News  |  Feature  |  School  |  Sports  |  Obituaries  |  Daily Obits  |  Public Notices

           Home About UsContact Us Tuesday, May 16, 2006
calendar
  COMMUNITY  
  Huntingdon  
  McKenzie  
  Retire in McKenzie  
  Carroll County Chamber of Commerce  
Paris-Henry County Tennessee
  SCHOOLS  
  McKenzie Schools  
Huntingdon Schools
  Hollow Rock-Bruceton  
  West Carroll Schools  
  Carroll County Board of Education  
  Bethel College  
  Tennessee Technology Center  
ATTRACTIONS
  The Dixie Carter Performing Arts and Academic Enrichment Center
Designed & hosted by The McKenzie Banner
CLICK HERE
for more Web sites created and hosted by The Banner
 








Click Here to sample the
e-edition

 

 
    
The Web
2005-08 Banner
2001-04 Banner

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

News
       
  MHS Awards 96 Diplomas During Commencement    


The 96 class members were seated on the floor of the MHS Gymnasium.

 
By Joel Washburn
washburn@mckenziebanner.com


Alex Bell receives her diploma from Ruth Carroll, school board chairman.


MCKENZIE (May 15, 2006) MHS Class of 2006 is one of the largest and one of the smartest classes to come out of McKenzie High School in a number of years. After several years of small numbers of graduates, the class of 2006 produced 96 graduates during commencement exercises Monday evening in the MHS Gymnasium. Principal Terry Howell said the class has the highest ACT scores in school history and those cumulative scores are exceeded state and national averages.

Students marched two-by-two to the sound of Pomp and Circumstance to accompany a standing-room only crowd. The 97th class to graduate from MHS distinguished themselves in many arenas academically, athletically, musically, and socially. In the tradition-rich ceremony, the ladies wore the red gowns and mortarboards while the gentlemen wore gray.


Amanda Ferguson is all smiles when she receives her diploma from Ruth Carroll.


NiCole West led the gathering in the Pledge of Allegiance followed by the National Anthem, led by Jessica Maynard. Class President John Kermit Laughrey offered the welcome, followed by the salutatory address by Hunter Downing. In a break from the traditional class song, guitarist and vocalist Daniel Thomas performed a solo for his self-written "I Wish We Could Do It All Again". Brice Priestley followed with the valedictory address.

Principal Terry Howell announced scholarships totaling a possible $1,299,545 as known to date.

Class members each walked across the elevated stage to receive their diplomas as Counselor LaDona Herrin announced their names and Board Chairman Ruth Carroll handed them the diplomas. Howell gave one final handshake to seal the deal. School board member Jill Holland had the privilege of handing out the first diploma to her son John Kermit Laughrey.


Beau Brown prepares to launch his mortarboard folliwng the singing of the Alma Mater.


Following the presentation of diplomas, Howell asked graduates to move their tassels from the left to the right of the mortarboard to signify graduation.

The top 10 graduates and GPAs are: Brice Priestley (98.25), 2. Hunter Downing (97.4167), 3. John Kermit Laughrey (96.4583), 4. Lee Barham (96.4167), 5. Craig Broadbent (96.125), 6. NiCole West (96.0417), 7. Caleb Owen (95.875), 8. Kari Sydnor (95.5417), 9. Zach Drye (95.2083), and 10. Courtney Creasy (94.9167).

A list of graduates throughout Carroll County, Gleason, and Bethel College appeared in The Banner's graduation section May 10. Additional copies are available free of charge at the newspaper office.


Future graduate Bailey Nelson tries on the mortarboard of big sister, Brooke Cole. Bailey is a kindergarten student at MES.


Happy graduates Drew Hayes, Holland Hames, and JJ Chandler following graduation.



Speeches

Class President John Kermit Laughrey

Welcome to the McKenzie High School 2006 Commencement exercises. It is an honor for each of us to have you present on this very special night, which marks the gateway, the gateway to our future.

Laughrey compared the students to the Hope Diamond, which he viewed at the Smithsonian on a visit to Washington, D.C. The Hope started out a piece of carbon, honed by time to be the brilliant piece it is today.

