Mentor Breakfast Celebrates Another Successful Year

Mentoring changes lives, that was the message that resounded throughout the annual Fayette County School System’s Friends Mentoring Appreciation and Awards Breakfast.

The mentors were not just talking about the students they help every week, they were also referring to themselves, stating that they get as much out of the experience as they give. Both adult and teen mentors alike say the experience has enriched their lives in ways they didn’t expect.

“It taught me how to be there for someone and taught me how to care for someone other than myself,” says Malcolm Belton, a senior at Fayette County High who has mentored at Fayetteville Intermediate for two years. “The greatest achievement I got out of mentoring was a life lesson, a lesson that will be useful in my future. That life lesson is that you should always give one hundred and five percent on anything you do because that percentage could have a huge impact on someone. The feeling of having an impact on someone is huge. It is a good feeling that doesn’t happen often.”

A number of mentors attended the breakfast spanning age groups and different walks of life. Some were high school students from the Hi Teen program, while others were retired teachers and administrators, current school system employees, retired community members, and local business people. All have made a commitment to devote at least one hour a week during the school year to helping a child. Many have been involved with the program for years.

New this year was the presentation of Outstanding Service Awards, one to a teen mentor and the other to an adult. Persons were nominated by school counselors and After School Program site coordinators as those who personify the foundations of mentoring: showing up, having a positive attitude and empathy, giving their best, and demonstrating a love of mentoring.

The first award recipients are Kathryn Aquino, a senior at Whitewater High who has mentored for four years at Sara Harp Minter Elementary, and Tanya VanHoozer, a community member who has also been in the program for four years starting at Spring Hill Elementary then following her student to Fayette Middle where she continues to mentor her today.

While it is nice to have public recognition and appreciation, the mentors say they are not looking for accolades, just an opportunity to have a positive impact on someone’s life.

“Mentors are like Navy Seals, they work in the shadows and they are willing to extend themselves to go the distance. We don’t need pats on the back; we’re not looking for accolades. We’re doing this because we’re making a difference,” says Julius Pryor III, a mentor and member of the program’s advisory board.
This marks the 18th year for the Friends Mentoring Program. Through the years nearly 800 volunteers have helped Fayette County Public School students. This year, 144 registered mentors and tutors worked with over 200 students.

Anyone interested in becoming a mentor or learning more about the program can contact mentoring coordinator Jane Gough, 770-460-3990, ext. 255.

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Money Management Skills Earn National Ranking

Anyone needing advice on how to save and spend money wisely in today’s tough economic times may consider asking some local high school students.

Fourteen students at Sandy Creek High proved their financial skills by ranking in the top 20 percent on the National Financial Capability Challenge sponsored through the US Department of the Treasury. The following students are among the over 18,000 nationwide, 156 statewide, and the only ones from Fayette to place in the top 20 percent on the Challenge’s exam: Hong Cheng, Tyler Fields, Aundrey Flewellen, Ryan Hamill, Jordan Harrison, Alexander Hughes, Corey Kent, Jamarcus Mathis, Michael Munson, Jo-Marie Redley, Joshua Reynolds, Aaron Rynders, Levoyd Wardlow, and Aisha Williams.

These students, all from Jaime Nicks’ businesses and marketing classes, were among the more than 84,000 high school students nationwide who participated in the Challenge. Students learned about earning and spending, saving and investing, using credit wisely, avoiding fraud, and paying for college so that they can better navigate their financial futures.

The students and Nicks will receive awards certificates for their achievement.

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April = Art + Awards for Young Artists

The month of April has brought showers of awards for visual arts students at Fayette County High.

The school was the only one from Fayette, and just one of 35 statewide, to have student work juried into the Georgia High School Ceramic Symposium held April 16 at the Centre for Performing and Visual Arts in Newnan. The two students whose pieces were showcased were Amy Donadeo and Katie Trebendis.

Katie Trebendis, along with fellow student AJ Klemp, has been accepted into the Allstate Honors Art Exhibition that will be held at Kennesaw State University May 6-7. Once again, Fayette County High is the only high school in the county to have artwork accepted into the competition. The school’s students are up against others from some of the best art schools in the state including the DeKalb School for the Art and Savannah Arts Academy.

“This event is very competitive. It is a great honor for our students to be selected and have their work up against the best student artists in the state,” says Pamela Woodworth-Watkins, Fayette County High’s visual art and design teacher.

