Just Among Friends
The annual Fairy Tale Ball was held in the Neshoba Central Elementary School gym recently. The theme was “Once Upon a Time, Happily Ever After” and the kindergarten students had a ball!
The gym was decorated with many different fairy tale character cutouts mounted on the gym walls with one section turned into a castle with turrets and ivy-covered walls. There was a blue and white balloon arch above the castle's entrance through which the fairy tale parade emerged. The little princesses, princes, knights, and other favorite characters marched into the room two by two. They were so excited. They had looked forward to this event for some time.
With some minor changes due to the pandemic, the ball went on as usual. Each child wore a mask and kept it on. Social distancing was observed even on the dance floor where the dancers twirled and swirled to the music. There were activity tables and refreshments which added to the excitement. Parents who were guests enjoyed the occasion, too. Some of them danced with their little fairy tale characters much to the children's delight.
The Fairy Tale Ball is a motivational event which serves as a culminating activity for the unit on fairy tales which adds an incentive to read as well as imparts knowledge of a different literary genre. School can be fun!
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A former Philadelphia resident, Ray Waddell, has made a gift to the University of Mississippi honoring his late father, Rayburn Waddell, by naming a mezzanine in The Pavilion at Ole Miss, the basketball team's state of the art arena. Rayburn Waddell of Madison passed away in August, 2020.
Ray, a former Rebel basketball player, chose to support the Vaught Society in honor of his father because he was a huge Rebel fan. Ray grew up attending Ole Miss games with his dad. He played for the Rebels under the head coach, Rod Barnes in 2000.
He met his wife, Angelique Lehmann Waddell, on the Oxford campus in 1999. He graduated with a Liberal Arts degree and she earned a bachelor's degree in Business Administration and a law degree from Tulane University in New Orleans. The couple resides in Dallas, Texas with their three children, Charlie, Madeleine, and Mary Lehmann.
Ray had a passion to run his own company, so after working for several years, he started CEC Electrical, Inc. in 2009. In a few short years, CEC became one of the largest subcontracting companies in the United States with 800 employees and $200 million in revenues, Ray credits his success to perseverance and the support of his family as well as a great group of employees. What a great story
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Tatum Butler's sixth birthday seemed to be all she dreamed it would be according to her mother. She received all the Happy Birthday phone calls, Face Times, cupcakes, and presents that she would ever need. She even won the birthday cake drawing on the local radio station! Of course, she enjoyed every minute of it!
She celebrated with her church friends at East Philadelphia during the Happy Birthday night for children with birthdays during the month.
Her class at Neshoba Central Elementary School celebrated with a crown and a Happy Birthday sign. She shared cupcakes with her classmates which they all liked. It was a really special birthday for a special little girl. Her parents are Trent and Lindsey Butler.