Any brand of athletic shoes can be used. Please no shoes containing metal such as cleats or spikes. Donation boxes are set up at MIS if you have any shoes you are willing to donate. You can get additional information about this program by calling MIS

**

**Juniors – There is a fund raiser this Friday the 27th for Safe Prom. Mazzios will donate 10% of all sales that day to Safe Prom as long as the customers present a coupon with when paying. We need volunteers to be at Mazzios after school until closing to hand out coupons to customers.

** Homecoming DVDs are on sale now in the EAST lab. The DVD features video from each daily activity as well as the day and night homecoming ceremony. Gets your copy today for only $10!

**Congratulations to the Monticello Jr. Quiz Bowl Team on winning 1st place at the SEARK Cooperative Quiz Bowl Tournament yesterday!!! Thanks for all your hard work.

**Congratulations to Ms. Diane Lewis. She was the winner of FCCLA and FBLA’s canned food drive and will receive the $25.00 prize! Thanks to everyone to contributed to the drive!

** The Jr. High Basketball Pep Assembly is scheduled for February 2 from 9:30am – 10:30am. 9th grade students are invited to attend and will sit on the visitors side of the bleachers.

**UAM Weevil Welcome Days will be Friday February 3rd and Monday February 6th. Reserve a spot by calling UAM admissions office at 460-1026. This is considered a college visit day – request a preapproved absence.

**Muffins on sale in the library after 9:00 and between 1:00 – 3:00

**Congratulations to Hannah James. Hannah is currently listed as number 23 in the “Top 25 Leading Students” within the Arkansas NFL District. Hannah has earned the status of a Degree of Excellence in the National Forensic League.

**Congratulations to the MHS Forensic team’s 2nd place Sweepstakes Award earned at Cabot High School. The full list of results are found on the MHS Speech / Drama Club webpage.

**Congratulations to 4 new National Forensic League members: Erin Ashcraft, Jacob Chisom, Mary Kate Jones, and Dani West.

** Students are not to walk in the construction areas by the gym.

**Any current junior planning to take Composition I/II or college algebra through the CIV program next year should see Mrs. Curry by January 27 to be put on a class list.

Please remember that an ACT score of 19 ( on English, Math and Reading sections) is required for enrollment in these college courses.

SPORTS NEWS:

**Congratulations to the Lady Billies on their win over White Hall last night. The boys and girls will both play at home this Friday night against Helena at 6:00.

CLUB NEWS:

**The Forensic team members who are interested in attending a tournament in February must contact Mrs. Ashcraft or Ms. Armbrust by TODAY.

COUNSELOR CORNER:

**Drew County Extension Homemakers Council Academic Scholarships

Attend UAM

Applications available in the counseling center Deadline March 30th

**UAM EAST Scholarship

Two years of EAST participation

3.0+ gpa applications available in the counseling center

Deadline April 1st

**2012 ACXIOM/UCA IT Careers Camp

Grades 8-12 June 20-23

Contact information in the counseling center

**Arkansas Superior Federal Credit Union

You must be a member of ASFCU or have an immediate family member that belongs ASFCU

Applications available in the counseling center Deadline March 1st

**Junior girls : Arkansas Girls State will be held May 27-June 1. Junior girls interested in this week long summer program learning about government should see Mrs. Curry.

Deadline to sign up as a possible delegate is February 3rd

**Juniors interested in visiting Henderson State University, see Mrs. Curry about the Henderson 100 Program.

3.5+ cumulative grade point average required. Applications will be due to Mrs. Curry by February 10th

**2012 Engineering Scholars Program at ULAR.

Summer program to increase the number of students entering engineering programs in Arkansas.

Grades 9-12 Information is available on the counseling center board.

**Society of American Military Engineers engineering and construction camp

Information is available on the counseling center board. Deadline March 16th

**Society of American Military Engineers Scholarships

For architecture or construction-related engineering programs.

