Service and Achievement
Over the last couple of weeks MHS students have demonstrated once again not only how academically gifted they are, but also how willing they are to give back to the school and community.
Each year the MAIS (Mississippi Association of Independent Schools) sponsors among many activities, a state spelling bee, art contest, and science fairs.
Last week the local winners of the MHS spelling bee participated in the district spelling bee at Oxford University School. Lindsey Axthelm won 1st place in the 4th grade and Zach Hollingsworth won 3rd place in the 5th grade at the MAIS District I Spelling Bee. Elementary art contest winners were also posted and MHS had many district and state winners (names will be released at a later date).
As an example of service, the Interact Club helped with the State AAA basketball tournament and all our varsity and junior high players served as team host. Our Broadcast Journalism class helped WI-FI Sports broadcast all the games live on the Internet. Five members of the Interact club helped the Senatobia Rotary Club with their quarterly Blood Drive. Talk about sacrificial giving!
Even our alumni are making news. Sam Hong, a 2007 MHS graduate who lived as an exchange student with MHS faculty member Mrs. Fay Hurt, received early admission to Emory Medical School in Atlanta. Emory Medical School is one of the top medical schools in the United States. Sam turned down offers from other schools including Vanderbilt Medical School to remain at Emory where he has been working in their cancer research center as an undergrad.
When you think about service, you can’t help but also remember the scores of parent volunteers that help make our school what it is today. This past Thursday evening a great time was had by all and thousands of dollars were raised for Magnolia Heights. The Parents' Club under the leadership this year of April Lipscomb, hosted “Catfish in Como.” Lori Puryear Barrett chaired this year’s event and, along with her committee, provided a fun night for all in attendance. The auction and dinner will provide needed funds for those extra items not in each school budget. Over the years the Parents’ Club has donated funds for technology purchases and upgrades, classroom supplies, teacher start-up money, helped with major purchases such as school buses, and provided delicious food and snacks for teacher appreciation and other meetings hosted by the school. We are forever indebted to our Parents’ Club and the numerous ways they serve the teachers and students of MHS each day.
Service and achievement – integral parts of the tradition of excellence at Magnolia Heights School. Way to go!
