Local Fayette County High Student Among Select Group Named Coca-Cola Scholar

A Fayette County High School student, class of 2009, is one of only 250 in the United States named a Coca-Cola Regional Scholar.

Cecelia Ogechi Oparah has been awarded a $10,000 four-year scholarship ($2,500 per year) to attend any accredited U.S. college or university. Coca-Cola awards 200 regional scholarships each year; Cecelia is one of only 12 graduating high school seniors from Georgia receiving the scholarship.

Regional winners from throughout the nation were recognized last month in Atlanta during Coca-Cola Scholars Weekend with a banquet held in their honor. Students also participated in seminars, a community service project and visited the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center and the World of Coca-Cola.

The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation is one of the most recognized and respected corporate-sponsored scholarships in the U.S. This marks the foundation’s 21st consecutive year of scholarship awards. Including the 2009 class, the foundation has provided 4,276 scholars with more than $38 million in scholarships.

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Fayette County Students Showcase Reading Skills at County Invitational

Fourth and fifth grade teams from all of Fayette County's elementary schools participated in the seventh annual Fayette County Reading Invitational, with each school walking away with awards in both grade levels.

The Reading Invitational is a voluntary event for avid readers in the fourth and fifth grades. Interested students read books from an approved list on their own time, independent from their classroom work. Schools conduct contests to select the students who will make up the teams to represent them at the county level. Awards are given at the gold, silver and bronze level.

Gold Level (4th Grade): Fayetteville Intermediate and Kedron Elementary. (5th Grade): Braelinn Elementary, Robert J. Burch Elementary, Peachtree City Elementary, Peeples Elementary and Spring Hill Elementary.

Silver Level (4th Grade): Braelinn Elementary, Brooks Elementary, Crabapple Lane Elementary, Huddleston Elementary, Inman Elementary, Sara Harp Minter Elementary, Oak Grove Elementary and Spring Hill Elementary. (5th Grade): Brooks Elementary, Crabapple Lane Elementary, Fayetteville Intermediate, Huddleston Elementary, Sara Harp Minter Elementary, Oak Grove Elementary and Tyrone Elementary.

Bronze Level (4th Grade): Robert J. Burch Elementary, Cleveland Elementary, North Fayette Elementary, Peachtree City Elementary, Peeples Elementary and Tyrone Elementary. (5th Grade): Cleveland Elementary, Inman Elementary, Kedron Elementary and North Fayette Elementary.

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Sandy Creek Students Earn Awards at State Leadership and Skills Conference

Six Sandy Creek High School seniors brought home medals from the 2009 SkillsUSA Georgia Leadership and Skills Conference, a showcase of career and technical education students.

Both MacKenzie Blanton and Kristen Stevens earned first place medals in Photography and Promotional Graphics Poster Design, respectively. First place winners are eligible to compete at the national conference. Blanton plans to be among the 5,000 state contest winners from across the country competing at the national level June 21-26 in Kansas City, Montana.

In addition to her first place win, Stevens also placed third, earning a bronze medal, in Advertising Design. She was the only student from Sandy Creek to win two awards at the competition.

Other state winners from Sandy Creek include Alex Brillant, bronze medal, Promotional Brochure Design; Paul Evans, bronze medal, Automotive Brakes; and Zach Bick and Dustin Hall, bronze medal, Website Design.

During the competitions, students work against the clock and each other, proving their expertise in various occupations. Contests are run with the help of industry, trade associations and labor organizations. Test competencies are set by the industry.

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Whitewater Student Named Gates Millennium Scholar

A 2009 Fayette County graduating high school senior is one out of 1,000 in the nation to receive a Gates Millennium Scholarship.

Jonaé Felton, Whitewater High, is among 64 high school seniors from Georgia and the only one from Fayette to be named to the 10th anniversary class of the nation’s largest and most successful minority scholarship program. The program is funded by a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

As a Millennium Scholar, Jonaé will receive a full four-year scholarship to attend Tuskegee University. The total scholarship is worth approximately $200,000.

The application process for the scholarship is extremely involved, over 20 pages long, requiring students to write about their leadership experience, community contributions, personal characteristics, and long and short-term goals. Students must have a minimum 3.3 GPA and demonstrated leadership abilities through participation in community service, extracurricular or other activities to be eligible to apply. Independent readers evaluate nominees’ applications according to three primary criteria: academic achievement, community service and leadership potential.

In addition to being named a Millennium Scholar, Jonaé is also an honor graduate and will graduate in the top five percent of her class.

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An African Safari and More At Nature, Undisturbed Photo Show

Join nature lovers and photography enthusiasts this weekend at Nature, Undisturbed, Southern Conservation Trust’s Nature Photography Exhibition at the Dogwood Gallery in Tyrone. The show highlights the importance of protecting our region’s natural beauty.

Friday’s Wine & Cheese Reception will also feature pairings with Terrapin Craft Beers. Saturday’s Reception includes a presentation by Susan Todd-Raque a noted art consultant who will speak on collecting photography, and the presentation of the People’s Choice Award. Toms Evens will lead you on a photographic African Safari on Sunday May 3rd at 2pm.

Nature, Undisturbed will be a great opportunity to purchase affordable art for your home or business. All donations and a percentage of sales will benefit local land conservation and help maintain the public nature preserves managed by Southern Conservation Trust - Sams Lake Sanctuary south of Fayetteville, and Line Creek and Flat Creek Nature Areas in Peachtree City.

