The University of West Georgia varsity debate team, of junior Marquis Ard and sophomore Hakeem Muhammad, earned a first round, at-large bid to participate in the 2014 National Debate Tournament. First round bids, voted on by a national selection committee, are based on regular season results and are only awarded to the top 16 teams in the country. UWG has been awarded as a first round bid 21 times in its history.
***
Delta Community Credit Union recently announced a call for entries for its annual scholarship program. This year’s program will award five applicants with a total of $20,000 in scholarships based on academic achievement, community involvement and submission of an essay on a topic selected by the credit union. The scholarship assists eligible members by awarding three $5,000 and two $2,500 scholarships to students seeking their undergraduate degree, and is designed to provide supplemental funds to cover expenses including tuition, books, lodging or meals. All applications must be received by the close of business on March 31, and winners will be notified and announced on or before May 12.
***
The Fulton Sunshine Academy Elementary School "TechnoPandas" are celebrating after being crowned champions at the FIRST Lego League State Championship in Athens on Feb. 1. The next stop in the fifth-grade team's journey is the Lego League World Festival in St. Louis at the end of April. The team is made up of Advait Amdekar, Sohum Rao, Sedat Akgun, Priya Soneji, Meghana Raj and Aarni Iyer. This event encompasses all levels of robotics competitions and teams from all over the world.
***
Carrollton High School students Trent Taylor and Will Crafton recently placed first in the 2014 State GFCA Debate Tournament for second year public forum debaters. The meet was held earlier this month at Lassiter High School, and required students to be prepared to debate either the pro or con side of a specific topic.
***
As a result of Black History Month coming to an end, Atlanta High School students were honored Feb. 25 by Judge Glenda Hatchett for completing a financial education course and for being names Regions Bank Financial Scholars. The ceremony also celebrated the launch of a 306-African-American History curriculum for Atlanta area schools, which will seek to inspire students with the empowering stories and themes of African-American’s who have overcome obstacles to pave the way for future generations.
***
Honeywell International recently awarded scholarships to 304 students from 38 countries and 33 U.S. states to attend the Honeywell Leadership Challenge Academy this year. Madison James of North Forsyth High School and Ryan Mahoney of Chattahoochee High School were the only students from Georgia chosen for the scholarship. The program, designed to build students' leadership skills and develop their capacities through hands-on challenges, is currently underway at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Ala., and will continue through March 7.
About the Author
