Aabby Hosting Pancake Fundraiser

The employees of Aabby Group will put down their landscaping tools and pick up spatulas for a pancake/sausage breakfast fundraiser to benefit the 2010 Fayette County Relay For Life. The breakfast fundraiser will be held Wednesday, April 14, 2010 from 7:00 AM – 10:00 AM at the company’s headquarters located at 205 Shamrock Industrial Blvd in Tyrone. Tickets will be sold in advance and at the door. Patrons may eat in or take orders to go. Tickets for the fundraiser are $5.00 each. All proceeds from the Aabby Group pancake/sausage breakfast will go to the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life of Fayette County.

The Aabby Group has participated in the Fayette County Relay For Life for the last 5 years. Owner Mike Leedy’s grandmother passed away from lung cancer and Mike’s father also died from lung cancer at the age of 57. It is in their honor and memory, and the memory of all of the employees loved ones who have battled cancer, that the company participates in Relay. If you would like to join the Relay For Life in Fayette County as a volunteer or team participant, call Kim Westwood, Community Manager at (770) 631-0625, or email kim.westwood@cancer.org. 
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High School Musicals Up for Nominations

Three high school musical performances are vying for nominations for the 2010 Shuler Hensley Award for Excellence in High School Musical Theatre.

Among the 40 metro-Atlanta contenders are McIntosh High for “HONK, The Musical;” Sandy Creek High for “Les Miserables;” and Starr’s Mill High for “Guys and Dolls.”

Nomination announcements will be made March 30 at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre at 5 p.m. for the following 15 categories: overall production, choreography, costume design, stage crew and technical execution, ensemble/chorus, featured performer, leading actor/actress, lighting design, musical direction, orchestra/musical accompaniment, scenic design, supporting actor/actress.

A panel of judges attended performances during the September 2009-March 2010 season. The awards program is sponsored by the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre Foundation and is fashioned after Broadway’s “Tony Awards.”

Winners from this year’s nominees will be announced on April 13 at a “Tony Award” style ceremony at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. The ceremony will also feature numbers from the nominated shows.

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SkillsUSA at Sandy Creek Makes History

SkillsUSA students at Sandy Creek High achieved milestones for the school at the annual Georgia SkillsUSA State Leadership and Skills Conference in Atlanta.

For the first time in the history of the school’s chapter, a student was elected to the slate of officers. Sophomore Addie Davis was among the seven candidates chosen with the highest ballot count. As an officer, Davis will assume a leadership role representing the more than 8,000 members of the SkillsUSA Georgia organization. The office she will hold will be determined during the State Officer Training held in June. The official offices are President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Reporter, Parliamentarian and Historian. Davis will attend the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference in Kansas City, Montana in June, fulfilling her first official duty as a state officer.

Another state conference winner was competitor Dylan Stinchcomb who was a third place medalist in Diesel Equipment Technology. He received $14,500 in scholarships toward his post-high school plans to enter the field of Automotive Service Technology.

Other contestants included: Iffie Awachie, Addie Davis, Katie Humphries, Molly Jones, Andrew Kampras, Alex Koury and Julian Miller (Quiz Bowl), Robbie Chontos (Graphic Communications), Kaney Cowart (Advertising Design), Josh Duhon (Promotional Design), Mike Dukes (Automotive Brakes), Jared Johnson (Promotional Design), Chris Matthews and Briana Courtois (Web Design), Jonathan Strickland (Promotional Design), Marissa Shenkle (Extemporaneous Speaking), Chris Matthews and Briana Courtois (Web Design).

The Sandy Creek SkillsUSA chapter also was one of five in the state recognized for having the most increased membership for the current school year. The school’s chapter is the 10th largest in the state.
SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers, and industry leaders working together to ensure a skilled work force for America. More than 310,000 Career & Technical Education members work in SkillsUSA to develop leadership, technical, and professional skills. These students partner with industry to develop their skills through leadership development, competition, and community service.

