News You Can Use
South Gwinnett High School senior is honored by NAMM Foundation and SBO+ Magazine
The NAMM Foundation and SBO+ Magazine have awarded South Gwinnett High School senior Zoie Dozier a $1,000 scholarship. Zoie's passion for music and the impact of her Music teacher, Ms. Erna Dionne Davis, the Fine Arts Department chair and Orchestra director at South Gwinnett High, played a pivotal role in her selection for this honor.
In addition to Zoie’s scholarship, Ms. Davis will receive $1,000 in products from renowned music companies, including Alfred, MakeMusic, Hal Leonard, and Yamaha. She will also receive a Casio PX-S1100 keyboard, a pair of studio monitors from ADAM Audio, and a sound studio from Focusrite.
This year, SBO asked scholarship applicants to reflect on the influence of a music teacher who profoundly impacted their lives. Zoie's essay highlighted the significant role that Ms. Davis played in shaping her life and music journey.
In her essay, Zoie shares, “Those who have had the pleasure of meeting Mrs. Davis, my high school Orchestra teacher, know she's one of a kind. Mrs. Davis adores hearing about the positive things happening in our lives and constantly encourages us. I have had many great teachers through my 13 years in the Gwinnett County Public School System, but my favorite one of all must be Mrs. Davis."
Zoie's heartfelt words deeply moved Mrs. Davis. "Reading Zoie's essay helped me realize that small acts of kindness go a long way and inspire many people more than we realize sometimes. Her thoughtfulness has encouraged me to continue showing students how much I care through consistent compassion and effective String instruction," Mrs. Davis says.
Mason Elementary School earned fourth recognition as a RAMP school
Mason Elementary School has been recognized for its commitment to its school counseling program for the fourth time and re-certified as a Recognized ASCA Model Program (RAMP) by the American School Counselors Association. During the awards dinner at the Omni Hotel in Atlanta, Counselors Robin Zorn, Merrill Baxley, and Principal David Jones proudly received the award as the only school in the United States recognized for "RAMPing" for the fourth time.
The application has ten components covering the entire school year of data collection. Each application is judged by a three-person review team overseen by a lead RAMP reviewer. Schools that earn scores of 54 or higher out of a possible 60 are awarded RAMP status. Schools that earn a score of 58 or higher after the initial review are designated a RAMP School of Distinction.
The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) awards this designation to schools committed to delivering comprehensive data-driven school counseling programs. This year, 101 schools in 21 states received the RAMP designation. The RAMP designation, awarded for aligning with the criteria in the ASCA National Model, recognizes schools committed to delivering a comprehensive, data-informed school counseling program and an exemplary educational environment.
SOTA Dance students achieve outstanding success in Summer Intensives across the nation
The School of the Arts at Central (SOTA) Gwinnett High School dance students have soared to impressive heights in their summer intensives held across the nation. Four talented dancers recently participated in auditions for the renowned Alvin Ailey American Dance Center's Pro-Summer Intensive in New York City. The students -- Stella Houchins, Gabrielle Royal, and Alana Crearer --
secured coveted spots in the highly competitive five-week summer program.
After these auditions, SOTA Dance Department Chair Mr. Lonnie Davis received a commendation call from a fellow colleague who facilitated the audition. The colleague was notably impressed by the remarkable growth showcased by the SOTA students in the brief span of time leading up to the audition, thus solidifying their standout status.
Moreover, students Anara Hawthorne and Kayla Lewis were awarded prestigious half-tuition scholarships in the amount of $3,000 each for the Legacy Program at Perry Mansfield in Denver, Colorado. Over the course of six weeks, these students were privileged to receive training from some of the nation's most distinguished artists and dance educators.
Adding to the accolades, the Black Artist Dance Collective honored two more exceptional SOTA dancers, Olivia Bell and Gabrielle Royal, by awarding them scholarships after completing their two-week summer program. In a heartwarming display of support, Mr. Davis attended the program's culminating showcase, where on-the-spot college acceptances were awarded to both students. Olivia's incredible journey stood out, as she secured an immediate acceptance into Kennesaw State University’s (KSU) dance program despite starting her dance journey two years ago at SOTA. Meanwhile, high school junior Gabrielle Royal was awarded an acceptance into Point Park University's dance program along with a scholarship for next year's intensive. Point Park University holds a distinguished position among the top five conservatories in the nation. "The tears of joy on both of their Mother's faces made me incredibly proud," Mr. Davis says.
Furthermore, SOTA students had exceptional in-house opportunities for further growth, including an exclusive Conservatory event that welcomed Broadway luminary Maya Bowles to their studio. Ms. Bowles, a former student of Mr. Davis from Pebblebrook High School, in Mableton, GA, conducted a master class and engaged in a thought-provoking Q&A session with the students, shedding light on the industry and her collegiate experiences at Point Park University.
More than 170 choral students perform the National Anthem at Truist Park
The Brookwood High School, Crews Middle School, and Five Forks Middle School Choral programs came together recently to sing the National Anthem at Truist Park before an Atlanta Braves game while family and friends cheered them on.
