August 2014

AUGUST 2014

Area teachers get creative SMART SNACKS PRO RACER MAKES WAVES

August 2014 | INVITATION TUPELO

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August 2014 | INVITATION TUPELO

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IN THIS ISSUE AUGUST 2014

AUGUST 2014

FEATURES 34 Home Field Advantage

Area teachers get creative SMART SNACKS PRO RACER MAKES WAVES

THE COVER ART IS PART OF A MURAL AT LAWNDALE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL THAT WAS PAINTED BY FORMER LAWNDALE ART TEACHER JAMIE BAKER.

Tupelo High School’s football team and its fans are excited to play this football season on their new blue turf.

38 Making Waves Tupelo’s Claude Clayton has made it to the top of the professional watercraft racing circuit and is hoping for more big wins.

72 Tupelo Spirit Shines This fall, one teacher from tornado-damaged Joyner Elementary School reclaims both her classroom and her home.

EVENTS 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 44 46 48 50 52 54

Band Together The Beach Boys Concert Battle Reenactment CDF Golf Tournament Fourth of July Celebration Down on Main Concert Tupelo Elvis Festival Butler Golf Tournament Father-Daughter Gumtree Ball Touchdowns for Tornado Relief Elvis Pet Parade Music, Monet and Margaritas King of the Hill Triathlon Tornado Relief Golf Tournament

ANNOUNCEMENTS 14 Stone & Blossom 16 Thomas & Clayton

57 Outside the Box

From operating remote-controlled quadcopter cameras to printmaking with an artist in residence, Tupelo-area students are benefiting from innovative classroom lessons that not only cover the basics of reading, writing and arithmetic but also keep them interested and engaged.

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54 DEPARTMENTS 10 12 70 74 80

Letter From the Publisher What’s Happening In Season: Smart Snacks Out and About Tupelo Spirit: Laura Thompson

August 2014 | INVITATION TUPELO

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the publisher

LETTER FROM

G

oing back to school is exciting for families and children.

It’s that time of the year when we anticipate success, learning ABC’s, getting good grades, having perfect attendance, winning a championship or making an allstate choir or band. Students set goals and strive for them.

I sometimes need the mindset of a student headed back to school – planning for and anticipating success, making new friends and spending time with old ones. I often get into a rut of the same routine every day, and I fail to spend time learning new things and increasing my knowledge or making new friends.

This month, Invitation Tupelo spotlights some great people and programs that help students succeed. For example, Saltillo Elementary School drama teacher Dianne Ludt helped implement a cross-disciplinary program where students learn about the R.M.S. Titanic including who the passengers were, how the ship was built and many other facts about the Titanic. You can read more about this nontraditional class project and many more in our feature Outside the Box on page 57.

As the 2014-2015 school year starts, Invitation Tupelo salutes the hard work of teachers, students and parents – and all of their achievements yet to come.

RACHEL M. WEST, PUBLISHER

CORRECTION Kylie Estes Forrester, a bride featured in The Wedding Board story in our June-July issue, is from Mooreville, Miss., and the Wisteria Woods barn she was married in is also located in Mooreville. Her husband, Jacob Forrester, is a Professional Engineer at Calvert-Spradling Engineers in West Point, Miss.

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INVITATION TUPELO | August 2014

PUBLISHER Rachel Malone West EDITOR Phil West DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISING Cindy Semmes MANAGING EDITOR Emily Welly ASSOCIATE MANAGING EDITOR Sonia Thompson EDITORIAL DESIGN Hallie M. Thomas, Emily R. Suber STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS Lisa Roberts, Joe Worthem STAFF WRITER Melanie Crownover ADVERTISING CONSULTANTS Alise M. Emerson, Sheena Hagemann, Leigh Lowery, Lynn McElreath, Mary Moreton, Moni Simpson AD DESIGN Becca Bailey, Paul Gandy, Zach Fields CONTRIBUTORS Chasity Dees, Kimme Hargrove OFFICE MANAGER Hollie Hilliard COPY EDITOR Kate Johnson DISTRIBUTION Donald Courtney ADVERTISING INFORMATION (662) 701-8070 ads@invitationtupelo.com MAIN OFFICE (662) 234-4008 To subscribe to one year (10 issues) of Invitation Tupelo, send payment of $50 to: P.O. Box 3192, Tupelo, MS 38802 or visit invitationtupelo.com to pay online.

To request a photographer at your event, to obtain an event photo or to purchase an announcement, email Hallie at hallielandonmarshall@gmail.com.

PLEASE RECYCLE THIS MAGAZINE

August 2014 | INVITATION TUPELO

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what’s happening August 15-September 15 A sampling of important, fun and interesting events in our area. For more events, visit facebook.com/invitationtupelo.

TOUCH-A-TRUCK, SEPT. 13

COMMUNITY TAILGATE, AUG. 29

FAMILY EVENTS Ongoing

ART EXHIBITS, MUSIC, MARKETS AND FESTIVALS Ongoing

August 21-22

Family Camp Out Registration

Downtown Tupelo Farmers Market

A Southern Belle Primer

Register for Family Camp Out at Veterans Park, sponsored by the Department of Parks and Recreation and Friends of the Park. Overnight camping event takes place Sept.

26-27. Register for $5 per person through Sept. 19; $10 per person after that. Free for children under 3.

662-841-6640, leigh.mattox@tupeloms.gov

Open Saturdays, Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6 a.m. at 415 S. Spring St. by the railroad tracks. Now through Oct. 25. tupelomainstreet.com/farmers-market

TCT Off Broadway presents A Southern Belle Primer by Ted Swindley, an uproarious guide to the manners, morés and mystique of the legendary ladies of the South. Tickets $20; $10 for students and younger. 7:30 p.m., 213 E. Franklin St. For more information or to reserve tickets, call 662-844-1935.

August 22

GumTree Museum of Art hosts the Mississippi Painter’s Society Art Show, judged by artist Bill Wilson of Jackson, Miss. (billwilsonstudio.com). Giveaways and meet-theartist events will take place throughout the show.

HealthWorks! Kids Night Out Enjoy a night out while your children (ages 4-12) play at HealthWorks! 5:30-8:30 p.m. Includes dinner. Register before noon the day of the event for $15 per child or $10 per member child. After noon that day, $22/$17. Call 662-377-5437 to register. healthworkskidsms.org

August 25 and September 8 HealthWorks! Hip Hoppers HealthWorks! offers story and activity time for preschool children and parents. 10-11 a.m. $5 per person; free for members. healthworkskidsms.org

September 6 Night Hike on the Natchez Trace Join a park ranger for a free, one-hour, family-friendly evening hike on a paved nature trail. Bring a flashlight and wear comfortable walking shoes. 6:30-7:30 p.m., Natchez Trace Parkway Visitor Center at milepost 266.

662-680-4027, nps.gov/natr

September 13 Touch-a-Truck Children can explore trucks and heavy machinery that serve the community and meet the people who drive and maintain them at this free event put on by the Department of Parks and Recreation. 10 a.m..-1 p.m., Fairpark.

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INVITATION TUPELO | August 2014

Now-August 22 Mississippi Painter’s Society Art Show

Now-September 15 Buddy and Kay Bain Music Exhibit An exhibit unveiled in July at the Tupelo Convention & Visitors Bureau Welcome Center, 399 E. Main St., celebrates the contributions of Kay and Buddy Bain to this region and to the country music genre.

