A Great Day with Odyssey of the Mind

On Saturday March 2 New Kent County Public Schools hosted the Rappahannock Region Odyssey of the Mind competition.  New Kent County Public Schools was well represented with eleven teams and more than 70 students participating in a variety of problems that challenge students to think creatively, to problem solve, to collaborate, and to communicate their solutions through drama, music, and art to panels of judges.

One of our New Kent parents wrote about her experience with Odyssey on the Richmond Mom website and blog.  Take a look!

All of our New Kent teams met these challenges, and seven teams from NKCPS earned first place honors in their respective divisions!  These seven teams will be advancing to the Virginia State Odyssey of the Mind competition in April.  First place teams are as follows:

New Kent Elementary School:


Division 1, ARTchitecture: the Musical
Coaches: Yvette Leeds-Bowman and Donna Mathis
Mykaella Bowman, Elena Guiterrez, Julia Hathaway, Kayla Helt, Abby Mathis, Andy Miller, Grant Stanley

Division 1, Pet Project
Coach: Linda Robinson
Billy Bull, Kiersten Fuller, Justin Jones, Courtney Kerst, Leah Robinson, Sam Robinson, Madison Kidd

Division 1, It’s How You Look at It
Coaches: Laura Beach and Holli Perez
Indy Bennett,, Sarah Cook, Isis Cutler, Campbell Gowdy, Megan Smith, Tylar Strickland, Emma West

George Watkins Elementary School:

Division I The Email Must Go Through
Coach: Dorothy Hager
Abbigail Reece, Morgan Setzer, Colin Pierce, Mea Picone, Nathaniel Hager, Eathan King and Russell Hager

New Kent Middle School/New Kent High School

Division II Pet Project
Coach: Peg Noctor
Justin Mitchell, John Richart, Jake Ferris, Jack Daniels, Abigail Bushhouse, Chloe Picone and Maggie Jarvis


Division 3 Tumblewood
Coach: Lori Eckert
Celie Collins, Josh Eckert, Tanner Dail, Amber Thomas, Brian Stevenson, Savannah Setzer, Isabelle Addison


Division 3  ARTchitecture
Coach: Mary Fyfe
Jacob Dilandro, Hailey Richart, Eve Stump, Matt Howard, Nick Parker, Rachael Phelps

GWES SCA Sponsors Hats for Haley

On January 25th, the George Watkins Elementary School SCA sponsored "Hats for Haley" in honor of Haley Moore.  Haley Moore was a student at George Watkins Elementary School who passed away in June, 2012 from an asthma attack.  Students and faculty were able to donate $1.00 or more to wear a hat of their choice for the day.  Over $475 was raised with the help from students and faculty.  Thanks to the generosity of many, the SCA will be able to make a donation to the American Asthma Foundation of $500 on behalf of George Watkins Elementary School in memory of Haley. 

Pictured:  (From Left to Right)  SCA Officers:  Gavin Richardson (Secretary), Brayden Hohman (Vice President), Zach Carl (Historian), Grace Hylton (Treasurer), & Ginna Simmons (President)

Pictured:  Faculty & Staff at George Watkins Elementary who wore their "Hats for Haley" on Friday, January 25th. 

Service Learning - The GWES SCA Gives Back

The SCA at George Watkins Elementary School, which includes students in third through fifth grade, recently sponsored the "Giving Tree".  With the theme of the book, The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein in mind, the SCA decided to give back to its community by encouraging students and faculty to help make someone else's holiday a little brighter.  Forty-five children within the Watkins community were impacted by the students' and faculty's  generosity.

The SCA sponsors, who include school guidance counselor, Crystal Driggs, and teachers Kristen Gibson, Kristen Lorden, Emily Trainum, and Danielle Allen, then held a "Wrapping Party" with students and teacher volunteers to wrap all gifts, which were then delivered to families in time for the holidays.

Second grade teacher, Jennifer Rounds, helps third grade class representative, Grady Rounds, wrap children's gifts.

Prior to sponsoring "The Giving Tree", the SCA also sponsored a canned food drive, during which over 400 non- perishable food items were donated and then distributed to eight local families, as well as to the local food bank.

Thanks to everyone at GWES, and especially to the SCA, for sponsoring these great service initiatives!