THUMBS UP: To all the trick-or-treaters out and about today who remembered to practice safety. It has been said that children get so excited to dress up in costume and go door to door seeking a host of sweet treats that they forget to remain aware of potential dangers, like cars and strangers and even overeating those sugary treats. Trick-or-treating is one of the great adventures of Halloween for kids, one that should be filled with happy memories.
THUMBS UP: To members of the Valdosta Middle School Players for hosting the area’s first regional one-act competition for middle schoolers and for earning a high enough score at that competition to attend state in November. The school’s one-act show, “Dracula: The Death of Nosferatu,” won best special effects, best all-star cast members (Nadine Fares and Jacquavian Walker, and best actress (Hannah Findlay).
THUMBS UP: To Mark Webb and Glen Sibley, both of the Performance Martial Arts Academy, for their many wins at the ATA super regional tournament held in Pennsylvania. Webb placed second in traditional Songahm weapons and sparring and third in traditional Songahm forms. Sibley placed third in both creative forms and weapons, second in Xtreme Martial Arts forms, third in Xtreme Martial Arts weapons, second in traditional Songahm forms and third in traditional Songahm weapons.
THUMBS UP: To the women of The Pines Family Campus for making it a priority to overcome their addictions and lead productive lives and careers in the community.
THUMBS UP: To Valdosta High School’s Marching Cats for being named the grand champions at the annual Battle on the Border. These students have been seen practicing daily, even on weekends, for this competition, hosted by Lowndes High School’s Georgia Bridgemen. Eleven high schools competed.
THUMBS DOWN: To the Georgia Department of Corrections for refusing to comply with requests for information regarding a recent assault at the Valdosta State Prison. A young guard was viciously assaulted by inmates. If the department is this reluctant to discuss this one incident, then how can the public and their own employees feel safe having these inmates in our community? What else hasn’t the public been told?