August 14-17 Tupelo Fall Furniture Market Buyers and exhibitors from around the region come to Tupelo for one of the industry’s biggest markets. Throughout the market, Building 1 will host the Furniture, Gift and Home Accessories Show, which will be open to the public and will also include fundraising opportunities for local schools and charities and a health fair.

662-842-4442, tupelofurnituremarket.com

August 21 TCT’s Directing Workshop Tupelo Community Theatre holds a free directing workshop for high school seniors and older. 6 p.m. Call 662-844-1935 to reserve a space.

August 23 Tupelo Health and Wellness Festival The city of Tupelo’s inaugural Health and Wellness Festival takes place at Veterans Park. 10 a.m.-10 p.m., with live music and a 5K glow run beginning at 7 p.m. For more information, contact Taylor Neal, 662-841-6513 or taylor.neal@tupeloms.gov. tupelofest.com

August 29 Community Tailgate Celebrate Tupelo High School football team’s home opener with a communitywide tailgate. Fans are asked to wear blue to support the team as they take to their new, blue turf for the first time. 4 p.m., THS practice fields. THS kicks off against Center Hill High School at 7 p.m.

September 6 Green Market The sixth-annual season of Green Market continues at the Crossroads Museum at the historic Corinth Depot in Corinth. The market features local farmers, gardeners, artisans and craftspeople selling their wares. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. corinthgreenmarket.net

September 11 Down on Main Summer Concert North Mississippi Allstars and Water Liars play in the final show in this season’s Down on Main free summer concert series. 6:30 p.m., Fairpark.

BENEFITS Ongoing

Books for Tupelo An online book auction benefits CREATE Foundation’s Northeast Mississippi Tornado Relief Fund. 150 books, including many signed first editions, are up for grabs. booksfortupelo.com

August 16 Dance Like the Stars Hometown celebrities hit the stage to help raise money for the North Mississippi Boys and Girls Club in this year’s Dance Like the Stars event, sponsored by Toyota.

6:30 p.m. BancorpSouth Arena. Dinner tickets $50; general admission $20.

662-841-6504, bgcnms.org

August 23 Boots, Bluegrass & BBQ Raise funds for Sanctuary Hospice House by attending Boots, Bluegrass & BBQ, hosted by Sanctuary Hospice Junior Auxiliary. Entertainment to be provided by local bluegrass band Breaking Grass. 6 p.m., The Antler. For tickets or more information, call 662-407-2400.

September 4-5 Radiothon for Le Bonheur Wizard 106 hosts a radiothon to benefit Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital. 6 a.m.-6 p.m. Sept. 4; 6 a.m.-noon Sept. 5. The Mall at Barnes Crossing. For more information, visit lebonheur.org.

August 2014 | INVITATION TUPELO

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& JONATHAN ASHLEY BLOSSOM

ary Catherine Stone and Jonathan Ashley Blossom were united in marriage on Nov. 16, 2013, at half past four o’clock in the afternoon at Calvary Baptist Church in Tupelo, Miss. The ceremony was officiated by the Rev. Dr. David Eldridge of Clinton, Miss. This date was the 66th anniversary of the marriage of the bride’s maternal grandparents, who were wed on Nov. 16, 1947.

The bride is the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Van Dorn Stone III of Tupelo. She is the granddaughter of Mrs. Knox Winton Ross Sr. and the late Mr. Ross of Pelahatchie, Miss., and Mrs. Van Dorn Stone Jr. and the late Mr. Stone of Marks, Miss.

The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles William Blossom Jr. of Forest, Miss. He is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. William Earl Webb of Forest and Mrs. Charles William Blossom Sr. and the late Mr. Blossom of Forest.

Given in marriage by her father, the bride wore a formal ivory gown of Venice lace featuring a bateau neckline and cap sleeves. A beaded belt of crystal and pearls complemented the waist. The back of the gown was detailed with a deep V. Her ivory cathedral-length veil was worn by her mother and maternal aunts. Mary Catherine’s bouquet of creamy Vendella roses, butter-toned centered Crème de la Crème roses, antique hydrangeas, callas, ranunculus and lamb’s ear foliage included a handle wrapped with her handkerchief linen bonnet and her paternal grandmother’s lace handkerchief.

The ceremony décor, created by Tracy Proctor, encompassed a towering wrought iron garden form enhanced with hydrangeas, autumn foliage, roses and chrysanthemums. Musicians were Lidie Murff, piano; Svetlana Kaltchenko and Robert Riggs, violin; and Susan Gaston, cello.

Vocalists included Danielle Frerer, Michael Murff, Ross Stone, Lacey Gray Stone and Stephen Stone.

Lacey Gray Stone served her sister as maid of honor. Bridesmaids included Jennifer Stone, Becky Alves, Elizabeth Blossom, Meredith Elliott, Chelsea Gilliland, Abby Lisenbee, Hannah Lopez, Dr. Meghan Luter and Dr. Jennie Thomas. The attendants wore blush dupioni silk dresses and carried hand-tied bouquets of white and ivory. The flower girl, Carlyle Blossom, wore an heirloom, hand-sewn dress of white batiste.

The groom’s father, Charles William Blossom Jr., was best man.

Groomsmen were Dr. Benjamin Blossom, Michael Blossom, Dr. Ross Stone, Stephen Stone, Dr. Will Jones, Seth Pryor and Christopher Pryor.

Levi Jones was ring bearer, holding a pillow made from monogrammed antique lace handkerchiefs.

Scripture reader was Sue McAllister. Program attendants were Bo Blossom, Mary Karen Blossom, William Blossom and Knox Ross III. Serving at the guest registry were Katie Ireland and Cate Rodgers. Caleb Graham and Guy Stricklin were the ushers.

A reception followed at the Tupelo Country Club. Bell ringers Judd, Martha Ann, Mary Conlee and Cole Wilson greeted the guests. Act of Congress provided music for the reception. On the eve of the wedding,

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INVITATION TUPELO | August 2014

PHOTOGRAPHED BY STEPHANIE RHEA

MARY CATHERINE STONE

the groom’s parents hosted a rehearsal dinner at Park Heights in Tupelo.

The couple honeymooned in Hopkins, Belize, and now lives in Jackson, Miss., where the bride is a dentist at Ross Dental Clinic and the groom is a fourth-year medical student at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.

August 2014 | INVITATION TUPELO

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oxie Doniphan Thomas of Tupelo, Miss., and Claude Feemster Clayton III of Tupelo were united in marriage on Nov. 2, 2013, at the Thomas family home and adjoining barn. The Rev. Raigan Miskelly officiated.

Roxie is the daughter of Mrs. Judy Thomas of Tupelo and the late Perry King Thomas III of Tupelo. She is the granddaughter of the late Ruth S. Bornscheuer of Tupelo, the late William H. Bornscheuer of Cocoa Beach, Fla., and the late Dr. and Mrs. P.K. Thomas Jr. of Tupelo.

Claude is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Crofton Sloan of Tupelo and Mr. and Mrs. Claude F. Clayton Jr. of Tupelo. He is the grandson of Jack R. Reed Sr. and the late Frances P. Reed of Tupelo, and the late Honorable and Mrs. Claude F. Clayton Sr. of Tupelo.

