Alton High School has been named to the U.S. News & World Report “Best High Schools in America” list.  Only 146 of 555 public high schools in Missouri received this honor.  When compared to other schools in our class 3A district we ranked first in the composite score.

________________________________________________________

Alton Elementary School has received an “A” grade from DESE.  This score is based on academic performance and attendance.  Also grades K-2 have scored above the average score in all areas tested on the Terra Nova tests given this spring.

_____________________________________________________________________

We need to congratulate several of our softball and baseball players for making all-conference.  (Softball- Alex Mills, Molly Steele, Jenna Woodside, and Hannah Brewer Honorable Mention.  Baseball- Frank Alford, Wes Carswell, Dusty Chester, Eric Honeycutt, Kalon Honeycutt and Skyler Chronister Honorable Mention.  Kalon also was named MVP of conference and Coach Jarvis Reed was named Big Springs Conference Coach of the Year.)

_________________________________________________________________

We have had several students do well in several competitions.  We are proud of each and every student who does their best in each of these competitions.  (Michael Barton-1^st Interscholastic Competition, Becca Barton-1^st Bookkeeping and Accounting, Andy Chapko-1^st English,Eric Honeycutt- 1^st Psychology/Sociology, Tom Koson-3^rd Computer Technology, Miranda Moore- 2^nd Psychology/Sociology, Molly Steele-1^st Speech, Noah Williams-1^st Geography & 3^rd European History, Becca Brandon-1^st Overall Bookkeeping and Accounting, Eric Honeycutt- 1^st Overall Psychology/Sociology, Miranda Moore-3^rd Overall in Psychology/Sociology, Noah Williams- 2^nd Overall in Geography)  As a school we placed 1^st place in our division and 3^rd Overall.  Great Job.

______________________________________________________________________

Congratulations to the following Alton FFA members for qualifying for state competitions. (Dairy Team- 3^rd Overall Luke Buckner, Blane Marrow, Kaitlin Jones, and Shelby Cooper.  Forestry Team- 3^rd Overall James Alford, Kay friesz, Jonathan Ragan.  FFA Knowledge Team- 6^th place Kaley Keplinger Ashley Brandon, Caleb Buffington Bailey Johnson.  Livestock Team- 7^th place Nathan Simpson, Bryar Trevino and Jacob Whittington.  Poultry Team- 7^th Place Liz Baty, Chris Pearson, Cody Whittington, and Joe Storr.  Dairy Foods Team- 6^th Place  Eric Honeycutt, Frank Alford, Dustin Shaw and John Shields.

______________________________________________________________________

We also had several band students receive excellent ratings in their competitions. (Amber VonAllmen- I Flute Solo, Victoria Johnson- I Clarinet Solo, Drew Hufstedler- I Trumpet Solo, Savannah Hornback- I Flute Solo, Darci Elliott- I Flute Solo, Christopher Church- II Clarinet Solo, Aaron Woodson- I Saxophone Solo, Matthew Townsend- II Trumpet Solo, Cordell Hufstedler- I Trombone Solo, Jason Shields-II Drum solo, Savannah Hornback/Darci Elliott- I Flute Duet

____________________________________________________________________

 Alton schools would like to congratulate all of our students who take their time to represent themselves and our school.  The results of all of these competitions as well as any others that we may have missed show why we feel we have the best students and faculty one could ask for.  Again Thank You and Congratulations.

______________________________________________________________________

.

Congratulations to Kalon Honeycutt, Skylar Chronister, Cierra Cawvey, and Alex Mills for being selected to the Class 3 District 10 All District Team.

________________________________________________________

The JH Quiz Bowl Team has had a rewarding season. The 8th grade team placed 1st at the Willard Middle School Tournament.  The 7th grade team swept the Big Springs Conference Tournament, earning 1st place in the conference.  The 8th grade MVP for all three tournaments was Torsten Whetsell.  Our 7th grade MVP was Walker Hall, who was also the MVP out of all of the schools in the 7th grade conference tournament.  Amber Barton, another 7th grader, received all-conference as well.

___________________________________________________________________________

A new student organization is being formed at AHS. A Future Teachers of America Chapter will be active beginning with the 2013-14 school year. Mrs. Harris will be serving as the Sponsor of this group

_____________________________________________________________________

I would like to announce also that Alton R-IV will begin a Pre-School Program in the 2013-14 School Year. Much planning and preparation is already being done for this project and Mrs. Stubblefield will be teaching the class and overseeing the program.

____________________________________________________________________________

AHS Sr. Beta recently attended the State Convention at Branson. Our Group Talent consisting of Celsie Benson, Jena Woodside,  Emily Hower, Ashlyn Hufstedler, and Mary Alice Oesch, placed 3^rd overall. Well done girls!

____________________________________________________________________________

District Music Contest was recently held at West Plains. The following groups or individuals received a I rating and qualified for State Music Contest: Sound Waves Choir, along with Kayla Barstow, Andy Chapko, Tori Holman, Drew Hufstedler, Bailey Johnston, and Allison Wright.

______________________________________________________________________

Our newly formed Chess Club continues to have a successful inaugural season and will being hosting the First Annual AHS Chess Tournament on April 20, 2013

______________________________________________________________________

The High School Quiz Bowl Season is under way as well. At the Big Springs Conference Tournament in Mountain View, our varsity team took 2nd place and will move on to the District Tournament in Puxico on the 13th of April.  Our JV team took 3rd place.  Noah Williams received All-Conference and Big Spring Conference MVP in individual competition.

_____________________________________________________________________

In the recent Christos House Essay Contest, Kayla Barstow placed first and Reba Hope Carswell placed third, respectively. Nicely done ladies!