Deadline March 30th

Applications available in the counseling center

**Arkansas State University Sports Medicine Workshop

Friday March 9th and Saturday march 10th

Info posted on counseling center board

**Dr.Curtis Ridout Scholarship Fund

Arkansas Baptist College

Deadline March 1st

Contact info. Posted on the counseling center board

**University of Arkansas Diversity Impact 2012

Juniors – Minority students – opportunity to learn about the U of A and financial aid programs

Applications are available in the counseling center

Application deadline Jan. 25th

** Buick Achievers Scholarship Program

Details and application at www.buickachievers.com

Deadline February 29th

**Alpha Chi chapter Book Scholarship

Female students attending UAPB

Applications in the counseling center

Deadline March 11th

**Applications are available for Student Athletic Trainers at UofA

Deadline for application is February 11

**Four scholarship programs through the Arkansas Activities Association:

Mandy Coats Scholarship Fund

Silas Carneal Jones Memorial Scholarship

Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame

AAA/State Farm Scholar Athlete

Applications available in the Counseling Center or on the Arkansas Activities Association website

**US Department of Agriculture

USDA/1890 National Scholars Program

Attend one of the eighteen 1890 Historically Black Land-Grant Universities (Alcorn, UAPB, Tuskegee etc..) major in an agriculture related area

3.0+ gpa and 21+ ACT

Applications available in the counseling center or at www.usda.gov/1890programs.xml deadline February 1st

**Abbott and Fenner Scholarship Program

Details and application at www.abbottandfenner.com/scholarships.htm

**US Bank Scholarship Program

Apply online at www.usbank.com/scholarship

**The American Legion Coudret Trust Scholarship

Deadline March 15 Must be children, grandchildren or great-grandchildren of American Legionnaires in good standing. Applications available in the counseling center

** Big Sun Scholarship – academic athletes – http://www.bigsunathletics.com deadline June 22

**UAMS Pharmacy Camp will be June 10-15. It is an introduction to career opportunities in pharmacy.

Electronic applications will be posted by Oct. 31st Deadline to apply February 10

**Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation’s requirements and application is posted at www.coca-colascholars.org

**Information about Arkansas Governor’s School 2012 is available in the Counseling Center

Arkansas Governor’s School is a four week residential, educational summer program for upcoming seniors. Governor’s school is FREE!

Arkansas Superior Federal Credit Union will sponsor a “Superior Student Spotlight” They will highlight one student from MHS in November, February and May that stands out in his or her community. They are looking for someone of high moral character who sets an example by volunteering and giving back to the school and community. Eligible students will not have attendance or discipline issues. Open to all MHS students of all grade levels. Arkansas Superior will run a newspaper ad featuring the chosen student each month and the student will receive a $50 VISA gift card and certificate of recognition. Applications are available in the counseling center.

The MHS Forensic Team earned a 2nd place sweepstakes award at the Cabot Classic this past weekend. All members contributed to this team award, and students in 5 events advanced to semi-finals.

Semi-finalists earning superior ratings were Becca Stephenson (poetry), Dani West (humorous interpretation), Shelby White (original oratory), Hannah James (original oratory), and the duo team of Maggie Barnett and Celeste Richard (duet acting). These semi-finalists are now qualified to compete in the Tournament of Champions in April.

Students earning either 3rd place, superior or excellent ratings in the preliminary rounds were Shelby White (poetry), Mary Kate Jones (prose), Jessica Craven (solo acting), Savannah Reynolds (solo acting) Erin Ashcraft and Mary Kate Jones (duet acting), John Bonfanti and Hannah James (duet acting), L. J. Leslie and Jessica Craven (duet acting), Krystle Conyers (dramatic interpretation), Erin Ashcraft (storytelling), Melodie Sandlin (storytelling), Jacob Chisom and Daniel Wigley (debate) and the members of the Readers Theatre performance of Charlotte’s Web. Michelle Montgomery continued to compete in the tournament after losing her partner and still earned 4th place in two events (humorous interp and Improvised Duet Acting) during the preliminary rounds.

