Please see the flyer for important information on the Pandemic EBT food benefit program! All Paducah Public Schools students are eligible.

If you currently receive a SNAP EBT card, you should see the benefit added automatically.

All other Paducah Public Schools students are eligible, but will need to apply between June 1 and June 30. The Statewide Student ID# needed to apply can be found on the Parent Portal of Infinite Campus.

Find more information below:

https://benefind.ky.gov/

 

To see the flyer, click "read more".

Jordan Wessels has been named head coach for Paducah Tilghman swimming.

 

Wessels coached high school men's swimming in Iowa prior to his move to Paducah in 2018.  He led his team to a conference title and was voted conference Coach of the Year by his fellow coaches. His team finished in the top ten at the state meet with one of his swimmers setting a new state record.

Jordan's personal swimming accomplishments include two Big East Conference titles with the University of Louisville. He was a three-time team high school state champion, a six-time individual state champion, and seven time age group national record holder.

“ The Tilghman swim team is very fortunate to have found a coach with such experience," said PTHS athletic director Jason Nickal. "We look forward to Coach Wessels doing great things with our swim team.” 

Kate Criner, recent Paducah Tilghman High School graduate, has been named a US Presidential Scholar. From nearly 5,600 candidates selected from high schools around the country, she was named one of 621 semifinalists in the national program. Today, she was named one of two US Presidential Scholars in Kentucky. Criner and Raymond Suo from Louisville’s duPont Manual Magnet High School are among the distinguished students named 2020 Presidential Scholars. A third Kentucky high school senior, Megan Johnston from Danville’s Boyle County High School, has also been honored as a US Presidential Scholar in Career and Technical Education. 

The Paducah Tilghman High School Class of 2020 Virtual Graduation is live. You can view the video on Youtube here.

A copy PTHS Class of 2020 Commencement program is attached. Click "Read More" to view or download the program.

Here are the major sections of the program:
I. Welcome
II. PTHS Band of Blue: "Songs of Old Kentucky-I. John Riley (with Wayfaring Stranger)"
III. Recognition of Salutatorian and Salutorian Speech
IV. Recognition of Valedictorian and Valedictorian Speech

V. PTHS Concert Choir: "The Lord Bless You and Keep You"
VI. Recognition of Distinguished Student

VII. Conferring of Diplomas

 

Congratulations and Best Wishes to the PTHS Class of 2020!

The annual Paducah Tilghman High School Honors Night couldn't be presented live due the COVID-19 pandemic, so PTHS principals, guidance counselors, and staff presented special awards, scholarships, and departmental awards to Tilghman underclassmen and the PTHS Class of 2020 via video.  You can view the video on Youtube here.

A copy of the Honors Night script, along with a link to this video, can be found here. Click "Read More" to view or download the program.

If you are looking for a particular section of the video, you can find timestamps placed at regular intervals on the Honors Night script to help you navigate. Here are the major sections with timestamps:
I. WELCOME (:10)
II. SPECIAL AWARDS (:30)
III. SCHOLARSHIPS
A. Private Organizations (7:15)
B. Colleges and Universities (14:10)
IV. DEPARTMENTAL AWARDS (24:13)
V. CLOSING REMARKS (32:35)

Congratulations and Best Wishes to the PTHS Class of 2020!

We are grateful to PTHS alumnus J. Brandon Price for his generous donation to assist current seniors who may be facing a hardship. Mr. Price is challenging all PTHS alumni to make a donation to assist the senior class during this time.

Current seniors, Tornado Alley FRC is accepting applications for if you are in need of immediate assistance due to COVID-19. Funds are intended for gas, food and similar necessities. For more information about applying contact Lakilia Bedeau at [email protected]

Paducah Tilghman High School’s Kate Criner is one of 150 high school seniors nationwide named a 2020 Coca-Cola Scholar. The achievement comes with a $20,000 scholarship to be used at her future university. Criner will attend the University of Louisville in the fall.

 

Students chosen to be Coca-Cola Scholars are "exceptional high school students who are dedicated to leadership, service, and action that positively affects others," says the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation. This year, the 150 finalists were chosen from 251 regional finalists. Over 95,000 students applied and nearly 1,900 were named semifinalists. With the 31st class in 2019, the Foundation has provided over 6,150 Coca-Cola Scholars with more than $69 million in educational support. 

Kathleen Criner and Andrew Katz, seniors at Paducah Tilghman High School, have been named two of 621 semifinalists in the 2020 US Presidential Scholars Program. The semifinalists were selected from nearly 5,600 candidates. Criner and Kate are among only nine Kentucky high school seniors to receive the distinction, and west Kentucky’s only semifinalists. 

