• Under the direction of art teacher Laura LaQuaglia, six Kell High School advanced placement studio art students researched the 2015 Star of the Year and five inductees for the Atlanta Sports Hall of Fame. The student artists were Rachel Cheek, Michala Settle, Ferris Halemeh, Avery Silva, Antonio Nichols and Kennedy O'Connor. They created artwork celebrating the achievements and contributions of each athlete, to be displayed in the lobby of the Buckhead Theatre at the 2015 Atlanta Sports Hall of Fame Awards and Induction Ceremony.
• Kindergarten teacher Christine Wallace of Sophia Academy was honored at the 2015 Atlanta Archbishop's Banquet for Catholic Education on Jan. 31 as a Teacher of the Year. Wallace has taught for over eleven years. She also teaches high school religion, and has taught English to children in Eastern Europe. She has traveled to Tasmania, Poland, the Czech Republic, Mexico, Australia, Italy, the Dominican Republic, Croatia, Belarus, Germany, France, Spain and Great Britain. She has been a member of the Legion of Mary for almost 20 years.
• In an opportunity unique to the University of North Georgia, full-time students who commit to serve four years in the Georgia Army National Guard after graduation can earn a full, four-year scholarship worth approximately $70,000. The state-funded Georgia Military Scholarship pays for tuition, books, fees, room, board, and uniforms. Recipients agree to serve part-time in the Guard as second lieutenants for at least four years after receiving their bachelor's degrees. Forty-two GMS awards are offered each year. Cadet Sgt. Maj. Eric Gleason of Marietta, one recipient, said, "If it wasn't for GMS I wouldn't be in college." Gleason, a graduate of Cherokee Christian Academy, said, "GMS definitely gives you a leg up because once you get to school, all you have to worry about is your GPA and your performance in the Corps of Cadets." To be eligible, Georgia high school seniors must be nominated a state legislator, meet UNG's admission requirements and meet Army National Guard medical and physical standards.
• Fayette County middle and high school math students were big winners at the Griffin RESA Regional Middle and High School Math contests. At the middle school level, with more than 28 schools and 150 students competing, Flat Rock placed first in Division I (smaller schools); Whitewater took first in Division II (medium schools); and J.C. Booth and Rising Starr placed second and third, respectively, in Division III (larger schools). Andy Huynh of Flat Rock took second place in the overall individual competition. At the high school level, Sandy Creek took second place in Division I (smaller schools); Starr's Mill and Fayette County earned first and second place, respectively, in Division II (medium schools); and McIntosh placed first in Division III (larger schools). High school students also swept the individual awards with first-place honors going to Nathan Hung and Ryan Anderson of McIntosh; second place to Joshua Tysor of Starr's Mill; and third place to Nick Powell of Whitewater. Approximately 125 students participated in the high school contest.
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