Operation Homefront Groundbreaking Operation Homefront, a national nonprofit that serves American military families, recently held a groundbreaking for a new home being constructed at the Vistas at Towne Mill in Canton. The ranch-style home is 1,933 square feet of well-planned living space, which includes three bedrooms and two bathrooms. The home will also include handicap-accessible options such as wider doorways and zero-entry showers, a two-car garage, a private study/flex room, and a covered outdoor living area. Once complete, this new energy-efficient, mortgage-free home will house a deserving military family. Operation Homefront is in the process of reviewing applications from veterans for the home. The family will be announced the week of September 11, and the keys to the home will be presented to the family the week of Veterans Day 2019.
Rotary Club of Cantons New President Takes Office The Rotary Club of Canton continues its legacy as Cherokee Countys longest serving civic club with a new president, Stacey D. Williams, who also works as administrative services agency director for the county government. In his first speech as president, presented at the Clubs annual Changing of the Guard dinner, Williams introduced his executive officers as well as speaking about building upon the Clubs strong foundation through member engagement and membership growth. We have experienced much success over the last eight decades-plus, but it will take a concentrated and dedicated effort from all Club members if we are to continue with those past successes. There is much work yet for us to do, said Williams.This years Rotary International theme is Rotary Connects the World, and Williams said he sees Rotary as a way for members to both improve their own communities and the world. He briefly outlined major service projects for the coming year, including support of MUST Ministries Summer Lunch Program, the Cherokee Child Advocacy Councils Holiday Lights of Hope, and Habitat for Humanity. The Club also will raise awareness to end human trafficking and sexual exploitation of children, promote the importance of literacy, and donate funds for Rotary Internationals continued efforts to eradicate polio worldwide.The Club meets for lunch at noon on Tuesdays at the Northside Hospital Cherokee Conference Center at 1130 Bluffs Parkway in Canton. Visitors are welcome. For more information, visit TheRotaryClubOfCantonGa.org.
Cantons Victoria Hill Crowned Miss Georgia 2019 Victoria Hill, who competed as Miss Capital City, was recently crowned Miss Georgia at the 75th Miss Georgia Scholarship Competition in Columbus. Not only did Hill win the crown, she also won overall talent, overall interview, and overall onstage question. In addition, she won the Miss America Community Service Award. In total, Hill was awarded $19,000 in scholarship funds.Hill called her win surreal, and said she is excited to hit the ground running, using the platform to advocate for children in Georgias foster care system. Foster care is near and dear to Hill and her family two of her uncles were adopted out of the foster care system. I cant imagine my life without them, she said.Hill volunteers her time at North Georgia Angel House in Waleska, working with the girls from all over the state who, as Hill said, have come from bad situations through no fault of their own. She established a W.I.N.G.S. mentorship program to give girls guidance, as they age out of the foster care system. W.I.N.G.S., which stands for Women in Need Growing Stronger, seeks out community mentors, giving the girls someone to lean on and seek guidance from, as they get older.Hills next year as Miss Georgia 2019 will be spent advocating for children in the foster care system, speaking about the Miss America organization and its national partner, Childrens Miracle Network Hospital, and preparing for Miss America 2020.