Thirteen years ago, the class of 2006 began its formal education as diamonds in the rough. Through the years we were refined and polished by those who cared for us, and tonight we owe them a huge thank-you. Each day our parents, grandparents, or guardians have gotten us up, prodded us, guided us, encouraged us and sometimes chastised us to be the west could be. They were our cheerleaders. They were the ones who cheered us on during the good times, and they were our support during the bad times.

As kindergartners we entered school to find teachers, principals, office staff, coaches, lunchroom ladies, bus drivers and maintenance staff who gave us the best years of their lives. Our school family inspired, they reprimanded us, they guided us and they sometimes pressured us to always do better. But remember it takes high heat and a lot of pressure to form a diamond.

One churches, ministers, Sunday school teachers and congregation have ministered to us, guiding us and giving us the spiritual foundations, which helped us develop a strong faith and solid values.

And our community, the town of McKenzie, has supported all of our efforts to make sure we would succeed through the past 13 years. Each of our community service clubs and partners in education have been given us countless hours and money to recognize our accomplishments through banquets, scholarships and various awards. How many business people and townspeople have bought magazines, Rebel Cards, and rib-eye tickets. All one has to do is look at the signs on our football field, hear the crowd on a Rebel Football Friday night or see the packed gym during the of basketball game to know that this class as all those before and after us has had and will have the support of the entire community.

No, none of us is self-made, we shine only because of the years of polish that each one of these people unselfishly and willingly gave us.

So what happens now to these diamonds freshly polished and shining? In order to insure their beauty and value, there are four important characteristics of these rare gems that set them apart from all other rocks.

1. Diamonds need to be kept clean, otherwise, their brilliance is reduced. I challenge each of us to keep our reputations and characters clean. We owe our families, teachers, churches, and community. They've each sacrificed too much for us to let them down. They've shaped our lives, given us a strong foundation and it's up to us no to make them proud. Take on the challenge of becoming a responsible, contributing member of our society. Never take away more than you give back, and let your life shine.

2. The only thing that can scratch a diamond is another diamond. Be kind and compassionate to one another. Don't leave any scratches on another human being. In other words, live by the golden rule. Treasure your family, friends, community and even those that you don't know. Always call home and keep in touch with those who have given so much.

3. A well-cut diamond gives off a prismatic action known as fire. Always have fire. Make positive changes. If you don't like something - the status quo - don't complain, change it. Don't let frustration get the best of you - but turn frustration into determination. Don't just get a job, get a career - find something you love and do it, and be the best at it. Make a difference in the world, give back to those who have given so much, and even give to those who haven't given so much. Remember that change involves movement, movement involves friction, friction is what causes things to crumble, but friction also polishes fine diamonds. Always have the courage to do what is right. Live you life by principles and faith. Discover your gifts, and then give those gifts away.

4. Always be yourself. Remember, anyone can tell a cubic zirconia from the real thing. Submit to pressure from peers and you move down to their level. Speak up for your own beliefs and you invite them up to your level. If you move with the crowd, you'll get no further than the crowd. When 40 million people believe in a dumb idea, it is still a dumb idea. Simply swimming with the tide leaves you nowhere. So if you believe in something that's good, honest and bright, stand up for it. Maybe your peers will get smart and drift your way.

Thank-you. God Bless you, and may life be good to each of you.

Salutatorian Hunter Thomas Downing told fellow graduates they have a choice.

As you are all aware, life has its ups and downs. We cannot always predict how the future will turn our for us or why things happen the way they do. But we always have a choice in how we react to what life throws our way.

As I look back, I remember playing kickball on the playground and making up chants to cheer on our classmates during field day. I remember walking from place to place in alphabetical order. I remember writing secret loves notes to that special someone. I also remember that as we were younger, no one really cared who had the nicest things or who hung out with whom. Popularity was not an issue, or at least it was not until we began to notice differences in one another. Suddenly, our eyes could see the "un-cool" kids, and we started to separate ourselves from them. The world around us told us who we should be and how we were supposed to treat others. Unfortunately, many here today are still trapped in the world's view of what is considered right or acceptable. We think it's all about "me, me". And that is exactly what society wants you to believe; that you do whatever is necessary to be successful, no matter how it affects others. Let us say that you choose to have this mindset; you go through life working, making money, raising a family. You know, the American dream. Then one day, life is not as good as you thought it would be, and you are disappointed with how things have turned out. Sure, you have everything you dreamed of: money, family, house of your own. But you are not happy, and cannot figure out why. Well, I am sorry to inform you that you are a victim of the world's idea of a successful person.

