DeKalb County High School announced their monthly awards last Thursday morning, recognizing the parent, student, and staff member for the month of January. Each honoree was awarded a certificate from the school and a gift card for a meal from KFC/Taco Bell. A different restaurant offers a meal gift card to each month’s honorees.
Senior Kathryn Hale was named the DCHS Student of the Month, voted on by the teachers.
“She is one of our exceptional students here,” said DCHS Assistant Principal Thomas Cagle. “Kathryn is in different clubs and programs and she is always a good help to us. She has served as a teacher’s aide and is one of those students who seems to be in and out of every teacher’s classroom and nothing but good things are said from any teacher she has ever been able to help in any kind of way. The teachers vote on the Students of the Month and Kathryn was nominated this month. All the teachers agreed that she should be the student of the month for January.”
“I was really shocked to receive this award,” Kathryn said. “I didn’t expect it at all but I am really thankful for this. I am in dual enrollment classes, and I have been in a couple of Advanced Placement (AP) classes. I am in a lot of different clubs including the Beta, Service Society, Literature, and Science Clubs and I am a member of the academic bowl team.”
After graduation, Kathryn said she plans to attend MTSU to study anthropology and forensic science in hopes of becoming a forensic anthropologist. She is the 18-year-old daughter of Shannon and Yvonne Hale of Smithville, and she has one brother. Her mother works in the office at DCHS as a secretary.
Candace and Will Garrett were named the DCHS Parents of the Month, based on a winning essay written by their son, freshman Colton Crow.
According to Assistant Principal Cagle, “We read through these essay submissions and pick the one that touches us the most in the way they write about their parents and things their parents do for them. This month, Colton wrote the winning essay for his mom and dad,” said Cagle.
“My mom works really hard and so does my dad and I thought this would be great for them. I love my mom and dad,” said Crow.
“I am very surprised. I did not expect this,” said Candace. “They (DCHS Administration) pulled a fast one on me. I thought that Colton was getting an award this morning (Thursday) but I am honored. I have a very special child and we are very thankful and happy parents with him. Thank you son for writing this for us,” said Candace.
Colton’s dad Will was unable to attend the award presentation. Colton also has an older brother.
Will and Candace have lived in Smithville for a little over 10 years. They are originally from Nashville. The make their home in the Pates Ford community and are local business owners. Candace also serves as Director of Operations for Medical Offices and Practices with Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital. “I cover a large territory including everything in the Upper Cumberland and everything we do primary care related in Murfreesboro,” said Candace.
Colton said he is enjoying his high school experience. “I am in honors right now and currently my electives are Agri-science and auto mechanics, and I am in an Advanced Placement (AP) course,” he said. He plans to attend Tennessee Tech after high school and one day become a geologist.
School Resource Officer, Sergeant Chris McMillen of the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department was named Staff member of the Month.
“The staff member of the month is voted on by the administration at the high school and this month we chose SRO officer Sergeant Chris McMillen,” said Cagle. “Officer McMillen and I work really close together here at the school dealing with different issues whether it be parking, events, sports, or discipline and I could not be prouder to have him as our Staff member of the Month. A lot of times what he does here behind the scenes to keep our school and students safe goes unnoticed. He does a great job of recognizing anything and everything that could be a potential problem and trying to solve problems before they become problems.”
McMillen has worked with the DeKalb Sheriff’s Department for over 20 years, with half of those years as a school resource officer, a job he says is very rewarding. “I try to build a good relationship with the kids and help lead them in the right direction. I like having a good time with them and see everything go smoothly. I especially love being around special needs kids. We have a lot of fun picking at each other.”
“It’s my 10th year being an SRO. I spent seven years at DeKalb Middle School, and I have been here (DCHS) for the last three years. I enjoy my job here and working with this age group of students.”
McMillen lives in Smithville with his wife Kristina. They have two children, Lacey, a CDC educational assistant at DeKalb Middle School and Cole, a junior at DCHS. He also serves as a minister at the Temperance Hall Pentecostal Church where he has been for over 10 years.