The bride wore an Ivy and Aster silk organza gown with a shrug and sash, both embellished with pearls and sequins.

The matron of honor was Mary Virginia Mark of Tupelo, sister of the bride.

The bridesmaids were Frances Camille Clayton, sister of the groom, of Sleepy Hollow, N.Y.; Corrie Patricia Cockrell of Oxford, Miss.; Mary Margaret Iron of Jackson, Miss.; Mary Meadows Livingston of Birmingham,

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INVITATION TUPELO | August 2014

& CLAUDE FEEMSTER CLAYTON III

PHOTOGRAPHED BY MABUS PHOTOGRAPHY

ROXIE DONIPHAN THOMAS

Ala.; Claire Sparks Reddick of Wilmington, N.C.; and Mary Brook Thomas of Starkville, Miss. The bridesmaids chose their own dress styles in shades of gray.

Claude Feemster Clayton Jr. served as best man.

Groomsmen were John Barrett Lovorn of Tupelo; Brian Alan Baldwin of Catawba, N.C.; Matt Leon Colbert of Jackson; Tim Judge of Plano, Texas; Nathan Daniel Strange of Tupelo; and Perry King Thomas IV, brother of the bride, of Starkville.

The ring bearers were Bennett Andrew

Mark of Tupelo and William Ruff Thomas of Starkville.

Bluegrass band Breaking Grass provided the music.

A reception was held outdoors with dinner and dancing at and around the family’s barn.

After a honeymoon in St. Lucia, West Indies, the couple resides in Tupelo.

Roxie is an instructor at the North Mississippi Dance Center and teaches dance at the University of Mississippi as an adjunct faculty member. Claude is a manager/buyer for Reed’s in Tupelo.

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Creating Beautiful Smiles August 2014 | INVITATION TUPELO

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photographed by Chasity Dees

events Band Together Benefit Concert View more event photos @ facebook.com/invitationtupelo.

Local musicians and Tupelo residents gathered June 5 in Fairpark for Band Together, a concert hosted by the Tupelo Elvis Festival that raised more than $36,000 for tornado relief efforts. Guests paid what they could to get in, with all proceeds going to the cause.

Lisa Jo Taylor and Kristin Murphy

Tina Phillips, Paul Thorn and Kelly Scott

Claire and Stuart Newcomer

Jason and Amanda Hayden

Jason and Anne Palmer

Anna Merritt Roberts and Nicole Hazel

Brent and Meredith Martin

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INVITATION TUPELO | August 2014

Come see Lindsey Johnson LMT#2112 for your therapeutic massage

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CORINTH AREA CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU VISITCORINTH August 2014 | INVITATION TUPELO

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photographed by Chasity Dees

events The Beach Boys Concert View more event photos @ facebook.com/invitationtupelo.

The Beach Boys played July 11 at BancorpSouth Arena as part of their Celebrating 50 Years of Fun, Fun, Fun tour, marking the 50th anniversary of the hit song. The arena is in its 20th year in business, and specially priced $20 tickets commemorated the milestone.

Claire and Teresa Newcomer

The Beach Boys

Julie Sutter, Crystel Harden, Jonathan Harden

Tommy Crane and Judy Thrasher

Kelsey Weeden, Kayla Browning and Lizzi Higgins

Jackie Griffus, Josie Carr and Donnie Goddard

Shirley and David Bell

The WTVA News Team

Brylen and Aimy Carr with Taylor and Jaimie Halbach and Katie Williams

Allen and Gracie Jackson with Christine and Geoffrey Mitchell

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INVITATION TUPELO | August 2014

John Logan News Release Mississippi insurance professional John Logan, Strategic Wealth Inc., has been recognized as a top five financial professional for the companies of OneAmerica and has earned its highest Chairman’s Council distinction for four straight years.

“John has a strong track record of meeting the needs of individuals and small business owners in Mississippi,” said Doug Gritton, vice president, independent brokerage for the companies of OneAmerica. “We appreciate having him on our team and are glad to recognize him again for his outstanding results on behalf of his clients.”

Doug Gritton

Vice President, independent brokerage for the companies of OneAmerica

John Logan

with Strategic Wealth, Inc.

Logan can be reached at (662) 842-5322.

ONEAMERICA FINANCIAL PARTNERS, INC. One American Square, P.O. Box 368 Indianapolis, IN 46206-0368

With more than 27 years of experience, Logan provides families, individuals and businesses with financial protection, products and services to help meet their financial goals. Focusing on creating a strong financial base through whole life insurance sales, Logan works primarily with business owners and individuals in the medical field, including dentists, optometrists, physicians and other sole-proprietor medical professionals out of his Tupelo, Miss. office.

“My passion is equipping others to be the best stewards possible of what they earn and are given,” said Logan. “It’s more important than ever to understand and properly implement the cornerstones of financial health.”

August 2014 | INVITATION TUPELO

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photographed by Lisa Roberts

events 150th-Anniversary Battle Reenactment View more event photos @ facebook.com/invitationtupelo.

The 150th anniversary of the battles of Brices Cross Roads and Tupelo/Harrisburg were marked June 13-15 with a three-day reenactment at the Brices Cross Roads National Battlefield Site in Baldwyn, Miss. To learn more about the battles, visit finalstands.com.

Mendy Way

Paul LaCroix, Roger Hill, Steve Lawler and Charles Tucker

Shawn Kyser, Jonathan Capps and Sam Whitehead

Alene and Ja Laughlin

Glenn Winn and Heath Washington

Kylee, Kaleb, Robin and Kloee Capps

Wes, Sandra and Blake Thorne with Lerena Johnson

Allen Yates, Duffy Neubauer, Michael Babin and David Lindley

www.BarkleyTravel.com

A Smoky Mountain New Year’s Eve

Niagara Falls Festival of Lights (December 1-6, 2014)

(Dec 29, 2014 – Jan 1 , 2015) • Three nights lodging in Pigeon Forge • Country Tonite Show • The Grand Majestic Theater • Applewood Farmhouse Dinner • The Wood Grill Dinner Buffet • Dinner at The Old Mill Restaurant • 3 Breakfasts • Shopping at the Outlet Malls • Guided tour of the Smoky Mountains

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141 West Bankhead St New Albany, MS 38652 Phone: 662-534-5203

INVITATION TUPELO | August 2014

• Lodging in Cincinnati, OH (to & from Niagara Falls) • Three nights lodging in Niagara Falls, Ontario • Three buffet breakfasts • Skylon Tower Dinner • ”Oh Canada Eh” Holiday Dinner Show • Tour of Niagara Falls Area • IMAX Movie – “Niagara – Miracles, Myths & Magic” • Niagara-on-the-Lake featuring a winery tour with sampling • Chocolate FX (Factory tour & sampling) • Festival of Lights Tour • Local escort

August 2014 | INVITATION TUPELO

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photographed by Lisa Roberts

events CDF Golf Tournament View more event photos @ facebook.com/invitationtupelo.

Community Development Foundation members and guests gathered June 6 for CDF’s eighth-annual Membership Cup golf tournament, held at Big Oaks Golf Club in Saltillo, Miss. To learn more about CDF membership and upcoming events, visit cdfms.org.

