Sequoyah High School Graduate Earns National Merit Scholarship! Class of 2016 graduate Mackenzie R. Joy, who was named her Class Valedictorian for the highest GPA and STAR Student for the highest SAT score, was selected for a National Merit University of Georgia Scholarship. She plans to study astrophysics and science at UGA to pursue a career as a physicist. In her junior year at Sequoyah HS, Mackenzie earned a perfect score of 36 on the ACT. Less than one-tenth of 1 percent of students who take the ACT earn this top composite score. Mackenzie is one of only 3,000 winners nationwide of National Merit Scholarships financed by a college or university. Officials of each sponsor institution select their scholarship winners from among the finalists in the 2016 National Merit Scholarship Program. These awards provide between $500 and $2,000 annually, for up to four years of undergraduate study, at the institution financing the scholarship.
Creekland MS Students Excel in National Academic Bowl Creeklands sixth grade team recently competed at its second national individual and team championships in Arlington, VA., placing fourth in the National Elementary Division. Sixth-grader Justin Bolsen placed sixth in the nation in the individual science competition and ninth in the academic bee. Twins Jordan Moyal placed ninth and Erel Moyal placed 14th in the nation in the humanities bee, also held as part of the Nationals event in Arlington.
Four CCSD Class of 2016 Graduating Seniors Win NeoCom Solutions Scholarships The Woodstock-based telecommunication engineering and construction firm annually sponsors a scholarship contest open to Cherokee County residents who are currently or who will be enrolled in a four-year college, university or two-year technical college, community college or trade school. Academic achievement and financial need are considered. The winners of the $1,000 scholarships are: Sarah Jayne Burgess of Cherokee HS, who will study biology with a pre-med concentration at Reinhardt University; Anneliese Conrad of Creekview HS, who will study industrial engineering at Georgia Tech; Madison Evans of Sequoyah HS, who will study chemical engineering at Auburn University; and Peyton Heath of Creekview HS, who will study industrial engineering at Georgia Tech.
Cherokee County District Leader named to National Advisory Committee A Cherokee County School District leader was recently named to a National advisory committee Bobby Blount, Assistant Superintendent of Accountability, Technology and Strategic Planning, is a member of the 2016 RTM National K-12 Advisory Committee. The New York-based RTM Business Group provides innovative and strategic platforms that allow senior business executives from the world's leading companies and select vertical markets to engage, network and exchange knowledge. RTM Education events are made up of school system senior administrators and superintendents responsible for making decision for the operations, technology and instruction at the District level. Annual forums bring industry peers together to discuss and address some of the most critical issues facing the K-12 community and public education today. Assistant Superintendent Blount was one of 20 K-12 education professionals (who included chief information officers, chief technology officers and superintendents) invited to attend the 2016 RTM National K-12 Advisory Committee meeting in New York City earlier this month. The RTM Business Group paid the travel and lodging costs for participants. Representatives from Washington State, Oklahoma, Florida, North and South Carolina, Nebraska, Colorado, Louisiana, Texas, Maryland, Arizona, California, New York and Washington, D.C. all participated and engaged in a full day of sharing successes, challenges and strategies in K-12 education technology, strategic planning and teacher skills development. Its refreshing to gain a national perspective on not only technology trends, but also how technology is transforming the classroom through the adoption of digital content, and to hear how different districts are approaching this movement, said Mr. Blount, who has served in CCSDs Technology Department for 18 years. Cherokee, Cobb and DeKalb counties represented Georgia at the conference. This speaks volumes when you have 20 spaces nationwide, and three of the seats are taken by our State; it demonstrates that Georgia is being noticed as a State that is serious about preparing our children for a future where technology skills and knowledge will be just as important as the ability to effectively communicate, collaborate and strategize, Mr. Blount said. Our District is recognized nationally as a leader in effective technology use, integration and innovation, and the Cherokee County community, along with the Board of Education, have been vital in supporting the Education SPLOST, which completely funds the technology infrastructure our students and teachers utilize daily in the classroom.
