Fifty Hazelwood West Middle School eighth grade students received honors before the final eighth grade home basketball game.

 

“We based it off of the senior night at the high school,” said Heather Coleman, a sixth grade communication skills teacher. “Athletes honored a parent and a staff member who made an impact in their middle school journey. We thought this would be a good way to build community support and parent involvement.”

 

Krystal Lewis, school registrar, and Coleman, who is also the eighth grade boys’ basketball coach, originated the idea. It marked the first time the school honored student athletes for their achievements. Honorees included eighth grade boys and girls basketball players, cheerleaders, dancers and step team members. Classmate Jaylen Bledsoe photographed the event.

 

Lewis, who is also the cheerleading coach, said she and Coleman decided to honor our eighth grade athletes since the middle school basketball program has been around for five years.

 

“Athletes wrote dedications to parents or guardians, thanking them for their support,” said Coleman. She said athletes’ names were called and they walked arm-in-arm with their parent or guardian to the center of the basketball court, where the athlete presented his or her parent or guardian with a carnation.

 

“Many staff members were also honored that evening by athletes,” said Lewis. “Each staff member honored received a carnation with a dedication attached to it written by the student who honored them. We also honored all of the coaches that have dedicated their time to the program.”

 

Coleman and Lewis said school staff members plan to make this an annual event during the winter as that is when there are the most participants.