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Whitewater Students Donate Stitches of Warmth

Students show off their handiwork before presenting their quilts to the Quilters Guild of the Southern Crescent. The guild will donate the quilts on the students’ behalf to Promise Place.

What some consider a lost art is being rekindled with students at Whitewater Middle School.

Seventh grade students in Laurel Hinze’s Family and Consumer Science connection class are learning the skill of hand quilting. This semester the students have been working on a community project, the completion of three quilts that will be donated to Promise Place in Fayetteville, a shelter for victims of domestic violence and their children.

“The students demonstrated great skill and cooperative teamwork in sewing the three quilts. What an opportunity for our students to share their skills with our community,” says Hinze.

The students have received a special invitation from the Quilters Guild of the Southern Crescent to attend the group’s monthly meeting in March to present the quilts and meet the members. The guild will donate the quilts to Promise Place on behalf of the students. The presentation will take place March 25 at the Fayette Presbyterian Church beginning at 7 p.m.

This is not the first community service project completed by students in Hinze’s connection class. In December, students made a quilt that was donated to the Atlanta Homeless Mission.

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Practice Test Helps Fayette County Students and Schools

 Peggy Thomas (center) and her husband John presented a check from the SAT/ACT practice test fundraiser to Barbara Serapion, director of pupil personnel services for the school system, at the March school counselors meeting at Sandy Creek High.

Nearly 400 Fayette County high school students are better prepared to take the SAT and ACT; and their counseling departments are reaping benefits, too.

Students at all five of the county’s high schools took advantage of a practice SAT and ACT fundraiser offered by ClubZ In-Home Tutoring Services. Workshops were held at each school where students and their parents received an extensive diagnostic results package and a self-study guide. Students paid a $25 fee per test with $20 going back to their school’s counseling department. All totaled, ClubZ helped the schools raise $7,940.

“We are very pleased with the number of students who participated. This was a successful activity for both the students and their schools. We are pleased to be able to offer an opportunity to help both students and their schools succeed,” says ClubZ Director Peggy Thomas.

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PTC Police Announces Next Teen C.E.R.T Class

The Peachtree City Police Department would like to announce the next Teen Community Emergency Response Team (C.E.R.T.) class being offered this sum­mer. The class will be held at the Police Department the week of June 14th—June 18th from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. each day . This hands-on class will cover top­ics such as emergency preparedness, fire suppression, medical operations, CPR, light search and rescue, and moulage. The week culminates with a full scale dis­aster exercise where the students can put the skills they learn during the week into practice. There is no cost to participate. The class is open to all students age 13 to 17. Applications can be picked up at the Peachtree City Police Department or by following the Teen CERT link at www.ptcpolice.org. For questions contact jraspberry@numail.org.

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Sara Harp Minter Challenges Brooks Elementary

The faculty members of Fayetteville’s Sara Harp Minter Elementary School have challenged the faculty members from Brooks Elementary School to a volleyball tournament. The tournament is a fundraiser for each schools 2010 Relay For Life team. The volleyball fundraiser will be held on Friday, March 26th at Whitewater High School located at 100 Wildcat Way in Fayetteville. The event starts at 6:00 PM. A $3.00 donation will be collected at the door, or patrons may purchase tickets in advance for $2.00 from Sara Harp Minter and Brooks Elementary students or faculty. Food concessions will be available at the event.

Relay For Life is a fun-filled overnight event designed to celebrate survivorship and raise money for research and programs of the American Cancer Society. During the event, teams of people gather and take turns walking or running laps. Each team tries to keep at least one team member on the track at all times. The 2010 Relay For Life of Fayette County will be held on Friday, April 30th at the Kiwanis Fairgrounds. If you would like to join the Relay For Life in Fayette County as a volunteer or team participant, call Kim Westwood, Community Manager at (770) 631-0625, or email kim.westwood@cancer.org.