Tracie Bramlett and Sam Michael

Abigail Condit, Emily Addison, Judd Wilson, Hunter Aycock and Carol Ann Padgett

Adam Mitchell and Davis Bond

Randy Harris, Louis Marascalco, Scott Cochran and John Oxford

Morris Miley, Johnny Robbins, Mike Armour and Markel Whittington

Ben Beavers, Brannon Kahlstorf, Lee Tucker and Ronnie Sellers

Ray Hopkins, Bradley Cheek, Mark Simpson and Branyan Johnson

Neal McCoy, Cole McCarty, Mark Prince and Erik Goodwin

Marty Rowe with Wall and Luke Davis and Robert Dexter

t es USA w Lo s in ce Pri

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INVITATION TUPELO | August 2014

$15-$20 Off (per gallon)

August 2014 | INVITATION TUPELO

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events Fourth of July Celebration View more event photos @ facebook.com/invitationtupelo.

Tupelo’s annual Independence Day celebration, the All-America City Family Picnic in the Park, was held at Fairpark and included food vendors, live music, children’s activities, fireworks and more. The community event is hosted by the Department of Parks and Recreation.

Kayla Reyes and Madison Miller

Emmy Kate, Macy Claire, Nora Reece, Phoebe Lawson, Courtney and Neel Dean

Alyssa Gates and Sophia James

Rob Woods and T.J. Woods

Makayla Knox and Anna Grace Lofton

Tina and Chloe Phillips

Shelby and Alex Woods

Mallory and Valerie McCoy

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INVITATION TUPELO | August 2014

Abbie and Maximus White

photographed by Chasity Dees

Caitlin Reese and Madison Knox

Jayla Patterson, Helen McDonald and Molly Kate Minich

Presley Leathers with Alyssa and Marissa Vail August 2014 | INVITATION TUPELO

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photographed by Chasity Dees

events Down on Main Summer Concert View more event photos @ facebook.com/invitationtupelo.

The first concert in the 2014 Down on Main Summer Concert Series featured Hot Buttered Rum and the Howlin Brothers at Fairpark on July 10. The next concerts are planned for 6:30 p.m. Aug. 14 and Sept. 11. For more information, visit tupelodownonmain.com.

Willenda Mabry and Jennifer Crouch

Jenea and Louis Britton

Cheryl Dexter, Lisa Henry and Jill Cole

Gabe Robertson and Ken Petrie

Ivey and Tammie Page with Patrick Renfroe

Ashley Lovelace, Dresia Perine and Nina Willis

Justin Harris with Sara and Lacey Sides

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photographed by Lisa Roberts

events Tupelo Elvis Festival View more event photos @ facebook.com/invitationtupelo.

Crowds gathered June 5-8 for the 2014 Tupelo Elvis Festival. The annual celebration, recently named a top 20 event for 2014 by the Southeast Tourism Society, features live music, the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist contest, a 5K race and a gospel concert brunch.

Taylor Rae Norwood and Kim Rushing

Teena Harris, Peggy Smith, Dianne Moon, Peggy Williams, Jenora Dodd and Joyce Westmoreland

Libby Parks, Gina Dear, Lydia Cox and Mary Pat Van Epps

Margie Giger and Sandy Heirler

Kevin Mills

Lana Davenport, Pennie Hartzog, Lola Allen and Bobbie Henderson

Ann and Billy Easterling

Shari and Jeremie Lieb

Willie Warren, Waneisha Hadley and Willie Gardner

Asala Issa and Mirella Gallardo

662.610.3705

Behind the playground in Fairpark!

Back to school shirts available for any school 111 East Troy Street Suite B • Tupelo, MS 38804

Thursday - Friday 10-6, Saturday 10-4 30

INVITATION TUPELO | August 2014

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photographed by Lisa Roberts

events 11th-Annual Nita and Bob Butler Golf Tournament View more event photos @ facebook.com/invitationtupelo.

Regional Rehab held a golf tournament July 28 at Tupelo Country Club in memory of its co-founders, Nita and Bob Butler. In the late 1950s they opened a Cerebral Palsy center that was expanded in 1961 to serve all disabilities as Regional Rehabilitation Center.

Trey Graves and Lane Watts

Alan Bank and Marion Winkler

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INVITATION TUPELO | August 2014

Morris Miley, Ken Hayes, Thomas Wells and Jimmy Richey

Jim Newman with Charlie and Mac Webb

Jeff Michael, Kirk Owen and Chris Richburg

Travis Beard and Tommy Caldwell

Hunter Shipman, Jim Goodwin, Mike Hardy, Ben Jones and Kristen Fortuna

Wayne Edge, Mike Philpot and Butch Allen

Monday - Friday 10-6 • Saturday 10-4 • 662.687.3383 136 South Industrial Dr, Tupelo, MS 38801

August 2014 | INVITATION TUPELO

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RENDERING COURTESY OF ANDY SCHOGGIN, THS ATHLETIC DIRECTOR

HOME FIELD

ADVANTAGE

by Melanie Crownover

Tupelo High School’s new blue turf is sure to intimidate opponents and excite fans.

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INVITATION TUPELO | August 2014

PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF THEMBLANKETS.COM

T

T

he Tupelo High School Golden Wave football team has advantage over opponents this year: better home turf.

Preparations to install 90,000 square feet of high-grade blue Astroturf began in January.

The finished field features “Tupelo” spelled out across the gold-colored end zones and a block letter “T” on the midfield.

Plans for the renovation began last fall.

Corporate sponsors provided more than $1 million to turf the field and update the track. In gratitude, those companies’ names will run along the sidelines, and the home of Golden Wave athletics will become known as Renasant Field.

“It’s already brought a lot of excitement to our season because the kids got to help pick the color and have been in on it since conception,” Coach Trent Hammond said. “It’s a state-ofthe-art job done by the same people who put in the turf for the Dallas Cowboys, and the team is ready to get out on it and play ball.”

The upgrade isn’t just an advantage for the football team. Most THS club sports and intramural teams use the site for practice and games, as does the marching band.

“Some of these other teams may have turf, but it won’t look anything like ours,” Athletic Director Andy Schoggin said.

upelo High School cheerleaders hold posters with “#themblankets” scrawled across them at football games. THS English teachers wear shirts with the phrase with a big red X crossing out “them” and a grammatically correct “those” written below. Tupelo native and Ole Miss baseball player John Gatlin tweeted it after scoring a winning hit during the College World Series.

So who are “them blankets,” and where did the catchy and cryptic moniker come from?

The name is an alias for the Golden Wave mascot, and it started several years ago when Pontotoc, Miss., native and THS instructor Braden Bishop went to a game with a THS graduate.

“My wife and I mess with each other when our teams play because they always beat the mess out of us when I was playing in high school,” Bishop said. “I told her jokingly one night they didn’t even have a real mascot because it looked more like a blanket than a body of water.”

Braden’s students heard that story when he came to teach at THS in 2009 and ran with it.

Word spread and rival teams took up the lighthearted taunt. THS students turned the tide by embracing the nickname, plastering it across Twitter and Facebook with every sporting win, and it quickly became a defacto brand for all things related to Tupelo schools.

“People always ask about it,” Bishop said.

“If our hashtag were ‘Go Tupelo,’ I don’t think it would generate as much interest.”