CCSD Prepares Students for STEM Careers of Today and Tomorrow By Barbara Jacoby The Cherokee County School District (CCSD), in keeping with its focus on preparing students for the careers of today and tomorrow, is dedicated to enhancing STEM education. Careers in STEM science, technology, engineering, and mathematics are on the rise internationally, with high demand for workers equipped with the knowledge and skills to fulfill them. As part of a national effort to keep America at the forefront of STEM, in 2012, CCSD began a significant investment, supported by the Presidents Race to the Top initiative, in expanding its offerings. This investment included the opening of elementary school STEM academies and putting middle and high school programs under the microscope to determine additional needs.Over the last eight years, CCSDs emphasis on STEM has continued to grow, leading to more opportunities for students and recognition for teachers and schools.STEM learning is important to every student no matter his or her career plan, as all of us need the critical-thinking, problem-solving, and technology skills that this education encourages, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower said. Its exciting to walk into a classroom and see students so engaged in STEM whether its building a Lego robot and teaching it skills or developing a new doughnut through a design challenge sponsored by a local bakery. Its meaningful and memorable learning that can spark lifelong interests and career pathways.Today, CCSD operates five elementary school STEM academies at Ball Ground, Clark Creek, Holly Springs, Knox, and R.M. Moore. The latter two academies are new for CCSD, following the consolidation of Canton Elementary, which was one of the original STEM academies. These academies offer students not only core academics, arts, and physical education, but also STEM lessons integrated throughout their day as well as in stand-alone lab classes. Each Academy has its own unique attributes, often established through partnerships with local businesses and organizations, such as the aquaponics lab at R.M. Moore (funded by the Rotary Club of Canton) and the career exploration field trips by Ball Ground students to neighboring Awnex. Clark Creek is a leader in STEM education, earning state certification (only the 11th school in Georgia to have done so at the time) and honors for the school and individual teachers. Holly Springs is internationally recognized for its use of instructional technology (one of its classes has even been featured in a Microsoft global advertising campaign).The academies serve as incubators for STEM education. The lessons that teachers create are shared in a database for all CCSD educators, so they can increase STEM learning in every classroom.New this year at the elementary school level is the Sprouting STEMs after-school program in nine schools. Each month, 200 third-, fourth-, and fifth-graders engage in a one-hour, hands-on STEM lesson, led by high school student mentors. With each lesson, students collaborate to solve engineering design challenges and engage in scientific inquiry, including a STEM career spotlight.CCSDs middle schools have stepped up their STEM offerings through the addition of high school credit courses and expanded STEM learning in the rotation of Connections career electives. A partnership with Georgia Techs CEISMC Center led to the early installation and use of 3-D printers, followed by a collaboration with the Atlanta Braves and its Science of Baseball program, which teaches students the math and science behind Americas favorite pastime. New this school year, each CCSD middle school received a classroom set of SAM Labs Technology to support coding in STEM education, and this past spring, CCSD kicked off a pilot program with the Georgia Tech Research Institute to pilot problem-based learning lessons in eighth grade Connections classes like fire forensics investigation, green architectural design, and wearable technologies.Students enter high school in CCSD with knowledge and experiences that place them ahead of their peers nationwide. Over their four years or less given CCSDs nationally recognized opportunities to accelerate learning and graduate early high school students can fill their schedule with Advanced Placement (AP)classes to earn college credit, along with electives to earn industry certification in STEM fields such as health care science courses that include real-world experience through clinical rotations at Northside Hospital Cherokee. CCSDs high schools prepare students to pursue STEM careers, whether they plan to enter the workforce immediately with industry certifications or to pursue additional certifications or degrees through the military, technical colleges, or universities.CCSDs AP program has earned national recognition for its comprehensive course catalog and high passage rate, with every high school earning Georgia AP STEM and AP STEM Achievement honors. Additionally, Woodstock High School earned State STEM Certification for its accelerated learning opportunities, including university level research classes, and its partnerships with industries and higher education institutions. Students interest in STEM also is shaping their extra-curricular choices, with growing participation in hands-on opportunities like robotics teams, competitions such as the annual statewide technology fair, and career-oriented groups like the Women in Science and Engineering Club.
Cherokee County Top 10 in 10 Young Professionals to Watch Named The Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce recently recognized the 2019 group of Cherokee Countys Top 10 in 10 Young Professionals to Watch. This recognition program focuses on Cherokee County residents under age 40 who are considered to be up-and-coming leaders over the next 10 years. The Top 10 in 10 initiative is designed to cultivate and showcase exceptional Cherokee County young professionals, said Pam Carnes, Chamber president and CEO. We were extremely pleased with the number and caliber of candidates for this years recognition. As we have grown accustomed to, far more than 10 nominees were submitted. Each application was carefully reviewed by a panel of judges that found the task of only choosing 10 honorees challenging, said Chamber Board Chair John Barker. Judging criteria included past professional achievements and awards, five- to 10-year professional goals, as well as the nominees volunteer and community activities. The winners were recognized during the Chambers monthly networking breakfast. The honorees who will be under the age of 40 on October 1 have been nominated for the prestigious GeorgiaTrend Magazine 40 Under 40 recognition. The mission of the Cherokee County Chamber, a Georgia Certified Chamber of Commerce, is to promote business and the community while expanding the economy and enhancing quality of life.