Also, Jeni Hill was Fayette County High’s winner in the Creative Self-Expression Show sponsored by the Great Frame Up of Peachtree City. Her work is being shipped to the national competition in Los Angeles where it will be judged by the show’s national spokesperson, actress and artist Jane Seymour, along with a judging panel. Two winners will receive a $2,000 scholarship.

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National Winners Get Thousands

Whitewater High DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America) students and their advisor, Krystin Glover, will collect nearly $4,000 in award money at the DECA International Career Development Conference in April.

DECA is an organization that prepares students for careers in marketing, management, leadership, and entrepreneurship. Thousands of entries poured in from across the country in pursuit of one of the national awards. The school’s award recipients will be recognized on stage in Orlando, Florida for the following achievements: Five-Star Business Award, Whitewater High School Store, $1,000; Otis Spunkmeyer Student Award, Mikayla Stewart, $1,000; Publix Supermarkets Student Award, Erin Mahlbacher, $1,000; and Otis Spunkmeyer Advisor Award, Krystin Glover, $800.

The DECA International Career Development Conference is the highlight of the DECA year. Fourteen thousand high school students, advisors, businesspersons and alumni gather for several days of DECA excitement. In addition to competitive events, many students and advisors participate in a variety of leadership and career advancing academies.

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MCHS Student Candidate for Presidential Award

A Peachtree City student has received an honor reserved for the best of the best high school graduating seniors. Brahma D. Natarajan of McIntosh High has been selected by the United States Department of Education as a U.S. Presidential Scholars candidate.

Natarajan is one of approximately 141 outstanding graduating seniors from throughout the United States who have been selected as candidates for the nation’s highest honor for high school students.

Scholars are chosen on the basis of their accomplishments in many areas, academic and artistic success, leadership, and involvement in school community; and represent excellence in education and the promise of greatness in America’s youth. They are invited to Washington, DC in June to participate in National Recognition Weekend, which includes many enrichment activities and events, and culminates with the presentation to the students of the Presidential Scholars medallion during a ceremony sponsored by the White House.

Only 500 of the candidates will be selected as scholars. Natarajan must submit an application, including essays, self-assessments, secondary school reports, and transcripts, to be eligible to compete in the selection process. Semifinalists will be notified in early April, and Scholars in early May.

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Fayette Student Science Projects Earn State Awards

Attempting to find solutions to some of the world’s scientific issues, Fayette County middle and high school students were recognized for their research at the 62nd Georgia Science and Engineering Fair at the University of Georgia.

Students who participated in the state fair earned the opportunity to compete by placing first in the regional competition. A total of 17 projects were advanced to the state level with 14 of them earning placements. By participating in science fairs, students learn how to isolate important problems and how to attack and solve problems all within the framework of organized, logical thought and study.

The following students earned placements at the state competition:

Junior Division: (First Place) Michael Koeing and Matthew Melatti, and Mamie Smith, all from Bennett’s Mill Middle; (Second Place) Helen Davidson, Flat Rock Middle; (Third Place) Matthew Harmon, Bennett’s Mill Middle, and Menaka Reddy, Fayette Middle; (Fourth Place) Monica Schwingshaki, Bennett’s Mill Middle.

Senior Division: (First Place) Jackie Roshelli and Cara O’Brien, both from McIntosh High, and Sonika Reddy, Fayette County High; (Second Place) Rebecca Otwell, and Omar Martinez and Landry Grymes, all from Fayette County High; (Fourth Place) Leslie Perez and Torie Legere, both from Starr’s Mill High, Sarika Reddy, Fayette County High, Hannah Feltner and Regan Chewning, both from Starr’s Mill High, and Tuure Pasto, Michael Martin and Sonya Jooma, all from Fayette County High.

Additionally, a special award from the University of Georgia Health and Sciences Institute was presented to Sonika Reddy of Fayette County High.

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Awards Won for Fayette County Students at Regional Literacy Competition

After months of rehearsing and winning school and county-level competitions, students from Robert J. Burch Elementary, Cleveland Elementary, Fayette Middle and Rising Starr Middle brought home awards from the 2010 Griffin RESA Regional Literacy Days Festival.

A total of four students placed in the poetry recitation portion of the festival. They are Ian Smith, second place, Robert J. Burch Elementary, third grade; Connor Tebbe, third place, Cleveland Elementary, fourth grade; Drew Van de Motter, first place, Rising Starr Middle, sixth grade; and Virginia Lambert, first place, Fayette Middle, eighth grade.

In addition to the poetry recitation winners, Olivia Cote’, an eighth grader at Rising Starr Middle, took second place in the ready writing portion of the competition.