To follow Golden Wave news, visit them blankets.com or facebook.com/themblankets.

August 2014 | INVITATION TUPELO

35

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INVITATION TUPELO | August 2014

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Waves World-class watercraft racer Claude Clayton’s small-town upbringing has helped him make it big.

by Melanie Crownover

laude Clayton says the one thing he loves as much as winning is hearing his hometown called out after his name. Tupelo has not only been a source of support as he’s risen to the top of the watercraft-racing ranks during the past 13 years; it’s been an advantage.

“There aren’t a lot of [watercraft] racers from Mississippi. Most come from California or Florida, so I was a surprise to the competition at first,” Clayton said. “Now, being from a small town means that people nationally or worldwide who follow the sport may know my name, but I can come home and not have to have that game face on all the time.”

Clayton describes his sport as “motocross on water.” The races pit riders against each other on mile-long courses in which the average lap time is one minute. He’s one of three professionals in the country sponsored by watercraft industry giant Sea-Doo. Clayton’s affinity for the water began on childhood visits to his family’s cabin at Pickwick Lake. After years of riding watercraft with his friends and practicing at Elvis Presley Lake, he entered and won his first competition in Florida at age 19. Clayton’s career has been one impressive win after another ever since.

He went on the national tour as an amateur in 2004 and won the world championship,

Tupelo’s Claude Clayton has been a professional watercraft racer for nearly 10 years. He’ll race in the national championships in August and the world finals in October.

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INVITATION TUPELO | August 2014

PHOTOGRAPHED BY KEVIN SHAW

C

August 2014 | INVITATION TUPELO

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Claude IS HE DOES A VERY GOOD

JOB REPRESENTING THE BRAND, AND HE’S LOYAL. TO FIND THAT IN A RACER NOW IS RARE.” -CODY HAWKINS, SEA-DOO RACE COORDINATOR

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INVITATION TUPELO | August 2014

PHOTOGRAPHED BY RONNY MAC AND ANNA GLENNON

“THE GOOD THING ABOUT

PHOTOGRAPHED BY RONNY MAC

Clayton (left) trains with Tim Judge, former pro BMX racer and owner of Judge Motor Sports, which sponsors Clayton, along with Slippery Wetsuits, Sea-Doo and others.

a weeklong competition that attracts about 1,000 racers from 35 countries annually.

“Up until then my family and friends knew I was traveling for races, but I don’t think they realized how serious it had gotten,” he said. “That was the win that lit a fire to pursue this further.”

In 2005, Clayton moved up to expert class and won the national championship. He became a professional the following year. There have been multiple road wins since but no repeats of the big championship titles.

“He’s still one of the top racers in the world right now; that’s why we wanted him,” Sea-Doo Race Coordinator Cody Hawkins said. “But the good thing about Claude is he does a very good job representing the brand, and he’s loyal. To find that in a racer now is rare.”

This year’s national championships take place Aug. 16-17 in Charleston, W.V., and the world finals follow in October in Lake Havasu City, Ariz.

“My gear, mechanic and support team are the best; my speed and ability are better than ever, so there’s great potential,” Clayton said.

“I just want to win as many as I can to have a chance to win at Charleston and get at least top three at the world finals.”

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INVITATION TUPELO | August 2014

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events Father-Daughter Gumtree Ball View more event photos @ facebook.com/invitationtupelo.

Fathers and daughters dressed in their best for the 2014 Father Daughter Gumtree Ball, held June 21 at BancorpSouth Arena. The annual event benefits Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital and features live and silent auctions and dancing.

Amya and Allen Pegues

Joleigh Goodson with Steve, Adrianna and Savanna Guin

Rob and Allana Jordan with Kellan and Scott Dees

Will and Bella Rose Morgan

Chloe and Robert Shelton, Trey and Hannah Weaver, and Eliza and Derek Long

Lauren and Mitch Rutherford

Ryan and Lennox Coon

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INVITATION TUPELO | August 2014

Mark May, Makel Hutchins and Anna Caroline May

Sophie and Bernard Bean

photographed by Lisa Roberts

Randy and Jayde Harden

Bella Grace and Bryan Simmons

Steve and Hannah Tybor August 2014 | INVITATION TUPELO

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photographed by Lisa Roberts

events Touchdowns for Tornado Relief View more event photos @ facebook.com/invitationtupelo.

College and professional football players with ties to north Mississippi held a football camp June 28 at Ballard Park Sportsplex for Tupelo children ages 7-18. Proceeds from the camp benefited CREATE Foundation’s Northeast Mississippi Tornado Relief Fund.

Alexa Lewis and Ken Lucas

Xander Patterson and Reggie Harris

Joe Horn speaks to a group.

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INVITATION TUPELO | August 2014

Romaro Miller and Wayne Madkin instruct campers.

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Kim Boyer and Dedrick Clark

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w w w. p a n d s c l i n i c . c o m August 2014 | INVITATION TUPELO

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photographed by Lisa Roberts

events Elvis Pet Parade and Pageant View more event photos @ facebook.com/invitationtupelo.

Pets and pet owners strutted their stuff in the Elvis Pet Parade and Pageant, held June 7 at BancorpSouth Arena as part of the Tupelo Elvis Festival. The event was sponsored by Dilworth Small Animal Hospital, and proceeds benefited the Tupelo-Lee Humane Society.

Makel Hutchins with Moo and Mandy Rose Front: Sara Nelms, Avery Palmer and Jennifer Millsap. Middle: Amy Parker, Melissa with Penelope Snipes, Tammy Davis, Jessie Barnette, Mary Elizabeth Wright, Meagan Johnson, Linsey Palmer and Kayla Justice. Back: Laurie Dilworth Simons, Mel Whitfield, Ann Collier and Jay Dupuis as Elvis

Carl and Lelia Sizemore with Luke

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Ben Hall and April Hood with Maggie May Karen McCord with Elvis

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INVITATION TUPELO | August 2014

Kristy Jones with Rebel

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photographed by Lisa Roberts

events Music, Monet and Margaritas View more event photos @ facebook.com/invitationtupelo.

Tupelo Community Theatre’s 11th-annual Music, Monet and Margaritas fundraiser took place June 14 outside the Lyric Theatre.

Sponsored by Cardiology Associates of North Mississippi, the event featured dance music and a silent auction of work by local artists.

Scott and Belinda McKinion

Lilla, Annette and Dakin Reed with Bennett, Amanda and Paul Mitchell

Jill Gregory, Jenny Gregory and Mendi Greenway

Greg and Markietha Swinney

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INVITATION TUPELO | August 2014

Murray and Olga Estess with Paula and Barry Bertolet

Josh and Amanda Sullivan

Greg and Tracie Conwill

Otis Tims, Mary Frances Massey and Susan Tims

Susan Meredith and Beth Stauffer

Charlie White, Tom Booth and Jonathan Waller

August 2014 | INVITATION TUPELO

51

photographed by Lisa Roberts

events King of the Hill Triathlon View more event photos @ facebook.com/invitationtupelo.

The ninth-annual King of the Hill Triathlon was held June 28 at Tombigbee State Park. The course included a half-mile swim, 20-mile bike ride and 3.2-mile run. For more information on the race and to view results, visit kingofthehilltriathlon.racesonline.com.

