Students at Poplarville Lower Elementary recently participated in the district level of the Mississippi Reading Fair 2006 sponsored by Telephone Pioneers of America, Mississippi Bellsouth Chapter.  The Reading Fair provides students with the opportunity to share their favorite book through a storyboard display. The first place winner of each division at the district level advanced to the Regional Reading Fair held at Lake Terrace Convention Center in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, on Wednesday, February 14th. The first place regional winner in each category will advance to the State Reading Fair, which will be held at the Mississippi Department of Education in Jackson.

Winners include: Kindergarten; Caleb Entrekin first place, Hunter Pisani second place, and Chaz Sharp third place. First grade; Michael Skinner first place, Ryan Schubert second place, Katilyn Eades and Skylar Baldwin in third place. Second grade; Makeena Lindley first place, Austin Rome second place, and Kaden Golbitz third place. Family Division; Kaitlyn Barber first place K-3, Richard Patton second place K-3, and Clay Lodrigues third place in K-3.

Kaitlyn Barber placed second in the Family Division at the Regional Reading Fair.

This past week, during Reader’s and Writer’s workshop, Mrs. Lisa Bagley’s Kindergarten class participated in a unit focused around Abraham Lincoln and President’s Day. The students learned many interesting facts including: Abraham Lincoln was the 16^th president; he was called “Honest Abe”; and he loved reading books. In math, the students found Abraham Lincoln’s picture on the penny and five dollar bill. They then counted by ones and fives with the money. To end the unit, the students enjoyed creating their own version of Abraham Lincoln. Pictured are Jared B., Tyson H., Cade J. and Grace S. 

Winners of the Poetry Out Loud: National Recitation Contest are Kathleen L., David T., and Cassy F. The school-wide competition was held February 21, 2007 at Poplarville High School. With her recitation of “The Shooting of Dan McGrew” by Robert W. Service, Kathleen received first place honors. Second place went to David and third to Cassy.

Poetry Out Loud: National Recitation Contest is created by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation. Poetry Out Loud is administered in partnership with the State Arts Agencies of all fifty states and the District of Columbia.

Stradford G. and Stephanie S. have recently been selected as recipients of the Luckyday Scholarship from the University of Southern Mississippi. This scholarship is awarded to high school seniors who have been recognized as "outstanding citizens and who are committed to continued involvement in community service." It is a USM-only sponsored scholarship. The scholarship is awarded as a four year scholarship and is worth $10,000 over four years, which is divided into $2,500 per school year. Stradford and Stephanie applied for this scholarship under steep competition from other high school seniors from all over Mississippi, and were only eligible for this scholarship after being accepted to the university. Stephanie said she is "very excited to be attending the University of Southern Mississippi in the fall," and is "very fortunate to receive such a great scholarship." Both are expected to maintain their exemplary accomplishments in order to keep the scholarship.