Cherokee County School District Honors Retiring Employees The Cherokee County School District is saying goodbye to more than 100 employees who are retiring this school year. An organization only is as strong as its people, and our retirees all have played an important role in establishing our School District as a leader in Georgia and the Nation, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower said. Hopefully, well see many of these retirees again as volunteers in our schools, as retired educators are an integral part of our Districts fabric. We appreciate each one of them, and we wish them the best in their retirement! School and offices held retirement receptions supported by their staff members. A reception for retiring CCSD department heads was held on Wednesday at the Educational Services Annex in Canton. The four honored retirees Director of Staffing Don Corr, Coordinator of Vehicle Maintenance David Gazaway, Director of Student Assessment Dr. Gayle McLaurin and Supervisor of School Nutrition Susan Turner were recognized with remarks by Assistant Superintendents and Dr. Hightower. I can confidently say that each of these retirees left their department in better shape than when they found it, Dr. Hightower said. Their leadership will live on in the legacy of improvements and innovations accomplished during their careers. Each was presented with a plaque and a childrens book inspired by their vocation, a copy of which also will be placed in their name in the collection of a CCSD elementary school. Guests shared memories and hugs in receiving lines for each honoree, and enjoyed cake and punch; the reception cost was paid for by donations from employees. Other CCSD employees who retired this school year include: Ace Academy: Dale Foote, Susan Henderson, Debra Walton Arnold Mill ES: Lisa Dykes, Martha Fricks, Wanda Gilliam Avery ES: Jane Nunnally, Rowena Robinson Bascomb ES: Gretchen Wojcik, Robin Zacherl Buffington ESC: Debra Davis, Debra Farist, Roberta Faucett, Barbara McAuley, Susan Ritchie, Kay Sherrill Carmel ES: Deborah Dixon, Margaret Duke Cherokee HS: Jamie Basso, Nelson Hernandez, Tammy Robillard, Dave Sullivan, Rebekah Welch Clark Creek ES STEM Academy: Nancy Thompson Clayton ES: Deborah Champion Creekland MS: Deborah Gregory, David Heiser, Jan Rice Creekview HS: Peggy Corbett, James Dennis, Shelia Thigpen Dean Rusk MS: Katrina Haas, Teresa Kannawarf Educational Programs: Patricia Kearns E.T. Booth MS: Jill Berg, Donna Dochney, Martha Kenyon, Janice Roper, Gayle Vunak, Lena Washington Etowah HS: Sharon Arp, Ralph Duncan, Veronica Lucking, Lynda Moulton, Andrea Payne, Pam Teems, Robert Walker Freedom MS: Diantha Graves, Karen Phanco, Cathi Wagner Hasty ES Fine Arts Academy: Judy Brandon, Debbie Velji Hickory Flat ES: Nell Hess, Diana May Holly Springs ES STEM Academy: Joyce Daniel Indian Knoll ES: Billie Millhollan Johnston ES: Betty Carlisle, Nicola Evans, Jacqueline Hawkins, David Keenum, Josephine Modica, Lori Rosa Knox ES: Marie Koloch Liberty ES: Sandra Godfrey, Deborah Morgan-Henderson Little River ES: Beverly Early, Lynne Ross Mill Creek MS: Linda Donnelly, Beverly McBrayer, Debra McCormick, Corliss Schwaller, Lori Tolar, Rochelle Trebucq Mountain Road ES: Judith Bracknell, Terri Kelly, Susie Olliff, Nancy Smith Oak Grove ES Fine Arts Academy: Jane Marchman Polaris Evening School: Karen Thomas River Ridge HS: Millard Kenyon R.M. Moore ES: Annette Green, Karen Morgan Sequoyah HS: Todd Morrissey, Richard Potts Sixes ES: Susan Murphy, Judy Peck, Mary Werner, Susan Winchester Teasley MS: Stephen Ransom Tippens EC: Tony Lott Transportation: Richard Biedenbach, Shelia Daugherty, Michael Edmonds, Helen Evenson, Sally Garrison, Lia Novinski, Brenda McTaggart, Kenneth Riordon, Marsha Williams Woodstock ES: Sharon Fotinakes, Deborah Holder, Lorene Lee, Donna Rotruck Woodstock HS: Matilde Arnold, Thomas Beatty, Rick Glasper, Jolene Grant, Daniel Page, Timothy Rutz