Jane Clair Shettles and Ana Banks

Jeanna and Isaac Collins with Amber and Addie Grace Steele

Kristy, James and Aaron Ford

Greg Victoriano and Lori Eschete

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INVITATION TUPELO | August 2014

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August 2014 | INVITATION TUPELO

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events Tornado Relief Golf Tournament View more event photos @ facebook.com/invitationtupelo.

A golf tournament was held June 14 at River Birch Golf Club in Amory, Miss., to benefit CREATE Foundation’s Northeast Mississippi Tornado Relief Fund. The tournament was put on by North Mississippi Golf LLC. Learn more about the organization at northmsgolf.com.

Robert Koon, Bobby Carr, Taylor Trimble and Larry McCoy

Alex Thompson, Jim Roberts, Mike Deaton and Jay Miles

Craig Murphy, Mark Young, Ryan Harrison and Andrew Richardson

Guy Welch and Michael Talent with Charlie and Matt Driskell

Mike Borean, Richie Livingston, Beau Burns and Scott Milam

Michael King, Gary Isbell, Danny Johnson and Brian Cayson

Scott Wynne, Jeffery Ray, Luke Atkins and Clint Berthay

Maurice Jones, Jake Littlejohn, Randy Chittom and Neil Beddingfield

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INVITATION TUPELO | August 2014

photographed by Lisa Roberts

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INVITATION TUPELO | August 2014

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. lessons

artist in residence

S

chools offer more than just reading, writing and arithmetic these days. Here are just some of the innovative ways local educators are challenging students.

Fifth graders at Lawndale Elementary School in Tupelo learned the lost arts of making paper and printmaking with Georgia artist Pam Darresta in honor of Earth Day last spring.

Thanks to a grant from the Mississippi Arts Commission, the school has invited new artists in residence for each of the past three years. The guests spend a week with students, integrating arts into the curriculum. Past guests have also included a “story weaver” of African folk tales and a children’s book illustrator.

“We’re always looking for something out of the norm when we look at the list of artists available from the council,” Lawndale teacher Kristen Roberts said. “People who can come teach our kids to draw are a dime a dozen, but we want to bring something here they may never have seen before.”

This year, Lawndale staff gathered and shredded used paper for almost a month before the artist’s arrival. Students wet that material to make pulp and sifted it through a screen to be pressed and air dried into new sheets.

To incorporate ecology into the lesson, Darresta taught the classes American Indian stories and symbols related to environmental

58

INVITATION TUPELO | August 2014

Fifth graders at Lawndale Elementary School practiced printmaking with Pam Darresta, the school’s artist in residence. Through the art lessons, students also learned American Indian stories and symbols.

stewardship. The students then created printing plates out of Styrofoam, into which they scratched those symbols, and then used paint to make a print.

“It’s a very special process that gets wows because you’re engaging kids in authentic learning that also makes an impression,” Darresta said. “I run into adults I taught as children who

want to talk about the project we did together 25 years later. They’re powerful experiences.”

Each student took home one of the two sheets he or she made. The other print became part of a 45-by-70-inch tree mural that Lawndale teachers framed this summer, and it will be on display in the fifth grade hall when school starts this month.

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PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF DIANNE LUDT

raising the titanic

T

wo Lee County Schools went overboard to bring the historic sinking of the R.M.S. Titanic to life last school year.

At Saltillo Elementary School, drama teacher Dianne Ludt worked with third through fifth graders to incorporate their performance of the docudrama Voices From the Titanic into their other classes.

The schoolwide project set classes on separate missions researching or crafting the vessel.

One class built a 20-foot replica of the boat, another constructed a model of a child from that era in period dress, and another studied the music and learned dances the passengers would have known. The elementary actors researched the passengers they played to give their characters depth onstage.

The night after the elementary school performance, Echoes of the Titanic was performed

by Saltillo Performing Arts, another group Ludt directs made up of Saltillo and Guntown middle and high school students.

“It was like a miniseries you have to see all of to get the full picture,” Ludt said. “And it ended up reaching far more than just our elementary students. I’ve been fascinated by the Titanic since childhood, and even I learned quite a bit of something new. The exciting thing was watching how eager the students were to share what they learned.”

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INVITATION TUPELO | August 2014

Students at both Saltillo Elementary School and Mooreville Elementary School learn about the R.M.S. Titanic in cross-disciplinary projects that include studying the passengers, the ship, the era and more.

Across the county at Mooreville Ele­ men­ tary School, 140 fourth grade students wrapped up nine weeks of research with a Titanic-style dinner.

Teachers and volunteers re-created the formality of the ship’s dining room in the gym with white linen tablecloths, candelabras and a waitstaff of volunteer parents. The night served as a reward for the students’ hard work and offered a living history lesson.

Students worked in groups to research and report on topics ranging from the company that built the ship to profiles on the captain.

They read books on the Titanic in language arts class; compared and contrasted countries the passengers came from with Mississippi in

social studies; figured measurements of the ship in math; and learned about icebergs in science.

Teachers also assigned each student one passenger to research in depth. The children learned about the person’s family; the town where they boarded; and his or her age, occupation, destination and class of ticket. During the dinner, students “became” their passenger for the evening and found out at the end of the night whether the person survived the tragedy.

“This is the third year we’ve done this, so now the kids ask at the beginning of the year, ‘Are we going to study the Titanic like you did last year?’ because they see the fun the other students before them had learning about it,” teacher Alicia Monts said.

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on the air

L

ast fall, broadcast clips of Tupelo High School football games were as impressive as the team itself. High-definition, aerial shots featured angles no spectator could get from the stands. The footage was professional, but no nightly news team was responsible. It was created by the DJI Phantom quadcopter and THS broadcast journalism students.

Students use the copter to film unforgettable video of sports matches and other large events on campus for their weekly WTHS News show and for broadcasting updates on goldenwaveathletics.com. With the addition of a GoPro camera that attaches to a person, pole or mobile unit, the chopper becomes the students’ eye in the sky.

“We ran this thing for two weeks straight after it came in October to try to get the hang of the remote control, and it can take a crash landing,” THS instructor Braden Bishop said.

The $500 quadcopter, named for the four rotors that keep it airborne, flies up to a mile and a half above the ground, offering views of campus that can even make the curvature of the earth visible.

The broadcast journalism class, which was on a 10-year hiatus until 2012, has been given new life thanks to Bishop’s hands-on teaching style and technology like the Phantom. Sixty students took the class in 2014.

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INVITATION TUPELO | August 2014

A $500 remote-controlled quadcopter camera allows broadcast journalism students at Tupelo High School to capture impressive aerial shots.

News outlets WTVA and WCBI have both broadcast clips made by Bishop’s students in the past school year. The class also earned 17 awards, including 14 first-place awards and Best Newscast in the State from their first-ever participation in Mississippi Scholastic Press Association Conference.

“Tupelo students are very competitive,

and these try to one-up themselves each week because they look back at their work critically,” Bishop said. “This quadcopter is just one tool that shows me if any of these kids want to go onto a college campus and pursue broadcast journalism, they already have a good leg up on their competition. It’s helped us all see what we do here in a new way.”

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applied learning

A

rea high school students earned three hours of college credit for developing their own iPhone apps last spring.

