NCHS STUDENTS PAINT MURAL FOR ROCKY MOUNT RAILROAD MUSEUM

 Nash Central High School (NCHS) Art Club students recently created a mural for the Rocky Mount Railroad Museum that will be on display at Golden East Mall in Rocky Mount throughout the holiday season.
The Rocky Mount Railroad Museum originated as an idea in 2009 and materialized into a non-profit reality in December 2010. The museum defines its Mission as a resolution:
• To preserve the historic and economic impact of the railroad industry on the development of Rocky Mount.
• To provide an entertaining and educational experience of railroading through model railroad layouts. 
• To honor and recognize local citizens who worked in the railroad industry.
The Rocky Mount Railroad Museum president, Joyce Edwards Dantzler, said over the past three years, the museum has endeavored to accomplish these ideals with great zeal.
“The museum members realize that creating a museum from dreams and principles is an undertaking that requires a community of idealistic train enthusiasts, hobbyists, railroad industry workers, financiers, local railroad historians, and visionaries,” said Dantzler.
All of the above reasons compelled the museum to approach John Gay, Art Teacher at NCHS, and his Art Club members, Zach Tyner, Hannah Sasser, Grayson Harris, JeTijah Smith, Dillon Parker, Alyssa Sullivan, Cortney Morley, and Kristen Narron, for a special project.
The museum desired to have a mural painted to accompany The Rocky Mount Railroad Museum Christmas Display. The display is located at The Golden East Mall in Rocky Mount during the month of December.
Dantzler first mentioned the idea of the mural to NCHS Principal, Gail Powers.
“Mrs. Powers also thought that the mural was an excellent idea and suggested that we reach out to Mr. Gay and the art students.” said Dantzler. “Fortunately for the museum, Mr. Gay was immediately receptive to the idea, as were his art club members.”
The beautiful mural that The Rocky Mount Railroad Museum will display during the Christmas Holidays and on other occasions will be commemorated to the fine student artists who donated their time and talents, and most importantly to Tony Howe. Howe is the artist whose print was graciously provided to the museum for inspiration. The mural rendering done by the NCHS student artists depicts the beauty of the Atlantic Coast Line Champion E7 1951 Florida Print along with the renovated Rocky Mount Train Station and platform shelter.
Dantzler said she hopes those who visit the shopping mall during the holiday season will take a moment to stop and appreciate the mural.
“Everyone will enjoy gazing at this magnificent creation and will envision themselves riding away on The Champion in a tranquil state of mind to the exotic places of their dreams,” said Dantzler. All Aboard!”
The Golden East Mall will feature the mural and display through December 31.

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SUPERINTENDENT'S CHRISTMAS CARD ART WINNER FROM NNHS

For the past five years, the Superintendent of Nash-Rocky Mount Public Schools has invited students to participate in the district’s Christmas Card Art Contest. Students create designs that are then judged and selected for the front and back of the Christmas Card. This year we are pleased to congratulate Randy Hooper, 10th grade student at Northern Nash High School, for his artwork, Snowman. His piece was chosen for the cover of the card.

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RMHS JROTC COLOR GUARD AT DOWN EAST VIKING FOOTBALL CLASSIC

The Rocky Mount High School Air Force JROTC Color Guard Team participated in the Down East Viking Football Classic on Saturday, September 28th.  Cadets Barrett, Harrison, Bateman, Richardson, and McDonald presented the American, North Carolina State, and Air Force flags in formation on the field.  Cadets Sheridan, Battle, Silver, Coburn and Condery raised the stadium flag simultaneously during the national anthem.  Under the command of Cadet Colonel Tiaysha Thomas, Detachment 933's Corp Commander, these cadets, representing all four grade levels, ensured that honor was properly provided to the symbol of America's freedom. 

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BENVENUE ELEMENTARY STAFF ARTIST AND MURAL

Benvenue Elementary School has a new mural to greet visitors as they walk into the building, thanks to a staff member who has shared her artist talent with school through several projects over the years.
Lavina Becilla, a first grade teacher assistant at Benvenue Elementary School, has presented the school with several works of art over her 20 years of service. Her latest piece is a mural that welcomes students, parents and all visitors as they enter the school.
Becilla shared her vision for the mural. “I wanted to do something that was universal and would appeal to everyone, which is why I chose to do a woodland theme”.
Becilla painted the wall mural during the summer of 2009 and added the pond mural during the summer of 2013.
“I decided on a Koi pond because of its attention to detail and color,” she said.
The murals were given the name “Copelands’ Pond,” and dedicated in honor of James Copeland who was a former staff and family member to staff and students attending Bailey Elementary School. A close look at the artwork reveals a little gray mouse hiding on the tree looking over the pond. This mouse is representative of Copeland looking over his Benvenue Elementary School family.

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ASK THE SUPT TAKES ON NEW LOOK, NEW FORMAT WITH STUDENTS AT THE HELM

Journalism students from Nash-Rocky Mount Early College High manned cameras, ran the stopwatch and hosted the first of four episodes of NRMPS-TVs newly revamped Ask The Supt.  The current format is a question and answer talk show with the students generating the questions and then writing the script.  For the pilot episode, Dr. Anthony Jackson, Superintendent NRMPS was the guest and eagerly answered the students' questions.
When asked what they thought about being a part of the inaugural episode, the students agreed it was an interesting experience. "I really enjoyed it! I love pointing cameras at people and making something other people will enjoy," said 11th grader Fallon Kehoe.  Super Senior Ian Duke, the Floor Director for the episode, thought "it was interesting and fun learning the signals and getting to meet him (Dr. Jackson)."
Currently the hosting/camera/floor duties rotate monthly between two schools, NRM ECHS and Red Oak Middle School.  In October ROMS will film their first episode with Dr. Eric Cunningham, Associate Superintendent of Facilities and Operations.
Don't miss it! 