The group, comprised of more than 170 rising 7th through 12th grade students, gathered on the 3rd Base Ramp to rehearse and prepare for the performance. The collaboration between the middle and high school groups was made possible through the efforts of Brookwood Chorus Director Carter Still, who contacted the Braves last year to explore performance opportunities for the cluster's choral students. Mr. Still was enthusiastic about providing his students with such a meaningful experience. “I love finding opportunities for my students to perform,” Mr. Still shares. “It was super exciting to have all of these students perform together.”
Such events serve as a platform for students to showcase their talents and foster camaraderie among different schools and grades. The performance gave students valuable stage experience while creating cherished memories for themselves and their families.
Check out a high-resolution video of the performance provided by the Atlanta Braves.
Image provided by one of the student's parents.
Gwinnett County teachers embark on inaugural Georgia State STEM Education Master's Program
Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) teachers recently participated in an inaugural orientation for the newly launched Georgia State STEM Education Master's Program—a GCPS and Georgia State University (GSU) partnership geared towards enhancing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) teaching practices. The program focuses on equipping educators with the skills to excel in STEM education, signifying a substantial stride in advancing STEM teaching within GCPS.
Through this collaboration, GCPS teachers can pursue a tuition-free Master of Education (M.Ed.) in STEM Education via a 100% online format. The program caters to educators holding renewable certificates in middle-level education, science, or mathematics at the middle or secondary levels, enabling them to deepen their understanding of STEM content and integrate it into standards-based curricula. This initiative underscores the commitment to elevating STEM education in the region's public schools while alleviating financial burdens for participating teachers
Image courtesy of GSU
Subaru of Gwinnett champions education through classroom adoption
Subaru of Gwinnett, an automotive dealership in Lilburn, is making significant strides in enhancing local education by adopting classrooms at Hopkins Elementary School. For the second year in a row, students at Hopkins Elementary are getting a helping hand from the dealership. Through a partnership with AdoptAClassroom.org, Subaru of Gwinnett provides students with school supplies and learning materials.
Dr. Gabriel Zaragoza, principal of Hopkins Elementary, values the ongoing partnership. “Subaru of Gwinnett has once again demonstrated its dedication to education by adopting classrooms at our school for the second consecutive year." The dealership's recent contribution of $5,000 is earmarked for classroom supplies, easing the burden on teachers who often dip into their funds. Moreover, Subaru of Gwinnett played a pivotal role in sponsoring the teachers' welcome-back breakfast, fostering a positive atmosphere for educators to start the academic year.”
Dr. Zaragoza lauded Subaru of Gwinnett's broader engagement as well. Beyond classroom support, the dealership contributes to the school's Robotics program, Reader's Rally competition, and various student engagement initiatives. “The partnership between Subaru of Gwinnett and Hopkins Elementary School has been a positive experience that has strengthened our community," Dr. Zaragoza says.
Celebrating excellence in culinary education at Berkmar High School
Berkmar High School’s Culinary Instructor and the 2023 Georgia Educator of the Year, Chef James Bryant, played a pivotal role in guiding the 2023 Georgia ProStart Invitational Culinary Champions to an impressive 8th place in the national competition.
Last month, Mr. Bryant took his passion for culinary education to new heights by participating in the National Restaurant Association Education Foundation’s Professional Development and Educator of Excellence program in Dallas, Texas. This professional development opportunity allowed him to enhance his skills further and gain valuable insights into the culinary education landscape. “Chef Bryant is arguably one of my best hires since becoming principal at Berkmar High School four years ago,” says Berkmar High Principal Durrant Williams.
Reflecting on the experience, Mr. Bryant expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration and learning that took place during the event. "I had the privilege to collaborate with esteemed chefs and instructors from across the nation," Mr. Bryant explains. One highlight of his time in Dallas was mastering the art of fabricating and poaching his very first salmon—a culinary feat that brought him immense satisfaction.
As Mr. Bryant starts the school year at Berkmar High, he's eager to share the knowledge he gained with his students and fellow Georgia ProStart educators. His commitment to nurturing the next generation of culinary talents is genuinely commendable. “He has provided a world-class culinary experience for our students, exposing them to a world far beyond Lilburn, Georgia. Chef Bryant continues to shine a bright light on the awesome things happening on our campus,” Mr. Williams shares.
Hope thru Soap Block mobile outreach event offers support to Gwinnett families in need
A community initiative, the Hope thru Soap Block Mobile Outreach event, is set to take place on Saturday, August 26, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Norcross High School. The event aims to provide essential services to families in need, focusing on showers, haircuts, clothing, and more.
The event anticipates serving more than 150 students from various Gwinnett schools. The mobile shower trailer, equipped with hygiene kits and towels, will be available for all attendees. Professional barbers and hair stylists will be onsite to provide haircuts for school-age children, while clothing stations will offer necessary apparel.
The event promises a holistic experience with snack tables, lunch offerings, and upbeat music. National Football League (NFL) enthusiasts can look forward to seeing former players from the NFL Alumni group being present for autograph sessions and photo opportunities. Community Organized Relief Effort (CORE) will also partner with the Gwinnett Health Department and the State of Georgia to provide vaccines and boosters to interested families.
The event setup begins 30 minutes before the official start and continues for 30 minutes after closure.
For more information and updates, visit www.hopethrusoap.org.