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Fayette County Students Sees Gains on Eighth Grade Writing Assessment

Fayette County student scores on the 2010 Georgia Eighth Grade Writing Assessment show a four percent gain in the “meets standards” category and improved scores for both African American and Hispanic students.

A total of 1,632 regular program students took the test with 80 percent “meeting standards,” 16 percent “exceeding standards,” and four percent “not meeting standards.” Fayette’s scores remained above that of the state where 76 percent of Georgia’s eighth graders “met standards,” seven percent “exceeded standards,” and 17 percent “did not meet standards.”

Fayette’s African American and Hispanic students posted the greatest improvement from last year. African American students went from 16 percent “not meeting standards” to 10 percent, and increased from 76 to 83 percent in “meeting standards,” – a seven percent gain. Hispanic students dropped from eight to three percent in “not meeting standards,” and increased from 77 to 79 percent in “meeting standards” and from nine to 13 percent in “exceeding standards.” In comparison to Georgia’s scores, the students performed well above their peers with 29 percent of the state’s African American students and 25 percent of Hispanic students “not meeting standards,” 69 percent of African Americans and 72 percent of Hispanics “meeting standards,” and three percent of both African American and Hispanic students “exceeding standards.”

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Whitewater High’s HOSA Going to National Competition

Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) at Whitewater High are advancing to the national competition after earning top four placements in the region Competitive Events Program.

A total of 26 students are heading to nationals in Orlando, Florida this June. HOSA’s Competitive Events Program brings health careers to life through rigorous testing of knowledge, performance, skill, and leadership capabilities aimed at developing, encouraging, and recognizing the brightest future healthcare professionals.

Competitive events are divided into six different categories: Health Science, Health Professions, Emergency Preparedness, Leadership, Teamwork and Recognition. The competition is a means of recognizing those students who are willing to pursue excellence by preparing for competition and having the determination to attend a conference and demonstrate competencies gained through the health occupations program.

Regional winners advancing to the national competition include: (First Place) Laura Brunks, Kelsey Harp, Kaedy Harp, Madison Ray, Sager Pattani, Tori James, Kevin Li, Tanner Martin, Morgan Simmons, Lauren Jennings, Alysa Glaze, Lauren Sweatman, Claire Kegley; (Second Place) Alec Wan, Elly Clayton, Rasmin Momin, Trey Hollins, Eden Baker, Tyler Stanford, MacKenzie Kirchner, Mary Groover; (Third Place) Sarah Lee; (Fourth Place) Megan Herring, Jacob Maslak, Amanda Harmsen, Abby Richards.

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Whitewater DECA Students Head to Nationals

Over half of Whitewater High’s DECA Club members who advanced to the state competition earned top placements, qualifying them for the national tournament in Louisville, Kentucky next month.

Students who earn top 6 placements are advanced to the national competition. Whitewater’s national competitors include (Second Place) Sean Curtis, Jessica Still, Lee Frye; (Third Place) Devyn Lee; (Fourth Place) Deanna Solly-Trentman, Alex Resnak; (Fifth Place) Megan McDowell; (Sixth Place) Devyn Lee, Kayla Chapman, Frances Wilkes, and Drew Huelfer.

Additional students placing at the state level are (Seventh Place) Deanna Solly-Trentman; (Top 10) Katie Cassidy, Megan McDowell; (Top 20) Kayla Maxwell, Erin Mahlbacher, Ashley Mackorell, and Andrea Campuzano.

DECA is a business marketing, management and entrepreneurship organization that strives to educate its members about general marketing, entrepreneurship and general business strategies and decisions. DECA aims to prepare members for future careers in general marketing and business.

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Voice Your Opinion on Fayette’s School Superintendent Search

What qualities and qualifications do you want in the next Fayette County school superintendent? Now is the time to let your voice be heard.

The Georgia School Boards Association (GSBA) has been hired by the Fayette County Board of Education to conduct a nationwide search for the next superintendent. Stakeholder input is needed to find the most qualified candidate for the position.

