Paducah Middle School seventh grader Kendall Washington sang the National Anthem at the Buffalo Bills vs. Chicago Bears pre-season game held August 15.

Washington and a group of family and friends travelled to Buffalo for the game.  Tilghman alumni and Buffalo Bills player George Wilson had arranged an audition for Washington.

"Everything about the trip was great, Washington said. "They treated us very well." 

Washington said that singing the anthem was an incredible experience.  "At first during the practice rehearsal it was just like 'Wow!'", he said, "but the best moment was when I was finished."

The Paducah Sun, August 12, 2009

Reprinted with permission

By Bill Bartleman

Paducah school officials won’t decide until next year where to build a new middle school, but they have narrowed their choices to the Forest Hills subdivision near Lourdes hospital or behind the existing school on Lone Oak Road, according to Superintendent Randy Greene.

The final decision depends on funding from the Kentucky legislature, which meets from January through April next year, Greene said. If legislators don’t allocate funds to help cover the $17 million estimated cost, the board will consider renovating the existing school, Greene said.

The Paducah City Commission on Tuesday introduced an ordinance to give the school system 4.8 acres in Forest Hills. That parcel connects to about 15 acres the school system already owns that includes the former alternative school.

If the middle school isn’t built on that site, the land will be returned to the city, said City Manager Jim Zumwalt.

By Leigh Landini Wright

The Paducah Sun, July 24, 2009

Reprinted with permission.

Kendall Washington sang on stage as a 7-year-old with gospel star Vickie Winans, and at age 10, he performed at the famed Apollo Theater in New York.

“Well, I’m going to New York again,” Kendall said, his brown eyes growing bigger.

This time, the Paducah Middle School seventh-grader will sing the national anthem for the Buffalo Bills’ preseason game against the Chicago Bears on Aug. 15.

“I’m kind of excited, but a little nervous,” Kendall said. “I’ll be able to do it.”

Kendall, 12, earned his chance to sing in front of an NFL crowd through meeting Paducah native George Wilson, a member of the Buffalo Bills. Wilson spoke last year at Paducah Middle and impressed Kendall with his dedication to children and community.

Wilson told Kendall's parents, Danny and Earlie Fugate, to send an audition tape and he would make sure it went to the right people.

Kendall plans to wear a jersey, possibly bearing Wilson's No. 37, for the show. And he's practicing daily so every note is perfect.

"I don't want to freeze up," he said.

Paducah Middle eighth grader Jacob Holtgrewe has been chosen as one of 51 semi-finalists and is representing Paducah Middle School in the Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge. One semi-finalist was chosen from each state for the competition.

Students in grades five through eight were invited to enter the contest by creating a brief video about a specific scientific concept selected from a list provided by Young Scientist Challenge.  Entries were judged based on the student's understanding of the concept and his or her comfort level discussing science in general.

In the fall, 10 finalists will be selected and will receive an all-expense-paid trip to New York, NY for the competition finals, consisting of a series of challenges, some in which may be in front of a live audience. Finalists will be judged on their communication and scientific problem solving skills. At the end of the competition, American's Top Young Scientist will be awarded $50,000 in U.S. savings bonds (a $25,000 cash value).

Rising Sixth Graders Jump Start A Successful School Year

"There's no time like the present."

Taking these words of wisdom to heart, fifty rising sixth graders from McNabb, Morgan, and Clark Elementary schools gathered for the first two weeks of June at Paducah Middle School to participate in Sixth Grade Jump Start.

Sponsored by Tornado FRYSC, Jump Start is designed to help rising 6th graders get a head start on Middle School by reviewing school rules, learning the layout of the building, and reviewing math and reading skills that will be needed for a successful transition to sixth grade. Students participated in days organized around themes during the camp.  

Nora Cox, seventh grade teacher at Paducah Middle and Jump Start director, said students are selected for the program based on recommendations from the elementary schools.  Cox said the focus is on helping students make a successful transition to middle school.  The program includes practical skills like learning the layout of the building and how to open the combination locks on lockers, but the program also helps student build relationships.

"They get to meet students from the other elementary schools. In addition, they get a head start on meeting the teachers at Paducah Middle, along with Mr. Huddleston and Mr Tyler.  We look for them to be the leaders and teach other students what they've learned when school begins," Cox said. 

Cox said that the friendships and contacts students make during Jump Start give them someone to talk to if they are nervous or have problems during the first weeks of school.

"When you see the kids walk in the first day of this program, you can see it on their faces- they are scared to death.  I think this program gives them a boost in self confidence when they are able to come in when school starts and be the experts." 

"It keeps getting better and better every year." 

(You can see pictures from Jump Start here .)