JMS students spend a day 'horsing around' in preparation for the serious days of PACT

JOHNSONVILLE — Excitement reigned at Johnsonville Middle School (JMS) as the day for the PACT Rodeo drew near.
Momentum had built for weeks as students prepared various posters and posted them in the halls. One colorful sign reminded students that “If you pass the PACT, it’s a fact, you won’t get whacked.” Others carried similar messages.
The idea behind the pep rally and rodeo was to incite students to properly prepare themselves for the PACT Test, which followed the next day. Principal Stevie Phillips reminded them that they should go home, have a hearty supper with the family and get to bed early, so as to be relaxed for the testing.
Things leading up to the finale were TV commercials with “Stampede the PACT” themes, made by students/ teachers, and posters in halls.
TV commercials were played from the library and carried through the TVs in the classrooms. Teachers would come up with impromptu messages as well.
Every grade level at JMS was represented. Every teacher had been advised to get involved -- be it with skits/Power Point presentations, songs, dances, chants and cheers. Radio DJ Ed Palmer of 92.9 Eagle was the emcee for the pep rally.
The JMS Cowboy Band composed of Lucas Daniels, Darrell Squires, Thomas Coker and Austin Williams with string instruments got the pep rally off to a good start. They were representative of Ms. Deborah Tanner’s Class.
Many of Barbara Maxwell’s students wore white tee shirts with black paint to represent cows. They had signs around their necks, both positive and negative. Their object was to accent the positive and to show the negative attitudes would not work. Some of their signs read “Talks in Class”, “Stays Up At Night” and other negative sayings.
Positive notes were “Studies Hard”, and “Gets Plenty of Sleep.”
On the back campus where the actual rodeo took place were horses brought by parents Brad Mace, Brian Williamson, Michelle Paquette and Jeffrey Powell for the students’ riding pleasure.
Wagon Train Men who added to the enjoyment were Jimmy Baxley and Shane with Dan and Sarge and Durant Powell with Friday.
Teachers Mace, Tanner, Hanna, Owens and Avant led students riding horses. Student riders and their horses were Danielle Kipp (HS) with Heartbreak; Kasey Sanders (HS) with Spot Pony; Jordan Williamson (MS) with Chessy; Brittney Rogers (MS) with JB; Brittney Kennedy (MS) with Play Boy; Katelin Powell (HS) with Smoke One Peppy; Annsley Mace (MS) with Drummer and Reagen Avant and Blair Avant with Victor, a miniature pony from Pleasant Hill.
With the outstanding success of this first rodeo, administrators and faculty will be looking for reasons (or excuses) to stage another one soon.
Diamond Branch Horse Farm, operated by George Gaster and his son, dispensed cotton candy and snow cones.
Various teachers led games and other activities such as Pin the Tail on the Donkey, Stick Horse Race, and Horseshoes, Lasso the Cow, Bean Bag Toss and Ride the Horse Obstacle Race.