Newberry Middle School

Read Across America Week (NMS) Proud of our students, faculty, and staff! March 3rd-7th 2025

Two time World Series Champion (Atlanta Braves & Chicago Cubs)- (Major League Baseball) & Mr. Reid's former student-athlete C.J. Edwards (Carl Edwards, Jr.) practices with the Newberry High School JV and B-Team Baseball Team. Great to see C.J. working out with our student-athletes!

Pro Teams (NMS) Proud of the partnership with Newberry College!

Newberry Middle’s Black History Educator Tribute Mrs. Zandria Hicks, is from Greenwood, SC, but she currently resides in Ninety-Six, SC. She attended Piedmont Technical College where she earned her Associate Degree in Early Childhood. She then attended Liberty University where she obtained her bachelor’s degree in education. Before she started teaching here at Newberry Middle School, she was teaching young at risk boys from ages 12-18 at AMI kids Piedmont located in Clinton, SC, for 5 years. In the year of 2019, she was given a great opportunity to teach math at Newberry Middle School. She states, “Teaching at Newberry Middle School is truly a wonderful experience. She loves the diversity that we have and how we collaborate to do what is best for our students. She was recently awarded Teacher of the Month at NMS, of which she was honored to be recognized by her peers. She is happily married to her husband Lee. They have four lovely children. They also have two bonus children—Mrs. Hick’s mother and father, whom she absolutely adores! Her career goal is to become the best math teacher she can be for her students this way she can leave an everlasting effect on their live. In her spare time, she watches movies with her husband, exercise, ride their bikes, and most importantly watch football games together. They both are die hard Dallas Cowboy fans! Mrs. Hicks works the NMS After School Program and serves as a bus aide in addition to her teacher duties! We are proud of Mrs. Hicks! Congratulations Mrs. Hicks on your many accomplishments! We are proud to have you serve as a teacher here at NMS. Continue making history!

NMS I-Ready Champions for February 2025 Each Winner will earn 1 free HW Pass, 3 Ice Creams compliments of Mr. Reid, and have earned 2 Sonic Vouchers, compliments of Taylor Bell/Owner & Operator of Sonic Restaurant (Newberry, SC) 6th: KaVione Bates 7th: Evelin Ramirez 8th: Aliah Howe GO TIGERS!!! KEEP IT UP!

8th Grade I-Ready Champion: Katie Shaw February 2025 *3 Free Jeans Passes + 1 Free Lunch Compliments of Mr. Reid! CONGRATULATIONS!

February 2025-7th Grade I-Ready Champion-Myra Taylor *3 Jeans Passes Earned + 1 Free Lunch on Mr. Reid

RE: February 2025 I-Ready 6th Grade Champion! 6th Grade I-Ready Teacher Champion: Crystal Boyd 3 Jeans Passes + 1 Meal compliments of Mr. Reid (Lunch)

Newberry Middle’s Black History Educator Tribute Ms. Chandler Watson is a proud native of Atlanta, Georgia, and a dedicated music educator at Newberry Middle School. She is a 2022 graduate of Newberry College, where she earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree with a concentration in instrumental music. While at Newberry, Ms. Watson was actively involved in multiple ensembles, including the Wind Ensemble, Scarlet Spirit Marching Band, Brass Ensemble, and Low Brass Ensemble. She was also a student-athlete on the women’s lacrosse team and a distinguished member of the Tri-M Music Honor Society. In recognition of her leadership and service, she was awarded the prestigious Sullivan Foundation Award in 2022. With a strong passion for music education, Ms. Watson began her teaching career at Ware Shoals School District 51, where she served as a primary and middle school music teacher and assistant/brass director for the Million Dollar Marching Band. Now in her role at Newberry Middle School, she teaches chorus and music appreciation, striving to inspire students to develop a lifelong love for music. Her curriculum emphasizes vocal technique, performance skills, sight-reading, and exposure to diverse musical genres. She also plays a vital role in preparing students for future musical opportunities, including participation in the Newberry High School Blue Brigade Marching Band. Ms. Watson believes in the power of music to transform lives and create a sense of community. She encourages her students to embrace creativity, teamwork, and perseverance through music. In addition to her teaching duties, she is an active member of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) and the South Carolina Music Educators Association (SCMEA). She also performs with the Carolina Winds Ensemble and the Chapin Christian Community Ensemble. Outside of the classroom, Ms. Watson enjoys performing, collaborating with fellow musicians, and mentoring young artists. Her dedication to fostering a vibrant and inclusive music program at Newberry Middle School is evident in her daily interactions with students. NMS Endeavors: · Supports Newberry High School’s Blue Brigade Marching Band · Working to establish a Middle School Step/Dance Team Congratulations, Ms. Watson, on your many accomplishments! We are honored to have you at NMS, inspiring the next generation of musicians. Keep making history!

NMS Pageant Interest Form See Link https://forms.gle/hbdogTqMgfSCkMv27 Contact Carol Marlow at cmarlow@sdnc.org or McKenzie Cantrell at mcantrell@sdnc.org if you have any questions

March 13th 4PM-5PM (See Address) See Poster for Specifics

Newberry Middle School’s Black Educator Tribute Coach Jaleel Gilliam was born in Newberry, South Carolina. He moved to Detroit, Michigan, where he was raised until his parents Clarrisa Board-Gilliam and Christopher Gilliam, got married and decided it was a great time to move back South Carolina (in July 2012). He is a 2018 graduate of Newberry High School where he was a standout athlete in football, basketball, and track. After his Junior College athletic career as a football player, he returned home to coach. He is in third year as a self-contained instructional assistant at Newberry Middle School. Coach Gilliam is the head basketball coach and the wide-receivers coach for the football program here at NMS. Jaleel has been a part of four football championships and threebasketball championships. He was recently named Support Staff of the Month for February! Gilliam is also one of the founders of a non-profit organization—The Newberry Haven. The organization’s main goal is to be a safe space our kids can build relationships in our community and surrounding areas. Congratulations Coach Gilliam on your many accomplishments. NMS appreciates your efforts to help our scholars and our community. Continue making history!

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.