County by county news for Sunday

Atlanta

Students learn dangers of texting and driving

Students at Atlanta’s Grady High got a lesson in the dangers of texting while driving through a virtual simulator. To celebration of national “No Text on Board Pledge Day,” the students used a full-sized vehicle simulator provided by AT&T and virtual reality goggles to test their performance while texting and driving. Info: www.itcanwait.com. Jaime Sarrio

Atlantan named United Way USA president

Former Atlanta resident, Stacey Davis Stewart, has been named president of the United Way USA.

Stewart is in a newly-created position that reflects the United Way Worldwide’s commitment to its network in the United States. Her appointment is effective Oct. 15.

Previously, Stewart was an executive vice president at United Way Worldwide and chief diversity officer and senior vice president for the office of community and charitable giving for Fannie Mae.

Stewart earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Georgetown University and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Michigan. Sheila M. Poole

Cobb

Cobb to study underage alcohol consumption

The Cobb Alcohol Taskforce is extending a county-wide survey to October to help identify community support for effective strategies to reduce underage and youth binge drinking. So far, 600 respondents have completed the survey.

The short survey asks participants 13 questions about issues relating to underage and youth binge drinking.

The survey is available online at www.surveymonkey.com/s/7JXQL6J.

Information: Cathy Finck at 404-791-7406. Ernie Suggs

Gwinnett

Gwinnett Tech trustee honored

Gwinnett Tech Foundation Trustee Jim McGean has been named volunteer of the year by the Technical College Foundation Association of Georgia.

The award recognizes outstanding contributions of time, talent and financial support on behalf of Georgia’s technical colleges. McGean, the retired president of Verizon Wireless, co-chaired Gwinnett Tech’s Legacy of Lives campaign, helping to raise more than $7.1 million to date. Under his leadership the college also opened a new 78,000-square-foot life sciences center. David Wickert

Artists sought for public art project

Duluth’s Gateway Art Project Committee is seeking an artist to create a piece of art for the roundabout at West Lawrenceville Street, McClure Bridge Road and Irvindale Road.

The donation for this project will come from AGCO Corporation, an agricultural equipment manufacturer headquartered in Duluth. Information: www.duluthga.net/community/publicart. Kenneth Musisi

DeKalb

Superintendent to discuss school issues,

DeKalb County schools superintendent Cheryl Atkinson will discuss district issues and field questions at a series of meetings in October.

Submit questions in advance to lillian_m_govus@fc.dekalb.k12.ga.us.

Meetings are from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at these schools: Oct. 11, McNair High; Oct. 15, Tucker High; Oct. 23, Redan High; Oct. 25, Lithonia High, and Oct. 29, Dunwoody High. Ty Tagami