GSBA has posted an electronic survey on the school system’s website, www.fcboe.org , to gather information that will be used in the superintendent search. All stakeholders, parents, students, school system employees, senior citizens, business and civic leaders, residents with and without children attending the Fayette County Public School System, and anyone who lives or works in the county, should participate in this important first step.

Responses are sent directly to GSBA. The organization will collect the results and use the information as screening criteria for qualified candidates. The online survey will remain on the school system’s website through April 5.

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Public Hearing Set for School Superintendent

A public hearing has been planned for March 15 to gather input on the qualities and qualifications for the next superintendent for Fayette County Public Schools.

The hearing will take place at the F.A. Sams Auditorium, located at 205 LaFayette Drive in Fayetteville, beginning at 7 p.m. The Georgia School Boards Association (GSBA) will moderate the hearing.

GSBA has been hired by the Fayette County Board of Education to conduct a nationwide search for applicants interested in the superintendent position. Input collected from the hearing will be used in the applicant screening process.

In addition to the public hearing, GSBA has also posted an online survey to gather information from the public regarding Fayette’s next school superintendent. The survey is on the school system’s website, www.fcboe.org. All responses are sent directly to GSBA. The survey will remain on the site through April 5.

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McIntosh Mock Trial Team Headed for State Finals

The mock trial team at McIntosh High has become the second in the school system’s history to advance to the state competition.

The team won the regional championship competing against Sandy Creek High and Starr’s Mill High (the first team to compete at the state level last year), in addition to three Newton County schools. McIntosh is one of 16 schools in the state that will compete in the Georgia Mock Trail Competition at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center March 13-14.

Team members include Christina Bowman, Femi Brinson, Moroni DeMoors, Dalton Hoyer, Maragaret Jones, Zainab Kamara, Evan McCloskey, Taylor Morgan, Cailin O’Brien, Hope Slaughter, Maegan Stalvey, Rachel White, and Matthew Winn. The primary school coach is Marcus Broadhead and the attorney coach is Brandon Taylor.

The winner of the state tournament will represent Georgia in the national competition May 5-9 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania competing against 42 state champion teams from across the country and around the world.

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Education Foundation Awards Grants for Fayette County

Over $8,650 in grants has been awarded to educators by the Fayette County Education Foundation to help fund innovative teaching ideas at public schools throughout the county.
Among the grants funded this year include the purchase of four SMART Boards, a robotics kit for the county’s first robotics club and programs to help students better understand chemistry, physics and various mathematical concepts.

The grants give educators the monetary assistance they need to bring innovative and creative programs into their schools and classrooms to help enhance the curriculum that is already in place. These programs are in addition to what is funded by the school system. Without assistance from the Fayette County Education Foundation, funding for many of these programs would not be possible.

Counting this year’s grants, the Fayette County Education Foundation has given over $170,000 to the school system’s teachers since it awarded its first grants in 2002. Funding for the grants would not be possible without the generous support of the business community, Fayette County Public School System employees and local individuals.

The foundation is a cooperative effort between the Fayette County Chamber of Commerce and the Fayette County Public School System. Each fall, educators are given the opportunity to submit applications for grants to fund programs that are beyond the scope of their schools’ budget.

Anyone interested in becoming a supporter of the Fayette County Education Foundation can contact Melinda Berry-Dreisbach at the Fayette County Board of Education, 770-460-3535.

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Anderson Named Outstanding Teacher of American History by James Waldrop DAR

Rhonda Anderson with James Waldrop Chapter DAR American History Chairman Phyllis King.

Rhonda Anderson, who teaches at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic High School, was recently named Outstanding Teacher of American History for 2010 by the James Waldrop Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution.

Anderson is the Social Studies Department Chair and views the study of history as "life enrichment" that should be offered to all students. According to Anderson, history should be recalled, quoted, performed, sang, memorized, and celebrated both inside and outside the classroom.