Georgias 50 Safest Cities Ranked for 2019 The home security website, Safewise, has released its rankings of the 50 safest cities in Georgia, topped by Senoia, which is known by fans everywhere as the home base of the AMC TV show The Walking Dead.While the safest cities are scattered across the state, the following Cherokee County cities made the list: Holly Springs (No. 14)Woodstock (No. 15)Canton (No. 43)Only two cities on the SafeWise list had more than 100 violent crimes, and 70% of the safest cities had no murders. Survey respondents ranked digital security as the top safety concern in Georgia; 26% reported personal experience with digital security issues in the past year, which is two points higher than the national average.
Friends of Holly Springs Police Foundation Supports Detective for Police Unity Tour The Friends of Holly Springs (FoHS) Police Foundation made two donations to Detective Sherron Conrad for the Police Unity Tour, Chapter XI. This is Detective Conrads eighth year to ride for the Police Unity Tour, and she is the only officer from Georgia in her Chapter as well as Cherokee County. We were excited to present Detective Conrad with a check from the Foundation and one for a raffle held specifically for the Police Unity Tour, said Foundation President Lori Flink. We are all humbled by the passion and dedication Detective Conrad has about such a worthy cause.The Police Unity Tour is a 270-mile bicycle ride for law enforcement officers and family members of the fallen. It starts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and ends at the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington, D.C. The motto of the Police Unity Tour is, We Ride for Those Who Died. Currently, there are 20,267 names of fallen law enforcement officers engraved on the memorial. Detective Conrad attended the annual candlelight vigil where each officer is celebrated and remembered for his/her sacrifice. I am honored and so appreciative of the support I received across the community through prayers and sponsorship. I could not have succeeded in this effort without my agency, friends, and family. I look forward to bringing more awareness to this incredible cause for 2020, said Detective Conrad.For more information about FoHS Police Foundation, visit FriendsOfHollySpringsPoliceFoundationInc.org. For more information about the Unity Tour, visit PoliceUnityTour.com.
CCWSA Drinking Water Art Contest Cherokee County Water and Sewerage Authority (CCWSA) is proud to announce the winners of the Drinking Water Week coloring contest. Students from all over Cherokee County submitted more than 750 entries, which made it difficult to choose the best entry from each grade. Winners received a $10 ice cream gift card. Congratulations to the winners:Kindergarten - Clara Sloan Bujeker, homeschooled 1st grade - Michael Jo Prose, Ball Ground ES2nd grade - Jianelly Bermudez, Oak Grove ES3rd grade - Campbell Haskett, Arnold Mill ES
Cherokee HS Graduate Shows True Heart of a Warrior Cherokee High Schools 2019 graduation ceremony included almost 600 students who walked across the stage in bright red caps and gowns to receive their coveted diplomas. However, the journey of a few dozen steps was particularly significant for graduate Elijah Cook. Since birth, Cook had met multiple medical challenges and had spent most of his life in a wheelchair. He was determined to walk across the stage with his classmates. Several months before the ceremony, Cook began working toward his goal with the support of his mother and physical therapists. When his name was called at graduation, he stood, using a walker, and made his way to Principal Todd Miller with careful, deliberate steps of his very own. His Cherokee Warrior classmates and the audience of more than 7,000 people cheered him every step of the way. As educators, we strive to provide our students with what they need in order to walk across the stage and receive their high school diploma, said Miller. Elijah gave new meaning to overcoming an obstacle in order to be able to receive his diploma, and that was pure determination and mind over matter. He truly was and is a Warrior and inspiration to all.
Heart for Children Award Named for Paula DeLuca The Paula DeLuca Heart for Children Award was established in an effort to recognize and show appreciation to volunteer citizen panel members who tirelessly give their time to review all foster care cases in Cherokee County, every month, all year long.The award was named for original panel member Paula DeLuca, who has diligently served for 22 years and still serves today. The Paula DeLuca Heart for Children Award will be given annually to a panel volunteer who goes above and beyond and demonstrates exemplary volunteer service.
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