Newberry Middle School

Congratulations to these NMS 8th Graders for receiving the South Carolina junior scholar of Merit. For outstanding intellectual achievement in the 2024–2025 South Carolina Junior Scholars identification and development program. Go Tigers!!!🐅

Newberry Middle’s Black Educator Tribute Miss Emily Gantt is from the land of Shealy's BBQ, Batesburg-Leesville, South Carolina. She is the last of four children, with one being her twin brother. She has one nephew who she loves dearly. Miss Gantt loves football and baseball, but music has her heart. She started band when she was in the sixth grade (10 years old!), and she has been playing the French Horn ever since. Miss Gantt has played the Horn in different ensembles around South Carolina and even had the opportunity to travel to London, England to play as well. Most currently, Miss Gantt plays with the semi-professional ensemble, the Carolina Winds, and a local brass quintet, NB5 (Newberry Brass Five). She has had the opportunity to sit in as an alternate horn player in the Lake Murray Symphony Orchestra and as an alumni player in the Newberry College Chamber Orchestra. Miss Gantt spent 4 years as the principal (first) Horn in the Newberry College Wind Ensemble and was the Head Drum Major of the Newberry College Scarlet Spirit for 2 seasons and the fall of 2020. In 2021, she was named Newberry College’s 2020-2021 Student Teacher of the Year. During her time at Newberry College, she participated in various ensembles including NC Singers, Madrigals, NC Clarinet Ensemble, Brass Ensemble, and Trumpet Ensemble. She graduated cum laude in 2020 and is certified to teach music PreK-12th grade. Miss Gantt taught chorus for a year and a half in Richland School District 2 and was an assistant cheer coach for a year as well. Miss Gantt is currently a member of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), the South Carolina Music Educators Association (SCMEA) and the South Carolina Band Directors Association (SCBDA). Miss Gantt currently lives in Batesburg, SC, with her cat, Panther. She is a proud NMS Tiger Teacher and loves seeing the growth in her students from year to year. She loves all 100+ of them and has the best colleagues. She says she could not pick a better place to teach! Congratulations Ms. Gantt on your many accomplishments. NMS is proud to have you serve our scholars!

There will now be an abbreviated morning show featuring Gangstagrass on March 14 at 11:00 AM, a day that our students are scheduled to be off from school. The Opera House will offer free tickets to any students for this performance, with no reservation required (first come, first served). Contact the Opera House at the following email address per Dr. Cary. boxoffice@newberryoperahouse.com

Please congratulate the following student(s), Support Staff, and Teacher of the Month for the month of February, 2025. February 2025 6th: Cintia Aguilar 7th: Jareli Pena Salazar 8th: Kenijzah Bailey Teacher: Bradleigh Dennis Support Staff: Jaleel Gilliam

Please welcome our new school-based counselor. 1. My Name is: Answer: Adrienne Henning "Addie" 2. What city and state were you born in? Answer: I was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota 3. Name the cities and states you have lived in? Answer: I have lived in Minneapolis, ElK River, Coon Rapids, Anoka (all in MN). I have lived in Dallas, and Austin (Texas). I have also lived in Simpsonville, Spartanburg and Woodruff. (south carolina) 4. What is your favorite movie? Answer: My all time favorite movie is Grease 5. What is your favorite musician/band? My favorite band is Bon Jovi 6. My favorite kind of food/meal is? Answer: I love Mississippi pot roast 7. College or University (Degrees Earned) Please add information below I attended Minneapolis Community and Technical college for my Nursing Assistant degree, I attended Minneapolis Business College for my Medical Assistant degree, I attended Ashford University for my Bachelor in Psychology, and finally I attended Converse University for my Marriage and Family Therapy degree. 8. My favorite book is. Answer: Harry Potter 9. My favorite quote is? Answer: "Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm" -Winston Churchill 10. Write (ONE) word to describe yourself? Answer: Openminded 11. Name your first automobile/vehicle. Answer: '89 Pontiac Grandam 12. Name any other jobs you have held prior to your current position. I worked as a waitress when I was a teenager, then as a Medical assistant in the family medicine, pediatrics, oncology and cardiology fields. Finally, I worked as a therapist at Carolina Center for Behavioral Health.