The James Waldrop Chapter DAR is chartered in Fayetteville, Georgia.

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100 Percent of Fayette County Science Projects Place at Regional Fair

All of Fayette County's middle and high school science students who advanced to the Griffin RESA Regional Science and Engineering Fair earned placements and two of their projects were selected to compete in the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair.

A total of 17 out of 23 projects that were selected for the regional fair brought home first place honors. The first place winners are eligible to attend the State Science and Engineering Fair March 31-April 2 at the University of Georgia.

Middle school first place winners include: (Bennett’s Mill) Matthew Harmon; Michael Koenig and Matthew Melatti; Mamie Smith; Monica Schwingshakl; (Fayette) Menaka Reddy; (Flat Rock) Helen Davidson; (J.C. Booth) Alex Marty; (Rising Starr) Shannon Lea McKillip.
High school first place winners include: (Fayette County) Rebecca Otwell; Omar Martinez and Landry Grymes; Sonika Reddy; Sarika Reddy; Tuure Pasto, Michael Martin and Sonya Jooma; (McIntosh) Karen Anderson and Nathan Pearson; Jackie Roshelli and Cara O’Brien; (Starr’s Mill) Leslie Perez and Torie Legere; Hannah Feltner and Regan Chewning.

Other placements include (Bennett’s Mill Middle) Tori Toth and Dale Chapman, second place; Jamie DeCicco, Jordan Watson and Katy Lewis, third place; (Fayette Middle) Juan Luis Munoz, third place; (Rising Starr Middle) Stephanie Clark, second place; Connor Chewning, third place; (Whitewater High) George Harris, third place.

The science fair judges selected four first place winners from Fayette County High to advance to the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair. Sonika Reddy advances as an individual along with the team of Tuure Pasto, Michael Martin and Sonya Jooma.

Special awards from various organizations and institutions were also given to the following teams and individuals: Leslie Perez and Torie Legere, Starr’s Mill High, Mu Alpha Theta; Rebecca Otwell, Fayette County High, National Society of Professional Engineers; Jackie Roshelli and Cara O’Brien, McIntosh High, Stockholm Junior Water Prize; Tuure Pasto, Michael Martin and Sonya Jooma, Fayette County High, U.S. Air Force; Menaka Reddy, Fayette Middle, U.S. Navy/U.S Marine Corps; Helen Davidson, Flat Rock Middle, U.S. Navy/U.S Marine Corps; Sonika Reddy, Fayette County High, Director’s Award; Tuure Pasto, Michael Martin and Sonya Jooma, Fayette County High, Directors Award.

The Griffin RESA Regional Science and Engineering Fair is a regional competition among middle and high schools in the Griffin RESA region that consists of Butts, Fayette, Henry, Lamar, Newton, Pike, Spalding and Upson counties.

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"Prisoner of Passion" to be Presented at PTC First Presbyterian on March 21

The power of the Resurrection takes on a new light as London native David Payne portrays the apostle Paul in a Prisoner of Passion. This drama is sure to bring life to the New Testament Scripture as Paul (David Payne) is under house arrest in Rome and faces almost certain death. Paul interacts with a servant girl and tells her more of God's love.

Come experience the rejoicing of past events and the hope for the future with Paul as he cites many letters he wrote to the early churches. Payne's portrayal of Paul as he neared the end of his life will inspire your Christian journey on Sunday, March 21 at 6:30 at the Peachtree City First Presbyterian Church.

Ticket required. $5 adult and $3 child/student. Childcare will be provided for ages 4 and younger.

For more information, contact First Presbyterian Church at 206 Willow Bend Rd 770-487-7757 or email concerts@firstpresptc.com.

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Hypnotist Mike Harvey will be Performing at The Legacy Theatre this Friday and Saturday Night!

Performances: March 5-6, 2010 at 8 PM
Tickets are only $15 per person!

