February 23, 2015 - Bibb County Schools

A Little
Extra ...
Annual CTAE Dress
Sale Helping Seniors
to Pay for College
The District's Career, Technical and Agricultural Education (CTAE) Department will
host its third annual Cinderella’s Wish List Dress and Accessories Sale. The sale features new or gently used
prom dresses and accessories
at a discounted cost.
 March 5-6: 4-7 p.m.
 March 7: 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
The event will be held at the
Welcome Center Annex at
2007-F Riverside Drive in Macon. All high school girls are
invited to attend. CTAE hosts
the annual event to raise
funds for the CTAE Student of
the Year Scholarship Program.
For more information, call
(478) 779-2527.
Partners Offer Help
with Financial Aid
OneMacon Business Education Partnership will host a
Financial Aid Saturday at
Southwest High on March 7
from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. The
financial assistance sessions
are free for students, parents
and guardians who may need
help completing federal and
state financial aid applications
for college enrollment. Contact high school counselors by
February 27 for a time slot.
Southwest is located at 1775
Williamson Road in Macon.
February 23, 2015 * Page 1
BOE Set to Vote on Superintendent
The Bibb County Board of Education is expected to vote on a Superintendent on February
26. The Board voted on February 11 to name Dr.
Curtis L. Jones Jr. as the sole finalist for Superintendent. Dr. Jones is currently serving as Superintendent of Griffin-Spalding County Schools.
“Dr. Jones was one of the finalists for the 2015
Georgia Superintendent of the Year Award and is
President-Elect of the Georgia School Boards
Association. He holds the rank of Lieutenant
Colonel in the U.S. Army and is a graduate of the
esteemed United States Military Academy at
West Point. The consensus of the Board is that
they are bringing in one of the best - someone
who has demonstrated success and who will
bring the district team and community together
to improve the schools, the district, and the community by putting the needs of the students
first,” Board members said in a joint statement.
For more information, click here.
Honoring
his Legacy
Ballard-Hudson Media Center
Named After Dr. R.J. Martin
Driver’s Licenses
Linked to Absences
According to the Teenage and
Adult Driver Responsibility Act
(TAADRA) passed in 1997, the
Department of Driver Services
could suspend a student’s
driver’s license for up to one
year if they are considered
non-compliant. This includes
10 or more unexcused absences or certain discipline
violations! For more information, see page 34 of the
2014 Drivers Manual here:
www.eregulations.com/
georgia/driver/pageflip/.
Dr. Curtis
Jones Jr.
Board of Education members and administrators join Carol Martin Hadley in celebrating the
dedication of the Dr. R.J. Martin Media Center at Ballard-Hudson Middle on February 19.
The Bibb County Board of
Education celebrated the
dedication of the Dr. Riago
Joseph (R.J.) Martin Media
Center at Ballard-Hudson
Middle School on Thursday,
February 19. An esteemed
and beloved educator, Dr.
Martin led Ballard-Hudson
Senior High School as its
only principal from 1949 to
1970.
“I am very happy to know
that he is still in people’s
minds after 20 years, and
this dedication means an
awful lot to me,” said Dr.
Martin’s daughter, Carol
Martin Hadley.
“His big achievements in
helping the community out
included integration and
guiding his students in the
right direction. So many of
Continued on Page 2
Five Seniors Named QuestBridge Finalists
Five college-bound seniors from Bibb County have been
declared QuestBridge Finalists. QuestBridge aims to increase the number of talented low-income students
attending the nation’s top universities. QuestBridge is a
provider of the National College Match program that allows students to apply to their 35 partner colleges and
may be admitted with full four-year scholarships to these
schools.
The students were named QuestBridge Finalists after the
National College Match program did not match them to a
Continued on Page 3
February 23, 2015 * Page 2
Don’t Miss Chance to Register for District’s 2015-2016 Pre-Kindergarten Program
The District has kicked off Pre-Kindergarten registration for the 2015-2016
school year. Registration is taking place through February 28 at Northwoods
Academy, 709 Pierce Avenue in Macon. Remaining registration times include:
 4-6:30 p.m. February 24 and February 26
 9 a.m.-2 p.m. February 28
Parents will need to bring the following to registration:
 Proof of residence (current telephone, gas, water, electric or cable bill),
 Child’s certified birth certificate, and
 Child’s Social Security card, and
 Photo ID of parent/guardian
There are currently 729 Pre-K slots available to children who are 4 years old on
or before September 1, 2015. Students may attend Pre-K at their zoned school
or Northwoods Academy. Selection is based on a random computer lottery,
and there is no cost to participate. For more, call (478) 779-3200, or click here.
DR. R.J. MARTIN
Continued from Page 1
them have come and said to me,
‘Your father steered me in the right
direction and this is the reason I am
where I am today.’”
Mrs. Hadley said the decision to
name a media center after Dr. Martin
would have pleased him greatly.
“He was one who believed in education, and in order to get an education you have to read, so it would
mean a lot to him. It means a lot to
me,” she said.
