Sixth-grade students receiving "Certificates of Distinction" at the middle school academic reception were: (front row, l-r) Will Crook, Devin Willgus, Matthew Etheridge, Lincoln LeRoy, Miles Woodard, Austin Shively, Joshua Partridge, Hayden Bailey, (back row) Carson Goldman, Shelby Hinson, Kaylin Miller, Meagan Roberts, Chelsea Creech, Michaela Goldman, and Erin Thornton. "Achieving Excellence" was the theme of the 21st Annual Sixth and Seventh-Grade Academic Reception held Tuesday, May 12, in the school cafeteria.

Following the invocation given by Willie Harris, assistant principal at LCMS, Taylor Smith, the student with the second-highest average in the seventh grade, welcomed those present, and Miles Woodard, the student with the second-highest average in the sixth grade, led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

Highlights of the evening were addresses delivered by sixth-grader Lincoln LeRoy and seventh-grader Camden Gilpin. These students had the highest academic averages in their respective grades.

Those seventh-grade students receiving "Certificates of Distinction" at the 21st Annual LCMS Sixth and Seventh-Grade Academic Reception were Camden Gilpin and Taylor Smith. Following the addresses, awards were presented to those students who dedicated themselves to excellence this school year. Receiving recognition were:

Sixth-Grade "Certificate of Honor" Students (90-94 average): Shawn Brown, Tessa Cole, Lalla Dawkins, Charity Drinkard, Wesley Durden, Shelbikale Edmond, Jarrod Edmunds, Joshua Grabb, Gregory Griffin, Daniel Hunter, Jarrett Melnick, Taylor Moon, Colbi Murray, and Debriana Wright.

Sixth-Grade "Certificate of Distinction" Students (95+ average): Hayden Bailey, Chelsea Creech, Will Crook, Matthew Etheridge, Carson Goldman, Michaela Goldman, Shelby Hinson, Lincoln LeRoy, Kaylin Miller, Joshua Partridge, Meagan Roberts, Austin Shively, Erin Thornton, Devin Willgus, and Miles Woodard.

Seventh-Grade "Certificate of Honor" Students (90-94 average): Mitchell Beale, Bentley Beggs, Taylor Benning, Adam Chastain, Lauren Clifton, Aubrey Garcia, Jemarian Hearst, Macy Hill, Meygan Hogan, Kristin James, Heather Justice, Cole Mattison, Marcus Monroe, Jonathan Partlow, Gideon Smith, James Spratlin, Tyler Tutt, Andy Ray Wengrow, and Bailey Wright.

Seventh-Grade "Certificate of Distinction" Students (95+ average): Camden Gilpin and Taylor Smith.

Subject Area Awards (students with the highest averages): Language Arts — Miles Woodard, sixth grade, and Macy Hill, seventh grade; Reading — Taylor Smith, seventh grade; Math — Hayden Bailey, sixth grade, and Camden Gilpin and Cole Mattison, seventh grade; Science — Miles Woodard, sixth grade, and Kristin James, seventh grade; and Social Studies — Lincoln LeRoy, sixth grade, and Camden Gilpin and Gideon Smith, seventh grade.

Citizenship Award: Debriana Wright and Hayden Bailey, sixth grade, and Lauren Clifton and Jemarian Hearst, seventh grade.

Georgia Retired Educators Association Recognition:

Sixth Grade: Hayden Bailey, Shawn Brown, Chelsea Creech, Will Crook, Charity Drinkard, Shelbikale Edmond, Thomas Edmunds, Carson Goldman, Michaela Goldman, Joshua Grabb, Gregory Griffin, Shelby Hinson, Lincoln LeRoy, Joshua Partridge, Meagan Roberts, Erin Thornton, Devin Willgus, and Miles Woodard.

Seventh Grade: Camden Gilpin, Macy Hill, Taylor Smith, and Bailey Wright.

The awards were presented by Coleman Kennedy, president of the Lincoln-Wilkes Retired Educators Association, and his wife, Nellie, also a member of the association.

Presiding over the awards portion of the program was school guidance counselor Dionne Mills.

To conclude the awards ceremony, LCMS Principal Pam Carmichael offered words of encouragement to the rising seventh and eighth-grade students.