Abby Jordan, Trust Executive Director says “Local businesses have really stepped up to support Nature, Undisturbed, even in this tough economy. Special thanks go to Brent Scarbrough & Company, Integrated Science & Engineering, Bank of North Georgia, Synovus Securities and Brown Nelms & Company.”

The Wine and Cheese Reception on Friday May 1st begins at 6pm. The Dogwood Gallery is located at 1175 Senoia Rd N/Hwy 74 in Tyrone, behind the Legacy Theater.

For more information about Nature Undisturbed or the Trust, email info@sctlandtrust.org, call 770-486-7774, or visit the Trust’s website www.sctlandtrust.org.

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Volkswagen is Coming to Peachtree City Elementary School May 1

The annual Peachtree City Elementary Spring Fling is May 1 from 4:30-7:30 pm. Come on out for some fantastic family fun!

Heritage Volkswagen, Inc will have the new Routan minivan and other VW family vehicles available for parents to examine and drive. For every adult who drives a new VW and completes a short questionnaire, Volkswagen of America will donate $5 to Peachtree City Elementary School's PTO.

Armbands for rides and food tickets will be available for purchase at the event. Peachtree City Elementary School is Peachtree City's first elementary school and is located on Wisdom Rd.

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Home Takes First Place at 4-H Competition

Footprints Christian Academy in Peachtree City is pleased to announce that Aja Home, a fifth grade student, recently won first place in the 4-H competition held in Douglasville. Home's project in the Workforce Preparation Category focused on cooking techniques. Home is looking forward to pursuing her dream of becoming a chef one day.

4-H is just one of the clubs offered at Footprints Christian Academy, which incorporates various clubs and techniques designed to aid in the learning process for various learning styles.






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Whitewater High Top Student Carter Selected to Attend Medical Forum

A student’s dreams of becoming a doctor are getting closer to reality.

Volisa Carter, an 11th grader at Whitewater High, has her goals set on becoming a neonatal intensive care doctor. She was notified in March that she has been invited to attend a medical program that is only offered to the top one percent of high school students in the country.

The National Youth Leadership Forum on Medicine is a 10-day program that introduces students with an interest in medicine to all aspects of the medical field. Participants have the opportunity to interact with professionals from some of the nation’s top medical centers and faculty from renowned institutions of learning.

Students cannot apply to the program; instead they must be nominated by a teacher or through voluntary precollege surveys. The Forum on Medicine first became aware of Volisa through the Student Search Service of the College Board.

“She meets the high standards we set to qualify as a nominee. Fewer than one percent of all high-achieving high school students are presented with this opportunity,” says Dr. Shashin Doshi, senior councilor to the National Youth Leadership Form on Medicine.

When Volisa learned about the invitation, she says she had mixed emotions.

“I was excited and scared at the same time. Excited because I never know that I was intelligent enough to stay up there with the geniuses of our nation. Scared because it costs a lot of money, and money in my family is very tight,” she explains.

Volisa’s life has had its obstacles. Her father died when she was five and her aunt has been raising her ever since.

“She has sacrificed a lot to get me through school. I am so appreciative of everything she has done for me,” Volisa says.

Despite her hardships, Volisa has managed to persevere, excelling in school and as a community volunteer. When she is not studying, she volunteers her time through the Fayette Family YMCA Leaders Club, a nonprofit organization that gives back to the community by sending volunteers to assist with various events. She received the Kristin Turner Spirit of Volunteerism Award in 2008 for her work with the club.

Besides giving her insight into her chosen career field, Volisa is hoping that the Forum on Medicine will help her land some needed scholarships so that she can fulfill her dream. The only thing standing in her way is money.

Volisa organized several fundraisers that netted nearly $500, but fell far short of the $2,600 needed to attend the program.

“We didn’t have much of a result because money is tight for everyone right now. I still hope that somehow I will be able to raise the remaining funds so I can take advantage of this great opportunity,” she says.

The Forum on Medicine is being held at Emory University June 21-30. Anyone interested in making a donation to help Volisa pay tuition costs can do so through Whitewater High School by contacting Mary Giles, bookkeeper, 770-460-3935.

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New Life Ministries' Dedication Services Celebrate New Location

New Life Ministries in Fayetteville is moving to a new, larger location at 182 N. Glynn Street (behind Captain D’s). They are holding Dedication Services this week Tuesday through Thursday at 7:00 PM, nightly. The pastor is Pastor Glenn B. Allen, Sr.

TUESDAY: The guest preacher will be Dr. Jonathan Carter of Siloam Church International in College Park.

WEDNESDAY: The message will be brought by Reverend T. Gerry Anderson of New Macedonia Baptist Church in Riverdale.

THURSDAY: Dr. Howard Creecy, Jr. of The Olivet Church in Fayetteville will preach.

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Register Online for High School Graduation, Make Up Test and Remediation Classes

Fayette County students who failed the previous administration of the Georgia High School Graduation Test (GHSGT) will have an opportunity to retake the test this summer.

The test will be given July 13-16 at McIntosh High for students who took the previous administration while enrolled in the Fayette County School System. This is the only time the high school graduation make up test will be offered this summer. Exam dates for each subject are as follows: July 14, math; July 13, social studies; July 16, language arts; July 15, writing and July 15, science.

Students must register online at www.fcboe.org by June 30 in order to participate in testing. Late registrations will not be accepted. Students who do not register in advance cannot participate in the summer test administration.

Remediation classes are available at McIntosh High June 8-July 2, Monday-Thursday. The cost for materials is $15 per class; students cannot register for more than two classes. Register online at www.fcboe.org by May 15.