Riago Joseph Martin, the son of
the late John D. and Adele Collins
Martin, was born January 1, 1905 in
Mobile, Ala. He attended St. Peter
Claver Elementary School, Emerson
Normal Institute, Talladega College,
Fisk University, Columbia University,
and the University of Oklahoma. He
received honorary doctor of human
letter degrees from Morris Brown
College and Allen University.
During his career as an educator,
Dr. Martin was employed by the
Avery Institute, Lincoln Academy,
Henry County Training School, and
Central High School in Waycross. In
Bibb County, he was principal of
Ballard High School and later became
principal of Ballard-Hudson Senior
High School.
Ballard-Hudson High School was
built in 1949 as the only high school
in Macon for African-American students in grades nine through twelve.
The school represents the merger of
two schools: Ballard High School, a
private school, and Hudson High
School, a public industrial school. In
1970, the same year a federal court
required the integration of all public
schools in Georgia, Ballard-Hudson
Senior High was reorganized and
renamed under the Southwest Comprehensive High School Complex.
“It’s evident by the people in
attendance today that Dr. Martin
was the one who led so many to get
an education, and a lot of those people are working in the school district
today,” said Board of Education
member Thomas Hudson. “He was a
strong disciplinarian, he did so much
Above, a crowd of former students, educators and family members gathered to honor
Dr. R.J. Martin. Below, Carol Martin Hadley accepts a proclamation naming it
Dr. R.J. Martin Day from Macon-Bibb County Commissioner Virgil Watkins Jr.
At right, the family is seen with the proclamation below Dr. Martin’s portrait in the
Dr. R.J. Martin Media Center at Ballard-Hudson Middle School.
with so little, and it is evident because of the students he produced.
His legacy speaks for itself.”
“Many times we have a lot of trailblazers who are often forgotten, but
today this is an indication that his
legacy will live forever through the
dedication of this center to Dr. Martin.”
In 1972, Dr. Martin became one of
the first elected African-American
members of the Bibb County Board
of Education and served on the
board for 12 years.
His educational affiliations include:
President and Chairman of the Board
of Trustees, Georgia Teachers and
Education Association (GTEA); Director, National Education Association
(NEA); President, Georgia Council of
Principals;
President,
American
Teachers
Association;
founding
member, Georgia Association of
Educators; and member of the Georgia National Association of Secondary School Principals, the State of
Georgia Salary and Research Committee and the White House International Cooperation Conference.
His civic affiliations include: American Cancer Society, Economic Opportunity Council, United Givers Fund,
Homosophian Club, Macon Hospital
Authority, first black Chairman of the
Bibb County Democratic Party, first
black Chairman of the Democratic
Executive Committee, first black
Chairman of the Executive Committee for Health Systems Agency,
charter member of the Lambda Phi
Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity,
longtime member of St. Peter Claver
Church, and executive director of
Thomas Memorial Funeral Home.
His honors include: Meritorious
Service to Education as Director of
GTEA and NEA, 1970; the Homosophian Club’s Man of Wisdom Award,
1984; Black Georgian of the Year,
1985; and Race Relations, Business
and Professional Awards and 100
Men in Progress awarded by the
NAACP.
Ballard-Hudson Middle School
Principal Kenneth Lanier told the
crowd gathered Thursday that a
dedication in honor of Dr. Martin has
been in the works since the school
first opened in 2008. He told former
students and co-workers of Dr. Martin’s they left behind a rich history of
excellence with the name BallardHudson, and students and staff of
Ballard-Hudson Middle continue to
strive for that excellence today.
“We are continuing to hold up that
banner of excellence at BallardHudson Middle School in order that
we may continue to live the legacy of
Dr. Martin. As principal, I assure you
the spirit of Dr. R.J. Martin will continue to live in this building,” he said.
Catering for the event was provided by Charles Murphy. SP Design
Group sponsored the event.
February 23, 2015 * Page 3
QUESTBRIDGE
through next year.”
Continued from Page 1
school. Although the students were denied early
acceptance, QuestBridge will continue to help the
students gain acceptance and financial aid through
the next part of their process: Regular Decision.
More than a thousand students are admitted
through Regular Decision every year. As an example, Central High School’s Joseph Lofton was selected for Regular Decision entry to Brown University with a generous financial aid package through
QuestBridge last spring.
Jennifer Gagne, Central High School
Jennifer Gagne is president of Central’s Poetry
Society and service chair of the school’s National
Honor Society chapter. She is also a member of the
Beta Club, French Club and
Model UN Team, as well as
an International Baccalaureate student.
Outside of school, she
regularly volunteers for
Habitat for Humanity, including maintaining a neighborhood website, lynmoreestates.com. She is also an
Jennifer Gagne
active volunteer at local
elementary schools’ science nights.
Jennifer is applying to the following QuestBridge
partners: Amherst College, Carleton College, Colorado College, Oberlin College, Vassar College and
Wesleyan University.
