North Fulton athletes and schools were recognized for their positive character in athletics at the inaugural Georgia Positive High School Athlete Awards, held recently at McCamish Pavilion on the campus of Georgia Tech. Positive Athlete is a subsidiary of Celebrate Positive, a group of high-character professional athletes who have teamed up to promote the benefits of positivity to young athletes around the world. In addition to excellence on the field, each nominated Positive Athlete was required to show such characteristics as an optimistic attitude; teammate encouragement; servant leadership; a heart for others; ability to admit imperfections; giving 100 percent all the time; and realizing the team is more important than the individual.

Six hundred nominations, representing 65 different metro Atlanta area high schools, were submitted from coaches, principals, athletic directors, teachers, and parents. The 2013-2014 award winners from North Fulton schools were: Warren Cherry, Alpharetta High School, Boys Swimming; Rachel Deese, Roswell High School, Girls Tennis; Caroline Filan, Milton High School, Girls Swimming; and Madison Swan, Johns Creek High School, Volleyball.

Johns Creek High School also was recognized as Most Positive High School. "Johns Creek High School exemplifies excellence in so many ways," said newly appointed principal Gail Johnson. "Being recognized as a school that epitomizes a positive spirit reinforces our school culture. We believe in developing student-athletes and all students to approach their pursuits with a mindset that focuses on a positive perspective."

Athletes and executives from Georgia's professional and university athletic programs helped present the awards after speaking during the awards ceremony, including Hines Ward, former Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver and Super Bowl XL MVP for the Pittsburgh Steelers; Brian Finneran, former Atlanta Falcons wide receiver and on-air personality for 680 the Fan; Brian Jordan, former outfielder for Atlanta Braves and former safety for Atlanta Falcons; D.A. Lane, former player for Georgia Bulldogs Basketball; Homer Rice, former athletics director for Georgia Tech; and Alton Byrd, executive with the WNBA's Atlanta Dream.