For questions or more information, contact Julie Turner (test information), 678-347-6307 or Sharon Boyer (remediation classes), 770-460-1309.

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Fayette County 5th Graders Make Gains on Writing Assessment

The Spring 2009 Georgia Fifth Grade Writing Assessment results for Fayette County show a decrease in students scoring in the “does not meet” category while students meeting standards rise.

Compared to last year’s results, four percent more students moved into the “meets standards” category with a two percent decrease in “does not meet standards.” According to the results, 73 percent of students are meeting standards, 15 percent are exceeding them (same as last year) and 13 percent are not meeting standards. A total of 1,613 students took the test.

Fayette County remains a leader in the state with 22 percent of Georgia’s students “not meeting standards,” 70 percent “meeting” and eight percent “exceeding.”

The largest gains on the test were among Fayette County's Hispanic students with more moving out of the “does not meet” category and into “meets.” The 2009 results show that out of the 100 students who took the test, 20 percent failed to meet standards (an eight percent drop from last year), 70 percent met the standards (an 11 percent increase from last year) and 10 percent exceeded the standards.

The Georgia Writing Assessment is administered to students in grades three, five, eight and 11. The assessments provide information to students about their writing performance and areas of strength and challenge.

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Whitewater High School and Allan Vigil Ford of Fayetteville Invite You to Drive One 4 Ur School

WHAT: Looking for a way to support your local school? Get behind the wheel of the all-new Flex, or the newest Focus, Edge or other Ford vehicle during Whitewater High School’s Drive One 4 UR School event. Allan Vigil Ford will donate $20 for every individual who participates in this test-drive event! Funds will be used to support the football program at Whitewater High School.

WHEN: Saturday, April 25, 200910:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Each test drive will last 7 – 10 minutes.

WHERE: Whitewater High School
100 Wildcat Way Fayetteville, GA 30215
770-460-3935

DETAILS: Currently, hundreds of Ford dealers nationwide are partnering with their local high school to organize a Ford Cruise 4 UR School event. Ford will donate $20 for every test drive completed (up to $6,000, the equivalent of 300 test drives). Participating schools can use these funds at their discretion to support a wide range of activities, programs and events. Come out and support your local school!

NOTE: Participants must be 18 or older and have a valid driver’s license.
Limit one test drive per household.

Peachtree City Celebrates Arbor Day

Friday, April 24, was National Arbor Day, and Peachtree City celebrated by planting a Willow Oak near the Peachtree City Library.

Community Forester Beryl Budd was on hand to assist in planting the tree donated by City staff, which replaced an large old oak that had to be removed when it threatened the parking area at the Library.

Young residents John David Anderson and Spencer Green, who stopped by to observe the ceremony with their moms, helped plant the tree at the 10:30 a.m. ceremony

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Honor Flight Fayette Prepares for 4th Flight to DC

Approximately 70 World War II veterans are excitedly preparing for a flight to the nation's capitol on May 4th for a once-in-a-lifetime trip. To Honor. To Cure., a partnership between Honor Flight Network™ and Theragenics Corporation®, will ensure that they receive the tribute they deserve and the opportunity to visit the National WWII Memorial in Washington, DC—their monument—at no cost to the veteran.

It will be a long, emotional and rewarding day for these heroes. They will gather at Fayetteville First United Methodist Church at 5:30 in the morning and return late that evening. Guardians, who pay their own way, will accompany the veterans to ensure their comfort and safety throughout the day. In some cases, the guardian is a family member of the veteran; in other instances, a member of the community has stepped forward to act in this role and participate in honoring America’s WWII veterans. One guardian on this flight is Jack Griffeth, M.D., Radiation Oncologist, North Georgia Medical Center,who treats patients with prostate cancer.

“I have family members who served in World War II including my Dad who served in the Pacific Theater, and this flight serves two special purposes for me,” Dr. Griffeth said. “I’m able to pay homage to the noble men and women who so proudly served and protected our country. I’m also able to help spread the important message of knowing the options to treat – and cure - prostate cancer.”

The day will be filled with reminiscing, reacquainting, and making new friends and memories. Eric Haney (CSM retired) will represent Theragenics® on the flight as the spokesperson for the company’s prostate cancer patient education program. He served in some of the Army’s most demanding combat units: as a combat Infantryman, a Ranger and as an early operational member of Delta Force. Haney is participating in To Honor. To Cure. because he saw first hand how prostate cancer affected some of his personal friends and, because they were screened and their cancer was detected early, they realized a positive outcome. Haney believes heightened awareness of prostate cancer will encourage men to get checked early since early detection typically offers the best success rate.

Theragenics has donated $10,000 to Honor Flight Fayette, as well as nine other national hubs in the Honor Flight Network, to bring tribute to our WWII veterans and allow them to travel to Washington D.C. to see their monument. M. Christine Jacobs, Theragenics Chairman and CEO, said. “But our involvement goes further – to their health. We strongly encourage these men and other men in their families, to get checked and, if faced with an unfortunate diagnosis of prostate cancer, to research and know their options for treatment.”

Haney’s timing in becoming a spokesperson has some urgency to it. Last year, the University of California-Davis Cancer Center released findings that, when compared to other populations, those who served in Vietnam are twice as likely to develop prostate cancer, are four times as likely to develop more aggressive forms and are likely to be diagnosed 2 and a half years younger than veterans who weren’t exposed to Agent Orange.

