By LAURA BROOKHART / Community Columnist

Awards Day at Helena Middle School highlights the fact that students, parents and teachers are ending the school year feeling proud of many accomplishments.

The number of students on the A honor roll for the entire year is noteworthy — in the sixth grade, some 38 students received certificates; in the seventh, more than 40, and 30-plus eighth graders.

Sixth grade science and social studies teacher, Alan Wilson, said, “Helena Middle School students are given the opportunity to shine through academics, which include advanced classes, foreign language and business education along with providing students the opportunity to bring their own technology to school for research and writing assignments.”

“Our special education program enhances the academic experience providing encouragement and motivation to differently-abled students. Our fine arts program includes visual arts, band, and choir and HMS students have amazing coaches with winning teams that build character and stress academics and leadership.”

Winners of the Elks Essay Program received commendation for their thoughts on the topic “What the Star Spangled Banner Means to Me.” The essay provides a framework to explore topics such as patriotism, character, honor, and pride- as well as the idea of that it means to be an American seen through the eyes of our future generation of leaders.

HMS also has a team of eighth-grade Ambassadors who, throughout the year, work as guides and hosts at school events.

These students were still lending a hand on the first annual Husky Day (formerly Panther Day) monitoring the blowups, filling concessions and helping keep a fun day safe.

The dunk tank had ball players and others enthusiastically shelling out one dollar for three balls/chances to take favorite teachers “down under.” Great delight and applause rewarded each dunk for good-natured teacher volunteers.

Mouths were glowing in multi-colors from Kona-Ice and everyone was sporting a new Husky logo t-shirt donated by Dr. Priscila Denny of Oak Mountain Orthodontics.

Students and teachers collected memories as they contributed their autographs to these shirts.

 

Laura Brookhart is a community columnist for the city of Helena and can be reached at labro16@yahoo.com.