The Selma Times-Journal

A rambunctious group of Tipton Middle School students rattled the walls of their school&8217;s gym Friday morning.

That&8217;s probably the most unruly they&8217;ve been in a long time.

Tipton won the Safe Schools Challenge, a program created by District Judge Bob Armstrong&8217;s office to reduce violent activity in Dallas County Schools.

The referrals at Tipton alone in the past two school years dropped 80 percent &8212; from 20 to four.

The rewards for being named the top school in Dallas County are respect of one&8217;s self and of others, a more comfortable learning environment &8212; and free goodies.

Giveaways at the celebration ceremony included iPods, a laptop computer and a portable DVD player. Tipton also took a traveling trophy away from Keith School, last year&8217;s winner of the challenge.

LaShunda Geeter, 14, Tipton&8217;s Safe Schools student president, said the key was curbing problems before they got to the principal&8217;s door.

Principal Hattie Shelton and assistant principal Aaron McKinley celebrated with the students and hoisted the trophy in triumph.

Shelton&8217;s hope is to continue as the top school, and not just in safety.