City of Canton Announces Assistant City Manager, Staff Promotions The City of Canton recently announced staff promotions including the creation of a new assistant city manager position. Nathan Ingram, formerly the Citys chief financial officer, was named assistant city manager, effective February 26. The new position oversees the Citys operational components including finance, human resources, technology, municipal court operations, and special projects. Melissa Forrester received a promotion to finance director. She joined the City of Canton over 11 years ago, serving in the positions of accountant, budget analyst, and most recently as accounting services manager. Wendall Turner was promoted to deputy chief of police. He has over 27 years of law enforcement experience, having joined the Canton Police Department four years ago as a captain over the Support Services Bureau. We have a fantastic team at the City of Canton, and it is always an honor to promote from within when there are such highly skilled individuals in our organization, said City Manager Billy Peppers.
Community Members Visit Avery ES for Read Across America Avery Elementary School students and staff were rocking and reading on March 2 to celebrate Read Across America on Dr. Seuss birthday. They also kicked off Cherokee County School Districts reading initiative, Reading Rocks! Reading was the focus of the day, as over 40 community members visited the school to share a great tale or two with the Avery Cubs. Among the many participants were the Creekview High School C.A.R.E.S. readers, law enforcement officers and firefighters, and several members of the 2019 Leadership Cherokee class. Parents, staff, and retired staff rounded out the group. Fourth grade especially enjoyed their reader, Sergeant Chris Bryant and his partner Blade from Cherokee County Sheriffs K-9 unit. The first grade Seuss Scavenger Hunt kept the school hopping, as students trekked the hallways and classrooms learning about Dr. Seuss and his books. Much like a great story, it was a memorable day for all!
Hasty ES Wins $10,000 Grant for Healthy Schools Project Hasty ES Fine Arts Academy is the Grand Prize and Title I Winner in the annual Super Health, Super You Community Challenge sponsored by Novo Nordisk and Discovery Education.The $10,000 grant will fund a sensory walking path on the school campus, where students and staff can exercise, enjoy nature, reflect on goals, and foster positive social-emotional connections.Created by Hasty students, the winning idea was submitted by PE teacher Barry Dalton, who is this years CCSD Teacher of the Year.The Community Challenge grant competition inspires elementary school students to develop a creative plan for solving a health-related problem.
School Board Approves Appointment of New Chief Operating Officer The Cherokee County School Board has appointed a longtime CCSD leader as its next chief operations officer.Dr. Debra Murdock, executive director in the Office of School Operations and a former Georgia High School Principal of the Year, will begin leading the division after Trey Olson retires on April 1.Not only is Dr. Murdock renowned for how deeply she cares for and advocates for every student, she also is an experienced and effective leader who can rally teams through transitions and growth, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower said. I know she will excel in this new role and continue to raise expectations for our schools and their leaders.As chief operations officer, Dr. Murdock will oversee CCSDs schools, principals, and transportation department, with responsibilities ranging from enrollment to student services to discipline. For the last six months, Dr. Murdock has headed up CCSDs new Social and Emotional Learning initiative. Dr. Hightower will work with Dr. Murdock to ensure this important effort remains at the forefront.I am honored to be chosen to serve our outstanding school district as chief operations officer, Dr. Murdock said. I look forward to continuing to promote our districts work in engaging the social and emotional health and well-being of our students and staff as part of my new role.
45th Annual Cherokee Chamber Awards William G. Hasty, Jr. was recently named Cherokee Countys 45th First Citizen. This Chamber of Commerce award recognizes citizens who have shown meritorious service to the community through family, civic, and/or religious involvement. Other Chamber of Commerce honorees included: Allegro Business Products, 2020 Small Business of the Year; Live Clean, Inc., 2020 Excellence in Customer Service Award honoree; John Wallace, Chairmans Council Joan McFather Volunteer of the Year Award; and The Childrens Haven, Nonprofit of the Year award. Primrose School of Harmony on the Lakes received the Going Green Business of the Year. This award honors companies committed to environmental excellence and implementation of green business tactics.A panel of out-of-town judges reviewed applicants accomplishments and chose winners based on merit.