Haney will encourage men to become active in the care of their own health, go to the doctor regularly and know their treatment options for prostate cancer, including brachytherapy or seed therapy. Theragenics Corporation manufactures TheraSeed® the most commonly used palladium-103 seed in brachytherapy, a leading, non-invasive treatment for prostate cancer. Haney will blog about his experiences (at www.tohonortocure.com) aboard the flights as well as at speaking engagements scheduled with key veteran’s organizations.

The Honor Flight Network was founded in May 2005 by Earl Morse. Based on recent 2008 statistics, we are losing WWII veterans at the rate of approximately 1,000 per day because of their senior age. The network www.honorflight.org hopes to have transported 25,000 WWII veterans by the end of 2009. Honor Flight Fayette plans to have taken about 350 members of the "greatest generation" in 2008-2009 as a small way of thanking them for making our way of life today possible.

To be placed on the list as a veteran, guardian or volunteer or to make a donation, please go to honorflightfayette.org or call 770-719-1024.

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Dr. Carol Taylor of Rising Starr Middle School is Fayette County's Top Teacher for 2009

Dr. Carol Taylor (R) on stage with Mistress of Ceremonies Caroline Schmitt after being named the 2009 Fayette County Teacher of the year.

The long journey for the three finalists vying for Fayette County Teacher of the Year came to an end Thursday night at New Hope Baptist Church, North Campus, with the naming of the winner.

All eyes were fixed on Superintendent John DeCotis as he opened the sealed envelope and announced that Dr. Carol Taylor of Rising Starr Middle had been selected as the 2009 Fayette County Teacher of the Year.

The other two finalists were Pamela Kinzly of Whitewater High and Dr. Lisa Gonzalez of Robert J. Burch Elementary.

Taylor thanked a long list of teachers and administrators who she said helped pave the way for her success, including her high school English teacher.

“I have worked hard to model her level of exemplary teaching and learning to affect my students the way she affected my life. She instilled my own passion for learning and that passion is reflected in my teaching,” she says.

Taylor also thanked one of her undergraduate professors from Georgia State University, Dr. Karen Schultz, for influencing her career path in mathematics and made a loving tribute to her husband, children and in-laws for their support of her career.

“Thank you for always being there for me and understanding when I could not be with you because of my commitment to my career. I couldn’t have don this without you,” she told her family.

Besides teaching mathematics to her students, Taylor works hard to be a strong, positive role model, showing them that dreams can be achieved.

“I am a wife, a mother, a grandmother, yet also a private pilot of a single engine aircraft, an advanced certified diver, windsurfer, marathon runner, student, Sunday school teacher, and piano and flute player. I approach my students with the attitude that if you can dream it, you can do it,” she said.

The finalists were selected from among 29 different teachers of the year at each school. An independent panel of judges, including last year’s TOTY, rated the application of each teacher to select the three finalists. The final judging stage consisted of a classroom observation followed by a one-on-one interview with the finalists. Judges individually rated each finalist. Their scores were combined to determine the winner.

As Fayette County's 2009 Teacher of the Year, Taylor will represent the county in the Georgia Teacher of the Year competition next spring.

Fayette County's annual TOTY program honors the county’s 29 teachers of the year from each elementary, middle and high school. The program would not be possible without the generous contributions of local businesses and organizations.

TOTY winners from each school received plaques from the Coca Cola Company recognizing their achievement and a commemorative portrait courtesy of Life Touch Photography. Also, Dell Computer, Inc. donated computers to both the runners up and the TOTY. Additionally, the TOTY received a specifically designed ring from Balfour, a $1,000 check from Allan Vigil Ford of Fayetteville and roundtrip airfare for two from AirTran Airlines.

Other top sponsors included Chick-fil-A Dwarf House, Chick-fil-A Towne Center and Starr’s Mill, Coldwater Creek, Delta Community Credit Union, Fayette Animal Clinic, Southern Federal Credit Union, The Avenue Peachtree City, World Gym and numerous other local businesses and organizations.

The following school PTOs and PTSOs also supported this year’s event: Bennett’s Mill Middle, Braelinn Elementary, Robert J. Burch Elementary, Cleveland Elementary, Crabapple Lane Elementary, Fayette County High, Fayette Middle, Fayetteville Intermediate/Hood Avenue Primary, Flat Rock Middle, Huddleston Elementary, Inman Elementary, J.C. Booth Middle, Kedron Elementary, McIntosh High, Rising Starr Middle, Tyrone Elementary, Whitewater High and Whitewater Middle.

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Peachtree City: Developmental Services Closing from Noon – 1:00 p.m. beginning June 1

Following a reduction in staffing in Peachtree City’s Developmental Services Division, the offices will be closing from noon until 1:00 p.m. beginning on Monday, June 1.

The division includes the Planning and Zoning Department, Engineering, Stormwater, Building Department, Code Enforcement, and the Permits Office. This closure will also affect applicants coming to City Hall for Occupational Tax Certificates, which require zoning approval from the Planning Department.

Developmental Services offices are located on the lower level of City Hall, 153 Willowbend Road. Offices will be open from 8:00 a.m. until noon, and from 1:00 p.m. until 5:00.

Interim Developmental Services Director David Rast said, “Although we realize closing for the noon hour may cause a slight inconvenience for residents and builders who need to obtain permits, this decision will allow all the division staff to devote the maximum amount of time to their daily duties without having to cover lunch breaks.”

The division is operating at reduced staffing levels following a reduction-in-workforce approved at the April 2 City Council Meeting. This reduction was attributed to the City’s current and projected financial status and the limited number of residential , commercial and industrial applications being received due to the downturn in the economy. Although several builders at the City Council meeting expressed concern about reduced levels of service from the Building Department, Rast indicated it was their intent to provide the same level of services, albeit with a reduced workforce.