The Griffin RESA Regional Literacy Days Festival is a regional competition among elementary and middle schools in the Griffin RESA region which consists of Butts, Fayette, Henry, Lamar, Newton, Pike, Spalding and Upson counties.

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Georgia Recognizes 15 Fayette County Schools for High Academic Performance

Over 50 percent of Fayette County public schools have been recognized by the state for promoting excellence in student achievement.

Out of the county’s 28 schools, eight elementary, two middle and all five high schools received award designations of platinum, gold, silver or bronze based on the number of years the school has made AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress), the percentage of students exceeding, and the percentage meeting and exceeding academic standards.

Awards were given in two categories: greatest gain, for schools that showed the greatest improvement on the Criterion-Referenced Competency Tests (CRCT) or the Georgia High School Graduation Test (GHSGT), and highest performance, for schools that demonstrated the highest achievement on the CRCT or GHSGT.

Awards received by Fayette County Public Schools make up four percent of the 327 awards given statewide. All award winners received recognition banners and certificates for display at their schools.

Peachtree City Elementary received a platinum award in the “greatest gain” category. Both Tyrone Elementary and McIntosh High also received platinum awards in the “highest performance” category. These schools made AYP for three consecutive years, had a minimum of 35 percent exceeding standards, and at least 98 percent of students meeting and exceeding standards.

The following schools received gold awards in the “highest performance” category: Peeples Elementary, Kedron Elementary, Peachtree City Elementary, Starr’s Mill High, and Sandy Creek High. These schools made AYP for two consecutive years with 30 percent of students exceeding standards, and at least 97 percent of students meeting and exceeding standards.

Silver award winners in “highest performance” were Crabapple Lane Elementary, Braelinn Elementary, Whitewater High, Bennett’s Mill Middle, and Rising Starr Middle. These schools received silver for making AYP two consecutive years, having a minimum of 25 percent of students exceeding standards, and at least 96 percent of students meeting and exceeding standards.

Cleveland Elementary, Sara Harp Minter Elementary and Fayette County High were awarded bronze for not being in “Needs Improvement” status, having a minimum of 20 percent of students exceeding standards, and at least 95 percent of students meeting and exceeding standards.

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Fayette Students Named Semifinalists in National Achievement Scholarship Program

Two local students are among the 1,600 semifinalists nationwide vying for scholarships in the 2010 National Achievement Scholarship Program, a competition for African American high school students.

Helen Agha of Fayette County High and Ifeanyi Awachie of Sandy Creek High were selected as semifinalists from more than 160,000 students from all parts of the U.S. who requested consideration in the program when they took the 2008 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) as high school juniors.

To advance to the finalist level, semifinalists must present a record of high academic performance throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by the school principal, earn SAT scores that confirm the PSAT/NMSQT performance and write a self-descriptive essay. The semifinalist and a school official must also complete a scholarship application in which they provide information about the student’s participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities and educational goals.

Approximately 1,300 semifinalists are expected to fulfill additional requirements and advance to the finalist level in the 2010 competition. Finalists will compete for one of 700 one-time National Achievement $2,500 scholarships as well as 100 Achievement Scholarship awards for those who meet criteria set by the grantor.

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Fayette County Schools Earn Achievement Awards

Fayette County elementary, middle and high schools have collectively received 30 awards from the Georgia Department of Education in recognition of their academic achievement.

The second annual Superintendent’s Distinguished Achievement Awards honor schools that had the highest achievement and greatest improvement on state curriculum tests: the Criterion-Referenced Competency Test (CRCT), the Georgia High School Graduation Test (GHSGT), the End-of-Course Test (EOCT) and state Writing Tests.

All of Fayette’s awards were given in the “achievement” category. The top 10 schools in the state with the highest percentage of students scoring in the “exceeds” category in each honored subject area and grade level received achievement awards. The honored subjects and grade levels include: Grades 1-8 Reading CRCT; Grades 2 and 6 English Language Arts CRCT; Grade 9 Literature EOCT; American Literature EOCT; English Language Arts and Reading GHSGT; Grades 1-8 Mathematics CRCT; Mathematics GHSGT; Grades 4 and 8 Social Studies CRCT; U.S. History EOCT; Economics EOCT; Social Studies GHSGT; Grades 5-8 Science CRCT; Physical Science EOCT; Biology EOCT; Science GHSGT; Grade 5 Writing Test; Georgia High School Writing Test.