She has goals to obtain a bachelor’s degree in
English Literature with a concentration in creative
writing, as well as a bachelor’s degree in French.
“My freshman English teacher told me, ‘I really
hope you become a writer one day,’ after I read an
original piece in front of the class,” she said. “It
made me rethink about going into the medical
field.”
She developed an interest in French due to the
origin of her last name.
“I think it is important to know more than one
language. I also think it would give me an advantage to possibly work for an international publishing house,” she said.
Jennifer’s main goal is to work at a publishing
house. She also wants to publish a book and produce a script. Due to her love of poetry, she would
like to tour as a spoken word artist.
Nine of Jennifer’s poems already have been
published. She also majored in communicative arts
with a minor in German through the Governor’s
Honors Program. In her eighth grade year, she
attended the Duke TIP Program for creative
writing.
“It would mean ultimately not having to worry
about financial aid or being in debt in four years,”
Jennifer said. “As someone who wants to do something that is not necessarily a stable career I am
well aware that if I do take out loans I could risk
having to pay these off for many more years or
never pay them off. So, if I receive this scholarship
it would mean that I do not have to worry as much
about how I am paying for college, if at all. I would
be able to have my head on my shoulders and not
have to worry if my financial aid is going to fall
Jocelyn James, Westside High School
Jocelyn James is a Westside High senior who is
an active member of the National Honor Society,
Academic Team, cross country team and prom
committee. She recently
attended the Georgia Governor’s Honors Program
where she majored in Communicative Arts with a minor in theatre.
Jocelyn possesses interests in both art and technology.
“I have always been interested in art,” she said.
Jocelyn James
Jocelyn uses video tutorials to teach herself new methods and to enhance
her drawing skills.
Last school year, she joined the Bibb County RoboBibb Robotics team where she developed an
interest in technology. She designed the team’s
competition T-shirt and brochure. She also recently learned to fully choreograph the movements of
a robot through a Science, Technology, Engineering and Math education (STEM) program.
Jocelyn’s goals include combining her interests
of art and technology to become an Art Director.
She plans to major in illustration and work for an
ad agency as a designer or illustrator. She aims to
work her way up to art assistant followed by art
director, where she can create the theme of her
own projects.
Columbia, Princeton and Yale University are all
among Jocelyn’s top schools.
“It would mean a lot of stress off my family and
me,” Jocelyn said of getting a scholarship. “Neither
of my parents graduated from college and they
couldn’t help me on a lot of material going through
school. The whole process has been a roller coaster and it would be really rewarding to receive a
scholarship like QuestBridge.”
Chiamaka Nwokeocha, Central High School
Chiamaka Nwokeocha is a member of Central’s
Student Council, National Honor Society, Beta
Club, and Key Club. She is
editor of the school’s yearbook and a member of
newspaper
tutors.
Chiamaka also is enrolled in
Central’s rigorous International Baccalaureate program.
Outside
of
school,
Chiamaka tutors students
at Stone Academy.
Chiamaka
Nwokeocha
“I want to help give them
as much guidance as I can,”
she said. “As the oldest child, I did not have that
for myself when I was younger.”
She is applying to Emory University, Brown University and Promona College.
Chiamaka wants to major in biochemistry and
combine her passions for children and medicine to
become a pediatrician.
Chiamaka is a Georgia Merit Scholar. She recently competed in a Leadership Conference where she
earned first place in the art category and third
place in the writing competition. She is also Central’s Homecoming Queen.
“It would mean a lot for me and my family,” she
said. “Any possible way for me to attend college on
any scholarship would be rewarding. I have been
trying my hardest for the past four years so I won’t
have to pay for college.”
Nicole Wiggins, Central High School
At Central High, Nicole Wiggins is the president
of National Honor Society. She is also a member of
Future Business Leaders of
America (FBLA), Key Club,
Beta Club, and the Model
UN Team. She volunteers
for Habitat for Humanity,
the Museum of Arts and
Sciences, and Purrs N Paws.
Nicole applied to the
University of Southern
California, Promona College, Wesleyan University,
Nicole Wiggins
Oberlin College and the
University of Virginia through QuestBridge.
She wants to major in neuroscience to become a
neurosurgeon. She became interested in this field
due to her father’s neurological condition.
“It would mean an opportunity to not worry
about money in college. It would also be an opportunity to continue with what I want to do in my
professional career,” Nicole said.
Auriel Wright, Northeast High School
Auriel Wright is a senior at Northeast High
School where she is active in Student Council,
FBLA, FFA, and National Honor Society. She is also
a member of the Health Occupations Students of
America (HOSA).
Outside of school, she volunteers at Coliseum
Hospital and the American Red Cross. She is also a
tutor at both Northeast and
Burdell-Hunt
Magnet
School.
Auriel plans to attend the
University of Pennsylvania.
Her goal is to major in nursing with a minor in multicultural studies.
She plans to obtain an
occupation in the field of
world health. She hopes to
Auriel Wright
combine her love of traveling and studying cultures with her love of science,
specifically biology.
