HHS welcomed Student Council representatives from across the state to its Big Red Barn at the recent state TSCA Leadership Convention.

Halls High School helped 475 student leaders and advisors from all over the state come home to the farm when the school hosted the 61st annual Tennessee School Board Association's State Convention, "Sowing the Seeds of Leadership."

"It was really an exciting time for HHS, Halls and all of Lauderdale County because we had so many people come out to help support the school and the school system for this event," said Lauderdale County Superintendent of Schools Phillip Jackson. "It is no small undertaking for a school of 400 students and a very small faculty to put on a convention of this size. The people at HHS did an outstanding job. It was very professional and very well organized."

"We have already received a lot of feedback," said HHS guidance counselor and Student Council advisor Mary Jo Crihfield. "People who said that you could feel the community involvement."

Just one of the noted speakers associated with Halls and the West Tennessee area, Miss Tennessee Grace Arnold Gore entertained students at the convention.

Noted speakers included several names with ties to Halls and the West Tennessee area. Keynote speaker Mike Smith presented a motivational message, with presentations and performances from Miss Tennessee Grace Arnold Gore, 1998 second runner-up Miss America finalist and HHS alumni Angela Hazlehurst, and Halls natives attorney and public speaker Pamela Pitts and rising Nashville singer Erick Baker.

Activities throughout the three-day event began with opening ceremonies at 4 p.m. on Thursday in the HHS gym, with events and workshops provided until the scheduled farewell on Saturday afternoon.

At the opening ceremonies, state and local elected officials also took their turns welcoming tomorrow's leaders to the region, with words of wisdom from HHS Principal Andy Pugh, Lauderdale County Superintendent Phillip Jackson, Halls Mayor Trent McManus, Lauderdale County Mayor Rod Schuh, State Representative Craig Fitzhugh and Tennessee Commissioner of Agriculture Ken Givens.

Local youngsters enjoy the petting zoo while TSCA members join in the gym for opening ceremonies. From left, Drew Whiteside, son of Ryan and Saundra Whiteside of Ripley; Tabor Hurt, son of Chris and Michelle Hurt of Halls; and Grant Crihfield and Kennedy Crihfield, children of Greg and Kristi Crihfield of Halls.

Theme-oriented workshops offering leadership advice and a little down-home fun included "Planting a Garden of Goodwill," "Reap What You Sow: E-I-E-I-O," "How to be a Farmer, Not a Farmhand," "Planting a Seed," "Raising the Chickens and Selling the Eggs," "How to Sow Financial Seeds" and "Horsin' Around."

For the convention, the school was transformed into a classic red barn, complete with a wooden façade created by HHS teacher Joe Clendenin's construction classes. Tractors, animals and just the right amount of hay set the stage for student leaders from across the state to enjoy a taste of the country life.

Crihfield said the HHS FFA chapter was instrumental in the event, organizing the petting zoo, helping with the decorations, providing entertainment and planning the Ag Olympics.

"This started out as a Halls High School Student Council effort," said Crihfield, "and ended up as a Halls High School effort. We needed the whole school to get this done."

Students and teachers worked together to provide activities and decorations, which drew more guests to the community than the high school student population.

The town of Halls and its surrounding communities stepped up to help place students in home-stay accommodations, provide food, prizes and activities for those attending the convention.

"We had people from Ripley, Halls and Dyersburg hosting students," said Jackson. "I just think it was a wonderful thing to have the surrounding communities step up and help in that way. It's rare that a small school can put on such a great convention and get such positive responses from all over the state, including the big systems. It really makes you look at the people you have. We are just proud as we can be."

Since its inception in 1948, the TASC State Convention has been hosted in West Tennessee less than a dozen times. Memphis hosted the convention in 1961, 1972, 1984, 1985, 1991 and 2000, with Dyersburg High School hosting it in 1973 and 1995. This is the first time that the event has been held in Lauderdale County.