____________________________________________________________________________

At this time, I would like to officially welcome Mr. Joby Steele back to Alton R-IV. Mr. Steele will be the High school Principal starting with the 2013-14 School Year.

____________________________________________________________________________

.

Congratulations to Classes with Best Attendance for First Semester!

Elementary School:            Second Grade with 95.68%

High School:                         Seventh Grade with 94.76%

Also, great job to the girls who edged out the boys with an overall attendance rate of 94.56%.  Students, keep up the good work!

____________________________________________________________

Alton boys AND girls varsity basketball teams were 2013 Big Spring Conference champions!  Congratulations to Skyler Chronister, Kalon Honeycutt, Cierra Cawvey and Alex Mills for being selected as Class 3 District 10 All-District basketball players.  Great job!

______________________________________________________________________________

Congratulations to Shelby Cooper for being selected to represent our school at the Sophomore Pilgrimage in Jefferson City on April 9th.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Congratulations to the following Alton FFA members for having their Proficiency Awards place first in Area 16. 1^st place awards advance to the state competition.  Great job!!

Shelby Cooper – 1^st Place Equine Entrepreneurship

Megan Orr – 1^st Place Agricultural Education Entrepreneurship & Placement Combined

Carlee Buckner – 1^st Beef Production Entrepreneurship

Nathan Simpson – 2^nd in Diversified Livestock Production Entrepreneurship & Placement.

______________________________________________________________________________

Congratulations to the 8^th grade quiz bowl team for winning first place in the annual Willard Middle School Quiz Bowl Tournament! Eighth graders Ethan Granger, Torsten Whetsell, Caleb Steele, Joseph Graves, and Lawrence Murphy swept the tournament with a record of 5—0. The team defeated both very strong Clever teams in tense semifinal and final matches, finishing solidly in each game and earning the top honor! The seventh grade team also competed well, earning fourth place out of the twelve teams. Seventh grade team members include Amber Barton, Walker Hall, Evalina Harper, Aaron Roberts, Caroline Shaw, Dava Smith, Savanah Bates, and Phoenix Keeney. Torsten Whetsell, correctly answering an impressive thirty-eight questions, and Walker Hall, with a phenomenal sixty-eight correct answers, earned MVP honors on each team. Go Comets!

______________________________________________________________________________

Congratulations to the students and staff in the elementary school for raising $7,066 to help the St. Judes’ children!  Mrs. Chronister’s sixth grade class will receive ice cream cones paid for by former bus driver, Lex Gray, for raising the most funds at $1,425.  Thank you for “caring and sharing.”

__________________________________________________________________________

Congratulations to the following students who placed at FBLA Districts on Friday February 15^th:  Caty Chilcutt – 2^nd place Healthcare Administration and 4^thplace Hospitality Management, Ashlyn Hufstedler – 3^rd place Business Communications, Becca Brandon – 1^st place Accounting I, and Tristan Coleman – 1^st place Business Law.  Becca, Tristan, and Caty qualify for state with their 1^st and 2^nd place finishes!!!

__________________________________________________________________________

The Alton R-IV Public Schools Foundation recently approved grants totaling $2,720:   $500 was approved for an iPad for the high school English classes, $500 for the Positive Behavior Support program in the junior high and high school, and $1,720 for iPads for the elementary school.   The Alton PTO has also committed to helping with the elementary school iPad purchases.  Thank you for your support!

______________________________________________________________________________

Congratulations!  The Chess Club traveled to Willow Springs for their 2nd Annual chess tournament on Saturday, Feb. 23. Our team of 4 students (Dakota Keeney, Michael Barton, Jacob Blackwell and Brent Murphy) placed 2nd in the overall competition, Dakota placed 2nd overall in individual competition and received a medal, and Michael placed 3rd and also received a medal.  The 2nd place plaque is on display in Mr. Kreutzer’s room.

______________________________________________________________________________

Thank you to our community for their support of our school and students.  Numerous organizations and individuals donate their time and funds on an on-going basis.  We recently received over $500 in donations from the County Line Church and over $700 from PTO to be used to purchase winter clothing for some students.  The Alton Ministerial Alliance sponsors the weekly backpack program.  Thank you!

.

Congratulations to the Lady Comets for taking first in the BSC Tournament!

_______________________________________________________________

Congratulations to Kianna Friesz for being named Area 16 FFA Reporter.

_______________________________________________________________

A HUGE thank you to Mrs. Vinson, Ms. Lawson, Kelli Reed, Joe Wheeler, Mr. Reese, Jerry Granger, Becky Granger, Mr. Allen, Mrs. Wright and many others for your part in making sure that the tournament was a success.

Below is a specific compliment that was posted on MSHSAA by an official.

Incident Details:

Reported School:  Alton 

Type: Complimentary

Explanation: Well taken care of during the Big Springs Tournament. Made sure we made it to dressing room and hospitality room was outstanding. Really appreciated the folks at Alton for an outstanding job last week. Great basketball games and great staff overseeing the tournament. Jay Pyles

_______________________________________________________________

A special thank you to Dana Roberts, Grover Crews, Randall Combs, and the Alton Bank for donating money to purchase new basketball jerseys for elementary students that did not get one last year.

_______________________________________________________________

We received a compliment about our school from one of our teachers. After attending an area workshop, she was amazed at how many MORE resources (technology, textbooks, supplies, etc.) that we have than other schools in our area. She said that she always knew we had a great school, but only realized how great it really was when she went out and networked with the other schools. We appreciate those teachers that continue to grow professionally by attending workshops.

_______________________________________________________________

As you know, our school recently went through a difficult time. Our high school students, teachers, and administrators could not have made it without Mrs. Gilliland. She put in countless hours counseling students and taking care of many issues that would arise. We are very fortunate to have someone like her working with us. THANK YOU!

.