The class was part of a program, coordinated by the CREATE Foundation, of dualenrollment courses designed to enhance local high school education with subjects such as aviation and robotics. It was funded by an educational endowment from Toyota.

Fourteen high schools in Lee, Union and Pontotoc counties nominated interested junior and senior applicants for the program.

Throughout the spring, the 22 chosen students, most of whom had no programming experience, met online for one hour Tuesdays and Thursdays from their local high schools and in person on Saturdays for two hours at the Toyota Training Classroom.

“When you start telling high school students they need to come to school on Saturday and they stick with it, you know you’re doing something right,” Charles Garrett, senior education consultant for CREATE, said. “Being able to create an app is a very marketable skill now.”

The class learned to code in HTML for website development and learned PHP, a language used in programming iPhone applications. They studied entrepreneurship to learn how to develop their ideas into products and

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INVITATION TUPELO | August 2014

At the end of the semester, students presented iPhone apps they developed to classmates, teachers and representatives from CREATE and Toyota as if they were presenting to potential investors or manufacturers.

marketing to learn how to sell them. Then the students split into groups of two or three to develop their own apps.

The students took their projects seriously. One team interviewed 150 students at its school to make sure the app would appeal to its audience. Mooreville students programmed their app to update current weather on campus, publish announcements and provide user-friendly polls for elections. Tupelo High School’s group presented an app to give freshmen a virtual tour of the campus to keep them from getting lost. The team from Shannon High School created an app to post announcements, homework assignments and test dates

that is expected to be used during the 2014-15 school year.

According to Rodney Pearson, professor of business information systems at Mississippi State University and one of six instructors involved in the program, students’ hard work could pay dividends later if these budding programmers keep creating.

“It’s hard to develop a real system that’s operational in one semester, but we had a few that were so developed they could be used right now,” Pearson said. “I would get text messages at 2 in the morning because these students were up working on it. They put in the extra hours to see it through.”

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students take stock

S

ixth-grade teachers at Milam Elementary School have taught their gifted students principles of finance through the Tennessee Stock Market Game (TSMG) for years. While they may not be making money, they are becoming rich with knowledge.

“We used to use a fax to buy stocks and have hard copies of newspapers for research when I started doing this 14 years ago. Now it’s all digital,” Laura Sheffield said. “The Internet accessibility makes it so real to them. They can research their stocks online at home, and the kids even have a website to go to to buy stock like a real broker.”

Teachers split their classes into groups of three to start the process. Each group gets an imaginary $100,000 to invest in a diversified portfolio of at least five companies they research and agree upon before buying the stock.

Halfway through the game, groups stop to track changes and present an analysis to the class. For many, it’s a time to talk about what they should have done differently. Sheffield said those presentations help students realize the relationship between global current events and market fluctuations.

Groups end the challenge by selling their stocks to see if they made profits or went in the red.

How the students fare affects more than

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INVITATION TUPELO | August 2014

Milam Elementary School students participate in the Tennessee Stock Market Game, learning lessons ranging from principles of finance to current global events. Milam competes against other area schools and has ranked highly in recent years.

just their grades. Throughout the process, the Milam students competed with groups from other schools in Northeast Mississippi and the Memphis area playing the TSMG to see who could make the most money. Milam has placed in the top three of the Mid-South Region for years. But teachers see the real value in the life lessons being learned.

“We had almost 185 students participate this year who couldn’t wait to get to school on Monday and see how their stocks were doing,” Sheffield said. “One asked his mom to help him invest some of his birthday money. That may seem like a small thing, but I feel like we’re teaching these kids a life skill that could help them build a future financially.”

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lego robotics

E

very year, Tupelo Middle School teacher Julia Smith opens her seventh and eighth grade students’ eyes to engineering technology with two of their favorite things: Legos and robots.

Students spend nine weeks of their Excel Technology class building, modifying and programming Lego Mindstorm NXT kit robots to complete increasingly challenging tasks.

“This lesson developed by Carnegie Mellon University gives them a better understanding of the parts robots play in our world and how it takes a person who knows how to program to bring each hunk of metal to life,” Smith said.

She purchased the 12 class robots with grant money when she came to the middle school seven years ago. Two students work together to control each robot using two computer programs.

The class starts with simple lessons in construction and quickly moves to complex programming using sensors to alter each robot’s behavior. Ultrasonic sensors alert the machines to change course when objects are in their paths. Sound sensors instruct the robots to perform movements when sounds reach certain decibels. Light sensors enable the robots to follow dark or light paths along the floor.

Students can even program their machines to speak words or play music on command.

“You can use the sensors to make a robot

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INVITATION TUPELO | August 2014

Tupelo Middle School students learn computer programming to operate Lego robots. The robots use sensors to move forward, change course, follow specific paths, talk and even play music.

sense a person in the way, stop, say ‘hello’ and ‘goodbye’ and then turn and go in the opposite direction. They can do some amazing things,” Smith said.

Smith determines grades through handson evaluations in which robots must complete specific objectives. The challenges mimic tasks assigned in the Atlanta and Orlando, Fla.,

competitive trials held every year for Lego robotics students nationwide.

“We’ve never done a competition before, but it’s only because we need funding for that kind of travel,” Smith said. “You can teach in the classroom all day but that real world experience ties it all together. That’s a goal for us in the future.”

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IN SEASON Smart Snacks recipes and photographs by Kimme Hargrove

W

hen children come home hungry after a long day at school, treat them to these simple, healthful and creative snacks.

Fruit Kabobs Children can’t resist fun food like fruit-ona-stick. Keep fresh fruit precut in the fridge for a snack that’s easy to assemble on an early morning or after school. Simply stick fruit on a serving stick, a small skewer or even a toothpick. Choose from these fruits, or try your own favorites for tasty, colorful and healthful kabobs.

Kiwi Red or green grapes Strawberries Blueberries Cantaloupe Honeydew melon Pineapple Raspberries

Edamame Hummus This twist on traditional hummus makes a great afternoon snack for the whole family, and the leftovers make a fun substitute for the usual veggies and dip in your child’s lunch box. Serve with cucumbers, celery, pita chips or crackers.

1½ cups frozen edamame, shelled and cooked according to directions 2 Tablespoons tahini paste Juice of 1 lemon 2 garlic cloves, peeled 1 Tablespoon olive oil Salt to taste Blend all ingredients together in food processor. Consistency should be grainy, but add more oil for a creamier hummus. Sprinkle with paprika, if desired.

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INVITATION TUPELO | August 2014

Kid-Friendly Trail Mix This is a great sweet and savory snack for after school or to pack for a long car ride. It can be easily adjusted to include your child’s favorite things. Mix any of the following, or get creative with ingredients already in your pantry.

3 cups pretzels 2 cups peanuts (omit if allergies are a concern) 2 cups cereal (try Golden Grahams, Cheerios or Honeycomb) 2 cups raisins 1 cup mini-marshmallows 1 cup M&M’s

Peanut Butter Pretzel Sticks Pretzel rods become more enticing when dipped in peanut butter and dried fruit. Use short pretzel rods, or break the long ones in half for smaller portions. Spread peanut butter on one end of the pretzel stick and roll in your favorite store-bought dried fruit mix. For children with peanut allergies, try using soy nut or sunflower seed butter. An organic mix of sunflower seeds, toasted pepitas (pumpkinseeds), dried cranberries and dates is pictured.