In October, Auriel won first place in the National
FFA Organization National Agriscience Research
Fair. She recently attended the Governor’s Honors
Program where she majored in biology. She received fourth place in the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). She is also a Hamilton Scholar.
“Receiving this scholarship would mean that all
of my hard work and everything that I have done
would be much more validated,” she said.
The students will hear from each of their chosen
colleges and universities this spring.
- Emily Brunner
February 23, 2015 * Page 4
Robotics Team Ready for Next Challenge
Team RoboBibb is awaiting its first competition
of its second season, which will begin on February
27 and end March 1. The team will compete in the
For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and
Technology (FIRST) Robotics Competition (FRC) in
Perry at the Georgia Southern Classic Regional.
The District's high school robotics team participated in its first season of competition during the
2013-2014 school year after community partners
from the Macon-Bibb County Convention and Visitors Bureau and Mercer University joined the District’s Career, Technical and Agricultural Education
(CTAE) Department to create a vision in which Bibb
County students would have the chance to participate in an exciting and valuable STEM (Science,
Technology, Engineering, and Math) initiative.
The FRC combines the excitement of sport with the
rigors of science and technology. Under strict
rules, limited resources, and time limits, teams
comprised of high school aged students, are challenged to raise funds, design a team brand, hone
teamwork skills, and build and program robots to
perform prescribed tasks against a field of competitors. It’s as close to "real-world engineering" as
a student can get.
During the team’s first year, it was invited to
participate in the annual FIRST Robotics Competition Championship in St. Louis, Mo., after being
named the Peachtree Regional’s Rookie All-Star
Winner during competition in Atlanta. Team RoboBibb was also honored as the “Highest Rookie
Seed” at the Peachtree Regional.
On January 3, FRC held its annual kickoff for this
season’s game. The teams were shown the playing
field and received a kit of tools to help them along
the way. The kit of parts included motors, batteries, a control system, a PC, a mix of automation
components and limited instructions.
This year the teams are competing in a game
known as Recycle Rush. The game requires the
robot to stack recycling totes on raised platforms.
The robot must stack up to six totes on top of one
another. After the totes are stacked, the robot
must then place a trashcan on top, as well as, insert a pool noodle into the can. At the competition
RoboBibb will be placed on an alliance team with
two other robots that will then compete against an
opposing alliance of three robots.
Within six weeks, RoboBibb built a 6-foot robot
that includes a forklift that moves both up and
down, as well as pinches inward and expands outward. The forklift has clamps, which help when
picking up the totes. The robot can move backward and forward to carry the totes to the scoring
platform.
RoboBibb named its robot 2 Chainz due to the
importance of the two chains that control the forklift. 2 Chainz requires one chain to go around the
motor and another chain to transfer the force from
the motor to the forklift.
RoboBibb is composed of 40 Bibb County students from all seven high schools. The students
split into teams in order to divide up the work of
the robot. RoboBibb currently has a marketing
team, mechanical team, electrical team, and pro-
Members of Team RoboBibb are seen with advisers and mentors on the final day of work before competition. The
team finished bagging up its robot for competition with just under 2 hours of time left.
gramming team.
The design of the robot altered several times
throughout the six-week building period forcing
the electrical team to overcome the difficulty of
moving and rewiring the board several times.
Tate Testa, a freshman at Howard High, is a programmer for Team RoboBibb. It is his job to take
the port numbers and their function and write the
programming code.
“It will be cool to see how our robot compares
to the other teams’ robots during competition,”
said Tate.
The RoboBibb team also consists of mentors
who guide the students in the building of the robot.
“I came back for RoboBibb’s second year to see
the team improve, help with their success and
hopefully make it back to St. Louis again,” said
Brandon Borah, an electrical engineer at Robins Air
Force Base and RoboBibb programming mentor.
Mr. Borah helped the students initialize the environment of the program Lab View, which the team
uses to program the robot.
In preparation for the season’s big competition,
RoboBibb participated in the Destination Einstein
(DE) scrimmage in Columbus on Saturday, February 14.
“The scrimmage is to find out how our robot will
work and how well it does in competition,” said
team captain and Howard High senior Cameron
Wright. “It also helps us decide if we need to make
any necessary changes in order to complete it
before bagging day.”
“We are preparing for the scrimmage by making
sure the robot works,” said Howard High junior
Sebastian Lauterbach. “At the scrimmage we will
do a lot of testing, including testing drivers for the
region competition.”
Sebastian is the electrical team captain. He is
responsible for the internal wiring of the robot,
ensuring the robot and all of its motors function
properly, and guaranteeing all of the parts receive
power.
RoboBibb received the Hardship Grant from
FIRST Robotics for a total of $5,000. The Hardship
Grant will be used toward transportation, lodging
and meals for the students during their trips to
competitions.