I am here today to tell you that you have a choice in how you life turns out. You can choose to simply exist, not ever experiencing true happiness, or you can choose a path, although difficult, is worth all the struggle. I must warn you that this path is very narrow, and it is sometime hard to see because it is not traveled by many. But if you choose this route, you will find purpose. Your life will not be empty, I can assure you. We have all made mistakes; some have been making the same ones for a long time and there seems to be no way out of them, like there is no hope for change or anything better. But this is where your life from here begins. Do not be the person who uses excuse after excuse that they are the way they are because of past experiences or parents or nothing else. Be your own person. Why would you want to simply exist through life? Do you not want to make an impact in this world, or to at least have meaning? You can, and it starts with how you respond to what I am telling you now. There is a big world outside these walls, and it wants you to become just like it. It does not require good character, nor does it value morals. To be honest with you, it is very easy to "fit in," all you have to do is be like everyone else. I choose to go against the crowds and be a positive influence in the lives of others. I wish I could have gotten to spend more time with many of you, learning about your life, the good times and bad. I have made the mistake of wasting time, we all have, and we cannot take it back.

As we spend these last few days together, make the most of it. Like your life, do not waste it. Every word, all of your life, is for a purpose. Find that purpose and live the way you know is best, not just in a way that benefits, but that benefits others. I believe in every one of you, that you can accomplish your dreams. You have to choose to believe in yourself.

Valedictorian Brice Christopher Priestley

The class of 2006 began its academic voyage in August of 1993. Most of the original members of our Kindergarten class are sitting here this evening. Some have moved away over the years, while some have moved from other places to join us in our common goal to graduate from McKenzie High School. Memories of yesteryear along with ambitious thoughts of tomorrow highlight this graduation ceremony. Our times in McKenzie Elementary School, McKenzie Middle School, and McKenzie High School will never be forgotten. We have all cried together, laughed together, played together, studied together, and tonight we will graduate together.

The McKenzie High School class of 2006 can be called "first-timer" for many different reasons. In Kindergarten, we were the first group to drink milk from a bag instead of a milk carton. In fifth grade, we were the first group to enter what is know known as McKenzie Middle School, and in eighth grade, we were the first four-year graduates from McKenzie Middle School. In 2003, members of our class started the "McKenzie Maniacs" - the first organized pep group at McKenzie High School. And now tonight, the first Distinguished Scholars in McKenzie High School history will graduate from this secondary institution.

In addition, the class of 2006 had many great leaders, athletes, scholars, musicians, and people of high character and resolve. Miss Alex Bell is a cancer survivor. Drew Hayes is a Mr. Football winner. Ricardo Colognese is a foreign exchange student from Sao Paulo, Brazil. Senior leadership has allowed our cross-country team, golf team, and band to compete at the state level. We have nineteen Distinguishes Scholars, nine other honor graduates, successful vocational students, and UTM Honor Band members. Member of our class have already committed to serve our country in the Armed Forces. I personally wish them well and hope others join the ranks to help defend our country in the future. The class of 2006 here at McKenzie High School is very special, unique and gifted, and I am proud to be a part of it.

As each of you approach this platform tonight, recognize it as a bridge that transfers you from one stage of life to another. We arrived here tonight but each of us must cross this stage individually. Some of you may have uncertainties about the future. Some of you may have questions that need to be answered. Finally, some of you may be searching for your own direction in life. Amid all of these uncertainties, know where you have come from - McKenzie High School. McKenzie High has prepared us well for our future endeavors and has given each one of us what it takes to be successful. Take a look around tonight and remember the faces and the memories. When it comes time for you to cross this stage, approach it, the rest of your life with confidence. Then, continue on your respective paths in life and remember where you came from along the way. God bless you all.

         

a d v e r t i s e m e n t

 

 
         
  Paris Resident Dies in Florida Gator Attack      
  
By Shannon McFarlin
smcfarlin@henrycountian.com

Paris artist Annemarie Campbell was killed Sunday afternoon in an alligator attack at a resort town near Sweetwater Springs, Fla.