Thick pretzel rods Creamy peanut butter Dried fruit mix

August 2014 | INVITATION TUPELO

71

by Melanie Crownover

Back to School

PHOTOGRAPHED BY JOE WORTHEM

PHOTOGRAPHED BY TERESA GREGORY

School is back in session at tornado-damaged Joyner Elementary School, and some of its teachers are reclaiming their homes.

Editor’s Note: This story is part of a series on how Tupelo continues to rebuild following the April 28 tornado.

For Joyner Elementary School teachers, this summer was more about recovery than relaxation. That’s especially true for people like kindergarten teacher Nicole Hazel, who spent her summer break not only preparing to spend this school year in a new classroom but also rebuilding her home.

Hazel and her daughter rode out the tornado in her parents’ shelter in Chesterfield, Miss., just outside of Tupelo. She first assessed damage to her Clayton Street home through photos sent by her brother. There was a tree on

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INVITATION TUPELO | August 2014

the roof, and the only thing left in the backyard was a broom standing on the back porch.

She was lucky. Situated two doors down from hard-hit St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, hers was one of the few houses on the street that sustained only roof and water damage. The three houses to the left of the church were gone. Another neighbor had to demolish his home because of extensive damage.

Hazel and her family removed the tree and tarped her roof the day after the storm. Then she returned to Joyner to salvage what she could from her classroom.

“They gave us an hour to grab anything that wasn’t ruined,” she said. “We grabbed

all the books and supplies we could, but the main thing was the kids’ artwork. We were able to save some off the walls. That was the first thing we put up when we got to Church Street [Elementary School] to ride out the rest of the semester so the children would see their stuff and feel at home.”

Hazel spent most of the summer working on her home. The roof tarp stayed on until late June, when the insurance company issued a check and she found a roofer to shingle the house. Siding went up around the same time, but she is still waiting on a Sheetrock crew to fix her water-damaged laundry room ceiling.

Meanwhile, the school system worked to

PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF TUPELO PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

OPPOSITE, LEFT: Joyner kindergarten teacher Nicole Hazel is reclaiming her classroom and her home this fall.

OPPOSITE, RIGHT: Much of Joyner school was rebuilt during the summer and opened to students Aug. 4.

ABOVE: The April 28 tornado damaged a large portion of Joyner school, including the roof and classrooms in the kindergarten and second grade halls. fix Joyner before teachers and students returned on Aug. 4.

“This is a complete renovation for the almost 20 classrooms affected in the kindergarten and second grade halls. The walls may not be reconstructed, but basically everything else is getting redone because of water damage where the roof was torn off,” said Andy Cantrell, Tupelo Public School District (TPSD) executive director of operations.

Insurance covered most of the $2.5 million revamp, and TPSD provided $50,000 to get the work going.

Major construction on Joyner began when the school year concluded at the end of May, and Joyner teachers started moving into their classrooms in late July after trucks transported their rescued supplies from Church Street.

Workers modernized the electrical system and installed new flooring, doors, ceilings and a fire protection system. Classrooms were brought up to date with new furniture, shelving and one colorful wall per class to replace the old whitewashed look.

“Joyner was a pretty old school that needed a lot of work. We just didn’t want to have to update this way,” she said. “This August may be a little more stressful and full of mixed emotions than the beginning of most school years, but I think it will all end up being a good thing. This is a new start for all of us. It’s a blank canvas.”

August 2014 | INVITATION TUPELO

73

out and about

CONTINUED ON PAGE 76

FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER CHILD SAFETY FIRST EVENT

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Scott Burns and Mayor Jason Shelton

7 DAYS FOR THE TROOPS

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Cory Collins from Purple Heart Homes with Patch

Lauren and Avery Wilson, Amanda Taylor, and Cole and Annslee Basham

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out and about

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 75

EIGHT DAYS OF HOPE

TOYOTA MISSISSIPPI DONATES CARS FOR VOCATIONAL TRAINING, EDUCATION

(front) Angel Thomas, Mary and Joe Hoadley, Sally and Art Correa, Zac Wyse, Dwight Senn; (back) Ethan Senn, Tylar Patrick, Duane Blum, Nate Hernandez, Steve Novak, James Vestweber and Bob Birmingham

Kirk Manley, Emily Wilemon-Holland, Jane Spain, Masafumi Hamaguchi and Takashi Fujita

TOYOTA MISSISSIPPI DONATES CARS

TAKE A SWING AT CANCER GOLF TOURNAMENT

TUPELO FIT CLASS AT NORTH MISSISSIPPI DANCE

Michael Ricks and Evet Topp

University of Mississippi Chancellor Dan Jones, Glenn McCullough Jr., and Mississippi State University President Mark Keenum

Roxie Clayton, Alison Dossett and Beth Richardson

FAMILY AND FRIENDS WELCOME BRANDON HERRING AND COREY WEAVER HOME FROM AFGHANISTAN

Koley Weaver, Mendy Ramey, Meeli and Corey Weaver with Brandon Herring and Rhonda Horton

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INVITATION TUPELO | August 2014

Ann Sterling Mansour, Ashley Pulse, Kelsey Herring, Kyle Emig, Margaret Ann Horton and Madison Horton

CLASSIC FINISHES DONATES $10,000 TO CREATE

Mike Clayborne, Jimmy Grisham, Uhland Redd and Lewis Whitfield SKY IS THE LIMIT MINISTRY SUMMER YOUTH 2 BASH

Anthony Mitchell and Pier Cummings LAND’S SWEET CREATIONS GRAND OPENING

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Laneel Land, Jeremiah Nelson and Jaylon Land August 2014 | INVITATION TUPELO

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TUPELO SPIRIT Laura Mobley Thompson

Dr. Laura Mobley Thompson moved home to northeast Mississippi last July after retiring from a 24-year career as a music professor at Louisiana Tech University. This month she begins her second year as a part-time music teacher at Tupelo Christian Preparatory School.

Q: How long has music been part of your life?

A: I’ve been playing piano since I was 7 and took up clarinet with the band in junior high.

My mother was and is still the accompanist for our church, and I started being her backup when I was in my teens. My focus on vocal performance got serious when I got my master’s.

Q: Why is music important in school?

A: [Music] gives an individual confidence in themselves, and a member of an ensemble the ability to work as a team, but it feeds your spirit in a way that studying a book in class can’t.

Q: Do you enjoy teaching or performing most?

A: That’s a hard one. Performing has always been my love, but when my students do a good job on stage it’s as great a thrill as any I’ve had.

Q: Can you share some student success stories?

A: I took two groups overseas to international choral festivals, and there have been multiple winners at the National Association of Teachers of Singing competition. One student won first place [in the junior women division] in the state. The thing that gets me now is the former students I have going for doctorates in music.

Q: What do you want for TCPS vocal music?

A: I would love to eventually have a full choir that competes. I started with four girls at the junior high level last fall ... already singing in three-part harmony and learning to read music.

Maybe in a couple of years we could have 15 or 20 singers and the beginnings of that choir. interviewed by Melanie Crownover photographed by Joe Worthem Thompson is a mezzo-soprano with an undergraduate degree from Mississippi State University, a master’s degree from Louisiana State University and a doctorate from the University of Mississippi.

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