Landon Brezner, Maren Dose, Cameron Griffis, Stella Kangas, Jackson Martin, Julia Miller, Felix Reyes, Zane Thomas, Teacher: Griffis- Colton Anderson, Brystol Benton, Beckett Bush, Morgan Douglass, Logan Douglass, Maverick Hendricks, Emmilynn Rodgers, Ryker Shaw, John Whitehead, Dallas Williams Teacher: Owens- Hudson Crawford, Nash Garber, Kyndall McRae, Layla Sams, Teacher: Thomas- Kaci Baker, Aeyson Bynum, Hunter Floyd, Le’anne Lobenthal, Zayah Williams.
Kindergarten A-B Honor Roll
Teacher: Black- Lailah Alston, Brooklyn Crews, Piper Dortch, Roxy Mecusker, Kaislyn Martin, Jayce Rathel, Teacher: Owens- Vincent Dellova, Austin Highland, Amera Manucy, Cully Mitchell, Teacher: Lamb- Kanai Erwin, Daniel Sigh, Ember Ward, Teacher: Harris- Zayden Black, Ramiah Lee, Xander Parrish, Kavin Paul, Liam Pipicz, Teacher: Taylor- Blaine Hartley, Alyce Holmes, Keaton Horton, Hudson Howard, Easton Wall, Teacher: McDaniel- Aubbrie Keith, Brysen Wynn, Easton Grantham, Evelyn Gracki, Johnny Sharp, Maxson Mann, Teacher: Thomas- Alton Griffis, Rylee Moore, Kage Seay, Hagen Singletary, Jesseman Thornton, Kimber Williams, Teacher: Griffis- Carson Chaffin, Kaisyn Davis, Stella Williams, Teacher: Williams- Ezabel Adkins, Laniyah Ford, Karter Holton, Layden Smith, Terrill Thomas, Aurora Wood, Kole Wood.
Kindergarten perfect attendance
Kaci Baker, Vincent Dellova, Hunter Floyd, Draven Gentry, Blaine Hartley, Alexander Kane, Ramiah Lee, Maxson Mann, Logan Martin, Haven Mock, Jayce Rathel, Layden Smith, Roux Taylor, Stella Williams, Kole Wood, Brysen Wynn, Amiyah Yates.
First-grade A Honor Roll
Teacher: Clyatt- Audrey Brown, Oliver Cartwright, Arianna Hadziomerovic, Jepson Howard, Lillian Lee, Ryker Lee, Addisyn Rosier, Addilyn Williams, Tyson Young, Teacher: Crews- Ridge Alvarez, Major Frisbee, Teacher: Hicks- Scarlett Clark, Beckham Crawford, Ashton Jordan, Teacher: Callaway- Caden Andrews, Erianna Edenfield, Braiden Esford, Zoey Johns, Maddox Shuler, Connor Thomas, Bentley Williams, Teacher: Holmes- Alexzander Brantley, Taylyr Grimsley, Emilia Perkins, Annie Trickett, Layla Yeauger, Teacher: Harrison- Ramona Bayron, Jenson Cumbess, Gray Griffis, Kassidy Harris, Damon Kuczenska, Lane Pittman, Teacher: Thomas- Jordan Prescott, Logan Smith, Grayson Snyder, Shannon Thompson, Cali Jo Tucker, Teacher: Hickox-Moody- Adleigh Anderson, Laikyn Andrews, Weston Androlevich.
First-grade A-B Honor Roll
Teacher: Callaway- Leighton-Roe Haase, Vallyn Latimer, Perry Norman, Huntley Tomlinson, Stetson Wood, Teacher: Hicks- , Adeline Brannen, Ava Colin, Angel Mobley, Waylon Seay, Lukas Temes, Drake Willis, Everly Wimpey, Teacher: Holmes- Trenton Coffman, Bryson Hall, Beau Jackson, Zach Tompkins, Teacher: Hickox-Moody- Gracie Galvin, Paislynn Halsey, Carter Hill, Conrad Mecusker, Trinity Riley, Ashley Jenkinson, Priya Silva, Teacher: Thomas- Harper Castlen, Paisley Clemons, Hadley Higginbotham, Emma Prock, Preston Ricketson, Teacher: Clyatt- Calyx Cook, Joy Del Howard, Gracelyn McCullers, Tatiana Palmer, Grayson Russell, Teacher: Miller- Jacob Benefield, Cinch Hagan, Nathan Huff, Dana Padgett, Rhett Wilson, Konnor Guthrie, Teacher: Harrison- Huxton Ellis, Emma Cavin, Rylie Mellette, Natalie Mellette, Jackson Woods, Gordyn Dorsey, Teacher: Crews- Zalden Highland-Williamson, Hoyt Register, Kelton Hall, Kinley Johnson, Paxton Johnson, Cooper Powell.
