• Nicole Smith's second-grade class at Shoal Creek Elementary in Rockdale County is celebrating its achievement in the national First in Math competition. The class placed first in Georgia out of all second-grade classes and fifth out of all second-grade classes in the nation. "One of my favorite aspects of the First In Math program is that it is student-centered," said Smith. "First In Math covers a lot of subject areas and as a supplement to our curriculum, it provides students with many opportunities to interact with and practice math."
• A record number, 31, of Gwinnett Technical College students participated in the recent state SkillsUSA, a competition for post-secondary students in leadership, health occupations, trades/industry and technology. Gold medal: Robert Siple, technical computer applications; Trevell Pittman, extemporaneous speech; Dwight Lewis, prepared speech; Tracy Vogt, first aid/CPR; and Jesus Hernandez, information technology services. Silver medal, Stephen Blackburn, cabinetry; Ryan Brown, Web design; Kandice King, Web design; Kevin St. Amant, diesel equipment technology; Jeremy Hester, culinary arts; Jason Fonzo, HVAC; James Stephens, computer programming, and Kwame Ohemeng, Cisco networking. Bronze medal: Jordan Lopes, carpentry; Janice Baskin, commercial baking. Health Knowledge Bowl Team: Yesenia Abarca Reyes, Angela Basbuskin, Jilvonda Koonce, Laura Gregg and Lisa Walraven. Participating faculty members included Penny Waddell, speech; Margaret Long, health sciences; Garfield Anderson, John Thacher, Charles Hardnett and Lorenzo Clarke, computer sciences; Dennis Bowers, carpentry; John Stallings, diesel equipment; Andrew Miller, culinary arts; and Alex Elman, HVAC.
• Three Fayette County students are among the 183 graduating seniors from schools across Georgia recognized as 2015 Georgia Scholars by the Georgia Department of Education, for excellent performance with exemplary course loads and participation in interscholastic events and extracurricular activities. They are Emily Marin of Fayette County High, Alex Casado of Starr's Mill High, and Cody Clements of Starr's Mill High. Each will receive a seal for their diploma.
• Whitewater High's DECA students swept the Spring 2015 Sports Marketing Competition with the Atlanta Hawks, when three teams took first, second and third place in the state for their ideas about new sponsorship opportunities for the Hawks. The winning teams are: first place, Garrett Walraven, Jacob Henley, Davis Benefield, and Anoop Joseph; second place, Tyler Sample, Trevor Cordi, Madias Loper, and Aliaahil Lilywala; and third place, Cole Benefield, Matthew Weller, and Will Raville. More than 1,500 students from around Georgia participated. Atlanta Hawks marketing executives were judges.
• The Paulding County Board of Education has been awarded its second Award of Distinction for Excellent Financial Reporting by the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts. "This recognition is a testament to the hard work of the business services staff," said school superintendent Cliff Cole. To achieve recognition, government organizations must go beyond the minimum requirements of generally accepted accounting principles. Paulding is one of just 25 local school districts presented with the award this year.
• Graduating McIntosh High School senior Ryan Anderson has been named a National Merit $2,500 Scholarship winner, one of 2,500 nationwide who were chosen from more than 15,000 finalists.
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