• Woodward Academy junior Cassie Van Orden was recently selected by the National Center for Women & Information Technology as a 2015 national runner-up for the NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing. Cassie was one of 350 runner-up winners from 2,500 young women across the country.
• Gwinnett County's North Gwinnett Middle School, coached by Scott Johnson, is the 2015 PAGE Academic Bowl for Middle Grades state champion. The team won at the state championship on Jan. 24, at Georgia College & State University in Milledgeville.
• The following Atlanta-area students have been selected to participate in the 2015 Disney Dreamers Academy with Steve Harvey and ESSENCE magazine. These teens, along with a parent or guardian, will receive an all-expense-paid trip to Walt Disney World Resort to take part in an educational and mentoring program: Brandon Cunningham of Acworth, North Cobb High School; Brandon Iverson of Atlanta, Buford High School; Aunjelica Hutchinson of Austell, Pebblebrook High School; Mary-Kate Billings of Cartersville, Georgia Cyber Academy; Jalia Carlton-Carew of Lithonia, Arabia Mountain High School; Rodney Baskerville Jr. of Marietta, Sprayberry High School; Torey Mckissick Jr. of McDonough, Strong Rock Christian School; Caysi Ingram of Peachtree City, McIntosh High School; Ashley Tousana of Sandy Springs, North Springs Charter High School; and Thomas Stewart of Tucker, Tucker High School.
• Communities In Schools of Atlanta has named Dr. Demona Warren a 2015 Unsung Heroes Awards winner. Warren is one of five site coordinators honored by the national Communities In Schools' network as best in class for their dedication to doing whatever it takes to keep kids in school. The 2015 honorees were recognized at the Communities In Schools' Leadership Town Hall, held in New Orleans on Jan. 22.
• Seven students from the Fayette County Public School System's band program have been accepted into the 2014-2015 season of the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra. More than 300 students from Atlanta and the surrounding metropolitan counties audition each year for one of 120 seats in the orchestra. This year's members include Kali Edwards, bassoon, Fayette County High; Elise Conti, oboe, Starr's Mill High; Emily Schuler, bassoon, McIntosh High; Alicia Zamore, clarinet, McIntosh High; Steven Lukehart, trumpet, McIntosh High; Parker Olson, percussion, McIntosh High; and Michael Dehan, percussion, McIntosh High. Students named as alternates are Errol Rhoden III, tuba, Fayette County High; and Megan Casteneda, clarinet, Whitewater High.
• Through the sponsorship of Archer High School PTSA, Archer High School students will be presenting the 2015 Harlem Renaissance Cultural Festival Feb. 5 -7. This event will be at Archer High School in Gwinnett County, 2255 New Hope Road, Lawrenceville, in honor of Black History Month. The festival is dedicated to arts education and the re-invigoration of interest in music, art and cultural awareness among our youth.
• Simon Youth Foundation, a national nonprofit that provides educational opportunities for at-risk high school students, will award a college scholarship to one student from every community that is home to a Simon property. The application period ends on Feb. 25. Students can apply online by visiting www.syf.org. Any student who will be graduating in the class of 2015 and lives within 50 miles of a Simon property is eligible. The program will award a one-time scholarship of up to $1,500 to students who plan to enroll in an accredited college, university, vocational or technical school. In addition, 10 $2,500 scholarship that are renewable for up to three years will be given to top candidates in each of 10 regions including Atlanta.
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