Congratulations to the Norton Elementary School "Best of the City" Spelling Bee winners.  1st place:  Jacob K., 2nd place:  Brittney R., 3rd place:  Amber G., 4th place:  Ethan K. and 5th place: Isaac D.  Jacob K. will continue to compete representing Norton in the regional competition in Knoxville.

Standing left to right: Jacob K., Ethan K. and Isaac D.  Sitting left to right:  Brittney R. and Amber G.

Jaycob C. of J. I. Burton came to the Watauga Orthopedics "Player of the Year" banquet on Tuesday, December 9th at the Johnson City Holiday Inn with no lofty expectations.  He was one of 11 WJHL-TV/Watauga Orthopedics Player of the Week winners, and he had shared the honor the fourth week of the season with his cousin Martinez M.  So when his name was called as the winner of the Howell H. Sherrod Trophy as the area's best football player, he was surprised.  Kenny Hawkins, sports director of WJHL-TV 11, made the presentation and Casey Marler of WJHL served as emcee for the banquet which was made possible by Watauga Orthopedics, Wellmont Health Systems and WHJL-TV 11.  Congratulations Jaycob!

At right:  Player of the Year Jaycob C. and Burton head football coach Jim Adams. 

J. I. Burton High School recently participated in the St. Jude Math-A-Thon program and raised $500 to benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, the premier center for the research and treatment of childhood cancer and other deadly diseases.  Individuals in the Norton community sponsored students by pledging an amount-per-problem or a one-time donation.  About 20 students participated in this fun, educational event and learned how rewarding it is to help other kids.

For more information about Burton's Math-A-Thon and how to make a donation to this worthwhile cause, please visit www.mymathathon.org/users/burton.

 

Several Norton City Schools students participated in Appalachian Children's Theatre's recent production of "Willy Wonka Junior".

Featured in the production, standing left to right:  Al'Lea D.- Mrs. Beauregarde, Madison B.- Oompa Loompa, Emily T. - Mrs. Salt, Harper M. - Oompa Loompa, Chloe G-P. - Oompa Loompa, Molly S. - Jaime and Olivia L. - Golden Age of Chocolate Girl.

Sitting:  Ken K. - Augustus Gloop
Kneeling L - R:  Sophie G-P. - Oompa Loompa 2 and Elliot G. - Phineous Trout

 

Congratulations to three J. I. Burton High School students for finishing first out of 14 schools recently in the small school division in the annual Sigma Zeta Math Contest held on the campus of UVA-Wise.  Kim D. was also given an individual award for Honorable Mention.

Pictured at right:  (L to R):  Brandi C., J.P. P. and Kim D.

The Norton Lions Club recently donated funds toward a much needed whirlpool bath for both boys and girls athletics programs at Burton High School.   We appreciate the Norton Lions Club for all that you do for all programs in Norton City Schools!

Pictured at right:  (L to R):  Jim Adams, Burton Head Football Coach; Judy Miller, Norton Lions Club; Scott Keith, Burton High School Principal; "Hoppy" Hopkins, Norton Lions Club; and Dr. Lee Brannon, Superintendent, Norton City Schools.

Veterans' Day was honored and celebrated on November 11th by the student body, faculty and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4301 during a ceremony at J. I. Burton High School.  Students read poetry, essays and facts related to Veterans' Day, and VFW guest speaker Ray Wells shared the importance of honoring all veterans.  Winners of the Patriot's Pen Writing Contest and the Voice of Democracy Writing Contest were recognized; all six winners received a certificate and a monetary award .  At the end of the ceremony, students and faculty carried in a lengthy strip of 4,188 white links, known as the Death Links.  Each link represented a life of military personnel that has died since 911.  A special thanks goes out to Mr. Sharpe and his 20th Century U.S. History class who prepared for this honorable ceremony.

Patriot's Pen Awards (8th grade):  Rachel A., first place ($150 award); Jacob P., second place ($100) and Nick C., third place ($50).  Voice of Democracy Awards (9th - 12th grade):  Sia S., first place ($500 award); Bria B., second place ($200); and Emily B., third place ($100).

(L-R):  Nick C., Rachel A., Sia S., Bria B., and Emily B.  Not pictured:  Jacob B.

Six Norton City Schools students brought home the gold, silver, and bronze for this year’s Creative Writing Contest sponsored by the American Association of University Women.  The students had a myriad of distinctive responses for this year’s topic, “If I Were President,” but a theme that resonated through many of their essays was the importance of using an alternative fuel source to save money and the environment.  First place winners were freshman Emily B. for the 9^th-10^th-grade category (Miss Harris and Ms. Davis, teachers); sixth grader Isaiah W. for the 6^th-8^th-grade category (Mrs. Owens, teacher) and fourth grader Ron Y. for the 3^rd-5^th-grade category (Mrs. Robinson, teacher).  Second place winners were junior Kaha T. for the 11^th-12^th-grade category (Miss Harris and Mrs. Robinette, teachers) and freshman Alyssa F. for the 9^th-10^th-grade category (Miss Harris and Ms. Davis, teachers).  Sixth grader Miracle S. won third place in the 6^th-8^th-grade category (Ms. Owens, teacher).  Congratulations to these young, inspiring writers.

Pictured Top, L-R:   Kaha T., Alyssa F. and Emily B.  Pictured Bottom L-R:  Miracle S., Isaiah W. and Ron Y.