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Happy Sunday!

It has been an honor to write Trojan Talk for this school year. Whether it be seeing my second grade math teacher in the check-out line at Walmart or attending the Senior Honors Banquet this past week, I get told very often, “I read your article in the newspaper!”

I truly feel very honored to have been able to write Trojan Talk. As the school year ends, we conclude with many traditional and memorable activities.

The Senior Walk, where Seniors visit their old schools and walk through, will take place between 8 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. on Monday, May 22, 2023. Seniors will all meet in the front lobby to load the bus at 8 a.m. Seniors are asked to wear their graduation gown for the Senior Walk.

Later that afternoon, yearbooks will be distributed at the Signing Day event for Seniors.

Yearbooks will be distributed for all Underclassmen during TNN time. There will be food, games,and more taking place at the Senior Signing Day event.

Scholarship Awards Day will take place in the Morristown-West Auditorium on Tuesday, May 23, 2023. Parents are welcome to attend. If parents wish to accompany them, they must sign in through the Main Office in the front. If students are attending by themselves, there will be teachers on the side of the auditorium entrance guiding them in; they do not need to sign in through the Main Office.

Final exams for third and fourth period will take place on Tuesday as well.

First and second period final exams will take place Wednesday, May 24, 2023. On this day, students may leave after second period if they bring a signed parent note stating that they make leave after final exams. This will be the last full day of school. Graduation practice for Seniors will also take place Wednesday. Graduation practice will be at the Great Smoky Mountains Expo Center at 12:30 p.m. Students, please arrive on time and prior to practice time.

Students must be at graduation practice in order to attend graduation the next day; tickets for graduation will be given out at graduation practice.

Graduation day will be Thursday, May 25, 2023 at 8:30 p.m. Students must show up between 6:45 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. Students are not allowed to have their cell phones during the graduation ceremony. They may leave their cell phones with parents or leave it with a teacher and claim it after the graduation ceremony. All students will be wanded before entering.

Friday, 26 May will also be an early release day. Typically, this abbreviated day is dedicated to the distribution of report cards, taking care of any outstanding fees, and saying goodbye for the summer. All buildings will be open and all employees will be at school. Buses will run the morning schedule. Most schools will distribute grade cards on 24 May. If students have a) picked up their report card on 24 May and b) have taken care of all fees and obligations, it is not necessary for students to attend school. They will not be counted as absent if they meet the criteria listed above.

Anyone who wants to run Cross Country in the upcoming Fall Semester needs to stop by Coach Bowen’s room for paperwork and information. The team will start conditioning in June; all runners must have a physical before they are allowed to participate.

Try-outs for the 2023-2024 Morristown-West Boys’ Basketball team will be held on Monday, May 22, 2023 between 3:15 p.m. and 5:15 p.m. after school, for rising Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors. Try-outs for incoming Freshmen will be held on Tuesday, May 30, 2023 between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. All that try-out are required to have an updated physical after April 15, 2023.

Morristown-West Student Council is beginning to collect sponsorships for next year’s free Trojan Nation T-shirts that are distributed to students, faculty, and staff in the fall. Sponsors pay for the shirts and in return, they receive a variety of advertisements based on the amount they pay.

Sponsorships may range from $100 to $600. If you or your business is interested in donating to this 20-year tradition, please contact a Student Council member or email moweststuco@gmail.com.

We would like to give a special thank you this year’s retiring faculty and staff members: Linda Sedlack (math), Keith Vannoy (math), Scott Garlington (history/Latin), Wendy Szatkowski (librarian), Phyllis Dalton (library secretary), and Suzanne Terry (theater/forensics).

Fines may be waived for all books turned in by Wednesday, May 24, 2023; please ensure that all books are turned in by the end of the school year.

As we end the school year, we wish every Trojan their best on their final exams. Let’s finish the school year strong! Have a great summer break!

As always, go Trojans!