The Paducah Middle boys track team completed its season with a runner-up finish at the Kentucky Middle School Track and Field State Championship held at the University of Kentucky on May 25, 2013. Over 150 boys and girls track teams from across the state competed in the event.

"This was a monumental accomplishment for our team because there is no 1A / 2A / 3A class system in middle school track," said PMS boys track head coach David Jones. "Paducah Middle must compete against every school in the state, some of which have twice as many student athletes to choose from."

The 400 and 800 meter relay team of Montell Wiggins, Travance Davenport, Daquan Askew, and Philip Pruitt won state championships in both of their events. Jordan Overstreet won the Turbo Javelin with a state record throw of 133 feet, 2 inches.

While the girls team did not place well, the team posted season best performances in 8 of 19 events and pole vaulter Brianna Wagoner was the first Paducah Middle pole vaulter to score points at the state meet in that event.

"Their spirit is not dampened," said Coach Jones. "The girls and boys teams train together and operate as one large team. Therefore, all the athletes shared in the success of the PMS track family's accomplishment."

By Corianne Egan

The Paducah Sun, May 28, 2013

Reprinted with permission.

For the last 50 years, the afternoon bell has signaled school was out at Paducah Middle School. On Monday afternoon, that bell tolled for the last time, an audible alert that school at the old PMS is in fact out forever. 

Before Principal Tim Huddleston rang the school’s final bell at 2:20 p.m., there was a farewell celebration throughout the PMS halls. Community members and alumni sorted through decades of pictures and yearbooks, taking in the sights and sounds of the middle school one last time. The building is slated to be razed this summer, and students will start at the new Paducah Middle School this fall.

Within two weeks, asbestos abatement will begin in the cafeteria in the rear of the old school, Huddleston said. Afterward crews will demolish the school from the rear to the street and put a front lawn, large parking area and school bus loop in its place, he said.

The new, $21 million, 92,000-square-foot building is nearly complete, with the final finishing touches expected by July. Administrators hope to have open houses for the public before school starts. Former board member Bill Black, who was on the board that decided to build a new school, said Paducah has a tradition of offering exceptional education.

Paducah Middle School will host a "Farewell Tour " of the building at the current site on Monday, May 27 from 11:30 a.m. -  2:30 p.m.

The community, former faculty and staff, alumni, family and friends of Arcadia Junior High School, Arcadia-Brazelton Junior High School, Brazelton Junior High School, and Paducah Middle School are invited. The event is free and open to the public.

A reception and tour of the building will begin in the cafeteria at 11:30 a.m. There will also be historical memorabilia in the cafeteria for viewing. There will be an alumni concert in the gym at 1:30 p.m. which will be followed by a final ringing of the bell at 2:20 p.m.

Please join us as we close one chapter of our school history and begin a new one.

You can download a copy of the invitation here.

Paducah Middle students presented the inaugural performance of "The Great Middle School Whodunit" Dessert Mystery Theatre on May 2.

Audience members were organized in teams and enjoyed dessert as they tried to figure who the culprit was in the mystery.