Students at Independence High School are taking a stand against bullies.

On February 1, nationally known student motivational speaker Jerry Ackerman spoke to students at IHS about the issue of bullying.  Ackerman addressed how to make good choices, the role of social media in students' lives and what students should do if they see someone being bullied.

"We invited Jerry Ackerman to be a part of the ongoing conversation we have with students related to positive behavior," said IHS Assistant Principal Juli Oyer.  "His presentation shared the same values we have here at IHS and supported the behavior expectations for students."

The Independence High School Show Choir recently shared the stage with country music star Jimmy Wayne.  The performance took place November 25 as the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum celebrated its first ever tree lighting ceremony.

Wayne invited the IHS Show Choir to perform with him after meeting the students several weeks earlier at the Salvation Army Angel Tree kick-off program.  According to Wayne, he was "blown away by their talent and enthusiasm," and quickly invited them to join him at the Hall of Fame event.

Hundreds of Williamson County high school students are joining the fight against breast cancer.  With October serving as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, students at several schools are finding ways to raise money for cancer research.

At Independence High School, a group of marketing students were brainstorming ideas for community service projects when they decided to sell pink "Indy Nation" t-shirts in advance of the school's last home football game on October 28 against Ravenwood.

"Several of my students thought it would it would be fun to include Ravenwood," said IHS Marketing Teacher Wren Anderson.  "So I called up the marketing teacher and we decided to team up in the fight against breast cancer."

Both schools will sell pink t-shirts for $10 each in the weeks leading up to the big game with proceeds going to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation.

Cougars for a Cure

At Centennial High School, students selected Cougars for a Cure as the theme for this year's Homecoming, which will be held October 21.  In addition to selling breast cancer awareness t-shirts, students will compete in a penny war, with 100 percent of the proceeds going to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation.  The school will also donate a portion of the money collected from the school's annual Powder Puff Game and the Homecoming Dance to breast cancer research.

In keeping with the theme, hallway decorations and student floats will all incorporate a pink ribbon.  Centennial Principal Dr. Frank Brown says it's nice to see students taking a stand for a great cause.

"Our student body fully embraced this amazing idea of using our Homecoming as another way Centennial can make a difference far beyond the school walls," said Brown.  "We are so proud of our students, faculty and staff, and the positive impact they are having on the world.”

Lace up your running shoes this holiday weekend and help out a good cause.  The Independence High School Marching Band's inaugural Run for Independence 5K Run/Walk will be held Saturday, September 3.

Proceeds from the event will go directly to the IHS Band.  Participants can register ONLINE or in person on the day of the race.  We hope to see you there!

Run For Independence 5K

When:  Saturday, September 3
Location:  Independence High School
Registration:  7 a.m. - 7:45 a.m.
Race Time:   8 a.m.

Registration Fees:
Adults (age 19 & up): $20, $30 on race day
Kids (age 18 & younger): $15, $20 on race day
Family Rate (Two adults/two kids):  $60, $80 on race day

Williamson County Parks and Recreation’s 2nd annual Battle of the Bands to be held Saturday in the auditorium of Independence High School, 1776 Declaration Way, Thompson's Station.

Battle of the Bands will take place on Saturday, August 20, from 6-10 p.m. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Everyone in the community is invited to come out and watch as the top four finalists compete on stage for prizes and the title of this year’s “Best Teen Band”! After all four bands have performed, the judges will make their selection. It is sure to be a rockin’ good time!

Admission is $5, and is payable at the door. For more information, please call (615)302-0971, ext. 16.

Fifth in a series, from Williamson County School's In Focus:

