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“We have a strong heritage of love of God, family, and country, that I am proud to be a part of and continue.”

Dylon Basham comes from a long line of citizens that have taken great pride and honor in serving their country dating back to the civil war.  Today, he took an oath in front of family, friends, and educators to continue that courageous act in the National Guard.  

After scoring very well on the ASVAB, a multiple-choice test used by the military to determine a person's eligibility and aptitude for enlistment and specific military jobs, Basham was immediately considered to be an outstanding candidate for enlistment.  However, the calling was already on Basham’s radar.

“I began considering the National Guard this summer when the discussion of careers and college came up.  My family and friends who have served, JROTC program teachers, teachers who are Veterans, have all supported me in the decision to enlist.”

A member of the JROTC program since the 8th grade, Basham attributes SGT. K, Col, Caldwell and educator Mr. Alex Truelove for making quite the impact on his life.  In addition, the JROTC program has served as a catalyst for developing the attributes considered to be ideal for the National Guard.

“The GCHS JROTC program has taught me many skills and valuable knowledge of the military that will help me become successful in the National Guard.  This program teaches young people a sense of camaraderie, volunteerism, and civic responsibility, helping them become better citizens.”

While students typically travel to a site for the swearing in ceremony, Basham requested that if possible, the ceremony take place where he has called home.  

“Having the swearing in at GC means that family, friends and fellow JROTC cadets can watch me be sworn in. It is important to my family and myself that they will be in attendance to watch me take the most important step in my life up to this point.”

While Basham is unsure of exactly what the future will hold, he plans to completely devote himself to the experience and soak up as much knowledge as possible to further his career as an electrical engineer.  

Dylon will begin attending monthly weekend meetings next month, also known as “drills.”  When the school year concludes, he will report to boot camp to prepare for active duty upon graduation.

Congratulations, Dylon!  You are truly an inspiration, and GC Nation is so proud of you!

#GDTBAE #PursuingExcellenceTogether

 

The odds were against him. Doctors fully anticipated that the significant brain damage would limit him, and they certainly were not hopeful that he would ever overcome his medical disabilities.  BUT…Brantley Johnson had other plans.  

“Brantley had such a rough start.  At a month old, he spent 28 days in the hospital.  We were told that he would be non-responsive,” explained mother, Dana Jackson.

Today, Brantley’s life is full.  With the help of his parents and educators advocating and investing into what they knew he was capable of, he exceeds all expectations in everything he attempts. As a matter of fact, Brantley has developed a love and passion for bowling and really all things sports.  Last month, he won 1st place, along with his mother, in the Unified Partners bowling tournament as well as the top spot in the Special Olympics Regional Competition.

A member of the Special Olympics program for 3 years, Brantley spends two days a week practicing during bowling season.  However, the sport is truly a family event.  Bowling on vacations, including Brantley’s favorite at Disney World, he insists that he wouldn’t be where he is today without the support, passion, and drive that his family has instilled in him. 

“My family has taught me how to bowl.  It is fun to win with mom.  This is the second time mom and I get to go to state to bowl together.  My brother, Andrew, bowls for the Graves County team.  He shows me to keep trying and don’t give up,” insisted Johnson.

Diagnosed with cerebral palsy, being active helps prevent joints and muscles from becoming tight. In addition, Brantley competes in Special Olympics soccer, softball and basketball.  However, this fall he was able to tap into a new passion as manager of the 6th grade football team.  The experience shifted Brantley into a caretaker role, and his dedication and love for his teammates made an immeasurable impact.

“Having Brantley on our team was such an inspiration and shows that everyone has a place on this team. He may not have worn the pads, but he was the most important player! He reminds everyone that being part of a team isn’t about stats or playing time, it’s about commitment and the love of the game,” stated Coach Jarrod Thompson.

“This year, as the 6th grade football team manager, Brantley loved getting to help the coaches.  The players and coaches were amazing, and he very much so felt a part of the team,” expressed Mrs. Jackson.  

As winter is on the horizon, Brantley, his mother Dana, and brother Andrew, are keeping the lanes hot preparing for the state competition. The trio are set to travel to the contest in December.  While many athletes have mottos that serve as their inspiration…Brantley’s strategy is simple.

“Have fun and don’t hit the gutter!”

The odds were stacked against him.  Ironically, just like the pins at the end of his lane, Brantley Johnson has knocked them all down. He’s in the strike zone. 

Congratulations and good luck!  

#GDTBAE #PursuingExcellenceTogether

 

This morning, the U.S. News and & World Report published their 2026 Best Elementary Schools and Best Middle Schools rankings.  We are thrilled to announce that ALL SIX elementary schools in the district earned a BEST ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS AWARD.  And, that’s not all…GCMS earned a BEST MIDDLE SCHOOL AWARD!  

