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Basketball has always been close to the hearts of Graves Countians.  Our history is rich…complete with many titles, banners and trophies.  Unforgettable seasons could be used to describe numerous teams…especially the ladies 1976 Sedalia Lady Lions and the 1978 Lowes Lady Blue Devils.  Each clinched the Regional Championship title solidifying their spots as some of the greatest teams within the Graves County School district.  

While it is true that you must have a love for the game to be competitive, it’s also true that those who played would agree that many years after leaving the hardwood, they are left with so much more than the basketball fundamentals.  

“Basketball was a great part of my life that helped build character and determination to succeed in all I do.  It was a confidence builder that ultimately shaped my personality,” explained Lowes Blue Devil, Jill Kirby.  

Center for the Sedalia Lions, Gigi Foy adds, “I learned to work and communicate with others.  In basketball, you have to play as a team and learn to follow directions and take corrections.”

These two teams appeared seamless on the court….a chemistry that couldn’t be explained or denied. Under the direction of knowledgeable coaches, physical endurance was always a key focus during practice.  Mr. Jim Long, coach of the ladies and boys basketball teams at Lowes High School, and Mr. Ken Way, the coach of the Lady Lions, both wholeheartedly believed that the team who could keep up with the physicality for the entirety of the game were typically the last ones standing.

“Mr. Jim Long was always very game minded. He loved the game of basketball. We would start running the mile in early season to prep for us to be ready. Our goal was to be a full court, run and gun type team that made it difficult for other teams to keep up with us,” remembers Kirby, a center for the Blue Devil. Foy adds, “Thirty second suicide drills were always a part of our conditioning, but it proved to be the drill that sustained us in a fast paced game.”

With girls basketball established a few years earlier, these teams, while they experienced success, were not free from trials.  Throughout their battles, they together developed endurance and tenacity…challenging one another on and off the court.  The bonds they developed still hold today…and so do the memories.

“When we went to the state tournament, we had a parade to see us off.  Once we arrived in Richmond, we received telegrams from back home,” reflected Foy.     

“Winning the Regional Tournament, going to state and ending my high school career by playing in the East West All Star game and the Kentucky Indiana All Stars game will always be vivid memories.  However, what I will also always remember is the support from our community.  The crowds at our games were HUGE!  They filled the gym for each game.”

“There was standing room only at the ball games back then. Everyone came out to watch,” Foy echoes. 

Basketball…it’s been embedded in the spirit of Graves County schools for as long as most of us can remember…and typically it continues on through-out generations.

“Basketball is still a huge part of our lives. We have 3 of our 4 grandchildren that are involved in Graves County Basketball.  We get to watch our oldest, Braden Waller, play tonight,” shares Foy.

The 1976 Sedalia Lions Regional Championship team and the 1978 Lowes Blue Devils Regional Championship team will be recognized tonight during halftime of the girls varsity game.  

#GDTBAE #PursuingExcellenceTogether

 

The Impact Report Spotlight is a tool used to provide a clear picture of the impact that Family Resource Youth Service Centers have in our schools.  FRYSC coordinators across the district work tirelessly to ensure that the physical, social, and mental needs of each child are met. Many times, this can be through programs.  As a result, legislators then examine these programs as evidence during funding discussions that make programs such as these possible.  

We are honored and pleased to announce that Central Elementary’s Knight and Squire Mentor Program has caught the eye of the Division of Family Resource and Youth Service Centers and was featured in the 2024 FRYSC Impact Report Spotlight.  With over 900 submissions, only 80 were chosen to be included in the spotlight report, and only 5 were chosen from Region 1.

“During the first semester of our school year, we had a demonstrated need that reflected a group of students with recurring behavior occurrences needing tier 2 behavior support,” explained principal, Keri Cornwell.

Out of that observation was born the Knights and Squire Mentor Program.  Designed to aid students who struggle with expressing feelings, coping with anger/anxiety issues, and struggling with self-image/self-esteem, the program was put into motion to hopefully reduce the number of behavior incidents.  However, the success of the program relied heavily on help from outside sources.

“I contacted community members to join the program. Each community member, after passing a background check, was partnered with a student.  The program had a group meeting each month where each session focused on coping strategies and skills.  A Mountain Comprehensive Counselor conducted the meetings with topics that were informative and precise to needs in our building.”

After implementing the program, the data clearly showed that out of the 21 “frequent flyer” students, behavior incidents reduced from 106 to 76 in only one semester.  The decrease was substantial and proof that the program was beneficial and effective to those who attended.  

“I really look forward to continuing to implement the Knight and Squire Mentor Program each year.  As educators, it is our responsibility to not only enrich the lives of students through academic instruction, but we also must be a sounding board for them in terms of behavior.  As they grow and mature, if we overlook the necessity of teaching coping skills and how to productively express emotions, we’ve missed a critical piece of the puzzle.”

Great job, Central!

#GDTBAE #PursuingExcellence Together  

 

Back in the fall, schools across the Commonwealth participated in High Attendance Day.

While attendance is certainly always a high priority across the district, each of our schools were challenged with the task of having perfect attendance for High Attendance Day.  

We are proud to announce that Symsonia Elementary School not only had the highest attendance in our district, but they had the highest attendance in the state of Kentucky! 