The US Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964, by executive order of the President, to recognize and honor some of the nation's most distinguished graduating high school seniors for their accomplishments in many areas: academic success, leadership, and service to school and community. In 1979, the program was extended to recognize students who demonstrate exceptional talent in the visual, creative and performing arts. In 2015, the program was again extended to recognize students who demonstrate ability and accomplishment in career and technical education fields. Annually, up to 161 US Presidential Scholars are chosen from that year’s senior class, representing excellence in education and the promise of greatness in America’s youth. All Scholars are invited to Washington, DC, in June for the National Recognition Program, featuring various events and enrichment activities culminating in the presentation of the Presidential Scholar Medallion during a White House-sponsored ceremony.

Thank you to everyone who participated in the PTHS SBDM Parent Representative Election for the 2020-2021 school year.  The parent representatives elected were Stephani Gray and Missy Brown.  

Paducah Public Schools has been honored with the 2020 Best Communities for Music Education designation from The NAMM Foundation for its outstanding commitment to music education.  This is the third year in a row that Paducah Public Schools has received this designation.

The Best Communities for Music Education designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students. To qualify for the Best Communities designation, Paducah Public Schools answered detailed questions about funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, support for the music program, and community music-making programs. Responses were verified with school officials and reviewed by The Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas.

Sandra Griffes-Devoe has been named head girls basketball coach at Paducah Tilghman High School.

Griffes-Devoe played high school basketball at Heath High School. While at Heath she was named to the All-District team three years, was an All-Purchase player two years, and was All-State Honorable Mention one year.

During her college career, Griffes-Devoe was a scholarship player for Paducah Community College, Austin Peay State University, and Quincy University. While at PCC she was a Kentucky JUCO all-conference selection. 

After graduating from Quincy College, Griffes-Devoe became an assistant coach at her alma mater and was then head coach at John Wood Community College in Quincy, Illinois. Griffs-Devoe then transitioned to high school coaching, and coached girls basketball at Quincy Senior High School and Springfield Southeast High School. She has 29 years of experience coaching girls basketball.

“Paducah Tilghman athletics is very fortunate to hire such a quality coach with a passion for the game,” said PTHS athletic director Jason Nickal. “Coach Devoe brings a wealth of basketball knowledge and experience to Tilghman.” 

Corbin Snardon has been named assistant principal of the Paducah Innovation Hub.

Snardon is currently interim assistant principal at Paducah Middle School. He began teaching at Paducah Middle in 2011 after receiving his Bachelor of Science in Social Studies from Western Kentucky University. While at Paducah Middle he taught sixth grade geography and eighth grade history.  He served on the School Based Decision Making Council for five years and was facilitator for the School Lighthouse Leadership Team for two years. He was a finalist for the Ashland Inc. Kentucky Teacher of the Year in 2015.

Paducah Public Schools is working closely with our local and state government, health department, and other community agencies to monitor COVID-19/Coronavirus and ensure a coordinated and comprehensive public health response if warranted.

Our district is prepared to take all steps necessary to keep our students, staff and families safe, while recognizing the importance of letting facts, rather than fear, determine our actions.

We will continue to keep you informed about our response to COVID-19. You may notice an increased emphasis on hygiene and handwashing in our schools and our communications with family. Our district will also increase the frequency of cleaning high traffic areas and equipment. Please know these are preventative measures and not an indication that something is wrong. Should there be any cases of COVID-19 in our community or schools, we will communicate directly with families, students, staff and the general public.

At this time, health officials encourage everyone to stay informed and to follow the best practice guidelines for staying healthy:
•Wash hands frequently with soap and water, for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. If soap and water are not available, use alcohol-based hand sanitizers.
•Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
•Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
•Stay home when you are sick.
•Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe 

If you are looking for ways to help, please talk with your children at home about the importance of handwashing and practice proper handwashing techniques. Donations of tissues and hand sanitizer are always welcome in our schools.  

For more detailed information about COVID-19:
Centers for Disease Control & Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/ 
Kentucky Department for Public Health: https://chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dph/Pages/covid19.aspx 

We are extremely fortunate to have nurses in our schools and access to nurse practitioners from Baptist Health.  Thank you to our families for entrusting your students with us and to our valuable employees for providing a safe, healthy environment for teaching and learning. We pledge to keep you up-to-date on this rapidly changing situation and how it might impact our students and staff.    

 

Sincerely,

 

Dr. Donald Shively

Superintendent

Paducah Public Schools

PTHS senior Andrew Davidson signed a scholarship to play soccer for Campbellsville University at a signing ceremony at Paducah Tilghman High School on March 6.