Newberry Middle’s Black History Educator Tribute Mrs. Shiniqua Mays is a native of Newberry, South Carolina. She is a 2011 graduate of Mid-Carolina High School and is one of Mr. Reid’s former students. Mrs. Mays holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of South Carolina Aiken. In 2018, she earned a Master of Art degree in Reading from Grand Canyon University and immediately after, obtained a second Masters of Art degree in English as a Second Language from the same university in 2019. She is currently a participant of Competency Fellowship through the SC Competency-Based Learning Fellows cohort. This cohort is facilitated by the SC Department of Education and aims to embody educational excellence for all students through personalized learning practices. In addition, Mrs. Mays is also pursuing a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership from Capella University. With nine years of educational experience, Mrs. Mays has taught first grade, fifth grade ELA and Social Studies, and English as a Second Language at the primary (K-2) and high school (9th-12th) levels. She has also served as a literacy coach at both the elementary and middle school levels in Lexington School District 3 where she was recognized as District Teacher of the Year for the 2023-2024 school year. She currently teaches 6th grade ELA at Newberry Middle School. With a passion for learning, Mrs. Mays has wanted to be an educator since childhood. She describes learning as a process of discovery and reflection. She believes educational outcomes not only consist of content knowledge but should also enhance the individuals that students become aside from academics. Mrs. Mays believes all children can learn, just not on the same day or in the same way. During her time outside of school, she enjoys reading and spending quality time with her three children: Trace (6), Cree (4), and Brooklyn (2). *NMS Endeavors • Serves on school Leadership Team • Jr. BETA Club Sponsor • Works with Thriving Tigers After School Program Congratulations, Mrs. Mays on your many accomplishments. We are happy to have you serve our scholars at NMS. Continue making history!

Newberry Middle’s Black History Educator Tribute Mrs. Ajadae Nicholson Williams is a native of Bamberg, SC, and resides in Greenwood, SC. She is the mother of two beautiful girls: Ava, 6, and Deja, 2. Mrs. Nicholson attended Bamberg-Ehrhardt High School and then joined the United States Navy. After leaving the Navy, she attended Lander University, where she joined the illustrious Alpha Kappa Alpha, graduated from Lander with a degree in Special Education. She later attended Grand Canyon University and obtained a Master’s in Autism Spectrum Disorder and is currently pursuing a Doctorate degree in Special Education Leadership. Mrs. Nicholson is a dynamic entrepreneur with multiple ventures. She is a certified makeup artist and the owner of A+ Beats by Ajadae, a thriving beauty business. In addition, she operates Signed. Sealed. Delivered, a professional notary service. As an Early Interventionist and Autism Specialist, she leads A+ Academic Achievement, providing essential support for children with special needs. She also serves as the director of A Southern Belle’s Charm School, an etiquette and protocol academy dedicated to cultivating grace and refinement. She is a member of Pilgrim Baptist Church, Bethlehem Chapter #50 Order of the Eastern Stars, the Council for Exceptional Students, The South Carolina Alliance for Black School Educators, South Carolina Association of African American Studies, and The American Association of Etiquette Professionals. Mrs. Nicholson has been in education for seven years. She has worked as a Special Education teacher on the delayed preschool, middle school, and high school levels, an Educational Consultant, as an Early Interventionist, and an Autism Specialist. Mrs. Nicholson cherishes the warm and appreciative atmosphere at NMS, where the students and faculty create a supportive and loving environment. Congratulations, Mrs. Nicholson Williams on your many accomplishments. We are happy to have you serve our students at NMS. Continue making history! Note: Mrs. Williams is a lead teacher at NMS. Mrs. Williams is responsible for the 8th Grade Farewell Dance and assists with many extra duties and responsibilities at NMS. We appreciate her!

Congratulations to the following NMS Archers for qualifying for the State Archery Tournament! GO TIGERS!!! Adileny Gomez 244 for 3D Sarah lozoya 229 for 3D Jonathan Williams 271 for bullseye/238 for 3D Mason Nichols 261 for 3D Levi Richardson 243 for 3D Levi Bennett 228 for 3D All participating archers for middle school had to have a minimum score of 250 for bullseye and a minimum score of 225 for 3D.

Newberry Middle School Boys and Basketball Teams recognized in the Newberry Observer on 2/19/25-Wednesday! GO TIGERS!

Mrs. Crystal Boyd is a native of Newberry, South Carolina. She is a 1998 graduate of Newberry High School. Mrs. Boyd began her career in education as an instructional assistant at Mid-Carolina High School. She has been in education for over 10 years and has taught 6th grade ELA for the past 9 years. Mrs. Boyd currently teaches 6th grade ELA and Social Studies. She just obtained a 2nd master's from Gardner-Webb University in Educational Leadership. Mrs. Boyd is married to Mr. Ben Boyd. They have 6 children and 2 beautiful granddaughters, Harmoni and Ky. Mrs. Boyd believes that everyone can learn if they just apply themselves! Congratulations, Mrs. Boyd on your many accomplishments. We are happy to have you serve our students at NMS! Keep making history! Note: Mrs. Boyd is a lead teacher at NMS. Mrs. Boyd works the NMS After School Program and she is a SDNC Bus Driver! We appreciate Crystal Boyd!