“It is to help the team overcome some of the
obstacles that more established teams have, such
as lodging,” said Charles Baima, one of the District’s CTAE Supervisors. “That grant comes into
play and helps us expose the students to things
they traditionally may not have the opportunity to
do.”
“It is recognition that the actual FIRST organization sponsors you,” said Edward Bujak, Howard
High’s programming and computer science teacher
and RoboBibb’s lead mentor. “It seems like they
have a vote of confidence you will be around and
you’re not just a one-year team.”
The students were required to complete all final
touches on the robot before Tuesday, February 17.
The robot was bagged Tuesday night and sent to
competition.
“I am looking forward to this year’s competition
to meet up with some of our friends from other
robotics teams,” Cameron said.
“If we succeed within our region we will advance
to international and it would be unbelievably great
if we could get there,” Mr. Bujak said.
RoboBibb would like to thank the following
sponsors for their contributions: Lauterbach &
Associates LLC, 100 Black Men of Macon-Middle
Georgia, Bibb County School District, Macon Economic Development Commission, Georgia Power,
SCANA Energy, Cox Communications, Geotechnical
& Environmental Consultants Inc., Central Georgia
Technical College, Mercer University MIRL, and the
Community Foundation of Central Georgia.
- Emily Brunner
February 23, 2015 * Page 5
High Schools
Named AP
Honor Schools
Heritage Elementary School students get moving during the kickoff for the spring round of Walk Georgia.
Below, Heritage Principal Jennifer Askew holds the school’s Walk Georgia Award for fall 2014.
Heritage Receives
Walk Ga. Award
During a kickoff celebration for the spring 2015 Walk Georgia
contest on February 3, Heritage Elementary School students and
staff were presented with a first place trophy for their efforts in the
fall 2014 Walk Georgia contest from the UGA Cooperative Extension
for their combined total of 11,475 hours of physical activity. That’s a
total of 478 days worth of activity. The spring 2015 Walk Georgia
contest for schools and district departments began on February 2
and will conclude on April 26. The Walk Georgia program converts
any type physical activity into equivalent miles walked, allowing
participants to enjoy many types of physical activity.
High Schools to Participate
in Derby Racing Challenge
The Second Saturday of April brings out the
competitor in everyone as teams of homemade
soap box racers vie to be named the fastest or
most creative car in a thrilling race down the
steep hill of Magnolia Street in downtown Macon. Always family-friendly, the Magnolia Soap
Box Derby is full of activities for children, including the Big Wheel Race, bouncy house, and
most recently, the addition of the Gravity Racing Challenge, a STEM-based initiative inviting
high school students from all seven of Bibb’s
public high schools.
The STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering
and Math) Educational Collaborative is a partnership between the Magnolia Soap Box Derby,
Middle Georgia State College and the Bibb
County School District, courtesy of grant funds
from the Knight Neighborhood Challenge, a
project of the Community Foundation of Central
Georgia. Students and advisers gathered Monday, February 2, at Middle Georgia State College
for the kickoff event for the STEM Educational
Collaborative and Gravity Racing Challenge.
To watch video from the kickoff, visit the District’s YouTube page or click here.
“This collaboration between the Magnolia
Soap Box Derby, Middle Georgia State College,
and the Bibb County Career, Technical and Agricultural Education (CTAE) program is great! This
partnership will allow the secondary and postsecondary institutions as well as the community
to see the value of STEM and increase the importance of preparing students for careers in
STEM fields. This grant and racing project exposes students to the various facets of STEM along
with the career pathways and skills required of
a 21st century workforce,” said Bibb County
School District CTAE Director Dr. Cassandra
Miller-Washington.
Racers and race fans of all ages are invited to
participate in one of Macon’s best action events
- the Magnolia Soap Box Derby on Saturday,
April 11, 2015. For more information, visit
http://maconderby.com.
On Wednesday, February 18, State School Superintendent Dr. Richard Woods named four District
schools Advanced Placement (AP) Honor Schools.
Howard, Northeast, Rutland and Westside High
Schools were each named 2015 AP Honor Schools.
“I am very proud to hear of this recognition for
our schools. We continue to promote opportunities
for our students to take advantage of more rigorous
content, which prepares them to be college and
career ready,” said Interim Superintendent Dr. Kelley Castlin-Gacutan.
AP classes and exams are administered by the
College Board, which also administers the SAT.
These courses offer rigorous college-level learning
options to students in high school. Students who
receive a 3, 4 or 5 on AP exams may receive college
credit.
The AP Honor Schools are named in six categories, based on the results of 2014 AP classes and
exams.
AP STEM Schools are schools with students
testing in at least two AP math courses and two AP
science courses (AP Calculus AB, AB Calculus BC, AP
Statistics, AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Environmental Science, AP Physics B, AP Physics C, AP Computer
Science).
 Howard, Northeast, Rutland and Westside High
Schools were each named AP STEM Schools.
AP Access and Support Schools are schools with at
least 30 percent of their AP exams taken by students who identified themselves as African American and/or Hispanic, and 30 percent of all AP exams
earning scores of 3 or higher.