Canton Names Stephen Merrifield as Police Chief The Canton Police Department is a shining star for public safety, integrity, and honor in our community and region, Peppers said. The work that each member does daily to work with the community, engage with our citizens, protect our businesses, and maintain law and order is exemplary and should be a model to every other law enforcement agency in Georgia. I am proud to work with them and look forward to Chief Merrifields dedication to our purpose of public service with a heart of community."Merrifield served five years as Cantons deputy chief and has been the interim police chief since September. He also served four years as a U.S. Army Ranger in Savannah, Georgia, before beginning his law enforcement career with the Cobb County Police Department in 1984.
Sequoyah HS DECA Earns Opportunity to Compete at International Competition Sequoyah High School DECA members competed at the student marketing associations State Career Development Conference in Atlanta and earned the opportunity to compete at the International competition next month in Nashville. Austyn Tressler placed first in Apparel and Accessories Marketing; Haley Ward placed fourth in Restaurant and Food Services Management; Ashlyn Blumberg, Claire Jerguson, and Lauren Smith placed seventh in Innovation Plan; Emily Duke placed seventh in Hotel and Lodging Management; and Sydney Pate placed seventh in Retail and Merchandising. DECAs industry validated competitive events are aligned with high school career classes in marketing, business management and administration, finance, and hospitality and tourism.
Six CCSD High School Seniors Named National Merit Scholarship Finalists All six of the Cherokee County School Districts 2020 National Merit Scholarship semi-finalists have been named finalists: Anna DeYoung, Cherokee HS; Jack Eno and Lyriel Todd, Creekview HS; Alicia Mazzurra and Sathvika Narasimhan, River Ridge HS; and Dayne J. Bergman, Woodstock HS.Less than 1% of 1.5 million U.S. high school seniors who take the SAT are named National Merit semi-finalists, and to advance to finalist status is an even more impressive accomplishment as well as the next step on the path to earning scholarship dollars. The finalists now will vie for 7,600 scholarships valued at $31 million to be awarded this spring.
Promotions From Holly Springs The City of Holly Springs recently promoted two employees to key positions. City Manager Robert H. Logan promoted Denise Lamazares to finance director. Lamazares has been employed by Holly Springs since 2010, when she was hired as an accountant. Previously, she served as budget analyst at the City of Pembroke Pines, Florida. Over the years, Denise has continually worked to increase her responsibilities without compromising the quality of work that she produces, said Logan. Police Chief Michael Carswell promoted Mike Hales to the rank of lieutenant. Lt. Hales possesses 19 years of law enforcement experience. He has served the City of Holly Springs since 2014, and quickly rose through the ranks, most recently serving as sergeant. Prior to joining the Holly Springs Police Department, Lt. Hales worked for 13 years at the Canton Police Department, ending his career there as the lieutenant commander of the Uniform Patrol Division. He served as a field training officer as well as program coordinator. Lt. Hales began his career in law enforcement as a communications officer at the Georgia State Patrol Headquarters.
CCSD Celebrates National Girls and Women in Sports Day More than 700 female athletes from Cherokee Countys six high schools participated in the CCSDs annual celebration of National Girls and Women in Sports Day (NGWSD), held last month at Cherokee High School. NGWSD recognizes the contributions of female athletes, acknowledges the challenges they have overcome, and celebrates the positive influence of sports for girls and women, as well as the impact of Title IX legislation that guarantees equal access to athletics for females. NGWSD is celebrated in all 50 states. National Girls and Women in Sports Day continues to honor the many ways sports push girls and women to achieve excellence and realize their boundless potential, said Tonya Sebring, event coordinator and administrator on special assignment for student activities and athletics. This years theme is a continuation of the charge, Lead her Forward.During the NGWSD program, Lorri Little of Sequoyah HS was honored for her contributions and support of female athletes. Sebring also presented the Trailblazer Award to the Sequoyah Girls Flag Football team and recognized all the Cherokee County athletes who took on the challenge of starting one of the first flag football programs in Georgia this year. Each school also honored an alumna, an athlete of the year, and a team of the year: Etowah High School honored alumna Taylor Kimber; Athlete of the Year, Savannah Bray; and Team of the Year, Fast Pitch Softball. River Ridge HS honored alumna Bayleigh Lott; Athlete of the Year, Gabbi Phillips; and Teams of the Year, Softball and Volleyball. Woodstock HS honored alumna Ashton Sutton; Athlete of the Year, Haley Roe; and Team of the Year, the Wolverines Competition Cheer squad.
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