WLHS upperclassmen will probably admit that it was a little odd not hearing Mr. Kight, and “Have a Super-Fantastic Day” over the announcements on their first day back. Over the summer, Mr. Kight handed over the reins to his longtime assistant Mr. Clifford Garnto. In his first year as the man in charge, Mr. Garnto made some minor changes, such as adding the pledge of allegiance to the morning announcements, but otherwise kept the school running in a similar fashion to his predecessor.

The biggest differences occurred behind the scenes. In previous years he’s served primarily as a disciplinarian, spending a lot of time enacting corporal punishment, breaking up fights and maintaining order around the school. Now, he’s trying to change the way students perceive him, not so much as a tough guy, but a principal they can relate to on a per- sonal level.

He says his biggest challenge in year one has been dealing with the deaths of two faculty members, and one student. “These are issues you don’t anticipate when you accept the job,” he says. “God has been faithful in each circumstance. Several people have said I have had to deal with more in one year than some principals deal with in their career. That may be true, but I have had great support from a tremendous and loving faculty.”

Orange In Style

Orange was such a popular color around West Laurens High School this year, you might think it was a new school color. Orange T-shirts, posters, balloons, hair ribbons and hair extensions were seen all around school, and orange athletic equipment made several appearances on team uniforms during the season. It was all in support of junior Leah Brinson, who spent most of the school year fighting Acute Myelogenous Leukemia, better known as AML. She was diagnosed with the disease last summer. Early this spring Leah emerged from her battle with the disease victorious, and was able to come back to school to end the year.

Making Progress

2010-11 marked the first time in nearly four years that West Laurens High School has achieved the coveted mark of Adequate Yearly Progress. AYP is a stan- dard that measures the health of schools across the state based on Graduation Rates, Scores on EOCTs, GHSGT and other standardized tests. Thanks to the efforts of students and staff all over the school, WLHS was able to attain AYP accreditation for 2010-11.

Finally achieving the honor of AYP puts West Laurens on a list of only 77 percent of Georgia Schools viewed as quality educational institutions. However, the school will not be taken off the state’s ‘needs improvement’ list until it is able to make AYP twice. That gives all students and teachers twice the incentive to do well and work toward repeating as an AYP school for the 2011-12 school year. But making AYP, an indicator of positive progress, is definitely a step in the right direction for the school, board of education and community.

Mrs. Davis, Mr. Stuckey Pass Away

Two events this year that have had a profound impact on WLHS students and teachers were the unexpected deaths of Ms. Teresa Davis and Mr. Kim Stuckey. Ms. Davis was a teacher in the Special Ed. Department who passed away in late October. Mr. Stuckey was a Social Studies teacher who fell victim to a heart attack in December. Both teachers left behind students, families and children that they each had personal influences upon. Their memories will continue to live on inside the hearts and minds of each of their students, and there’s no doubt they will be missed sorely by everyone at WLHS.

Who's Who in 2010-11: 

Co-Valedictorians: Janet Zhang and Daniel Baker

Salutatorian: Meagan Taylor

STAR Student: Janet Zhang

STAR Teacher: Jessica Chase

Teacher of the Year: Jeff Clayton 

Homecoming Queen: Meagan Taylor

Prom King: Gantt Jones

Prom Queen: Holly Smith

Miss WLHS: Rachel Gibbs

Athlete of the Year: Rodney O'Neal 

THE YEAR IN SPORTS

Racking Up Region Titles