The City sent letters to all applicants with open permits explaining these changes and identifying which staff person would be assuming the duties of those whose positions were eliminated. Rast said they would also be posting notices to advise frequent visitors to the department of the adjusted operating hours.
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Nature, Undisturbed Benefit Begins April 24 at Dogwood Gallery in Tyrone

Dogwood Gallery behind the Legacy Theatre in Tyrone hosts 10 days of fun events; Nature Photography and Land Conservation – a perfect fit.

Friday, April 24 6 pm
Opening Reception

Saturday, April 25 2 pm
Nature Photography/Lensbaby Workshop with Donna Rosser

Sunday, April 26 2 pm
Family Day with Winged Ambassadors Raptor Show

Southern Conservation Trust is hosting its inaugural juried Nature Photography Exhibition Nature, Undisturbed April 24th through May 3rd 2009 at the Dogwood Gallery in Tyrone. The 10 day celebration will benefit the Trust’s land conservation program in the Southern Crescent.

The fifty superior photographs selected for the exhibition will showcase the natural beauty of our local landscape and highlight the importance of conservation as our region develops. In addition to an open category “Nature Undisturbed”, a second category will feature images of the Trust’s three public preserves in Fayette County: Sams Lake Sanctuary south of Fayetteville, and Line Creek and Flat Creek Nature Areas in Peachtree City. Exhibition visitors will vote on the People’s Choice Award.

This exciting Benefit show is modeled on the very successful five-year-old SlowExposures Exhibition, held every September in Concord, Pike County. “Nature Undisturbed attracted 200 entries from across the Southeast – unheard of for a first-time event - and the quality of the photographs is outstanding,” according to Donna Rosser, Exhibition Director and founder of the Fayette Photo Club.

The jurors are recognized experts in photography and collecting. Greg Newington, who recently opened a gallery in Serenbe, is an internationally honored photographer. Thomas Swanston, co-owner of Studio Swan in Serenbe, is a well known Georgia artist whose works are in many esteemed private and public collections.

Business sponsors have provided prizes including gift certificates for camera equipment, a professional grade lens, and quality framing. Brent Scarbrough & Company will present the Sponsor’s Choice Award at the Opening Reception. Other sponsors are Integrated Science & Engineering and Brown Nelms & Company.

The Exhibition will offer a full schedule of fun and informative events. The Opening Reception will offer guests a chance to hear the Jurors and meet the winning photographers. There will be two workshops - on nature photography using the LensBaby lens and collecting photography. Family Day on Sunday April 26th will feature hot dogs, smoothies, and a great photo opportunity with the Winged Ambassadors program led by Dale Arrowood with his exciting birds of prey. Friday May 1st is a Wine & Cheese Tasting and Sunday May 3rd go on an African Safari with Tom Even’s you-are-there slideshow.

Nature, Undisturbed is a great opportunity to add affordable landscape and wildlife art to your décor. Framed photographs and unframed prints will be available for purchase during the Exhibition and online afterwards. All donations and a percentage of all sales will help preserve greenspace and maintain the public preserves the Trust manages.

For more information about Nature Undisturbed or the Trust, or to volunteer, email info@sctlandtrust.org, call 770-486-7774, or visit the Trust’s website www.sctlandtrust.org.

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10th Annual Partners in Education Recognition Breakfast

The Fayette County Chamber of Commerce will recognize the 2009 Outstanding Business Partners of the Year at their annual Partners in Education Recognition Breakfast on Friday, May 1, 2009, 7:30 am at New Hope Baptist Church in Fayetteville. The guest speaker will be Keith L. Brown, “Motivator of the Millennium.” Mr. Brown is recognized as one of the top 50 speakers and experts in education by Insight Publishing and one of the top 10 speakers by International Speakers Network.

The community is cordially invited to attend the breakfast. The cost is $10.00 per person. To register, call the Chamber at 770.461.9983 by Wednesday, April 29th or register online through the Chamber’s event calendar at www.FayetteChamber.org.

Sponsors for this year’s breakfast are Delta Community Credit Union, Piedmont Fayette Hospital, The Southern Federal Credit Union and Keith L. Brown. Additional support provided by ClubZ! In-Home Tutoring Services.

The Partners in Education program is a joint effort of the Chamber and the Fayette County Board of Education that provides an avenue for businesses to form partnerships with public schools and educational programs in Fayette County. Business “Partners” work with the school system to prepare the workforce of tomorrow by providing enhanced educational opportunities for student. To learn more about getting involved with the Partners in Education program, contact Joyce Gaglione at the Fayette Chamber (770.461.9983).

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Fayette High Student Takes Third in Art Contest

U.S. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland congratulates Caleb Brown of Fayette County High School on finishing third in the 3rd Congressional District art contest. Caleb’s pencil sketch portrays two football players grinding it out against one another on the gridiron.

“You don’t have to be a sports fan to appreciate Caleb’s fine drawing,” Westmoreland said. “This contest included 68 entries from high school students across the district. That’s tough competition. I can’t recall a time when we had a freshman finish in the top three. That’s quite a tribute to the artist and to his teacher, Pamela Watkins.

“Every year, I’m amazed at the depth of artistic talent that we have in the 3rd District,” Westmoreland continued. “We’re lucky to have a distinguished panel of judges and I don’t envy their task of choosing between so many great works.

“Caleb’s eligible for three more years of competition, so we may see him come back as the winner who gets his art displayed in the Capitol for a year.”

