THUMBS UP: To the Lowndes High School Vikings and Valdosta High School Wildcats for making it to the state playoffs. Win or lose, both football teams should be commended for their efforts this season, as they are major reasons this area continues to be known as Winnersville — as well as TitleTown USA. The Wildcats have captured a total of six national championships since 1962. Known as the winningest high school program in the nation, the team was also successful in gaining this top title in 1969, 1971, 1984, 1986 and 1992. The Wildcats have won 23 Georgia State Championships. These titles were captured in 1940, 1947, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1956, 1957, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1971, 1978, 1982, 1984, 1986, 1989, 1990, 1992 and 1998. The Vikings have won five Georgia State Championships. These titles were captured in 1980, 1999, 2004, 2005 and 2007.
THUMBS UP: To Valdosta Stadium Cinemas and Ashley Value Cinemas for raising $22,863.31 for the Greater Valdosta United Way during the Sixth Annual Film & Food for a Cause.
THUMBS UP: To the Mildred Hunter Community Center for offering preteen and teen males in the community the encouragement to stay in school and out of trouble. Once a month, through its Intervention Guidance Mentoring Program, center personnel and volunteers meet with these young men and help them develop five-year plans for the future.
THUMBS DOWN: To those who took the sign that was made to commemorate the Great Hahira Pick-In. Following a full day of fun at the reunion of the pick-in, thieves walked away with the sign, which was presented by Harveys to the City of Hahira at a cost of $1,300. At the same time, thumbs up to everyone who performed, organized and attended the last Great Hahira Pick-In, as the site will soon become a Harveys location.
What We Think
What We Think: Thumbs up, thumbs down
- What We Think
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Grading policy: A second chance?
In clarifying the Lowndes County Schools’ controversial grading policy, Superintendent Dr. Steve Smith spoke of second chances.
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Be up to any weather challenge
Georgia’s Severe Weather Awareness Week starts today and runs through Friday. The idea behind the week is to prepare Georgians for weather emergencies and how to keep these situations from becoming tragedies.
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Parents and schools
There is a lot of talk lately about school systems and grading policies, and how all of a child's problems come back to a lack of parenting. But is it really that simple? Can it be a case where the school systems are so focused on the problem few that the majority of students are ignored?
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Thumbs up, thumbs down
THUMBS UP: To Brooks County High School engineering and technology teacher Don Morgan and his students. They recently received national attention for their work with biodiesel fuel. They collect used cooking oil from area fast-food restaurants then process this oil into biodiesel. Morgan hopes to next interest the Brooks County school buses into running on the fuel created in his class. This classroom not only prepares students for the future but may prepare all of us for an alternative energy source.
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Take me out to the ball park
The Valdosta State baseball season begins today. The Blazers host Lindenwood at 2:30 p.m. Nothing beats quality baseball played in warm weather with a great venue like Billy Grant Field.
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What We Think: Signing Day
Wednesday was National Signing Day, the day when high school athletes across the country make official announcements about what school they’ve chosen to sign with.
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School policy fails expectations
Lowndes County Schools recently implemented new grading guidelines for students. These guidelines have left many parents upset ...
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Just the facts, please
The Times has taken some hits this weekend following the reporting of the Rev. Floyd Rose’ rally on Saturday concerning the car which drove into a home, killing an infant on New Year’s, and an incident at Pinevale Learning Center. Some police officers think the VDT is not being fair, and Rose accused the VDT of not printing the facts, but the facts are as follows:
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Fathers teaching daughters
It began as a small gathering for fathers and daughters. It has become one of Valdosta’s most popular social events of the year.
Several years ago, Jeff Stewart co-founded the event with his wife, Becky, as a way for him to give a special night to his two daughters. Other fathers of First Presbyterian Church liked the idea and the Father-Daughter Valentine Dance was born. -
Sports tourneys: They will come
More than 20 years after its release, “Field of Dreams’” mantra, “If you build it, they will come,” has possibly become one of the most overused lines from any movie. Yet, it seems all too fitting for what’s been happening lately within the Valdosta-Lowndes County Parks and Recreation Authority.
- More What We Think Headlines
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Grading policy: A second chance?