 Howard High School was named an AP Access
and Support School.
AP Challenge Schools are schools with enrollments of 900 or fewer students and students testing
in four of the core areas (English, math, science, and
social studies).
 Northeast High School was named an AP Challenge School.
AP STEM Achievement Schools are schools with
students testing in at least two AP math courses and
two AP science courses and at least 40 percent of
the exam scores on AP math and AP science exams
earning scores of 3 or higher.
 Howard High School was named an AP STEM
Achievement School.
AP Humanities Schools are schools with students
testing in all of the following AP courses: at least
one ELA course, two social science courses, one fine
arts course and one world language course.
 Howard High School was named an AP Humanities School.
AP Merit Schools are schools with at least 20 percent of the student population taking AP exams and
at least 50 percent of all AP exams earning scores of
3 or higher.
February 23, 2015 * Page 6
Central High Senior Receives
Horatio Alger Scholarship
Central High School senior Cristopher
Thompson received a $7,000 scholarship from
the Horatio Alger Foundation. The scholarship
is funded through the generosity of the O.
Wayne Rollins Foundation. Cristopher was
one of 50 students in the state of Georgia to
receive this scholarship.
The Horatio Alger scholarship serves to give
aid to students who exhibit integrity and perseverance in overcoming personal adversity
and who aspire to pursue higher education.
Cristopher is the founder and president of
the Habitat for Humanity Club at Central. He
serves as treasurer of the senior class and
senior representative for the Key Club. He is
also a member of Central’s National Honor
Society Chapter and Student Council.
Outside of school, Cristopher is an active
member in his community. He organized a
nonprofit group of young
adults in his community
who aid the elderly with
yard work, housework, or
other tasks.
“It is really great to
receive recognition for
the activities I am doing
Cristopher
for my school and comThompson
munity,” he said. “It is
really nice to know someone else believes in you.”
Cristopher wants to attend college to study
economics and dreams of being CEO of companies such as Morgan Stanley and Goldman
Sachs. He plans to run his own slate of nonprofit companies.
Howard High’s
Baseball Coach,
Program Honored
During the Georgia Dugout’s Club annual conference in
January 2015, Coach Danny Slaughter of Howard High
School was honored with a plaque for achieving the goal
of 200 wins as a varsity head baseball coach. Coach
Slaughter has headed the baseball program at Howard
since the school opened its doors in 2008. Prior to that
he held the same position at Macon County High School
in Montezuma. While at Howard, his team has a record
of 112-55 and has made a state playoff appearance in all
six seasons.
Also while at the conference, Howard High received an
award for the 2014 AAAA Baseball Field of the Year in the
state of Georgia. This award is given by the Georgia Dugout Club to a select baseball program each year.
- Emily Brunner
Central Senior Selected for State
Superintendent’s Advisory Council
Central High School senior Michaela Woody
was chosen to be a member of State School
Superintendent Dr. Richard Woods’s Student
Advisory Council.
At Central, Michaela is involved in Beta
Club, Student Council and DECA. She is also a
member of the Central orchestra and marching band. Outside of school, Michaela is a
member of the Georgia Civic Awareness Program for Students (GCAPS).
The Student Advisory Council will meet
three times during the school year to discuss
how decisions made at the state level are
affecting students in Georgia classrooms. The
members will serve as advisers and liaisons
between the Georgia Department of Education and their fellow classmates. Members
include students from seventh to twelfth
grade.
Michaela was selected for the Student Advisory Council from a pool of more than 1,000
students. The students were chosen based on
the strength of their essay answers. The essay
topic prompted her to discuss a method to
improve education and enrollment in schools.
She chose to argue that textbooks should be
provided for each class
and each individual
student, rather than all
classes sharing a class
set. She believes this
would provide more
opportunities for learning.
“I think serving on the
Michaela Woody
Student Advisory Council will give me a better outlook to ways I can
shape my leadership skills. That is something I
really want to focus on,” she said.
On February 25, Michaela will attend her
first meeting for the Student Advisory Council
at the Georgia Department of Education office
in Atlanta.
Michaela said she would like to see an increase of technology in schools.
In fall 2015, Michaela will begin her first
semester of college at Albany State University
where she will study business. Her career
goals include starting a business, as well as a
mentoring program.
- Emily Brunner
Student Art Show Opens March 6
Karen Cook, Howard High
Student artwork will be on display when the Annual Student Art
Show opens this week at The 567 Center for Renewal. The opening
for the show will be held Friday, March 6, from 6-9 p.m. The 567
Center for Renewal is located at 533 Cherry Street in Macon. The art
show is a collaboration between the Bibb County School District, the
Georgia Art Education Association - District 5, and The 567 Center
for Renewal. The artwork will remain on display through March 27.