Today, Director of Pupil Personnel, Robert Braden, presented Ms. Franklin, students, and staff with perfect attendance a certificate as well as a $500 check from the Kentucky Directors of Pupil Personnel.

Principal Michele Franklin is proud of her Rough Riders to say the least! "Attendance is the first step to achievement.  Being at school matters! Friendships are formed, learning occurs, and dreams are made. Our rough riders showed up and SOARed!  High Attendance Day was a day of celebrating learning, and we also learned the importance of being kind to each other. Spaghetti Day in a Hot Dog Bun will always be one of my favorite days as the principal of Symsonia Elementary School."

Attendance has been a primary focus for teachers, staff and administrators this school year.  At the center of the social, mental, and academic well-being of our students is the consistency of being present each day.  Each of our students are important, valued, and truly missed when they are absent.  

Way to go Symsonia! Keep up the good work!

#GDTBAE #PursuingExcellenceTogether

 

January is often a month of self-reflection. We look back on the past year, reflect on our successes and maybe even failures, and then look to the future…setting new goals and aspiring for greatness and positive change for the upcoming year.

Some thrive on setting goals at the beginning of each year, while others do not. It really is just a personal preference.  On this first day back after Christmas break…we caught up with a few kiddos to see if they establish goals for the upcoming year.

Seventh grade student Addison Lilly has already determined academic goals for the remainder of the school year.  “My goal for this year is to get all A’s for my first year of middle school.”

While academic goals are certainly admirable, other students have set more personal goals.  Sophomore Libby Kendall has her sights set on the future and the possibility that accompanies it.  “This new year, my goal is to embrace the future with an open heart and mind, welcoming whatever life brings my way.  I will actively seek new opportunities to grow, stay adaptable to change, and cultivate a mindset of flexibility and resilience, ready to thrive in every challenge that comes my way.”

Even elementary students are planning to make great strides in 2025. Third grade student Ben Reed has a pretty challenging list. “In the year 2025, my goals are to read my Bible more, help with more stuff around the house, and score Distinguished in both reading and math on the KSA test in the spring.”

As our educators push for the final stretch of the school year, many of them reflect on the completed semester, regroup, and put plans into motion that will improve the learning environment and culture in their own classrooms and buildings. So many times, teaching can be a trial and error profession.  Being flexible and having the ability to pivot and cater your message to the ears it falls on is crucial.  

Lindsay Weaks, Farmington Elementary fifth and sixth grade social studies teacher, really uses this second semester to begin pushing students to think outside of the box with their learning.  As the year continues, and students seem to have reached a comfort level amongst their peers, Weaks begins to create circumstances that allow for students to learn to use their voice.  “For 2025, I am setting a goal to empower my students as leaders and decision makers. I started this goal at the end of last year by allowing students to participate in a mock presidential election.  Teaching Social Studies really gives me the opportunity to continue this goal.  It provides the foundation to instill leadership and initiative in my students so they can really excel in their education and lives while hopefully one day becoming an important asset to our community.” 

The first half of the school year has proven to be one of great success for our school district!  We anticipate the second portion to be even better all because of the top notch students, staff, administrators and educators that fill our buildings.  

2025…GC Nation is coming for you!

#GDTBAE #PursuingExcellenceTogether

 

January 1, 1985, the date Mr. Ronnie Holmes assumed his position and role as a Graves County Board Member. On that day, he would have never guessed that it would have been 40 years later that he attended his final board meeting.

During his time of service, Holmes experienced and witnessed many events that changed the world of education. From the ever-changing world of technology to the Covid years, he had a front row seat to the progression of education. While the district had many positive things taking place, Mr. Holmes saw some areas that needed improvement.

“When I decided to run for a seat on the board, my goal was to improve the facilities our students were learning in as well as ensure that we had a safe, reliable bus fleet,” explained Holmes.

Not only did Mr. Holmes dedicate his time to Graves County, he also served on the Kentucky School Board Associations. While he served as an officer for 6 years, he went on to assume the role of President for 2 additional years. Holmes completed an astounding 953 hours of training during his service, and his signature look of Hawaiian shirts caught the attention of many across the country. Fellow KSBA Executive Director, Kerri Schelling, testified that one of the main qualities that made Mr. Holmes so successful was that he consistently listened instead of speaking.

A graduate of Symsonia High School, Mr. Holmes attended grades 1st through 8th at Hardeman. He attributes much of who he is today to the educators that invested in him and one very special principal, Mr. Myatt. In turn, his desire was to make a difference in the school system that very much so shaped his future. A place where his own child could thrive, he strived to make Graves County a place where children received a top tier education while establishing life skills that would create a foundation for success.

“The Graves County School system truly has all the pieces to complete the puzzle. Our students are one of a kind, creative, talented and intelligent. However, all of that is only possible because of the classified and certified staff that spend their days going above and beyond for kids.”

As a chapter closes, we celebrate the many accomplishments that would not have been possible without the commitment Mr. Holmes made to our district many years ago. Superintendent Matt Madding said it best as the final board meeting took place Tuesday night.

“Ronnie has played a vital role in making GC schools better. He has been a part of making sure that academic excellence was built into the fabric of everything we do. Graves County Schools is better because of you. That’s all you can ask for…is to leave something better than you found it.”

Congratulation Mr. Ronnie Holmes! Words cannot adequately express our appreciation for your dedication to Graves County Schools!

#GDTBAE #PursuingExcellenceTogether