Board of Education recognizes the Month of the Military Child, fills vacant Post 5 seat

PERRY — The Houston County Board of Education recognizes the month of April as the Month of the Military Child, and this year, guests from Northside Middle, Kings Chapel Elementary, Miller Elementary, and Veterans High School brought military family students, along with their Teacher of the Year. 

“The Month of the Military Child is a time to set aside to honor the strength, resilience and these students whose lives are shaped by the military service,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Richard Rogers said. “These students navigate frequent moves, new schools and time away from loved ones, and they do so with a level of strength that inspires all of us.” 

Many wore the color purple in support. Rogers said purple represents every branch of the military coming together. 

“It’s a simple but meaningful way for us to say, ‘We see you and appreciate you,’” he said. 

Col. Monique Graham, the Deputy Commander of the 78th Air Base Wing on Robins Air Force Base, shared statistics. She said on average, a military child will move around nine times from kindergarten through 12th grade, but sometimes a child may move up to 12 times. 

Graham shared that she has three daughters, ages 10, 12, and 14. She said they are currently on their 10th move and are gearing up for their 11th. 

“The resilience and the hardships they go through, they’re real, and it makes them stronger, independent and better members of society,” she said. “We have had the most embracing experience here with the community and shown from the schools and what y’all have poured into our installation and our families.” 

The Board also recognized a plethora of state winners from the district. For All-State Band, Houston County High School, Bonaire Middle, Feagin Mill Middle, Mossy Creek Middle and Perry Middle all had recipients. 

• HCHS: Drew Bragg, Jacob Jasper, Randall Lopez, Roman Smith
• BMS: Caleb Eddy
• FMMS: Emily Clark, Gabriel Hillard, Theo Shee
• MCMS: Eli Williams, Ryan Kirk
• PMS: Owen Smith 

Other state winners include: 

• Art: HCHS – Katie Le
• FBLA: VHS – Aleena Martin and Cymphony House 
• SkillsUSA: HCCA – Mykhal Sanders, Trista Swanner, Chanelle Lacson, Jaylen White, Landon Salinas, Jeremaine Lathers, Macaylee Carter, Alaina Cooley and Destany Broughton 
• FFA: VHS – Aly Corzine 
• Literary: HCHS- Steel Stout, Lillie Kinney, Aiden Hayes, Tripp Smith, Josh Cho, Spencer Voskuil, Eli Odum, A’Mari Saunders, Claire Jefferson and Laura Ryan; PHS- Peyton Belflower, Sarah Golden, Alyssa Pietrofore, Kylye Parkerson, Sara Mazanec, Andrew Battle, Dawkins Ennis, Jack Towson and Jazmyn Harris
• 5th Grade Oratorical Winner: 1st place: Landon Rios (Shirley Hills Elementary), 2nd place: Kendall Vandersee (Morningside Elementary), 3rd place: Ella Winnett (Matt Arthur Elementary) 

In new business, the Board appointed Angel Brown for Post 5 on the Houston County Board of Education, filling the vacant seat after Helen Hughes’ resignation. The vote passed 4-2. Mark Ivory and Clyde Jackson voted against and wanted to appoint Tannya Duncan. That appointment was unsuccessful. 

In other new business, the Board approved the 2027-2028 school calendar. Students can rejoice as classes next year will begin on August 3, 2027, instead of late July. 

The next Houston County Board of Education meeting will be held on May 12 at 1 p.m., located at the Board Office in Perry. The full agenda of the meeting can be found at simbli.eboardsolutions.com/SB_Meetings/ViewMeeting.aspx?S=4089&MID=134263&Tab=Agenda&enIID=RDErdT7w2jfjYXzrXB3WQA%3D%3D