Bryan Singleton BHM Spotlight (Full Bio.) Mr. Bryan Singleton was born March 11, 1970 in Los Angeles, California. He was raised on the Southside of Chicago. He learned at an early of his Indigenous heritage taught by both his grandmother and great aunt who has full-blooded American Indian, of the Mohawk Tribe (St. Regis Indian Reservation, St. Regis, New York) which are members of the Great Five Iroquois Nations. Family Life Both of his parents were World War II veterans, and both were at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. His father received a CMH Congressional Medal of Honor for saving 6 men from the USS Arizona. He has 3 brothers which are all taller and larger than him, and 4 sisters, of which he is the youngest. Mr. Singleton is a proud father of 4 boys ages 32, 29, 25, 23. He is happily married to Mrs. Anna Singleton, who is half Cherokee and half Pima Indian. She has a son, age 28. Mr. Singleton attended Park University from 1988-1992, where he played basketball and semi-pro football from 1990-1991. He attended Grand Canyon University where he received Master of Education in 2008, and earn his plus 30 in 2009. After which he attended the University of Arizona, receiving his Master of Business Administration in 2012. Employment History Semi-pro football (Canadian Semi-Pro Football League) Montreal Condors (1990) Ottawa Bootleggers (1991) Professional Football CFL Canadian Football League- BC Lions (1992) Law Enforcement Officer (1993-1996) C.E.R.T Team (1995-1996) Bodyguard (1993-2000) Security – Kansas City Royals (Summers 1999-2003) Head of Security- CPC College Meadows Hospital (1997-2003) Educator/Coach (1997- present) • Kansas City School District, Kansas City, Missouri (1997-2003) • Monroe City Schools, Monroe, Louisiana (2003-2007) • Cedar Creek School, Ruston, Louisiana (First Black teacher and coach in the history of the school (2007) (2007-2011) • Delhi Charter School, Delhi, Louisiana (2011-2021) • Newberry County Schools (Newberry Middle), (2021-present)

"Exciting news from Math Academy! 📢✨ Check out the latest newsletter from our incredible director, Stacie Coleman, sharing updates, achievements, and upcoming events. Stay informed and inspired! 🧮📚 #MathAcademy #Education " https://secure.smore.com/n/v8yh7-nms-math-academy-newsletter

African American Gallery Walk 5pm-6pm (2/13/25)-Thursday Location: NMS Cafeteria Proud of our Social Studies Department & Students! Go Tigers!!!🐅

Gunter BHM Spotlight Mr. Jai’Quan Gunter is from Denmark, South Carolina. He graduated from Newberry College with Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education in December, 2021. He came to join the Newberry Middle School family in January 2022. During his time here at NMS, he has been helpful in our athletic department—helping with volleyball and serving as the assistant coach for the girls’ basketball team. He is driven to make sure that his students are supplied with an education and basic life skills that they will always be able to reflect upon. Congratulations, Coach Gunter on your former and future accomplishments. We are happy to have you at NMS! Continue making history!

Please see attached flyer/poster for 2/17 e-Learning Information for students, parents, faculty, and staff.

Message from M. Cantrell (6th Grade Science Teacher) mcantrell@sdnc.org Note: On Site Field Trip at NMS for 6th Grade Students 2/12/25 Note to Parents The 6th grade team has secured the Diamond Del's on-site mining experiences for March 20th. The students will get to use their knowledge of types of rocks and the rock cycle, during this experience. Today as a 6th grade team, we passed out the permission forms. On the forms they have the due date for when the form is due, when the "on-site field trip" is and how much it cost. The permission form and money are due Wednesday, March 12th.

Montessori Parent Interest Meeting Thursday, February 20 6 p.m. at Boundary Street Elementary INDIVIDUALIZED Montessori is a hands-on discovery approach to teaching and learning. It tends to discourage traditional competitive measurements of achievement, such as grades and tests, and instead focuses on the individual progress and development of each child. Children of different ages share the same classes and are encouraged to collaborate and help one another. SPECIALIZED Specialized educational materials are used to keep children interested, and there is an emphasis on "practical life skills." The main goal of Montessori education is to provide a stimulating, child-oriented environment in which children are mastering the South Carolina state standards. The Montessori program in Newberry County serves ages three year old through fifth grade at Boundary Street Elementary, Gallman Elementary and Newberry Elementary School. Students must reside in the zoned school to be eligible for Montessori.

Mrs. Geron Wiggins is from Guyana, South America, and regards herself as a "cultural ambassador". She has 23 years of teaching experience, 16 of which were spent in her home country. She later taught in Anguilla, for four years, after which she joined the Newberry Middle School family in 2021. Mrs. Wiggins received her formal teacher training in Guyana, at the Cyril Potter College of Education and University of Guyana, respectively. She is currently completing district supported graduate studies in Instructional Technology through Lander University. Mrs. Wiggins resides in Newberry with her husband Douglas, and two children, Serena and Simeon. She enjoys traveling, eating new foods, and spending time with family and friends. Congratulations, Mrs. Wiggins on your many accomplishments. We are so thankful to have you here at Newberry Middle. Keep making history!

NMS Lady Tigers Runners Up in Lexington 10 Championship Game @ Swansea HS. Overall Record: 12-4 Lex-10 South Champions Great season players & coaches. Please congratulate the team on their outstanding season. Go Tigers!!

Newberry Middle School defeats Lakeside Middle School to win the Lexington 10 2024-2025 Boys Basketball (42-32) Final Record (16-1) Banner Season! Proud of the Team & Coaches! Thank you for the community members that came out to support the Tigers this evening!