On Friday September 16 the Braves held their first HOCO dance since 2019.
Demand for the dance was huge, with all of the originally allotted 400 tickets selling out quickly. 75 more tickets were released and those too were snatched up. The numbers at the dance warranted a move from the traditional cafeteria to the school gym.
Whetstone picked two seniors-Alexis Stokes and Clinton Brown as their Homecoming Royalty.
The theme was Hollywood and the students who attended the dance were treated to paparazzi, red carpet and a Whetstone PTA sponsored photo booth.
One of the highlights of the night was the entire gym dancing the “platinum shuffle” together.
Here is a small Q and A with the new senior Administrator, Ms.Ottey!! Ms. Ottey was picked to come to our school this year from Columbus Global Academy and is a very nice lady! In these questions you will see what has pushed her to be the women she is today and how life has put her in our doorstep. Take a look down below to find out more about the new addition to the whetstone staff!
Ms. Ottey with here daughter (photo provided by Ms. Ottey)
1. Tell me three things about yourself that no one would have thought.
I have three degrees and working on a fourth, I began teaching when I was 29 years old, I have been to Jamaica 7 or more times.
2. Are you liking whetstone so far?
I am learning a lot at Whetstone and I have not formulated an opinion yet.
3. Have you gotten along with your staff so far?
I believe that I have gotten along with the staff so far. I am getting to know them. It is much bigger than my previous staff.
4. How long have you been a teacher/ administrator? Where else have you worked?
I was a preschool teacher for 5 years, a middle school math teacher for 5 years, and I have been an administrator for 15 years. I worked at Southmoor Middle School, Starling Middle School, Buckeye Middle School, Clinton Middle School, Barrett Middle School, Dominion Middle School, Eastmoor Middle School, Africentric, and Columbus Global Academy.
5. Do you have any messages you want to say to the seniors?
This is the best year of your life! Make the most of it, enjoy every minute and make memories. Stay focused, you’ve got this!! I promise that I am here for each and every one of you. I have an open door policy, especially to seniors!!!!
6. What are your goals for the seniors this year?
My goal is to graduate 100% of the seniors that are prepared and ready to graduate. And to make memories!!!!
7. Pretty common question but what made you want to be an administrator?
Actually, I wanted to be a school counselor. However, I worked with a principal who thought that being an administrator would be a good choice for me as my next career move. Once I became an administrator, I realized that I had the opportunity to support many more students than in my classroom.
8. Why did you pick to work for CCS instead of another school district?
I chose to work for CCS as opposed to another school because CCS (then CPS) gave me a lot. I grew up in poverty and had a rough childhood. However, it was teachers and administrators from my schools in CCS that changed my mind about the future that I could have.
9. What is the hardest thing about your job?
When I cannot help a student; like it is something out of my control!
10. What do you love about your job?
Getting to know the staff and students!
11. Is there anything that students, especially seniors, know about you?
I would like the students, especially the seniors, to know that I have senioritis, too. (smile)
The heart wants what the heart wants. And right about now who doesn’t want to see some incredible theater at a local high school?
Whetstone High School’s Production of Almost, Maine opened at 7 PM on Friday November 15 (after a quick preview performance for the student body at the end of the school day). Chris Ray has managed to inspire another brilliant performance from some extremely talented Whetstone actors.
The play will be presented Saturday November 16 at 7 PM and a final matinee performance takes place at 2 PM Sunday the 17.
Scenes from the school preview of the play, November 15, 2019.
Director, Chris Ray with another impressive performance in Almost, Maine.
Aaron Beckhon
Tasean Fine
The immensely talented Theodosia Yamano and Aaron Beckhon.
Tasean Fine and Owen Valtman fall in love.
Myra Wood and Beaux Baldwin’s characters have grown apart.
Wood and Baldwin wishing on a planet
Eben-Ezer Kabi and Manny Patterson explore a challenging relationship.
On Wednesday May 22 the sophomore humanities students at whetstone participated in Lobby Day. On this day members of the class presented their service learning projects and “lobbied” members of our community, school board, and local government for a better world.
The projects are on wide variety of issues that require solutions and advocacy. Students chose projects ranging from “Saving the Sea Turtles,” to ending standardized testing.
No matter the issue students advocated for their changes by doing things like making social media accounts on platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook where they spread their messages and information, calling local representatives, and making efforts to spread awareness of their cause and solutions.
The Whetstone Messenger! 