Westmoreland gave special thanks to the judges: Bette Hickman of Newnan (executive director of Global Achievers), Vicki Turner of Fayetteville (director of advertising/marketing for AIS Computers), Mark Lucas of Columbus (Lucas Studios of Art) and Tim Williams of Greystone Power in Douglasville.

Fayette County High Art Students Earn Top Honors

Fayetteville student Helen Patti with her vase

Fayette County High School’s visual arts program has been busy racking up awards and honors this spring.

Senior Aja Adams and junior Helen Patti were juried into the Atlanta High School Art Exhibition that was featured at the Atlanta Dogwood Festival in Piedmont Park this past weekend. Adams painted an acrylic piece titled “Dead Gone” and Patti created a tall, smoke fired vase. The students were juried into the exhibition from well over 400 entries. Additionally, Adams was featured on the Good Day Atlanta show that airs mornings on FOX 5.

Also this past weekend, Helen Patti, along with fellow junior Rachel Jones and senior Samantha Hyde, had their artwork juried into the 2009 Georgia High School Ceramic Arts Awards and Symposium held at the Centre for the Performing and Visual Arts of Coweta County. Ted Saupe, professor of art/ceramics at the University of Georgia, selected the artwork for the symposium.

Additionally, art teacher Pamela Watkins and her Advanced Placement students were one of three operators of a Raku kiln during a hands-on workshop featuring the fast fire method.

In other awards, David Gridley was selected as Fayette County High School's winner in the Great Frame Up Peachtree City County Level High School Art Competition. His work has been sent to judges in California for an opportunity to compete at the national level. National winners receive an all expenses paid trip to Los Angeles to meet David Gridley
actress/artist Jane Seymore and compete for a $2,000 scholarship.

Freshman Caleb Brown took third place overall in the 2009 Congressional Art Competition. Members of the United States House of Representatives sponsor the nationwide high school competition each year. Brown received a ribbon and a $2,000 scholarship to the Art Institute of Atlanta for his winning drawing. He will also be in Watkins’ Advanced Placement Drawing Portfolio class next year.

Caleb Brown displays his winning artwork that took third place in the 2009 Congressional Art Competition.

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Marin Takes Top Prize in the “If I Were Mayor” Essay Contest

Emily Marin with Fayetteville Mayor Ken Steele


The City of Fayetteville recently offered students an opportunity to state what they would do if they were mayor. One student’s ideas stood above the rest, earning her a special recognition.

The Fayetteville City Council recognized Emily Marin, a sixth grade student at Fayette Middle School, on April 16 for writing the winning essay that outlined her ideas for improving the city’s community. Her suggestions include sponsoring a “Go Green” fair to educate families about the benefits of adopting an eco-friendly lifestyle, organizing volunteer-ran study clubs to assist low-income students whose families cannot afford private tutoring and hosting a Spring Fling to raise funds for the study club and the city’s other volunteer programs.

In addition to the recognition, she was awarded four free concert tickets to Fayetteville’s amphitheater.

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Mentors Help Students Prepare for CRCT

Gail Joiner tutors students (L-R) Dylan Rumbaugh, Madi Strickland and Josephine Nelson.

The Friends Mentoring Program and Mathnasium, a tutoring service that is a Partner in Education with Kedron Elementary in Peachtree City, joined forces to help fifth graders at the school prepare for the CRCT.

Gail Joiner, a volunteer math mentor, and Kevin Thoman, her boss at Mathnasium, along with several instructors, visited Kedron for CRCT Prep Night. The free sessions offered help with numbers and operations skills, fractions and some geometry.

Joiner, who spent 30 years as a teacher, says mentoring is vital to assisting teachers due to the daily demands that limit the amount of time they can spend with each child.

“The academic, social and emotional needs in a classroom are very diverse. There are a few children who need just that little extra that teachers truly want to give, but due to simple logistics, cannot provide. It’s frustrating for us teaches when we see a child who needs a little more time but we simply can’t provide it. That’s where the mentoring program is so vital,” she says.

The mentor program’s mission is to build positive, long-term relationships between schools and the public by partnering community role models with Fayette County school students to help with the complexities of school, home and community.

“The needs in our classrooms are many and truly does take a village to prepare our children for success,” says Joiner.

Information about the Friends Mentoring Program is available by contacting Jane Gough at 770-460-3990.

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Fayette County Presidential Scholar Semifinalists Named

Three graduating seniors from Fayette County's high schools have been named semifinalists for the 2009 Presidential Scholars Program.

Jennie K. Lee, Fayette County High, and Minna Choi and William S. Kearney, both of McIntosh High, are among 17 students from Georgia and 562 nationwide to be selected as semifinalists. They are the only semifinalists in the south metro area. Students chosen as scholars for the program will be announced in May.

The Presidential Scholars Program is a recognition program where application is by invitation only based on a student’s SAT or ACT scores. Students must also be graduating seniors and United States citizens to be eligible for candidacy.

Those chosen as Presidential Scholars receive an expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. in June and the Presidential Scholars medallion at a ceremony sponsored by the White House. Scholars have access to important national and international figures, including government officials, educators, authors, musicians, scientists and other accomplished people. They are also provided opportunities to wrestle with issues that concern America and the world, participate in volunteer activities to benefit those in need, attend recitals, receptions and monuments.

Over 3,000 students nationwide were selected as candidates for the program and invited to submit applications to be considered for semifinalist, and then, scholar status.

