‘Star Wars Reads’ Promotes Literacy Awareness

                SMYRNA -- The Smyrna Bookstore and the Smyrna Library recently co-hosted the “Star Wars Reads” event to tie in students' love of the “Star Wars” franchise with increased literacy awareness.

                The October event featured a costume contest and other themed activities, while incorporating students' projects and creations from various departments with light snacks and water.

                “First, I would like to thank you all for your participation and hard work in making our ‘Star Wars Reads’ event a wonderful success, especially the partnership of the Smyrna Bookstore who provided the prizes, refreshments and commitment,” said Motlow Smyrna Librarian Paige Hendrickson. “Also a very special ‘thank you’ to Beth Martin and her Art class students—Summer Raeder (Chewbacca banner) and Drawing I class (‘Star Wars Reads’ banner)—for their creativity and tireless work in providing amazing photo ops for this event!”

                Prize winners from the festivities were as follows:

                * Costume Contest – First place: Chelsea Wilson ($25 gift card); second place: Michael Connolly (Motlow stadium blanket); and third place: Austin Brooks (Book bag).

Chelsea Wilson dons her award-winning costume.

                * BB-8 Races – Chelsea Wilson and Tai Pastrana (prizes were the BB-8 racers).

                * Star Wars Origami – Chelsea Wilson and Jazzmin Mitchell (prizes were the origami books with special paper).

                * Trivia Contest – Jeremy Wolgast ($25 gift card).

                * Passport Contest – Brian Foley ($25 gift card).

                * “Guess How Many” Contest – Eugene Yingling (prize was Stormtrooper helmet, including 596 spaceships).

In disguise: Elizabeth Fitch and Gary Winton

Professor Christine Summers lights up with art students.

Superman, Wonder Woman & Spider-Man

     Students, faculty, administrators and staff members participated in a wide range of scary shenanigans during the recent Fall Festival on the Smyrna campus of Motlow State Community College. These photos were snapped by various members of the Motlow family, including John Butwell, Heather Koller, Ramona Shelton, Anthony Czelusniak, and Hayley Pierce. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fall Festival Brings Halloween Excitement to Motlow Smyrna Campus

By Anthony Czelusniak

Motlow Buzz Staff Writer

         SMYRNA, Tenn. – Motlow’s Fall Festival was held at the Smyrna campus last Tuesday, giving students a chance to relax, and clubs a chance to show off.

         Over half a dozen clubs set up tables to show off their Halloween spirit. The Physics Department had a magic show, demonstrating the magical wonders of natural sciences. The magic show also had students preforming sleight-of-hand card tricks. 

         The costume contest had 27 contestants with the ultimate winner being Marina in her banana costume.

A costumed attendee (Photo by Anthony Czelusniak)

         The Criminal Justice Club had a “what am I touching” booth where participants would stick their hand into box and try to guess what was inside by touch alone.

         Jabberwocky Mad-Libs was the Writing Center's main attraction, having collected some of their favorites to display inside the Writing Center.

         The Art Club and Sociology Club both had pumpkin decorations to display.

Pumpkin Decorations (Photo by Anthony Czelusniak)

         The History Department had no small part in this year’s Fall Fest, with both fragrant and frightful displays.

         History Club’s booth was dedicated to the smells and flavors of fall, showing off the history of various fall flavored spices from around the world.

History Club Booth (Photo by Anthony Czelusniak)

         Professor Heather Koller’s Honors History students had set up a haunted house in the faculty office area. The impressive attraction featured jump scares and freaky monsters to cause panic to anyone inside. What was more impressive was the effort that the students put into the haunted house.

         “I’ve been here since 6 a.m. to put the haunted house together,” History student Hunter Mosely explained.

         The Fall Festival provided an opportunity for the newly formed Smyrna Arts Entertainment and Media (SEAM) Club to introduce themselves to the student population. SEAM is a club that allows students to explore topics and events related to all forms of media and arts. Club President Joshua Brashar was excited to have the opportunity to introduce the club to the fellow students. 

SEAM Club Booth (Photo by John Butwell)

         Brashar excitedly said, “We had plenty of enthusiasm for the club and had quite a few people sign up.”

         Brashar was quick to praise his fellow club members. “Everyone was able to pitch in and help to make today a success for us.”

         Faculty members and Fall Festival committee members Regina Norwood and Candice Grissom both said that this year's Fall Festival was a success.

         Norwood commended the student volunteers. “There have been a huge number of students volunteering to help with the set-up and clean-up for this year.”

         Grissom added, “This year was over 50 percent bigger than last year’s Fall Festival.” 

Hogwarts costumes (Photo by Anthony Czelusniak)