A total of three elementary and middle schools received achievement awards for performance on the CRCT:
Kedron Elementary – Grade 3 Reading and Grade 4 Mathematics
Peeples Elementary – Grade 2 Reading and Grade 3 Reading
Rising Starr Middle –Grade 6 Mathematics and Grade 8 Reading

In addition, Rising Starr Middle also received an achievement award in Grade 8 Writing.

Two high schools received achievement awards for performance on the EOCT:
McIntosh – U.S. History and Economics
Starr’s Mill – Economics

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“Find it in Fayette!” Community Expo Best Booth and Taster’s Choice Winners Announced!

Over 1500 people gathered at the Fayette Chamber’s Find it in Fayette! Community Expo held on September 15th at New Hope Church, setting a new record for attendance at this annual event. Business owners as well as community members enjoyed visiting over 130 exhibitors who showcased their products and services at the county’s largest tradeshow.

Each year one outstanding exhibitor is awarded a prize for winning the Best Booth Contest, sponsored this year by Oddo Brothers, CPAs. The judging for this contest is based on two parts: selection from a panel of independent judges as well as a vote from visitors to the event. The winner was Affordable Catering (www.affordable-caterer.com), owned by Dan and Mandy Nelson. They will receive a promotional prize package worth over $800 from the Chamber.

This year an additional award, the Taster’s Choice, was added to honor one outstanding food exhibitor. Sponsored by Dolce Atlanta-Peachtree Conference Center, the winning Taster’s Choice display was selected by input from a judges panel led by Dolce’s Chef Len, as well the results of the visitors’ vote. The winner was The Cheesecake Boutique (www.thecheesecakeboutique.com) owned by Marie Selkridge-Ashford. She will also receive a prize package worth over $800 from the Chamber.

The Expo had a special focus on health, wellness and promotion of a “go green lifestyle”. A variety of exhibitors provided health screenings, flu shots and provided free health awareness materials for the community. In addition, many booths included information on environment-friendly ideas for home and work, energy efficiency and other ways to “go green”.

The Fayette Chamber’s Find it in Fayette! Community Expo was presented by Delta Community Credit Union. Additional sponsors included AT&T of Georgia, Coweta-Fayette EMC/Relyco, The Southern Federal Credit Union, Comcast Cable Communications, Cardiovascular Consultants of Georgia, P.C., Jim Mothorpe, Capital Investment Companies, Dynamic Website Management, Fayette County News, Dolce Atlanta-Peachtree and Ravin Homes.

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Sams Family Receives Award for Dedication to Conservation

Pictured (l-r) are Dr. Ferrol and Dr. Helen Sams with James Waldrop Chapter DAR Conservation Chairman Kaydee Mathews.

In 1997, the Sams Family donated 56 acres to Fayette County. Known as the Sams Lake Bird Sanctuary, this land has been developed and maintained by the Southern Conservation Trust. The wetlands area on Old Senoia Rd is a great way to teach our youth about the beauty of nature.

The James Waldrop Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution was honored to present the 2009 DAR Conservation Award to the Sams family for their ongoing dedication of conserving nature. Receiving the award on behalf of the family were Drs. Ferrol and Helen Sams.

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Fayette County BOE Financial Report Receives Highest Honor

Financial reports are usually not on most people’s top 10 list of must read items but the one published by the Fayette County Board of Education could change that.

For the third consecutive year, the Government of Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada has awarded its Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting to the board of education for the school system’s comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR).

The award is given annually to reports that demonstrate a constructive spirit of full disclosure that clearly communicate the organization’s financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the CAFR. It is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management.

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Fayette County School System PR Department Wins Top Award

The Public Relations Department of the Fayette County Public School System has received one of the highest national awards in recognition of outstanding public relations practices.

The National School Public Relations Association has awarded the department its 2009 Golden Achievement Award. Fayette’s public relations department was one of only 30 nationwide to receive the honor.

Judges carefully sought outstanding achievement in the four steps of a public relations program to determine the award winners. The steps include: 1) analysis of the need; 2) planning to meet the need; 3) execution and communication of the program; and 4) formal evaluation. A public relations program must meet all four in order to win.

“This is truly an honor. This award signifies that we have one of the top public relations programs in the nation. This is the highest honor awarded to date to the public relations department,” says Public Information Specialist Melinda Berry-Dreisbach.

The public relations department has received both national and state awards for its communication materials since the office opened in 2001. All totaled, the department has been awarded 56 national and state honors.

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DeCotis Named Outstanding Georgia Educator

Each year the membership of the Georgia Association of Educational Leaders (GAEL) nominates fellow members for the association’s Outstanding Educator Award. One of the nominees and winner of the 2009 award is Fayette County School Superintendent Dr. John DeCotis.