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GOVERNOR'S SCHOOL STUDENTS SELECTED

Seven students will represent Nash-Rocky Mount Public Schools as they embark on a unique summer exploration of various subjects during the 2013 Governor's School Session. Andrew Beal, Ashtyn Coates, Haley Coppedge, Jeffrey Currin, Amanda Davis, Alaya Reynolds, and Morgan Winstead were recently recognized by the Nash-Rocky Mount Board of Education for The Governor's School of North Carolina is a five-week summer residential program for intellectually gifted high school students; integrating academic disciplines, the arts, and unique courses. 

The curriculum focuses on the exploration of the most recent ideas and concepts in each discipline, and does not involve credits, tests, or grades. Laura Parrott, AIG Coordinator, said the Governor’s School program has a rich tradition of providing students with the opportunity to learn from experts in an interactive environment. “Faculty and staff are drawn from bright, dedicated teachers and professionals across the country, from public and private schools, colleges and universities, and independent artists and scholars,” said Parrott. “To attend is a high honor and one that we acknowledge with pride.”

The Governor’s School program, which is open predominately to rising seniors, but also rising juniors in some areas, is located on two campuses: Governor's School West at Salem College in Winston-Salem and Governor's School East at Meredith College in Raleigh.

Members of the Nash-Rocky Mount Public Schools Class of 2013 will attend in the following: Andrew Beal, Nash Central High School, Theater

Ashtyn Coates, Rocky Mount High School, French

Haley Coppedge, Rocky Mount High School, Math

Jeffrey Currin, Nash Central High School, Instrumental Music/Saxophone

Amanda Davis, Northern Nash High School, English

Alaya Reynolds, Nash Central High School, Math

Morgan Winstead, Southern Nash High School, Spanish

Winstead, a rising senior at Southern Nash High School, said she’s excited about attending Governor’s School and exploring her passion for Spanish. “I’m looking forward to learning more about Spanish culture,” Winstead said, “I want to be a trauma doctor, so learning Spanish would help me to be able to talk to patients from different backgrounds. I've heard a lot about Governor’s school, and I’m excited to experience it.”

Students representing Rocky Mount High School for Governor's School are Ashtyn Coates, attending for French, and Haley Coppedge, attending for math.

The student representing Northern Nash High School for Governor's School is Amanda Davis, attending for English.

Students representing Nash Central High School for Governor's School are Andrew Beal, attending for theater; Alaya Reynolds, attending for math; and Jeffrey Currin, attending for instrumental music.

The student representing Southern Nash High School for Governor's School is Morgan Winstead, attending for Spanish.

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STRIKING UP THE BAND - RMHS DIRECTOR RECEIVES AWARD

For Rocky Mount High School Band Director Tremayne Smith, working with students is more than just a career, it’s his passion. Smith references the motto of the RMHS band program as “Setting the TONE of Excellence,” and his recent recognition as one of the top band directors in North Carolina, is only one of the many evidences that the Rocky Mount High School band program is on the rise.

Smith was recently announced as the recipient of the ENCORE Award, which is given by the American School Band Director’s Association, to a select group of band directors with fewer than seven full years of experience in the profession. According to the organization’s website, those selected for the award have demonstrated “great future potential as music educators and a desire to serve their district and state organizations.”

The North Carolina Chapter of the ASBDA nominated Smith for the award, and he will receive the recognition at the NCBA November business meeting at the 2013 NCMEA Conference "It’s been a remarkable year for the RMHS Band Program. This band program at one point was the best band program in the United States, winning multiple consecutive "Bands Of America" Championships in the 1980's,” said Smith. “With the new direction that this program is heading in, there is no doubt in my mind that we can't get back to that.”

Smith’s students respond positively to his leadership, which senior Branden Sumner said has not only shaped his passion for music, but his approach to other aspects of life. “Mr. Smith has influenced me to always follow my goals no matter where they might lead Smith joined the staff at Rocky Mount High School at the beginning of this year, and has led the school’s band students to a number of competitions, honors, and performances.

Competitions that the band has participated in this year, and received accolades for include the Jewel of Millennium Competition in which the band netted Superior and Excellent ratings; the Eastern District Music Performance Adjustication, in which the band scored a superior rating; and the annual North Carolina Showstyle Band Directors Association Festival, among others. Local appearances for the band include performances at the Down East Classic, Rocky Mount, Sharpsburg and Statonsburg holiday parades, as well as the Rocky Mount Senior Citizen games, and the USA South Conference spring tournament opening ceremony.

Smith said the success achieved by the band program over the course of school year has been. “I attribute this year’s success to my music mentor Erik Harris at Northern Nash High School, my friends and colleagues at Nash Central High School and Southern Nash High School, my supportive administration here at Rocky Mount High School, my fellow teachers, the dedicated parents but most importantly, to the talented young professional musicians that are my students.”

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