Campbell, 23, was staying at a secluded cabin at the lakeside Juniper Creek recreation area 40 miles southeast of Gainesville when the accident occurred. She was snorkeling near the cabin when she was attacked by the alligator, the third such fatality in Florida within a week.

According to Karen Parker, public information coordinator for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office, Campbell “was snorkeling with a group of folks when she became separated from the group. They went looking for her and found her in the gator’s mouth.”

The group was able to free her from the gator, Parker said, but her wounds were “so severe that she died at the scene.”


Annemarie (right) pictured at an art exhibit at FancyThat, where she was an artist-in-residence. Jessie Cooley, also of Paris and an artist-in-residence at FancyThat, is at left.

Two of the people who wrestled her free from the alligator were also bitten and treated at the scene.

Joy Hill, a Florida Fish and Wildlife officer working out of the Ocala office, said the two men who tried to save her are Mark Barrett, Sweetwater, Fla., and James Edwards, Satellite Beach, Fla.

Hill said Campbell was in “relatively shallow water when it happened—she was waist-deep in three feet high water. The people who tried to save her had a pretty good wrestling match with the gator.”

The other two alligator attacks occurred in the Miami and Tampa areas. “I know when you have three attacks in one week it begs an explanation,” Hill said, “but unfortunately, these are three unrelated coincidences. This is just alligator behavior.”

Hill said, “This is a tragic event. It’s horrific when something like this occurs.”

A Louisville, Ky., native, Campbell has been living at the Greystone Hotel in downtown Paris for the past year while working at the FancyThat antiques and collectibles store at 200 W. Washington St.

Campbell recently graduated from the Murray State University art program, where she majored in printmaking. She was an artist-in-residence at FancyThat, where her artwork has been on display. Campbell liked using non-traditional materials for her avant-garde style artwork.

Campbell’s body is still at the office of the medical examiner in Lake County, Fla., and will be released to a funeral home after an autopsy by a forensic odontologist, Hill said.

 
         
 

a d v e r t i s e m e n t

     
         
         
  Change of Command at McKenzie National Guard
Unit reorganizes as Company E, 4-117th Infantry
     
 
By David Fisher
Staff Reporter


Company Commander Cpt. John A. Leonard (left), who has been assigned to another unit, congratulates 1st Lt. Jeffrey W. Blaylock for being appointed as the top-ranking officer at the McKenzie National Guard unit, during a change of command ceremony on Saturday, May 6. The unit changed from Company A (-), 230th Engineers to Company E, 4-117th Infantry, effective May 1, 2006.

A change of command ceremony took place Saturday during a troop formation at the McKenzie National Guard armory, as the unit's commander, Capt. John A. Leonard, turned over leadership of the company to 1st Lt. Jeffrey W. Blaylock, who is soon to be promoted to the rank of captain.

Additionally, Capt. Leonard, and 1st Sgt. Johnny B. Walker both received plaques of appreciation from the soldiers in the unit who served under their expert leadership during their recent tour of duty in Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom from November 15, 2004 until December 22, 2005. Capt. Leonard will be moving on to serve in another unit, while 1st Sgt. Walker, who retired his full-time job as technician at the McKenzie armory effective April 30, will continue serving as a member of the Tennessee National Guard.

As part of a statewide reorganization first announced in August of 2005, the McKenzie National Guard unit, which has had the designation of Company A (-), 230th Engineers for the past decade, has been reorganized as Company E, 4-117th Infantry, effective May 1, 2006. It will operate as the only engineer company within the 4-117th Infantry Battalion.

According to Tennessee National Guard spokesman Randy Harris in Nashville, this Infantry Battalion will be composed of the following units: Headquarters in Henderson and its detachment in Selmer; two infantry companies made up of Company A (-) in Huntingdon and Det. 1, Commany A in Waynesboro, as well as Company B (-) in Clarksville and Det. 1, Company B in Springfield; two armor companies composed of Company C (-) in Milan and Company D in Ashland City; one engineer company of Company E in McKenzie; and the two forward support companies of FSC (-) in Humboldt and Det. 1, FSC in Parsons.


1st Sgt. Johnny B. Walker (left), who will be retiring from military service at the end of June, received a plaque of appreciation from the soldiers of the McKenzie National Guard for his leadership during the unit's recent tour of duty in Iraq.