Davidson, a center attacking midfielder, received the “Most Improved” and “Newcomer” team awards in 2016. In 2017 he was honored with the team “MVP” award. He tied for most assists for the Tornado in 2019. He was named to the Academic All-District Soccer team multiple years.

“Andrew is a great kid,” said assistant PTHS soccer coach Jon Deaton. “He works hard – he brings his lunch pail with him to work every day. He improved phenomenally every year, and he was a great example to the rest of the team. He deserves this opportunity. He put in the work, and now he is seeing the reward for it.”

Davidson said the he’s looking forward to continued growth, both educationally and as a player, at Campbellsville.

“The team has players from all over the world on it, so I’m sure I will learn a lot,” said Davidson. “Coach Preston knows what he’s talking about and he played soccer here (at PTHS), so I’m looking forward to playing for him.”

Photo caption, l to r: Kim Davidson, Andrew Davidson, Reagan Davidson, Chad Davidson

Paducah Tilghman seniors Tremieka Mai and Samuel Whelan have been named PTHS Rotary Scholars of the month for March 2020. The Paducah Rotary Club selects scholars from area seniors who demonstrate strong leadership, academic excellence, and service to community.

 

Tremieka is a member of the PTHS student council,  Speech and Debate, the Tilghman mentoring group B.A.B.E.S.,  Interact Club, and Beta Club. She is a Paxton Scholar with the McCracken County Community Career Endowment. She is a member of the Washington Street Missionary Baptist Church youth group, and she works part-time at Dairy Queen. After graduation, Tremieka plans to attend Berea College and major in nursing. Her mother is Veronica Mai.

 

Samuel is a member of the PTHS soccer team. He is a member of the PTHS choir, where he performs with the male a cappella group Prime Rib. He was a member of the cast for PTHS musicals "West Side Story" and "Little Shop of Horrors".  He is a member of the PTHS orchestra, Interact Club, National Honor Society, and Beta Club. He serves as a student ambassador for PTHS. Samuel works part-time at Allen Music. After graduation, he plans to attend Middle Tennessee State University and major in audio production. His parents are Pam and Gene Whelan.

 

We're pleased to announce our plan to change Paducah Tilghman's McRight Field from grass to turf!

The change will allow year-round use of the field so both soccer and football can play on it. It will also lower upkeep and maintenance costs over time.

Total projected construction cost is $1,008,390, so we are asking the community to back this effort, just as it did when Memorial Stadium was built in 1956.

For information about how you can be part of this continued tradition of support click "read more" to see the brochure, or contact Dr. Donald Shively at 270.444.5600.

by David Zoeller

The Paducah Sun

February 23, 2020

Used with permission.

 

Being a Paxton Scholar helped Thailandria Daniels change the trajectory of her life, follow her dream of becoming a doctor and develop into the type of role model she didn't have when she was growing up.

The MCCCE is a continuation of the vision that Fred and Peggy Paxton had back in 2005, when they made a $1 million contribution to the foundation to set up the endowment. The Paxton Scholars Program provides financial assistance to African American students to help pay for college.

"I had a lot of counselors at Tilghman looking out for me, because they knew of my financial situation," said Daniels, a 2016 Paducah Tilghman High School graduate, relating her experience with the program.

"I had a lot of people looking out for me any way they could."

According to Daniels, the Paxton Scholar Program helped her make what was a difficult decision at the time, to forgo a perhaps less expensive college opportunity in her home state and set out on her own at Louisiana State University.

"It was really a decision of doing what was best for me and getting into a different environment," she said of heading to Louisiana, a place she had never been.

"I knew my exposure was very limited, so I just chose to go, and it was probably one of the best decisions I've ever made in my life."
 

Paducah Tilghman seniors Andrew Katz and Erin Kelly have been named PTHS Rotary Scholars of the month for February 2020. The Paducah Rotary Club selects scholars from area seniors who demonstrate strong leadership, academic excellence, and service to community.

 

Andrew is captain of PTHS Mock Trial and editor of the Tilghman Bell. He is a member of the PTHS Tennis team. He participates in the National Honor Society, Recycling Club, FBLA, and Pep Club. He is an alumnus of the Paducah Chamber Youth LEAD and is an intern on the Paducah Human Rights Commission. After graduation, Andrew plans to attend Northwestern University and major in journalism. His parents are Brian and Mary Katz.

 

Erin is a member of the PTHS choir and Concordia. She is a member of the PTHS Academic team, Tennis team, and is on the staff of the Tilghman Bell. She participates in National Honor Society, Pep Club. Erin is a cake maker with her own small business, High Street Cakery. After graduation, Erin plans to attend Belmont University and major in Interior Design. Her parents are Robin and Keith Kelly.