As a result of the tournament, MHS has 4 more students who have earned membership into the National Forensic League: Erin Ashcraft, Jacob Chisom, Mary Kate Jones, and Dani West. Hannah James increased her status in NFL to a Degree of Excellence.

Debbie Ashcraft and Christy Armbrust coach the team

Skye Austin, 1st band 1st chair flute

Mallory Jones, 1st band 4th chair flute

Elizabeth Wilson, 1st band 10th chair flute

Sarah Albritton, 2nd band 12th chair flute

Norma Rivera, 1st alternate flute

Sarah Tappe, 2nd alternate flute

Becca Spurlock, 4th alternate flute

Beth Fleming, 1st band 2nd chair clarinet

Hannah Wilkerson, 2nd band 10th chair clarinet

Olivia Wooten, 2nd band 25th chair clarinet

Autumn Webb, 1st band 1st chair alto clarinet

Joshua Williams, 1st band 1st chair bass clarinet

Tysheona Ferrell, 1st band 1st chair contrabass clarinet

Cameron Sadler, 1st band 4th chair alto saxophone

John Bonfanti, 1st band 6th chair trumpet

Matthew Montgomery, 1st band 9th chair trumpet

Josie Kelley, 2nd band 10th chair trumpet

Matt Cater, 2nd band 1st chair french horn

Jeremy Weih, 2nd band 1st chair trombone

Corey Pemberton, 2nd band 2nd chair baritone

Marlon Druilhet, 1st band 7th chair tuba

Amy James, 1st band 4th chair percussion

Rian Meeks, 2nd band 5th chair percussion

Erin Ashcraft, 2nd band 1st chair string bass

Pictured: left to right Rex Henderson, Morrison Barron, Tucker Ward, Bentley Brodnax, Ashlee Johnson, Breanna Smith, MaryKate Jones, Hunter Hickam Standing: Nathan Pesaresi, Kameron Smith, and Jake Curry

Students from the MHS EAST participated in the Arkansas Drive Smart Challenge to bring awareness to the dangers of distracted driving. Students informed their peers of the consequences of cell phone usage while driving and the importance of wearing seatbelts. The EAST students observed morning school traffic and recorded data from drivers and passengers of their seatbelt use. They also recorded if someone arrived using their cell phone.

Activities were performed for 4 weeks encouraging students to buckle up and put their phones away. At the end of the challenge the students conducted another observation of the morning traffic. Monticello High School was awarded for “Best Overall Seat Belt Use”, “Lowest Driver Cell Phone Use”, and “Most Decreased Driver Cell Phone Use”. The Arkansas Drive Smart Challenge is a student designed and led program to increase seat belt use and decrease driver cell phone use among high school students. For more information please visit the IPC website at http://www.archildrens.org/injuryprevention.

