In Focus @ GWA
A news bulletin for the families of George Walton Academy
May 2, 2024
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Email: info@gwa.com
Website: www.gwa.com
Phone: (678) 635-3800
Key Deadlines & Dates
- Summer Camps Registration: open now, go to gwa.com to register
Spring Band Concert: May 2 @ 5 p.m. (note time change)
Dance Show: May 3 @ 6:30 p.m.
Faculty & Staff Appreciation Week: begins May 6
Spring Football Begins: May 6 (see below)
Senior Art Show: May 9 (see below)
Seniors' Last Day: May 10
MS Awards: May 15
US Awards: May 16
Yearbook Presentation: May 16 @ 1 p.m. (see below)
Baccalaureate: May 17 @ 6 p.m
Graduation: May 18 @ 9 a.m.
Exams (grades 8-11): May 20-23
K5 Graduation: May 22 @ 7 p.m.
Fifth Grade Graduation: May 23
Last Day of School: May 23 (early dismissal)
Latin Learners Earn Accolades
The National Latin Exam (NLE) is a test given annually to Latin students across the United States and around the world. The NLE is not meant to be a competition but rather an opportunity for students to receive reinforcement and recognition for their accomplishments in the classroom. This year, GWA students earned awards in Latin I and Latin II.
In Latin I:
- Isabel Choe earned a Silver Maxima Cum Laude award
- Zoe Ketterer earned a Silver Maxima Cum Laude award
- Ava McLendon earned a Cum Laude award
- Leila Hajrizi earned a Cum Laude award
In Latin II:
- Caleb Choe earned a Cum Laude award
Curious Minds
By Sherre Cown
Do all plants grow from seeds? Do all seeds look alike? Do plants grow everywhere? How does the seed know what to be when it grows up? What do seeds need to grow? This is a small sampling of questions that my students needed answers to. Our K4 solution, let’s grow our own plants and see!
So, we did just that! We assembled everything we had learned that seeds needed to grow and be healthy. We planted our nasturtium seeds in soil, watered them when they needed it, placed them in our window for sunlight, and then sat back and watched their progress.
What an amazing adventure we had, but not all of our questions were answered. What about pollination? Enter the insects! The class immediately asked what is an insect? Are some good, or bad? What do they have to do with pollination? Where do they come from? These were more questions that we needed answers to.
We then welcomed to our class Cotton Candy, Bluey, Sprinkles, Lilianna, Cutie, Kate, Tianna, Catty, Claire, and Bliss! Ten tiny painted lady caterpillars. We watched them from the beginning of their life cycle until the day came when we had to set them free. Now they fly over their new home here at GWA, free to help pollinate all of our beautiful flowers and plants!
Dance Superstars
The GWA Dance department is proud to present the Spring Dance Showcase, “Baby, I’m A Star!” on Friday, May 3 at 6:30 p.m. Come watch our dancers perform Jazz, Lyrical, Ballet, Hip-Hop and Musical Theatre dance routines to some of our favorite hits! Entry is free and open to the public. Come enjoy a fun night of dance!
Supersize It!
In Mr. Jameson's Sculpture 1: Intro to Dimensional Media class, students have been tasked to recreate random objects in styrofoam and resin. Students must use geometry and scaling mathematics to enlarge their chosen objects. Once painted these objects will be displayed around campus for everyone to enjoy.
JCL Attends State Convention
This year, eight GWA JCL (Junior Classical League) members attended the State Latin Convention at Rock Eagle. They competed in academic testing, graphic arts contests, and olympika events, they attended workshops, participated in a Roman procession, and spent an evening stargazing with new friends they made. Alexa Lo won fifth place for her entry in the Black Ink graphic art contest; William Ferguson won first place in the Softball Throw and second place in the Frisbee Throw as part of the olympika contests. Collectively, the GWA delegation won fourth place in overall sweepstakes points for small schools.
Spreading Joy
Junior Beta members went to visit Great Oaks Senior Living with fresh flowers and lots of smiles. They enjoyed playing bingo and getting to know the residents. All of the members said their goal was to “spread joy” and they sure did succeed!
Track Stars
Our GWA track and field superstars competed at the GIAA State Championship Meet in Columbus (hosted by Brookstone School). “We had great results in every event we entered,” said Coach Whitley. Congratulations to our three individual State Champions, to our 2nd place girls’ team, and to all who placed and competed at the meet - and to our coaches! Meet highlights:
- Ashley Hill – 1st discus
- McKenna Rutledge – 1st in pole vault, 5th in shot put
- Jackson Wells – 1st in triple jump (new school record), 5th in 300 hurdles
- Catherine Atkinson – 2nd in high jump, 3rd in discus
- Moneli Shekarbakht – 3rd in 800 run
- Roland Crutchfield – 3rd in shot put
- Taylor Jesel – 3rd in 100 hurdles, 4th in 300 hurdles
- Girls' Relay Teams – 3rd in 4x100, 3rd in 4x800
Spring Football Kicks Off May 6
Attention students going into grades 5 through 12! If you're interested in playing spring football, sign-ups are now open at the weight room. Spring practice begins on Monday, May 6, and more details will follow for registered participants. For any questions, please reach out to Coach Beer at LBeer@gwa.com. We look forward to seeing you on the field!
New Friends!
We are happy to welcome students - Valeria, Maria, Ximena, Iris, Begoña, Daniel and Sofia from CUAM Prep (Mexico) to George Walton Academy! They are here to dive into American culture and language. Mrs. Cécile Gervais commented, “Their English is top-notch! These smart, polite students love hanging out at school and with their host families. All our teachers are really enjoying having them on campus.”
Today's In Focus is proudly sponsored by Sherri Wilson - Re/MaxTru.