“I’m honored that I was selected for this award. Our board members, staff, teachers and students have allowed me to serve them and I thank them,” says DeCotis.

To be eligible for nomination, a candidate most possess an exemplary record of service in educational leadership and exhibit leadership characteristics that are considered a positive role model for others. In choosing a winner, selection team members look for demonstration of effective leadership and management skills, how new ideas and projects have been implemented, contributions made to the educational leadership profession, profession growth activities, membership in professional organizations and community involvement.

The award was presented at the summer GAEL conference July 12-15.

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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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Bennett's Mill Student Receives Volunteer Service Award

The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program has recognized Bennett’s Mill Middle student Katherine Burke with its President’s Volunteer Service Award.

The award recognizes young people who have volunteered significant amounts of their time to serve their communities and their country. Katherine earned her award by working with special needs students.

She created homemade t-shirts for Bennett’s Mill students on the Special Olympics team, and put together scrapbooks of the students as a Christmas gift for their families. At the end of the school year, she created calendars highlighting the special needs students and their accomplishments throughout the year.

“I would encourage other young people to give everyone a chance; they must get over their fears of the special education students and become involved. Other young people need to know that conditions are not contagious, but they can catch a great deal more if they truly connect with one of the kids. Once you are able to connect, you will have the best feeling in the world,” Katherine says.

Sponsored by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program recognizes young people across America for outstanding community service activities. More than 250,000 young people nationwide have been considered for these awards since the program began in 1995.

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Fayette County Math Students Sweep Top Awards

Math students in Fayette’s middle schools swept first place awards in all three divisions of the 2009 Griffin RESA Middle School Math Contest.

The first place winners are Bennett’s Mill (Division I: Smaller Schools), Flat Rock Middle (Division II: Medium Schools) and Rising Starr Middle (Division III: Larger Schools).

In addition to the first place finishes, Whitewater Middle placed third in Division II and Logan Austin of Bennett’s Mill placed second in the overall individual winners category.

The Griffin RESA Middle School Math Contest is a regional competition among middle schools in the Griffin RESA region, which consists of Butts, Fayette, Henry, Lamar, Newton, Pike, Spalding and Upson counties. Over 22 middle schools participated in this year’s competition.

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Schools Help Relay for Life Fayette Win 100 Percent Involvement Award

Every Fayette County public school had at least one Relay for Life team participating in the 2008 relay, a requirement to receive the 100 Percent School Involvement Award from the American Cancer Society.

The announcement was made last month by the relay’s county organizers during a meeting of principals and other administrators at the LaFayette Educational Center. At that time, an award was presented to Superintendent John DeCotis for his support and five schools were honored with a Top 10 All Star Award for their fundraising efforts and participation.

Schools receiving the All Star award were Peeples Elementary, McIntosh High, Cleveland Elementary, Spring Hill Elementary and East Fayette Elementary. The schools raising the most money at each level were Peeples , $15,454; Whitewater Middle, $8,841 and McIntosh, $14,946.

Relay for Life is the American Cancer Society’s signature activity. It offers everyone in Fayette an opportunity to participate in the fight against cancer. Teams of people from all walks of life have fun while raising funds to fight cancer and awareness of cancer prevention and treatment. Teams camp out at the local fairgrounds and take turns walking or running around the track. Each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times during the overnight event.

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Berry College Model U.N. Excels at Regional Conference

FL Note: Congrats to the following Fayette County students for this achievement!
Taylor Smith, a junior international studies and English major, is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Scott Smith of Peachtree City, Ga.
Brin Enterkin, a freshman psychology major, is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Steven Enterkin of Fayetteville, Ga.
Lauren Wright, a sophomore communication major, is the daughter of William and Deborah Wright of Fayetteville, Ga.

Twenty-four students representing Berry College’s Model United Nations club combined to win three awards at the November session of the 2008 Southern Regional United Nations Conference in Atlanta. More than 630 students participated in this conference, representing 73 Model U.N. countries.

Under the supervision of Dr. Kirsten Taylor, associate professor of government and international studies, the Berry students represented Nigeria and Cuba on several Model U.N. committees. They won two Position Paper Awards for their pre-conference preparation; additionally, first-year student Brin Enterkin won an honorable mention for her individual work as a delegate for the Commission on Sustainable Development.

“I am very proud of both the work that the club members put into preparing for the SRMUN Conference and their efforts to negotiate at the conference,” Dr. Taylor said. “This is a really dedicated group of students, and it’s a pleasure for me to work with them.”

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