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Kedron Elementary Students Deisgn Lego Structure

Future architects at the Kedron Elementary School After School Program in Peachtree City designed and constructed a building taller than themselves out of Legos. The structure, which was made by kindergartners, first and second graders, measures approximately 36 inches high and 18 inches across. One young architect estimates that it contains at least a bazillion Legos.

The creation can be viewed at the Kedron Museum of Fine Arts on any school day.



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Fayette County Students Selected to Governor’s Honors

A total of 20 students from Fayette County's five high schools are finalists for the 2009 Governor’s Honors Program. The six-week summer study program in Valdosta provides intellectually gifted and artistically talented high school students challenging and enriching educational opportunities not usually available during the regular school year. Activities are designed to provide each participant with opportunities to acquire the skills, knowledge and attitudes to become independent, life-long learners.

The selection process is lengthy and begins in the fall when teachers from each high school nominate students for outstanding performance in particular areas of study. The nominated students advance to county-level interviews where the finalists for state consideration are selected.

County finalists interview with state officials to determine who will participate in the summer study program. Thousands of students from around the state compete for the coveted spots each year.

The following students have been selected to participate in the 2009 program:

Fayette County High – Navroz Tharani and Iesha White.

McIntosh High – Donald Flemming, John O’Leary and Matthew Niebes.

Sandy Creek High – Ifeanyi Awachie, Camara Carter, Aamir Lalani, Sarah Preston and Jaemin Sung.

Starr’s Mill High – Jordan Avery, Lydia Hanie, Jessica Rexrode, Travis Richardson, Ashley Tracy and Matthew Waples.

Whitewater High – Victoria Gerrard, Alec Hawthorne, Jessica Heimann and Hannah Sultan.

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Fayette County High Students Earn National Achievement Scholarships

Two Fayette County High School students are among 700 nationwide receiving National Achievement Scholarships through the 2009 National Achievement Scholarship Program, a competition for African American high school students.

Cecelia O. Oparah and Ehizele M. Osehobo are each the recipients of a $2,500, single payment scholarship, which can be used for undergraduate study at any regionally accredited U.S. college or university. Cecelia is planning to major in business/mass communications; Ehizele is looking at majoring in medicine.

More than 150,000 students entered the 2009 National Achievement Program by requesting consideration when they took the 2007 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) as high school juniors. In September 2008, approximately 1,600 of the highest scorers were named semifinalists on a regional basis. To continue in the competition, semifinalists had to fulfill requirements for finalist standing, which included having a record of consistently high academic performance, being endorsed and recommended by an official of their high school, earning SAT scores that confirm the PSAT/NMSQT performance and submitting an essay about personal interests, attainments and goals.

Approximately 1,300 semifinalists advanced to the finalist level. Achievement Scholar awardees are the finalist candidates judged to have the strongest record of accomplishments and greatest potential for college academic success.

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And the $10,000 Winner IS…

(l-r) Winners Lynn Ball, Jim Phillips, and Kathy Sloat with Virginia Gibbs, President, Fayette Chamber of Commerce

The Fayette Chamber recently presented $10,000 to the winning ticket holder selected at a reception following their annual Business on the Green Classic. The drawing is a major fund raiser for the Chamber to help support their mission to provide tools and resources to strengthen Fayette businesses. Chamber members and ticket holders gathered at the reception to congratulate the golfers and join in the fun as the winning ticket was drawn.

This year’s $10,000 winner was ticket number 021, jointly purchased by Jim Phillips, Lynn Ball and Kathy Sloat. The Chamber appreciates the support of all the individuals who purchased a ticket this year, despite the challenging economy!

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Nick Harris Wins Georgia State DAR Community Service Award

Shown (l-r) with Harris are State Chairman Pat
Mercer and Georgia State Society DAR Regent
Barbara Chastain.

Nick Harris of Peachtree City was recently announced as the Georgia State Daughters of the American Revolution Community Service Award winner at the state conference in Atlanta.

Harris founded the Fayette Field of Hope which allows children with disabilities to play Little League Baseball, and also helped pioneer the pilot program for the Parent Mentor Partnership of Georgia through the GA Department of Education.

Harris was sponsored by the James Waldrop Chapter DAR of Fayetteville.

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Tyrone Holds Annual Earth Day Clean-up Event

Tyrone is inviting residents to join them in an effort to clean up the streets of the town. The Town will hold its annual Earth Day Clean-Up event on Sat, April 25 from 9 AM to 11 AM. Meet at Town Hall, 881 Senoia Rd. Groups will break off and walk along the roadways of the Town picking up litter and debris in an effort to prevent trash from being picked up by storm water flow and carried to the streams. Supplies will be provided. For more info visit www.tyrone.org.

21st Annual Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament

(l-r )Big Putt Winner Pete Meadows, AT&T Georgia; Sean Savoy, Big Putt Winner; Mark Owen, Flat Creek Golf Club; Virginia Gibbs, President, Fayette Chamber of Commerce

Despite the tough economy and a rainy day, the Fayette Chamber’s 21st annual Business on the Green Classic was successfully held on Wednesday, April 2nd. Each year, the tournament provides a valuable networking opportunity for golfers and other members. The Chamber continues to encourage the business community to take advantage of every opportunity to build important relationships that can help them weather the current economic climate. The golf tournament is just one of the many Chamber events available to members to help them make connections that can help grow their businesses.

Held at Flat Creek Country Club in Peachtree City, the Business on the Green Classic is one of the largest tournaments in the County. Proceeds will be used to benefit the local business community through educational programs, advocacy, and leadership development.

The golfers competed for prizes including low gross and low net. This year’s winner of the $500 prize for the AT&T Big Putt contest was Sean Savoy.

