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West Carroll Elementary fourth graders enjoy the TCAP Tailgate.

TCAP Tailgate Celebration Brings Fun and Games to West Carroll Elementary

West Carroll Elementary School recently hosted a TCAP Tailgate Celebration to recognize and reward students for their hard work during state testing. The event was designed to help students relax and de-stress after completing the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP). more

5/8/25

Board member Bobby Young (left) presents a certificate to Ryan Toombs, who attended the SCOPE conference in March. Fellow SCOPE participant Carli Beeler was unable to attend the meeting.

McKenzie School Board Approves Drainage Upgrades at MES

McKENZIE (May 6) — The McKenzie Special School District Board of Education approved a $24,999 project to improve drainage at the elementary school during the regular monthly meeting Tuesday evening. more

By Brad Sam
brad@mckenziebanner.com | 5/7/25

Miss West Carroll Primary Court (L to R): Vivian Clifton, Fourth Maid; Kinnedy White, Second Maid; Everlee Kopiar, Miss West Carroll Primary; Crimson Maples, First Maid; and Kynlee Wilson, Third Maid.

West Carroll Primary Holds Beauty Pageant

McLEMORESVILLE (April 8) — On Tuesday evening, West Carroll Primary hosted its highly-anticipated annual PTO Beauty Pageant. The event showcased the talents and charm of sixteen delightful participants who vied for titles such as Miss West Carroll Primary, Little Miss West Carroll Primary and Mr. West Carroll Primary. more

5/6/25

Education Freedom Scholarship Application Launches May 15

NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Department of Education announced the Education Freedom Scholarship (EFS) Program application will launch on Thursday, May 15, 2025, at 12 p.m. CT/1 p.m. ET for all Tennessee families to submit an eligible student application. more

5/6/25

Allie Chappell from McKenzie graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education. Allie wears the feet of Rowdy, the school mascot. Allie secretly served as the Wildcat mascot.

Bethel University Confers Degrees During Spring Commencement

McKENZIE (May 3) — Bethel University celebrated the achievements of approximately 300 graduates during its Spring Commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at 10 a.m. in Crisp Arena. A total of 322 candidates for degrees were listed in the commencement program. more

5/6/25

From left, Harlynn Vernon, Hunter Seiber and Skii Crouch.

West Carroll Elementary Honors Standout Students with Weekly SOAR Awards

West Carroll Elementary School (WCES) is continuing its tradition of recognizing exceptional students through its SOAR Awards program. The initiative highlights students who consistently demonstrate the school’s core values: Safety, Ownership, Achievement and Respect. more

5/1/25

TCAT-Henry/Carroll at McKenzie spring graduates.

TCAT-McKenzie Holds Spring Commencement

McKENZIE (April 24) — The Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Henry/Carroll at McKenzie held spring commencement Thursday afternoon at First Cumberland Presbyterian Church. The spring … more

By Brad Sam
brad@mckenziebanner.com | 4/29/25

McKenzie's Lease Signs with UT Martin Agricultural Education

GATLINBURG (March 25) — McKenzie High School senior Nathan Lease signed a letter of intent to join the Agricultural Education program at the University of Tennessee at Martin during TeachAg Signing Day at the State FFA Convention. more

4/25/25

West Carroll Primary School students ended their week of Easter-themed academic activities with an egg hunt.

West Carroll Schools Combine Easter Celebrations with Academic Engagement

ATWOOD/McLEMORESVILLE — In the days leading up to Easter, students across the West Carroll Special School District experienced a week of learning wrapped in holiday cheer. Both West Carroll Junior High and West Carroll Primary School hosted classroom activities that blended academic instruction with festive fun. more

4/24/25

First graders (L to R) Kenson Keymon, Livaeh Harrell and Lucas Edwards showing some of the donated items.

West Carroll Primary Joins Forces with United Neighbors to Give Back

West Carroll Primary School is proving that even small hands can make a big difference. more

4/22/25

McKenzie High School FBLA state competitors (L to R) Front Row: Olivia Pate, Addi Davis and Carleigh Lunn. Back Row: Tobey Brooks, Brody Berryhill, Aleecia Williams, Carlton Townes, Gracie Aird and Sophie Cole.

MHS FBLA Excels at State Competition

CHATANOOGA (April 6-9) — The McKenzie High School Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) recently competed at the state competition. more

4/22/25

McKenzie Middle School Hosts Honors Banquet

McKENZIE (April 15) — McKenzie Middle School hosted its annual Honors Banquet Tuesday evening, sponsored by the McKenzie Rotary Club. more

By Brad Sam
brad@mckenziebanner.com | 4/22/25

The MSSD began the retreat with breakfast at the central office. Pictured are (L to R): Spiros Roditis, Karen Fowler, Misty Aird, LaShonda Williams, Chad Brown, Director of Schools Dr. Justin Barden, George Cassidy and Bobby Young.

McKenzie School Board Tours Schools, Discusses Issues

McKENZIE (April 19) — The McKenzie Special School District Board of Education held a retreat Saturday morning to discuss a wide variety of issues, assess needs and prioritize actions for the short- to midterm future. more

By Brad Sam
brad@mckenziebanner.com | 4/22/25

Huntingdon Schools Add Positions

HUNTINGDON (April 17) — The Huntingdon Special School District Board of Education met Wednesday with a short agenda including requests for additional positions at the primary and high schools. more

By Brad Sam
brad@mckenziebanner.com | 4/22/25

Pre-K students (L to R) Willow Pate, Kaison Kirby and Fernanda Hernandez hold ducklings they help raise in the classroom.

Pre-K Raises Ducklings, Grows Small Gardens

McKENZIE (April 17) — McKenzie Elementary Pre-K students are getting hands-on experience while learning about the life cycle thanks to a $500 Ag in the Classroom grant from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture. more

By Brad Sam
brad@mckenziebanner.com | 4/22/25

West Carroll High School FCCLA members (L to R): Summer Spain, Jada Bradshaw, Linda Murphy, Brilye Mueller, Karma Wilkey and Sasa Lane.

West Carroll FCCLA Students Earn Honors at State Conference

Six West Carroll High School students recently represented their school at the 79th Annual FCCLA State Leadership Conference held in Chattanooga, marking the first time this chapter has competed at the state level. more

4/15/25

Pictured are (L to R): Director of Schools Dr. Justin Barden, School Board Chairman LaShonda Williams, school board members Bobby Young and Misty Aird, Gränges Recruiter and Retention Specialist Rachel Carter, Gränges Senior HR Generalist Hannah Barger, MHS Baseball Coach Chris Wall, Gränges HR Manager Brooklyn Napier and MHS Principal Kelly Spivey.

Gränges Donates to McKenzie Schools

McKENZIE (April 11) — Gränges Americas Inc. made a donation to McKenzie Special School District Friday, part of a series of donations to area schools. more

4/15/25

Kellen Finley, a McKenzie High School FFA student, sells live plants to Kevan King, a computer tech at the school.

McKenzie FFA Hosts Live Plant Sale

McKenzie FFA, Hollow Rock-Bruceton, West Carroll and Huntingdon all held live plant sales at the related schools. more

4/15/25

Sophie Beasley is Miss Gleason 2025

GLEASON (April 12) — Sophie Beasley is Miss Gleason 2025. She is the daughter of Mike and Jennifer Beasley of Gleason. The event was held at Gleason School and sponsored by the GHS Class of 2027. more

4/15/25

Weakley County Schools Offer Portable Internet Access

Weakley County Schools is offering free portable high-speed internet access for its K-12 students through T-Mobile for Education's Project 10Million, helping bridge the digital divide and make learning even more accessible. more

4/9/25