INDEPENDENCE HIGH

Audra Chace Parents: Maureen & Bill Chace A Williamson County teacher that has influenced you: Brant Chesser taught me a lot about English while also instilling an appreciation for life. Honors and Awards: National Spanish Honor Society President, Swim Team Captain. Post-Graduation Plans: I will be attending the University of Alabama.  I’m in the Honors College and plan to study either finance or economics with a minor in English.	Courtney DeClerk Parents: Rod & Jill DeClerk A Williamson County teacher that has influenced you: Brian Keathley always respected my opinion and truly listened when people spoke up in class.  He treated the class as if they were mature adults and didn’t attempt to baby us.  The lessons were interesting, and ones that I still remember two years later.  I had never cared about English until my sophomore year.  Between his teaching and Mr. Chesser’s class, it has become obvious that in order to learn anything from a class, the teacher has to be passionate and always strive to make sure students are being stimulated properly.  Mr. Keathley made sure of this and I shall remember his class fondly when I look back on my high school days. Honors and Awards: AP Calculus AB award, Principal’s List Honor Roll, AP Scholar, National Honor Society, National English Honor Society, National Spanish Honor Society, Volunteer Scholarship at UTK. Post-Graduation Plans: I plan to attend the University of Tennessee and major in business with a concentration in finance.
Nicole Gerhard Parents: Tim & Mary Gerhard A Williamson County teacher that has influenced you: Lori Freeman is one of the few teachers who are actually passionate about what they teach.  She engaged her students and always provided an entertaining atmosphere for learning.  She believed in actually teaching us about the material instead of just teaching us about the test.  She also helped me to realize that psychology is what I want to do with the rest of my life.  She helped me really enjoy my last year of high school. Honors and Awards: Principal's Honor Roll every quarter for all four years, Criminal Justice 1 & 2 Outstanding Student, AP Statistics Outstanding Student, Economics Honors Outstanding Student, competed in the Tennessee state math competition junior and senior year, member of the National Society of High School Scholars, member of the National Honor Society, member of Mu Alpha Theta, member of the International Thespian Society, honors diploma. Post-Graduation Plans: I am going to be attending Auburn University in the fall and majoring in psychology.	Evan Gibson-O'Grady Parents: Daniel O'Grady & Michele Gibson-OGrady A Williamson County teacher that has influenced you: Until meeting Mr. Brant Chesser, I had difficulty truly believing in myself, and for the first time I found a teacher whose sincere dedication to his job inspired me to not only improve, but made me realize my potential.  Not only motivating and helping me through the college application process, he also helped me see the more important values of life’s journey.  I know that I will remember both how to structure an essay, as well as my life as I move forward and look back on his class. Honors and Awards: AP Scholar, Best Physics Honors Student 2010, Best AP Calculus BC Student 2011, Best AP Spanish Language Student 2011, Best AP English IV Student 2011, Best AP English IV Student 2011, Most Outstanding Band Member 2011. Post-Graduation Plans: I plan to major in chemistry at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Gisella Kakoti Parents: George & Generossa Kakoti A Williamson County teacher that has influenced you: Nicole Hernandez is a wonderful teacher and really cares for her students.  She deepened my love of the Spanish language and was always supportive of me and my endeavors.  Her enthusiasm and constant motivation are the reason why I want to minor in Spanish when I go to college. Honors and Awards: National Achievement Scholar, Girl Scouts Silver Award, Principal’s Honor Roll, Best Supporting Actress, Most Outstanding Spanish II Honors Student, Most Outstanding Spanish III Honors Student, Mu Alpha Theta, Spanish Honor Society, National Honor Society (Co-President), National Science Honor Society (Treasurer), International Thespian Society, National Forensics League Degree of Distinction, AP Scholar with Honors, Governor’s School for Emerging Technologies, Volunteer Girls State. Post-Graduation Plans: I will attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge, Massachusetts where I will major in mechanical engineering with a minor in Spanish.  Then I hope to someday design robotic vehicles and build artificial intelligence systems.	Kaleigh McCoy Parents: Tom & Leighann McCoy A Williamson County teacher that has influenced you: Instead of solely being interested in what he taught and ensuring that the students learn the information (which he does very well), Josh Phillips also cares genuinely about his students.  He is far more interested in who they are and how he can make a positive impact in their life than how well they know the content of AP European history.  He knows what really matters, and that is the lives of the students.  He earns their respect by caring about them and they, in turn, are much more motivated to do well academically in his class.  I know of many times that he has given real life advice and truly been, not only aware of (which many teachers are not), but helpful and sympathetic towards tough situations that students go through. He does not just say that he cares, he really does. Honors and Awards: Principles List: grades 9-12, AP Scholar Award: 12 grade, AP European History Award: 10 grade, National Honors Society Member: 11-12 grade, Mu Alpha Theta Member: 11-12 grade. Post-Graduation Plans: I plan to attend Union University, as a pre-med student and go on to medical school. My hope and dream is to become involved in traveling overseas on a regular basis (if not living overseas) to third world countries to bring medical aid to those to whom it would otherwise be unavailable. I would like to use this ability to help people physically to show them the love of Christ and to lead them to a love and peace which I have never found any other way than through Him.
Shelby Monahan Parents: Kevin & Noreen Monahan A Williamson County teacher that has influenced you: Lori Freeman always manages to bring boundless energy and enthusiasm to the classroom.  Her passion and eagerness to teach are infectious - whenever she’s teaching, you can’t help but be excited about the information.  Her enthusiastic attitude and sense of humor never fail to make her class a fun place to be.  I always looked forward to having her class in the morning because even when I came in drowsy, by the time it was over, I was awake and ready to take on the day. Honors and Awards: Prism Art League Award, Flying Eagle Award, English II Honors Award, Most Outstanding Symphonic Band Member, AP Psychology Award, attended TN Governor’s School for the Humanities, Principal’s Honor Roll. Post-Graduation Plans: I plan to study at Sewanee: University of the South.	Liz Renzaglia Parents: Dan & Debbie Renzaglia A Williamson County teacher that has influenced you: Brant Chesser pushed me to speak my mind and strive for excellence.  He showed me that I am a strong writer and shall succeed in life.  He put his heart and soul into his work and did not just demand the respect of his students, but he earned it.  He inspired all his students to take risks and focus on learning instead of grades and test scores.  I feel more confident in my ability and more equipped for university having been through AP English IV with Mr. Chesser as my teacher. Honors and Awards: National Honors Society, United States Army Reserve National Scholar/Athlete Award, Spanish I Award, AP Scholar Award, Principal's List (all four years). Post-Graduation Plans: I plan to major in food and nutrition at the University of Kentucky to become a Dietician, and then proceed onto graduate school to become a physical therapist.
McKenzie Van Meter Parents: Allen & Toni Van Meter A Williamson County teacher that has influenced you: I’ve had the pleasure of having Josh Phillips for several classes throughout my high school experience, and he has always managed to stick out to me as a teacher who is truly invested in his students.  He takes the time to get to know each one of us as individuals and, in return, allows us to know him as a person as well.  Anytime I’ve ever had a problem, academic or otherwise, he has always been very approachable and willing to help out.  He participates actively in every aspect of school and somehow, everyday, truly seems to enjoy his job.  He’s a unique individual and an amazing teacher. Honors and Awards: National Merit Scholar, First place, “Being an American” National Writing Competition, Cornelius Vanderbilt Scholar. Post-Graduation Plans: Next year I’ll be attending Vanderbilt University with a concentration in linguistics.  I intend to work with the Peace Corps after my undergraduate work, and then hopefully attend law school.	James Whitley Parents: Jeff & Vivian Whitley A Williamson County teacher that has influenced you: Brant Chesser is special to me because he has an unmatched passion for English and his students. Honors and Awards: Principal's List. Post-Graduation Plans: I plan to attend Vanderbilt University in the fall.