By VICTORIA POPE
Wakulla Schools
Wakulla High School is thrilled to share the highlights of its successful participation with Florida Department of Education’s Celebrate Literacy Week in conjunction with the Panhandle Area Education Consortium’s STAR (Soaring to Achieve Resiliency) Week. From January 22-26.
WHS was buzzing with activities aimed at promoting literacy and resilience among our students. This week-long event, dedicated to celebrating literacy and fostering resilience, was a resounding success, highlighting the dedication of our students and staff to personal growth and academic excellence.
On Monday, students took part in a DEAR (Drop Everything and Read) session. They watched a book talk video created by our Media Specialist, Ms. Pope, who shared the graphic novel Vern, Custodian of the Universe by Tyrell Waiters. Additionally, the Junior Optimists (JOI) launched a personal hygiene collection campaign for the Wakulla High School Angel Closet.
Tuesday was dedicated to promoting positive relationships. Volunteer students from JOI, SOAR, and NHS visited all Wakulla County elementary schools to read to younger students. This initiative aimed to foster a love for reading and encourage empathy among all Wakulla County students.
On Wednesday, the school community came together to promote positivity and mental health. Students, faculty, and staff were encouraged to wear GREEN shirts or hoodies with positive, school-appropriate messages. This created an atmosphere of encouragement and support throughout the day.
Thursday was an exciting day as Ms. Pope hosted Graphic Artist and Author Tyrell Waiters via a Zoom Author’s visit. Mr. Waiters, the author of Vern, Custodian of the Universe, and a Florida native, engaged with about one hundred students in a Q&A style session. Students gained valuable encouragement and insights into writing and illustrating graphic novels. Freshman Hunter Rentz, a budding artist writing his own graphic novel, was particularly thrilled to speak to a published author and gain insider details about the creative and publishing process.
Friday marked the last day to donate personal hygiene items for the collection campaign. JOI would like to extend their gratitude to all members of the War Eagle community who contributed generously and supported our mission of making a positive impact on campus.
Wakulla High School’s STAR Literacy Week 2024 was a resounding success. By celebrating literacy and resiliency, our students and staff proved their dedication to personal growth and academic excellence. We would like to express our gratitude to Mrs. Paterson, the Junior Optimists, Ms. Pope, and Author Tyrell Waiters for their invaluable contributions in making this week memorable. Together, we have shown that literacy and resilience are the cornerstones of success.
Go War Eagles!
