South Edmonson Awards Honors To Over 270 Students

Darren Doyle, story and photos
The clanking of academic medallions echoed in the gym at South Edmonson Elementary today as over 270 fourth and fifth graders were honored for their Proficient and Distinguished scores on last year's K-PREP testing, helping to make SEES a Proficient level school, which is the state's second highest honor.

Parents, friends, and relatives joined school staff and faculty in the ceremony today as Principal Jamie Woosley addressed the crowd with a few words of introduction. "We do this so we can look each of these students in the eye, shake their hands, give them an award and say Congratulations, you were able to put forth the leadership skills you've learned, and it's paid off,"  he said. 

Colton Webb, a SEES 4th grader, accepts a Distiguished Award for math.

The test scores are huge factors in how Edmonson County Schools operate. The better the test scores, the better the funding schools receive. While Mr. Woosley understands the importance of the scores, he also said SEES focuses on other factors.

"We're developing and raising good people, and that's what this whole thing is about," he told the crowd. "We want to develop the best student possible, both academically and socially."

Callie Webb, a 5th grader, accepts a plaque for Distinguished scoring in Reading, Math, and Language Mechanics.

Medallions and certificates were given out to students scoring either Proficient or Distinguished in one or more categories: reading, math, and language mechanics. Personalized engraved plaques where awarded to students in scored Distinguished in all subjects.

Students were all smiles as they accepted their awards, but the highlight for many came afterwards when they all enjoyed cookies and punch as they had photos made with family and friends.