Landing in the TOP 40% of schools in the state of Kentucky, each school awarded were assessed on their proficiencies in mathematics and reading as measured by state assessment tests.  In addition, the formula also focuses on the context of socioeconomic demographics.  This simply means that those named top-ranked are high-achieving schools that are successful in educating ALL of their students.  

“This recognition solidifies that the high-quality instruction we are using in our classroom, the behavior methods PBIS has put in place, and the overall culture we are establishing in our buildings are producing the results we had hoped for. Our students are not only academically prepared, but they are also meeting social expectations.  Our educators are top notch and determined to meet the needs of every student.” 

                                                          Director of Elementary Education, Amanda Henson

“As our students transition, our administration has been committed to challenging our students academically and socially.  The years spent in middle school are truly formative years that set a precedent for the final four years of their academic career.  We are pleased with the work being done, and these results are a testament to our educators and our students.  It truly aligns with one of our core beliefs that all students can learn and rise to our expectations.”

                                                              Director of Secondary Education, Allyssa Binkley 

For a complete listing of GC Schools you may follow the link below to the USNews website.

https://www.usnews.com/education/k12/elementary-schools/kentucky/district-108428

https://www.usnews.com/education/k12/middle-schools/kentucky/district-108428

Congratulations to all of these schools and the educators that pour into EVERY student each day!

#GDTBAE #PursuingExcellenceTogether

 

The truth is that the world is tough.  The truth is that life is not always fair.  The truth is that with every choice there comes a consequence. 

Last Friday, 8th grade students at Graves County Middle School participated in the yearly event Truth & Consequences.  Accompanied by an adult, students are presented a scenario that sends them through the effects of their choice.  Maybe they chose to drive under the influence. Maybe they chose to not attend school.  Or, maybe they chose to cut corners and sell drugs for quick cash.  Whatever the case may be, students are faced with the reality of what their decision brings.

With a gymnasium full of community members, the experience offers an authentic outcome of their choices.  A judge, police officer, minister, coroner, counselor, paramedic, pharmacist, school board member, principal and more are readily available to hand down the consequences of their truth.  Some experience being arrested, while others receive disciplinary action from school administration.  At the end of their exercise, the hope is that students realize that their success is based solely on their ability to make good decisions.

What will your truth be?  Will it lead down a road of heartache and destruction, or will it serve as a guide to accomplish goals and dreams?  Our desire is that the students who grace our hallways each day know that there are people in their corner that are rooting them on and encouraging them to rise above the temptations.  

Thank you to our community partners who collaborate with our FRYSC department to organize the event.  Without your willingness to attend, our students would not have had the opportunity to participate in one of the most impactful days of their educational careers. 

#GDTAE #PursuingExcellenceTogether

 

 

Art has the power to connect us across ages, schools, and experiences. “Behind the Mask” is a unique collaborative exhibition that brings together the creative voices of elementary, middle, and high school students to explore one shared theme: the mask.

From playful and imaginative to thoughtful and introspective, the works on display reflect how masks can both conceal and reveal who we are. The elementary students began the collaboration by designing and constructing a wide variety of expressive masks. Using mixed media materials, they created characters, creatures, and symbols that celebrate imagination and self-expression. Each piece captures the joy and fearlessness that often define early artmaking — a reminder of how creativity thrives when it’s unrestricted.

Middle school artists took inspiration from their younger peers, expanding on the idea of identity through more complex design and craftsmanship. Their masks experiment with pattern, emotion, and cultural influence, showing how expression deepens as artistic skill and awareness grow.

The high school students brought the collaboration full circle through a series of foreshortened portraits that use the concept of masking to explore identity more conceptually. In these pieces, the artists obscure their own faces — not with a physical mask, but through the use of perspective, foreshortening, body position, and composition. The result is a collection of images that challenge the viewer to consider how identity can be hidden, transformed, or redefined through art.

Together, these works create a powerful visual conversation about who we are, what we choose to show, and what we keep hidden. “Behind the Mask” celebrates growth, collaboration, and the shared language of art that connects students across all grade levels.

We would like to extend our deepest thanks to the talented student artists whose creativity and courage made this exhibition possible. This show represents the collective efforts of students and teachers from the elementary, middle, and high schools in our district — a true celebration of community and artistic collaboration. Thank you to the art educators who guided their students with patience and vision, and to the families and community members who continue to support arts education. Finally, thank you, the viewer, for taking the time to engage with these works. Your presence helps validate the effort, imagination, and spirit that every student poured into this project.

Emily E Glowicki

GCHS Artistic Director

IBPAC Gallery Coordinator