Morgan Elementary
Ranks 10th in Nation
for Classworks Use
Morgan Elementary School is boosting student
achievement with a Classworks incentive program each
month. For December, students had to complete at least
three units in reading and/or math with at least 80 percent accuracy. Students that completed three units with
that accuracy level for one subject area received a free
coupon for a Wendy’s Jr. Frosty, while students that met
the criteria for both subject areas received a coupon for
a Frosty and a coupon for a special prize. For January, the
criteria was raised to six units per subject area with at
least 80 percent accuracy. Students are encouraged to
use the program outside of school as well. Teachers,
coaches, lab managers, administrators, parents, and the
media specialist closely monitor student work on the
platform and encourage students to meet the goals.
Morgan’s staff is very proud of the students’ hard work
and excited to be ranked No. 10 in the nation for Classworks usage.
February 23, 2015 * Page 7
Bernd Elementary Celebrates
January Students of the Month
Students pictured with Principal Dr. Chad Thompson and Assistant Principal Tawanya Wilson
are Students of the Month for January. They demonstrate P.R.I.D.E. on a regular basis – Prepared for school, Respectful to all, Informed individuals, Demonstrate strength of character, and
Engaged in learning. The students received a pencil and coupons from Stevi B’s and Wendy’s.
Students Compete in Speech Event
High school students participated in the Rotary Clubs of Macon’s annual High School Speech
Competition on Thursday, February 12, at Mercer University. The competition is hosted annually
by the Downtown Rotary Club, the Rotary Club of Macon and the Uptown Rotary Club. Dublin
Rotarian Preston Johnson started the local speech contest in 1997.
Vineville Learns About Chinese New Year
Vineville Academy of the Arts celebrated the Chinese Spring Festival in February. It’s the New
Year of the Lunar Calendar. The Spring Festival is the most important festival in China, similar to
Christmas in the United States. Ms. Lui and Ms. Ping planned to teach the topics of Chinese Zodiac (12 animals for every year), the many traditional cultures of Spring Festival, Chinese songs,
and speaking and writing the blessing words of the New Year. Students created Chinese lanterns, Spring Festival couplets and a large representation of the Chinese dragon. Students at
Vineville Academy are excelling in Chinese traditions and culture.
Hutchings Hosts
Pin Ceremony for
Class of 2018
On Thursday, February 5, freshmen enrolled at Hutchings College and Career Academy participated in a 21st
Century Scholars’ Ceremony, also known as the Class of
2018 Commitment to Graduate Ceremony. The students
were pinned by their parents and encouraged to commit
to their classes and to graduate with the Class of 2018.
During the ceremony, which was sponsored by the GEAR
UP program, each student received individual recognition as he or she was presented with a personalized
"Commitment to Graduate Certificate" along with a
"GEAR UP 21st Century Scholar Certificate." The ceremony ended with students signing their Class of 2018 banner, which be displayed throughout their four years at
the school to serve as a reminder of their commitment.
Lane Students Create
Art Based on Book
Second grade students in Laurie Park’s and Sabre
Bostwick’s class at Lane Elementary School created ties
after reading the story, “Mr. Tanen’s Tie Trouble.”
February 23, 2015 * Page 8
Hartley Puts Vocabulary on Parade
Hartley Elementary School held a Vocabulary Parade on Friday, February 13. Students from
kindergarten through fifth grade, dressed as costumed words, walked through the halls as part
of an effort to increase word recognition for students. The idea for the parade was based off of
Debra Fraiser’s book, “Miss Alaineus, A Vocabulary Disaster.” In the book, a student confuses
“miscellaneous” for Miss Alaineus.
Williams Student Council Treats Staff
Williams Elementary School Student Council members presented Breakfast Snacks for Staff on
January 30. The members wanted to thank the staff for their support on projects completed
from August through December. Staff members received a Chick-fil-A biscuit and juice. Principal
Dr. Shandrina Griffin-Stewart said the members have learned an important lesson on sharing
and giving back to others.
Springdale Celebrates Character with Cookies
Springdale Elementary School students were recognized for exhibiting commitment in the
month of January. They were invited to a “Cookies with the Counselor” Party with Springdale’s
School Counselor, Stacey Creter, and the Springdale mascot, Eddie Eagle. The students enjoyed
hearing a book about Michael Jordan while snacking on milk and a cookie cake provided by The
Great American Cookie Co. Springdale’s crossing guard, Carmenita Shine, was also recognized
due to the commitment she shows students and parents every day.
Heritage Students
Honor Classmate
with Donation
Four Heritage Elementary students created a fundraiser in honor of their classmate who passed away due to
brain cancer. The students raised $500 selling snowflakes within their school and community. On Wednesday, February 11, the four students presented a check to
Jay’s Hope representatives. The students chose to donate the money to Jay’s Hope to commend them for
their work with their former classmate and her family.
“The amazing thing about schools getting involved with
Jay’s Hope is watching children giving back to children,”
said Stephanie Steinbar, Development Director for the
Jay’s Hope Foundation. “We are a community-driven
organization that relies solely on our donors’ support.
Nothing warms our hearts more than watching local kids
caring about our Jay’s Hope kids who are battling cancer.
