Hawk Talk returns for 2019-2020 school year

September 11, 2019

We’re back! Ready to take on a new school year and year two of Hawk Talk, a student-centered newsroom dedicated to showcasing all the happenings at your hometown middle school.

This Hawk Time Enrichment class is led by 8th grade ELA teacher, Kevin Powers, but the students are doing the real work.

Based on the students’ favorite things about Clinton Middle, Mr. Powers split the class into four teams. These teams will generate the content to be shared with “Courier News” readers each week.

You will find short pieces below related to areas of learning and fun in our building from Classes and Sports to Hawk Life, Student Spotlight, our Book Challenge and School Events, as well as our Advisory and Community Service work.

The Hawk Talk staff is adamant that we have the best teachers around; therefore, once a month there will be a Teacher Spotlight.

Showcasing a wide variety of the positive happenings at Clinton Middle is Hawk Talk’s first priority.



Introducing the 2019-2020 Hawk Talk Staff

The following 8th Graders are hard at work this year bringing you all the GREAT NEWS from Clinton Middle School: College and Career Academy…

Mia Baylis

Ethan Clock

Candice Cooper

Marissa Eccles

Jasmine Erick

Rylee Gann

Ethan Graham

Blayk Hazelhurst

Braden Hensley

David Holguin

Andelynn Lawson

Eric Page

Jordan Pridemore

Reese Rittenberry

Hayden Scarbrough

Rhett Seivers

Braylon Taylor

Dakota Totherow

Tomi Taylor

Emma Vaughn

Noah Weeks

The Clinton 12 comes home

Last week, the Clinton Middle community came together to welcome “The Clinton 12” home.

It all started with an idea, which led to several meetings all throughout July. Mrs. April Meyers and Mrs. Sheila Montgomery represented Clinton Middle on the planning end.

You can imagine how much work was out in this, from all of the meetings to deciding who all should come as a representative not only in Clinton but Tennessee as a whole.

Some of the people who came to represent our city, county, and the State of Tennessee included U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander and U.S. Representative Chuck Fleischmann as well as Tennessee Lt. Gov. Randy McNally and State Representative John Ragan.

“I was sad for what they had gone through,” said Clinton Middle 8th grader Zavie Ford escorted the wife of Clinton 12 member Robert Thacker, “but it was great for them to finally be honored and it was an amazing experience and a great opportunity.”

Clinton Middle would like to thank all involved in making this special day a reality. We could not be more proud of the way our communities came together to celebrate the history of our town and its role in the American fight for equality.



The Advisory program starts back up

Advisory classes have just started back up in Clinton Middle School College and Career Academy!

Each Wednesday, students meet with their Advisory groups to learn how to build strong relationships and set smart goals for success.

Advisory teachers are there to help monitor the student’s grades and help schedule any tutoring that they may need to be successful in their school career along with helping students with any problems that they are having with school.

Advisory is a safe, comfortable and kind environment for students to connect with each other and with teachers.



Student support fuels Lady Hawks Volleyball

This year, our Lady Volleyball Hawks have been on a hot streak we haven’t seen in a while. “We’ve had a great season so far!” exclaimed Captains Jorja Blevins and Kaelyn Bowling.

According the many of the players, it has been the abundance of support from the “Hawk Squad” (the Clinton Middle Pep Club) that has fueled the team’s success.

JV Coach Megan Thomas says, “ When people are cheering and chanting in the stands. The girls play harder.”

Our Athletics programs are constantly striving to work hard and stay positive!



Welcome to Clinton Middle, Mr. Mann

We have a new assistant principal…Mr. Rodney Mann. Mr. Mann comes to us after 23 years as an Agriculture teacher at Clinton High School and ACCTC.

He often brags about how he has advised one of the most active FFA chapters in Tennessee. He serves on the board for Youth Leadership Anderson County and the Anderson County Fair Board.

He trains leaders in student ministry at Faith Promise Church and farms hay, cattle, and horses.

A born hillbilly from West Virginia, he is older than selfies, color TV, the internet, the Swiffer, safe playground equipment and Elf on a shelf.

He likes to follow the Davy Crockett philosophy of “Decide what’s right and go ahead.” Mr. Mann is married and has one son, a former Hawk and now an Agriculture teacher in Morgan County.

“I truly believe that this is the best middle school in America,” said Mr. Mann.

Until next week ...