December 2016 / January 2017 theview . com Page 9

AMS Spelling Bee Champion , Lauren Jones , with Brenda Mattix ( AMS teacher ), Todd Goforth ( ACS Director of Academics and Accountability ), and Carolyn Weirich ( ACS Secondary Curriculum Supervisor )

Annual Spelling Bee

Arlington Middle School recently held its annual spelling bee to promote spelling , vocabulary development , improve concept knowledge , and to establish correct word usage . Seventh grader , Lauren Jones , emerged as the spelling bee champion and will represent Arlington Middle School on Saturday , Feb . 11 , at the Al Chymia Shrine Center for the local spelling bee .

AMS Builders Club

The Arlington Middle School Builders Club visited Grace-St . Luke ’ s Church in Memphis on November 6 , and participated in their More Than A Meal Program . Grace-St . Luke ’ s More Than A Meal invites the homeless and hungry every Sunday to dine with

other members of the community . They provide a hot meal and the dignity of table service . The Builders Club is a student led service organization composed of students dedicated to school and community service . They were excited to be there and to have the opportunity to help those who are less fortunate .

AMS Dance and Cheer Teams Continue to Shine in Competitions

The Arlington Middle Dance Team competed at the Universal Dance Association Mid South Regionals on Saturday November 5 , 2016 . The AMSDT put on two performances . The girls placed 4th in the extremely competitive junior high pom division . The girls also competed in the hiphop division . The AMSDT was named regional champions in the junior high hip-hop division for the 4th straight year .

The Arlington Middle Dance Team made AMS History at the TSSAA State

Dance Championship . The team placed 2nd in the junior high pom division . This is the highest placement of any dance team in the history of Arlington Middle at the state championship . The AMDT also defended their hiphop title and were named state hip hop champions for the 4th straight year .

The Arlington Middle Cheer Team attended the TSSAA State Cheer

Members of the AMS Builders Club at Grace St . Luke ’ s : Laura Bierbrodt , Adelyn Barton , Mallori Crocker , Hannah Furr , Kyleigh Thomas , Logan Thompson , Giffen Yandell , and Emily Watt

AMS Student Council

On Thursday , November 10 , the AMS Student Council Officers attended “ The Puzzle of Leadership ,” a middle school workshop for the Tennessee Association of Student Councils in West TN . The students heard an encouraging message from speaker , John Best , attended various breakout sessions , and participated in a community service project , making cards for patients at St . Jude . It was a great time for these young leaders .

Boy Scouts from Troop 452 presented the colors at the program . Pictured above are AMS Guidance Counselor Mr . Ruzicka , Brennan Farrell , Austin Parks , Major James George , James Jerden , and Dylan Todorowski

The Student Council also organized the Pennies for Penguins fundraiser for LeBonheur Hospital . The school raised $ 5,176.56 for a great cause .

Photo : AMS Student Council Officers : Marissa Phillips , Shyla Bakshi , Mackenzie Webb , Zaylee Mims , Jackson Ruston

AMS Honors Veterans

Arlington Middle School held their annual Veterans Day Program on November 10 , where the students , faculty , and staff honored parents , community members , and distinguished guests , who served , or are currently serving in all branches of the United States Military . The guest speaker , retired Major James George , held the students ’ attention by sharing his thirty-two years of experiences in the US Army . Major George presented photographs , and spoke about his service in the 82nd Airborne Division at Ft . Bragg , North Carolina , patrolling the Berlin Wall in Germany , and various deployments in Greece , Turkey , and Spain . Major George also completed the Army ’ s Nuclear , Biological , and Chemical School . Afterwards , he was sent to Panama for the Invasion of Panama . Later , Major George served in Kuwait and Iraq , and retired after thirty-two years of service to our country . AMS appreciates Major George ’ s years of service , commitment , and dedication to our country .

Author Nathan Hale Visits AMS

Author Nathan Hale had Arlington Middle students enthralled with his presentation on the Louisiana Purchase and the journey of the Corps of Discovery . Hale , the author and illustrator of six graphic histories that focus on events in American history , visited the school on November 16 . He ate lunch with four students who won that privilege by writing a letter to librarian Karen Haggard , telling her what questions they wanted to ask the author . Hale then did two presentations , one for seventh graders and one for eighth graders , in which he drew and told the Lewis and Clark story . Both teachers and students were captivated by his often witty storytelling and cartoon drawings . Afterwards , Hale autographed copies of his books for students . The visit was made possible with profits from this year ' s Scholastic Book Fair , with additional support from the school ' s PTSA .

Photos courtesy of AMS

AMS NJHS Volunteers at Chilly Chili 5K

The Arlington Middle National Junior Honor Society volunteered Saturday , November 19 ,, at the annual Chilly Chili 5K . This 5K is a fundraiser for Concord Academy , a school for students with learning and social disabilities . Arlington ’ s NJHS helped by setting up encouraging signs before the race and working the water station during the run . They were very encouraging to all 500 plus runners that participated .