Breakfast with WKDK
By Donna Bumgarner

Students, teachers, and administrators from WCS gathered in the Conference Room in the front office for a live feed of Breakfast with WKDK. Pictured from left to right beginning at the front are Kentrell Whitmire, Alex Cromer, Quinn Lindler, Timothy Brandon, Mrs. Brock, Joseph Brown, Jordan Suber, Lynlee Thompson, Heather Hawkins, Hunter Wagner, and Ms. Suber.
WKDK, Newberry’s local radio station, sponsors Breakfast with WKDK every third Wednesday and this past Wednesday, Heather Hawkins brought the live show to Whitmire Community School.
She began her radio show with a brief summary of the many upcoming events at the school, the only 4K through 12 grade school in Newberry County and the Upstate area. Ms. Suber talked about the athletic banquet that was held the night prior to the airing of the show, and she also spoke about the Band/Chorus Concert, Awards Programs, Graduation, and several senior events.
Several other things she mentioned were Pre-k Celebration and 5K Graduation, Elementary Field Day, and the fourth nine-weeks success assembly. After she shared a little information about each of them, Ms. Suber pointed out that each event would involve the community, as well as the entire staff.
Hawkins was surprised when Ms. Suber announced that the graduation ceremony was open to the public at no cost and it would be held in the air-conditioned gym. She decided then and there that she would attend the graduation and said, “It’s the only air-conditioned gym in the county.”
Following the brief summary, Ms. Lindsey Arrington spoke about several highlights from the Elementary program. Quinn Lindler, a fourth grader, talked about his participation in an integrated activity with Mrs. Howard’s Anatomy project. He said that being part of their project excited him and he is looking forward to taking the class when he gets to high school.
Timothy Brandon talked about Catapult Day, a day when he and the rest of the students in K-5th grade were invited to join Doc Morris as they shared their study of catapults as examples of the basic study of physics. He also said that he enjoyed the time the older students from the high school spent with his class talking about the project and answering the students’ questions.
Ms. Arrington mentioned the Reader Theatre, where first graders shared a play or story with the high school English classes.
Following a brief break, Ms. Suber and middle school students Kentrell Whitmire and Hunter Wagner, both members of the Junior Beta Club and honor students, talked about the time they spent tutoring the third and fifth graders. Both of them stated that they enjoyed working with the younger students. The tutoring sessions were the brainstorm of Principal Joey Haney, who saw an opportunity to get them involved in the interaction between the grade levels. They had some time due to their schedules and working with younger children was the best way to use that time.
Kentrell and Hunter also talked about winning 2nd place in the State Living Theatre at the Junior Beta Club Convention in December. They had to create the scenery, know the part of the book they portrayed, and they had to stay in one position for a long time without talking or moving. They said that it was a lot of fun, but it was a lot of hard work.
Next, high school English teacher Laverne Brock, and Junior/Senior members of the Senior Beta Club: Alex Cromer, Jordan Suber, Lynlee Thompson, and Joseph Brown talked about going to the state convention and the National Convention and the success of the scrapbooks from the last three years. Alex Cromer and Jordan Suber spoke about the fundraisers held for Relay for Life: the talent show and the Miss Spectator Pageant. Jordan reported that the school raised their expectations and met them by raising over $800 at the first Miss Spectator Pageant since 2004, and Alex talked about the talent show. She stated that there were no winners or losers; it was not a competition-just a fun way to raise money for the project.
Lynlee Thompson shared her thoughts about the laptop program that was used in the physics class this year and its applications in other classes and projects like the Senior Portfolio. Then she announced that the program has been extended to next year for chemistry thanks to Dr. Barry Morris’ efforts to attain another grant.
Joseph Brown also talked about a pilot program that he was involved in at the school. He went into the middle school classes and talked with the students about his experiences in middle school and encouraged them to stay away from “bullying other students.”He stated that he did not want the school to be seen in a negative way.
Last but certainly not least, Ms. Suber spoke with Heather about the Palmetto Gold Award received by the school for its high level of improvement, it’s good attendance rate, and its high graduation rate.
As Heather’s broadcast came to an end, a lot of good information had been shared with the public and everyone was pleased with the program. Thanks to Ms. Suber and Ms. Arrington, the airing of the live feed was successful and both student and faculty representation was good.
For more local news and events, see The Whitmire News.