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Smyrna honors students from across the city at Mayor's Education Awards
Summary
City of Smyrna officials and school leaders recognized students from about 15 Smyrna-area schools at an awards ceremony that highlighted academic achievement, leadership and community service.
Mayor Derek Norton and city officials presented the annual Mayor’s Education Awards at a Smyrna ceremony that recognized students from multiple elementary, middle and high schools across the city.
The awards celebrated academic achievement, leadership and service at more than a dozen schools; the evening included remarks from school principals, a recognition of first responders and a community dinner provided by a local vendor.
Why it matters: The event spotlights students the city and school staff singled out for academic work, leadership roles and extracurricular achievements, and it serves as a public recognition of school–community partnerships that support students.
Norton opened the program by welcoming attendees. “I am so excited to see all of you here tonight,” he said, addressing students, families and school staff.
Principals and school leaders introduced individual honorees from Argyle Elementary, Belmont Hills Elementary, Campbell High School, Campbell Middle School, Greenacres Elementary, Griffin Middle School, International Academy of Smyrna, King Springs Elementary, Nickajack Elementary, Norton Park Elementary, Russell Elementary, Smyrna Elementary, St. Benedict’s Episcopal School, Teasley Elementary and Whitfield Academy. Many presentations included short lists of nominees’ accomplishments, such as participation in beta clubs, orchestra, robotics and school leadership positions.
During Campbell High School’s presentation, principal Dr. Vanessa Watkins corrected a statistic announced from the podium, saying, “Our graduation rate is now 88 percent.” Other details announced from school leaders included approximate enrollments and recognitions: Campbell High was noted as serving more than 3,000 students; Campbell Middle School as serving nearly 1,400 students; Nickajack Elementary as having more than 1,250 students; Norton Park Elementary as serving about 670 students; and Whitfield Academy described as a campus of roughly 100 acres serving more than 950 students (figures presented by school representatives at the event).
St. Benedict’s Episcopal School marked its 15th anniversary and its robotics team’s recent competition results; Russell Elementary described plans for an augmented- and virtual-reality lab. Organizers also thanked first responders for escorting attendees and noted that the ceremony was being streamed on the City of Smyrna pages.
The program concluded with family photos and a final thank-you to school staff, volunteers and parents; organizers said the Mayor’s Education Awards will return next year.