Jasmine Block – 1st band, 5th chair flute

Dylan McClain – 2nd band, 7th chair flute

Cindy Chen -2nd band, 8th chair flute

Brenae Hall – 2nd alternate flute

Bailey Taylor – 1st band, 17th chair clarinet

Julie Pace – 1st band, 20th chair clarinet

Tai’lr Jackson – 2nd band, 20th chair clarinet

Abbi Goodding – 2nd band, 24th chair clarinet

Jataia Goodman – 5th alternate clarinet

Karyss Russell – 1st band, 4th chair bass clarinet

Noah Graves – 1st band, 5th chair alto sax

Karlie Fowler – 2nd band, 6th chair alto sax

Alex Borchardt – 1st band, 2nd chair tenor sax

Parker Paschall – 2nd band, 1st chair tenor sax

Clark Jarrett – 2nd band, 2nd chair tenor sax

Josh Longing – 2nd band, 1st chair baritone sax

Jacob Bonfanti – 1st band, 6th chair trumpet

Zachary Williams – 1st band, 8th chair trumpet

Cade Clemons – 2nd band, 2nd chair trumpet

Bo Evans – 2nd band, 3rd chair trumpet

Courtney Leggett – 2nd band, 4th chair trumpet

Dillon Kinzalow – 2nd band, 9th chair trumpet

Logan Collins – 2nd band, 10th chair trumpet

Rachel Smith – 1st band, 3rd chair French horn

Adam Montgomery – 1st band, 7th chair French horn

Tylar Hendricks – 2nd band, 6th chair French horn

Brett Kelly – 1st band, 1st chair baritone

Austin Sayyar – 1st band, 2nd chair baritone

Blake Dorman – 2nd band, 3rd chair baritone

Ty Nolen – 2nd band, 4th chair baritone

Tre Ferrell – 1st band, 5th chair trombone

Michael Hudson – 2nd band, 1st chair trombone

Jaylan Matthews – 1st band, 5th chair tuba

Zoe Amoroso – 1st band, 4th chair percussion

Ethan Chisom – 2nd band, 2nd chair percussion

Laura Smith – 2nd band, 3rd chair percussion

Jill Funderburg – 2nd band, 10th chair percussion

Caroline Wilson – 3rd alternate

These students auditioned in Camden with approximately 600 students from all of southeast Arkansas. Of all 600 students, our own Brett Kelly scored the highest score of the day. Great work, band!!

Front row: Savannah Reynolds, Rebecca Ferguson, Celeste Richard, Shelby White, Krystle Conyers Second row: David deRueda, Anna Kate St. John, Erin Ashcraft, Hannah James, Marquiona Ridgell, Michelle Montgomery, Salonica Hunter Back row: Kinsley Akin, Jacob Chisom, Daniel Wigley, John Bonfanti, Mary Kate Jones, Amy James, Maggie Barnett, LJ Leslie, and Jessica Craven. Not in picture: Coaches Debbie Ashcraft and Christy Armbrust.

Akin, Barnett, White earn NFL membership, and Wigley earns NFL Honor Status

The Monticello High School Forensics Team earned a 2nd place Sweepstakes Award at the Wildcat Classic Forensics Tournament held at North Little Rock High School. Some of the highlights of the competition were students who advanced to semi-finals in their events: Shelby White (poetry interpretation), Hannah James (original oratory), Salonica Hunter (poetry interp), and the duo team of Maggie Barnett and Kinsley Akin (improvised duet acting – superior rating). These students are now qualified to compete in the Tournament of Champions in April.

All of the debaters who attended earned superior ratings: Kinsley Akin, Daniel Wigley, Hannah James, Jacob Chisom, Anna St. John, and James (LJ) Leslie, Jr.

The team entered a readers theatre selection of Charlotte’s Web which earned great reviews, an excellent rating, and 4th place in the preliminary round. The performers were Savannah Reynolds, Mary Kate Jones, Erin Ashcraft, John Bonfanti, Maggie Barnett, Shelby White, Celeste Richard, Jessica Craven, and Krystle Conyers. All of these students also competed in other individual events.

Excellent ratings were earned by Celeste Richard (prose), Amy James (storytelling), Rebecca Ferguson (original oratory), John Bonfanti (extemporaneous speaking and oratory), Shelby White (extemp speaking and poetry), Salonica Hunter (poetry), and Hannah James (oratory).

Other members who contributed to the team award were David deRueda, Michelle Montgomery, and Marquiona Ridgell.

As a result of the competition, 3 members earned enough points for membership into the National Forensic League: Kinsley Akin, Maggie Barnett, and Shelby White. Daniel Wigley earned his honor status in NFL.

FCCLA members are educating the community on the importance of proper nutrition and regular exercise. They are educating Monticello Elementary classes, adult groups, the afterschool programs, and they are also hosting a can food drive!

Everyone is encouraged to bring canned food items to the Monticello High School Family and Consumer Science classroom! All canned food items will go to DHS to help families in Drew County this holiday season! You can bring these items beginning Monday, December 5th from 8:30-3:00. For any more information please contact Amber Hairston, Family and Consumer Science Teacher and FCCLA adviser at (870) 367-4050