Some of the units formerly a part of the 230th Engineer Battalion will become part of the 4-117th Infantry, while others will not.

Milan's Detachment 1 of Company A of the 230th Engineer Battalion, which has served as McKenzie's sister unit, will become Company C of the 4-117 Infantry, and will operate as one of two armor companies within the newly formed battalion. The battalion's other armor unit will be located in Ashland City.

Huntingdon will change from Company B (-) of the 230th Engineer Battalion to Company A (-) of the 4-117th Infantry. It will operate as an infantry company, with a detachment in Waynesboro. A second infantry company will be in Clarksville, with a detachment in Springfield. Headquarters for the entire 4-117th Infantry Battalion will be in Henderson, with a headquarters detachment in Selmer.

As previously announced, Martin's Company C, 230th Engineer Battalion was ordered consolidated (closed) and the guardsmen there assigned to other units. One of the considerations in closing the 50-year-old Martin Armory was its age, which required higher repair and maintenance to keep it operational.


1st Lt. Jeffrey W. Blaylock (right) presents Capt. John A. Leonard with a plaque of appreciation from the troops of the unit who served under his command during their recent deployment to Iraq.


Camden's Detachment 1 of Company C, which was Martin's sister unit, has been realigned as Detachment 1 of the 212th Engineering Company.

Union City's 913th Engineer Company will be unaffected by the statewide realignment.

Trenton's Headquarters Company of the 230th Engineer Battalion remains unchanged.

In nearby Paris, Company C, 46th Engineer Battalion will become 212th Engineering Company (-) (Vertical) under the proposed transition.

Not all National Guard units in Tennessee were realigned. The Dresden unit, for example, will continue to operate as the 1174th Transportation Company (-). Dresden's sister unit, Detachment 1 of the 1174th Transportation Company in Newbern will close and its soldiers consolidated into other units. The new Detachment 1 of the 1174th Transportation Company will be the Tiptonville unit.

When the reorganization of Tennessee's National Guard was first announced, Maj. Gen. Hargett said of the change, "We have spent many months reviewing Tennessee's military structure, and how we can best transition into the force needed to meet both today's threats, and tomorrow's challenges. We believe that the changes we are implementing enhance our command and control, the ability for our units to train together, and the ever-changing demographics of our state. All of these factors affect our ability to fulfill both our wartime and state emergency response missions. The transition of units throughout the state will enhance our ability to respond in the event of natural disaster, civil disturbance or Homeland Security events. The changes will also allow recruitment of females in areas where we have not been able to do so in the past."

"Although this transformation will change the face of the Tennessee Army National Guard as we now know it, the moves are what are best for the state of Tennessee and the Tennessee National Guard," Hargett said. "The changes will support the U.S. Army's concept of developing modular units able to be utilized in many configurations." Transformation is the process whereby the Department of Defense is overhauling the U. S. military and defense establishment worldwide to enable it to counter 21st century threats most effectively.

Transformation is the process whereby the Department of Defense is overhauling the U.S. military and defense establishment worldwide to enable it to counter 21st century threats most effectively.

For those units having their soldiers' military occupational specialties (MOS) changing, this means that many of them will either have attend military schools to become qualified for the positions available at their units, or to transfer to other units.

 
         
         
  Three Arrested in Connection to Barn Fires      

Two adults and a juvenile have been arrested in connection with several barn fires near McKenzie that occurred in early April.

Joshua Wayne Black, 23, 7680 Highway 436, McKenzie, and Steve James Nevells, 19, 720 Stonewall Street, McKenzie, are each charged with arson, according to warrants filed by Steve McClure of the Tennessee Bomb and Arson Investigation Unit.

According to the warrants, Black and Nevells purposely set fire to a barns owned by James Rochelle and a Clifford Matlock on Hinkledale Road on April 7 without the expressed consent of all parties. The Rochelle barn contained approximately $150,000 in equipment.

On April 8, the two suspects were charged with setting fire to a barn on Rich Road, owned by Coy Rich. That building contained approximately $120,000 in equipment.

Nevells confessed to the crimes, according to the arrest warrants. No information was available on the juvenile.

Bond for Black and Nevells were set at $10,000 each.
 