Come see this fun and exciting show, that everyone is talking about! It is "The #1 Comedy Show of the South!" Mike Harvey, a hypnotist, will be returning for a second weekend to perform on The Legacy Stage! Mike Harvey has been performing for over 38 years as a hypnotist. He has performed on Carnival Cruise Line for many years, and has performed in 15 states in the US. Mike Harvey has hypnotized more than 175,000 volunteers, while more than 11 million spectators have watched.

Mike creates the ultimate comedy show using the power of hypnosis over and over with each show being different, because of his use of many different volunteers. Mike's shows are clean, using no blue humor, and he does not suggest that his volunteers do anything that may embarrass them. Mike Harvey has respect for the individual's sense of self. This show will amaze you, and the volunteers will become the stars of the show!

For more information about hypnosis and Mike Harvey visit www.hypnotistmikeharvey.com.
To purchase tickets visit www.thelegacytheatre.org, or give us a call at 404-895-1473!
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Starr's Mill Students Shine at Regional STAR Events Competition

FCCLA (Family, Career and Community Leaders of America) members at Starr’s Mill High showcased their skills at the regional STAR (Students Taking Action with Recognition) Events competition with 24 of them advancing to the state contest.

STAR Events are competitive events in which members are recognized for proficiency and achievement in chapter and individual projects, leadership skills and career preparation. Each event is designed to help members develop specific lifetime skills in character development, creative and critical thinking, interpersonal communication, practical knowledge and career preparation.

All totaled, the students brought home eight gold and 16 silver awards from eight different events. Winners include: Tiana Morris, silver, Career Investigation; Katie Walker, Jon Reives and Jeremy Holzschuh, silver, Chapter Service Project Manual; Hanna Weaver, Tara Powell and Layne Hatcher, gold, Chapter Showcase Display; Chelcee Putters and Katelynn Pappas, gold, Chapter Showcase Manual; Abbey Miller, Callie Hughes and Ariel Luke, silver, Environmental Ambassadors; Madison Houck and Amanda Rubenstein, silver, Focus on Children; Kaitlin Arnold, Kelley Peterson and Jules Shipe, gold, Focus on Children; Rebekah Livingston, Cassidy Sparkman, Rachel Edison, Beth Dixon and Izi Wagner, silver, Illustrated Talk; Brittany Bomba and Mandie Pfannenstiel, silver, Life Event Planning.

The state competition will take place March 18-20 at the Classic Center in Athens.

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Woodruff Honors Fayette County Teacher

A Fayette County band director who has devoted over 20 years to music education in Georgia has been named one of five 2009-2010 honorees for Woodruff Salutes Georgia Arts in Education Leaders.

Ricky Williams, who has been the band director at Bennett’s Mill Middle since it opened in 2007, was nominated for the honor by the school’s band parents. The purpose of the Woodruff Arts Center’s program is to honor teachers, school and arts administrators, community leaders and volunteers throughout Georgia, who have championed and demonstrated the ability of the arts to positively impact the lives and learning of young people in grades Pre-K through 12.

Williams demands hard work, discipline, and teamwork, and holds students to a high standard. He strongly encourages all students to take private lessons and has established a Private Lesson Academy at the school to make lessons more accessible to students. Williams also started the tradition of a Sixth Grade Honor Band, allowing talented band students the opportunity to work with an outside director and perform with a group of students at a high level. He finds opportunities for his band to perform in the community and competitively, having won many awards and honors in a very short time.

“Mr. Williams has dedicated his career to providing top quality music education to students in the state of Georgia. He demands a high level of discipline and strong work ethic from his students, and these are skills that serve his students well, not only in music but in whatever their future may hold,” says parent Lorrie Buchanan.

The Woodruff Arts Center will contribute $2,500 in Williams’ honor to an arts-in-education program of his choice. A celebration for this year’s honorees will be held at the Woodruff Arts Center in May.

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