Creekview High School Aeronautics Team receives donations The Creekview High School Aeronautics Team was the recipient of two very special donations this spring. The team received a donation of six airplanes plus parts in honor of William Bill J. Malay, Jr. A member of the Georgia Model Aviators (GMA) for eight years, Mr. Malay fell in love with the sport as soon as he tried it. One of his favorite weekends was working as a volunteer for the Aero Design East competition (sponsored by SAE International and Lockheed Martin) where students majoring in aerospace from 75 universities around the world compete in a design, build and fly event. It's because of this love of seeing students experience model aviation that his wife, Nancy, knew donating to Creekview HS was the perfect fit for his planes. The team also received a donation of more than 13 aircraft, engines and building accessories in honor of Ray Sweat, who passed away in January. Mr. Sweat had muscular dystrophy, but that did not stop him from pursuing his love of flight, and he often could be found at the GMA field flying his numerous aircraft and spending time with his grandfather, J.D. Sweat. During one of the Creekview HS teams fundraisers outside of Kroger, J.D. Sweat approached the team and asked if they would be interested in receiving the aircraft that Ray had enjoyed so much. Ray loved to fly, J.D. Sweat said, and I know he would have wanted that love to be carried on and to make some high school students very happy. We are so thankful for the thoughtfulness and generosity of both Mrs. Malay and Mr. Sweat, said teacher Todd Sharrock, one of the Aeronautics Team coaches. These aircraft and supplies give our program a huge boost and help us complete our mission of instilling the love of flight on the next generation.
Creekview HS JROTC Cadets Win First Place at State, Rank Nationally The Creekview High School Army JROTC Program can claim a State Championship title and National ranking! Six of its teams won first place at regionals, and the cadets then competed against students from 42 schools across the state. The program placed sixth overall in the state; the Squad Exhibition Team placed fourth, and the Dual Exhibition Team of Cadet Majors Caleb Rudin and Hunter Robinson placed first and earned State Champion honors! The Dual Exhibition Team qualified to compete in the Drill Nationals competition held in Daytona Beach, FL. Fifty teams from across the nation competed, and Cadets Robinson and Rudin placed 18th!
Sequoyah HS Students Named Waste Management Scholarship Winners The Cherokee County School Board and Superintendent of Schools recently recognized winners of the annual Waste Management Scholarship. As part of its Partnership Agreement with the Cherokee County School District, Waste Management of Metro Atlanta Inc. awards two scholarships per year in the amount of $1,000 each. This year, the scholarship applications were open to 2016s graduating seniors from Sequoyah High School. A Pine Bluff Community Advisory Board scholarship committee reviewed the applications, and Madison Evans and William Will Garrett Sanders received the highest rankings and were selected as the scholarship recipients!
A Cherokee County School District Principal has been named a 2016 Georgia Distinguished Principal! Free Home Elementary School Principal Karen Carl will receive the honor, which includes a $1,000 award, from the Georgia Association of Elementary School Principals at its fall conference. The prestigious recognition is awarded to one principal in each of the Associations regional districts, and winners are selected by their peers based on exemplary educational leadership. Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower praised the schools successful efforts to increase student literacy and achievement as well as its focus on character education and community through projects such as the Rocket Pantry for families in need. Ms. Carl was praised by the Association for her dual focus on new innovations in teaching and traditional lessons of ethics and good citizenship.
CCSD Teachers Honored with Golden Apple Awards The Gamma Eta Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International recently honored 14 Cherokee County School District teachers and one graduating high school senior at its annual Golden Apple Ceremony. The Society has divided CCSD schools into three groups, and each year invites schools in one group to each select a teacher to be recognized. Over the course of three years, all schools have the opportunity to select a teacher for this recognition. Honorees are selected by their peers. Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower participated in the event to recognize these outstanding teachers. Additionally, each year Gamma Eta awards a $1,000 college scholarship to a graduating, CCSD female student who plans to pursue a degree in education, and this years honoree is Bailey Burks of Etowah High School, who plans to study music education. Delta Kappa Gamma Society International's mission is to promote women educators.