First grade perfect attendance
Adleigh Anderson, Laikyn Andrews, Clyde Barringer, Gregory Coffman, Kamille Crews, Major Frisbee, Riley Griffis Bryson Hall, Carter Hill, Zoey Johns, Kinley Johnson, Lillian Lee, Conrad Mecusker, Trinity Riley, Priya Silva, Aysa Smith, Dallas Stoddard, Connor Thomas, Graceigh Walker, Raina White, Addilyn Williams, Layla Yeauger.
Second-grade A Honor Roll
Teacher: Carr- Sophia Blake, Orrin Gibson, Peyton Gladding, Sean Imhof, Aria Jackson, Ember Ranard, Adalynn Southwell, Teacher: Dortch- Boone Dukes, Teacher: Larence- Gunner King, Teacher: Mayorasin- Charlee Ann Rutherford, Teacher: Walsh- Axel Adkins, Silas Bryant, Jase Feltner, Adalyn Mott, Teacher: Paul- Linling Dellova, Jacques Robinson, Jaxen Bradley, Amaryal Stewart, Ethan Yeauger
Second-grade A-B Honor Roll
Teacher: Carr- Atavius Barnes, Brantley Bratcher, Severus Heinssen, Jaiden Johnson, Derren Merriex, Hayden Murphy, Teacher: Maddox- Mary Gomez, Writ Griffis, Jenna Romero, Hunter Walker, Noah Welch, Rhett Williams, Teacher: Paul- Andrew Audia, Knox Barnett, Zabriel Black, Alyssa Callaway, Adeline Griffis, Fletcher Rose, Mya Williams, Teacher: Lawrence-, Evelyn Dalton, Annslie Thomas, Gunner Thompson, Teacher: Mayorguln- Ava Goodman, Cameron Grogan, Karen Hadziomerovic, Asher Jones, Asher Lukatz, Willow Strong, Killian Temes, Teacher: Dortch- , Avangaleyne Bynum, Kynzleigh Fowler, Shaylynn Kelly, KJ McManus, Lucas Vandervort, Remi Winebrenner, Teacher: Heover- Jameson Rooney, Riley Griffis, Jaxon Mecusker, Teacher: Norman- Jaxon Dampier, Sesylia Manzer, Palsley Parrisn, Teacher: Walsh- Courtney Andrews, Bonnie Barton, Colton Bennett, Wave Croft, Sadiegrace Fender, Iveyanna Ford, Noah McBeth, Caleigh Walker.
Second-grade perfect attendance
Mason Anderson, Alyssa Callaway, Linling Dellova, Boone Dukes, Writ Griffis, Peyton Hall, Dax Hall-Cumb, Hailey Huff, Nathan Huff, Shaylynn Kelly, Madalyn Light, Cameron Mabrey, KJ McManus, Durell Nash, Lucas Perrin, BryElla Raulerson, Charlee Ann Rutherford, Kainen Seay, Landrie Sharp, Aubrey Simmons, Braylon Stanley, Cason Stitt, Serenity Walker, Ethan Yeauger.
Middle Row L to R: Annie Trickett, Emilia Perkins, Zoey Johns, Braiden Esford, Caden Andrews, Cali Jo Tucker, Shannon Thompson, Grayson Snyder, Logan Smith, Jordan Prescott, Maddox Shuler, Connor Thomas, Bentley Williams
Back Row L to R: Ramona Bayron, Scarlett Clark, Ashton Jordan, Beckham Crawford, Ridge Alvarez, Major Frisbee, Taylyr Grimsley, Layla Yeauger, Adleigh Anderson, Laikyn Andrews, Weston Androlevich, Alexzander Brantley.