The Chamber appreciates the support of the Presenting Sponsor, The Southern Federal Credit Union, as well as other sponsors, local businesses and dedicated volunteers that helped make the Tournament successful. Other major sponsors included: Putting Contest Sponsor - AT&T of Georgia; Beverage Sponsor - Mark Gray State Farm Insurance; Between the Greens Sponsors – Comcast Cable Communications, Canongate Golf Clubs, Coweta-Fayette EMC, Delta Community Credit Union, Georgia Power Company, Mercedes-Benz of South Atlanta, Wyndham Peachtree Conference Center; Lunch on the Links Sponsors – Dolce Atlanta-Peachtree, Relax the Back.

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Sandy Creek Air Force Junior ROTC Cadets Recognized for Top Performance

Top Air Force Junior ROTC students stand proud after being notified of their honors. (L-R) Kelly Henderman, Thomas Treat, Julian Holmes and Travis Mowrey.

The Air Force Junior ROTC (AFJROTC) program at Sandy Creek High School in Fayette County has become known for producing some of the country’s top cadets and this year is no exception.

Junior Thomas Treat, a third year cadet, has been competitively selected for the AFJROTC Aerospace and Technology Honors Camp. Cadets attending this program represent the top one percent of over 100,000 cadets who are in AFJROTC throughout the country and overseas. He will attend the leadership camp June 20-25 at the University of Oklahoma. Treat has also been selected to attend the Air Force Academy and the US Military Academy Summer Seminars.

Additionally, he was named the Sons of the American Revolution Outstanding Cadet for 2008-09 for the local Marquis de Lafayette Chapter. Treat went on to compete at the state level where he won Georgia’s Outstanding Junior ROTC Cadet for 2008-09. He received these honors for having a high degree of merit with respect to leadership qualities, military bearing and general excellence. Treat will now represent Georgia at the national competition in Atlanta July 1-8 during the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution 2009 National Congress.

Three graduating senior cadets have received full four-year military scholarships. Travis Mowrey received a Type II Air Force ROTC scholarship, a highly competitive scholarship that is awarded to 15 percent of eligible students. He plans to major in international business at Auburn University. Mowrey is a fourth-year cadet.

Kelly Henderman and Julian Holmes are the recipients of an Army ROTC scholarship. Henderman plans to major in nursing at Carson-Newman College in Jefferson City, Tennessee and Holmes plans to major in political science at Georgia Southern University. Both have been active in the AFJROTC program for two years.

“It is great to see these students rewarded with this kind of recognition. These cadets worked hard and did so much while in high school and deserve these honors,” says Colonel Doug Pearson, senior aerospace science instructor at Sandy Creek. “Often the rewards for hard work in high school are not immediate and come after several years of accumulating such outstanding records. What they have accomplished is a tribute to their hard work ethic and personal discipline.”

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Fayette County Students See Gains on Eighth Grade Writing Assessment

Fayette County scores on the 2009 Georgia Eighth Grade Writing Assessment show a one percent gain in the “exceed standards” category and improved scores across the board for Hispanic students.

A total of 1,614 regular program students took the test with 76 percent “meeting standards,” 18 percent “exceeding standards,” and six percent “not meeting standards.” Fayette’s scores remained above that of the state where 72 percent of the state’s eighth graders “met standards,” seven percent “exceeded standards,” and 21 percent “did not meet standards.”

Fayette County Hispanic students posted the greatest improvement from last year with 11 percent “not meeting standards”– a six percent drop, 81 percent “meeting standards”– a four percent gain, and nine percent “exceeding standards” – a three percent gain. In comparison to Georgia’s scores, the students performed well above their peers with 30 percent of the state’s students “not meeting standards,” 67 percent “meeting standards,” and three percent “exceeding standards.”

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Fayette County Students Bring Home State Foreign Language Awards

A total of 65 students representing all five of Fayette County’s high schools brought home awards from the annual Foreign Language Association of Georgia (FLAG) Middle and High Spoken Language Contest.

Collectively, the students brought home 41 superior, 18 excellent and six notable ratings in various levels of French, German and Spanish.

Ratings by school are as follows: (Fayette County High) Eight superior in Spanish 1; French 2, 4 and 5; and German 1 and 3. Five excellent in Spanish 2 and 3 and French 3. Two notable in German 1 and 4. (McIntosh High) Four superior in Spanish 3 and French 1 and 2. Two excellent in French 1 and 2. (Sandy Creek High) Eight superior in Spanish 1, 2 and 3 and French 1, 3 and 4. Four excellent in Spanish 3 and French 1, 2 and 4. (Starr’s Mill High) Eleven superior in Spanish 1, 2 and 3; French 1, 3 and 4; and German 1, 2 and 3. Four excellent in Spanish 2 and 3; French 3 and 4; and German 1. One notable in Spanish 1. (Whitewater High) Ten superior in Spanish 1, 3 and 4; French 1 and 2; and German 1 and 2. Three excellent in Spanish 3 and 4 and French 3. Three notable in Spanish 2 and French 1.

Students from across the state participated in the competition to showcase their ability to communicate orally in their target language by conversation with an interviewer. Interviewers based their evaluation on the students’ ability to use the target language fluently in the level entered. Attention was given to comprehension, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar/syntax, fluency, and student initiative in conversing in the target language.

Students were awarded scores of 0-16. A score of 14-16 earned a superior rating, 11-13 an excellent rating and 8-10 a notable rating. Students who earned scores 0-7 received a certificate of participation.

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