         
         
  Holland Opposes Proposed Annexation      
  
By Deborah Turner

MCKENZIE (May 11) -A move by the city to clear up confusion regarding the city's northern border and the Carroll/Weakley County line was approved on first reading Thursday, May 11, during regular session of the McKenzie Board of Mayor and Council, despite the opposition of council member Jill Holland.

Mayor Walter Winchester explained the proposed annexation of the three small regions is an attempt to bring into fact the depiction of many maps, which show the city and county line as one and the same.

Holland, who won her seat on the council after a failed battle to save her family farm from annexation in 2003, said, "I just don't see how we can provide services to an area that is being farmed or that is undeveloped." She said areas annexed long ago had yet to receive services.

Winchester said the term "services" relates not only to infrastructure but to fire protection and police patrol.

She said the city should go beyond the published legal notices that are required by state law and notify land owners directly when annexation is proposed. "I called two planning commission members today ... neither could tell me who owned it," she said, noting persons affected in previous annexations were unaware of the procedure "until the tax bill came." Winchester said the regions are within the city's urban growth plan.

She further complained about the nomenclature "urban agriculture" and said it should be simply "agricultural". Winchester said the name designates an agriculture zone that lies within city boundaries and advised her that the Holland farm is also zoned as urban agricultural.

Holland said the city should wait until farmland is sold and developed before it is annexed but said she also did not think the city should annex subdivisions, as "that is not how the city recuperates its money."

Farmer Ben Surber, whose farmland comprises one of the areas proposed for annexation, spoke during the public hearing. He asked how many acres were included in the section and asked the purpose of the annexation, which the mayor explained was related to the maps. He also questioned the region on PawPaw Lane which the planning commission had excised from a second section due to the expense of extending sewer and water services into the region.

Winchester said he would research whether infrastructure had not been provided within a reasonable amount of time to previously annexed areas.

Holland voted against the annexations and zoning recommendation but was silent during the vote for the provision of services to the regions. Council member Darra Adkins was absent due to illness and the balance of the board voted to approve the measures.

In other business the council:

* postponed discussion on whether the city should hire an accounting firm for routine fiscal services within the city government, pending the receipt of bids for the job;

* presented to the Ludie Gaines family framed copies of a resolution approved last session in memory of Mrs. Gaines. See related story, this edition;

* heard Hale express appreciation that the city had been able to bid on new police vehicles as he noted two are now out of service with blown engines;

* heard Arthur announce the state is preparing to commence their signal light project at the corner of Cedar and Main in cooperation with the city's downtown road project. He said the new traffic lights would feature a mechanism by which pedestrians may signal their need to cross by use of a push button control;

* heard the mayor note the flashing beacon had been installed at the intersection of Dr. Smith lane and the Highway 22 bypass;

* heard Holland report on a meeting of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. She said there had been a problem with both the scoreboard and field lights being non-operational but that the problem was being corrected. Winchester added that the breaker was overloading and that a new breaker could need to be purchased at a cost of approximately $1,300; and

* heard council member Willie Huffman ask if the budget would require amendment due to the increased cost of gasoline. Winchester said the budget would be amended to account for that increased expenditure as well as the some $200,000 cost of extending water lines outside the city because of well contamination, and other unplanned expenditures.

 
         
         
       

Home |  News  |  Feature  |  School  |  Sports  |  Obituaries  |  Daily Obits  |  Calendar
Public Notices  |  Archives  |  Real Estate Guide  |  Sponsors' Ads  | West TN Advertiser
Advertise Online  |  Products  |  Web Design & Hosting  |  News Tips/Ideas 
Ad Rates (PDF)  | Deadlines/Policies  |  Subscribe |  About Us  |  Contact Us

The McKenzie Banner
 3 Banner Row, PO Box 100
 McKenzie, TN 38201
 731-352-3323 FAX: 731-352-3322
 editor@mckenziebanner.com

copyright 2006-2008 by Tri-County Publishing Co.

 






Carroll News Leader
 
Click the Photo Reprints button below to buy reprints of almost any photo in The McKenzie Banner print edition.
McKenzie Banner photos
70 year fade life
35 mm quality

Photos are mailed directly to you. Don't see what you're looking for? Give us a call at 731-352-3323.