BACK IN SESSION

By Courtney Warren

Summer break was a hot one in Canton, and, while the temperatures are still rather high, it’s time for scholars to return to the classroom. 

Both Canton Academy and Canton Public School District students have returned to school for the 2023 school year, and students are already in the full swing of things. 

At Canton Academy, homecoming is being planned, Friday night lights are shining, and ACTs are already scheduled.

The theme of the 2023 Reflections Yearbook is “Put the Record On: What makes your heart sing for CA.” 

With that idea in mind, junior Anna Claire (AC) Mabry said, “We had so many new changes at CA, from the hallways, the faculty, and gaining many new students. I couldn’t wait to be back at the Big CA with my favorite people. After performing in our first pep rally of the year and stepping back on the track for the first football game, this school year has already proven to be a good one - and it’s only week two.”

AC’s love for the Panthers runs deep, and she said, “I think to feel Panther Pride means to feel the love and excitement that is being shared all around you when you are at CA. As a cheerleader, game days are usually when I feel the most Panther Pride. When I go through the spirit train in the morning with all of my friends and wave at the elementary, our upper school, and parents, I truly feel Panther Pride and see it looking back at me. People always say that Canton Academy is like a family, and that is nothing less than the truth.”

Junior Redding Walker added, “ Panther Pride is the love and excitement you have for Canton Academy and the people within it. Feeling Panther Pride is to feel extreme excitement and pride over representing the name of Canton Academy.”

Senior Cooper Hardin is excited to roam the halls of CA one final year and said, “I can’t wait to see all of my friends again, and my teachers. I’m ready to see Mrs. [Kathleen] Penn, because I was excited she’d be teaching me again.” 

Over at Canton High School, the Tigers have been busy sharing their own school pride. Student elections were held for student council and Mr. and Miss CHS. 

With pins supporting their classmates and posters decorating the walls, students went to the polls to cast their votes for these school representatives.

Dwight Luckett, Jr. and Erin Nichols were named Mr. and Miss Canton High for the 2022-2023 school year. Tynekia Caldwell was named Student Government Association President.
Luckett, Jr. said he wants to “inspire students to work hard to get a good education, because, with hard work and perseverance, they can achieve their wildest dreams.” He also wants scholars to know the importance of giving back to their community. While he is a proud Tiger, he wants CHS to be a place where scholars can also have fun while learning. He wants scholars to take more educational field trips and get involved in great clubs that celebrate their unique qualities and honor their success.  

One of his favorite quotes comes from a person he greatly admires, former President Barack Obama: “Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the CHANGE that we seek.”

Miss Canton High, Erin Nichols, said she wants “to make sure CHS is a place where everybody is somebody and where scholars can get involved and be heard.”

One of her favorite quotes comes from a person she greatly admires, former First Lady Michelle Obama: “You may not always have a comfortable life, and you will not always be able to solve all of the world’s problems at once, but don’t ever underestimate the importance you can have, because history has shown us that courage can be contagious and hope can take on a life of its own.”