These four students went above and beyond what their
school was doing and really took the mission and burden
of Jay’s Hope on for themselves.”
Vineville Collects
Pennies for Patients
Vineville Academy of the Arts collected “Pennies for
Patients” and donated $699 to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Dominike Lockwood, in kindergarten,
was the school’s highest contributor, donating $141.45.
February 23, 2015 * Page 9
Central Key Club Collects Over
3,000 Books for Methodist Home
The Central High School Key Club collected books for The Methodist Home literacy initiative
during the month of January. More than 3,000 books were collected from Central High’s literature classes.
Lane Keeps 4-H Club of Month Title
Lane Elementary School was honored with the 4-H Club of the Month for the third month in
row. The school had the Club of the Month in December, January and February. Pictured are
Nathan Hutcheson, Adam Johnson, Tamia Cross, Keiala Thomas, Carley Horne, Khevan Patel,
Ambrosia Davis and Trevor Derrick.
Vineville Students Send Cards to Firefighters
Vineville Academy of the Arts faculty and students wanted to honor and show respect for the
firefighters of firehouse No. 7 and Randy Parker. In memory of firefighter Randy Parker and in
honor of the bravery and selfless valor of the other firemen who were injured or sacrificed their
safety to protect and serve in the community, students expressed love, concern and a desire to
write cards and letters to the firemen and their families.
Miller Middle
Students Place
in Museum’s
Art Contest
As part of their history day projects, several Miller
Magnet Middle School students in Michaelle Banks’ social studies class and Chelsea Oglesby’s art class participated in the Museum of Aviation’s 2015 Skyscapes Poster Contest. For the contest students were asked to draw
orignal works that related to the theme “On the Home
Front During WWII.”
Of the 16 students that participated in the contest
Miller had three winners. Kevyon Johnson received an
honorable mention for his work. CiCaihya Abram and
Faatima Dixon placed between first and sixth place in the
contest. The awards ceremony will be held on February
24 at the Museum of Aviation. Both of the young ladies
will have their work displayed in an exhibit for the next
two years.
Hutchings SkillsUSA
Student Advances to
State Competition
Hutchings College and
Career Academy sponsored
four
students
at
the SkillsUSA Region 5 Competition on February 5 in
Griffin. Alisha Thomas competed in First Aid/CPR, Tarell
Gay competed in Pin Design,
Gregory Jones entered a TShirt Design, and Monica
Jackson delivered a gold
medal-winning
Prepared
Speech. Because Monica
placed first in her competition, she will advance to the
state championship on
March 26-28 in Atlanta.
February 23, 2015 * Page 10
Bruce Elementary Students
Serve as Pages at Capitol
Six members of the Bruce Elementary School Peer Mediation team were afforded the opportunity to represent the school as Pages in the Georgia House of Representatives. They were
invited to page by state Reps. James Beverly and Nikki Randall at the State Capitol in Atlanta on
Thursday, February 12. The students were: Ja’Mya Warner, President; Montene’ Williams, Vice
President; Anna Sandifer, Secretary; Tamiya King, Historian; and members Richard Jones and
Alondra Monroy. The students rode to Atlanta in a limousine. Once they arrived, they were given a preliminary tour of the House of Representatives Chambers prior to orientation and the
opening session. It really made Richard Jones’s day when Rep. Beverly showed him how to vote
on an issue. The students were able to learn first-hand how legislation is presented, debated,
passed, or declined.
Westside High DECA Chapter
Organizes Literacy Campaign
Westside High School’s DECA chapter is taking on the “Pay It Forward: Literacy Project.” The
purpose of this project is to promote literary awareness throughout the school and community.
Literary skills can have an impact on how well an individual interacts with their peers, as well as
society. It is also fundamental for learning in school. The chapter believes that having strong
literary skills provides a foundation in which young children can build upon from childhood to
adulthood. Literary skills are crucial to the success of individuals; therefore, for the month of
February, the chapter has been hosting six campaigns to promote literacy among young adults.
These campaigns include creating a DECA Dictionary: Word of the Day for the school, and reading to local elementary school students. In addition, the chapter will be collecting over 250 new
children’s books to donate to charity. Students will also be promoting the importance of literacy
via social media. To find out how to get involved, call (478)-779-3800.
Burghard Hosts
Black History
Month Program
A powerful idea was planted the moment gifted students performed excerpts from the book “Are You Stuck
in Traffic?” The entire third through fifth grade student
body was mesmerized when retired U.S. Air Force Col.
William R. Saunders entered the auditorium wearing his
flight helmet and saluting individuals. After removing the
helmet, the first command of the pilot was “raise yourself higher.” Students remained seated and politely
raised their hands. His second command was “show me
how to raise yourself higher.” This time, every student
stood up and stretched both hands toward the ceiling.
Col. Saunders announced his topic: “Plant an Idea and
Raise Yourself Higher.”
Taking an interactive approach, the colonel traced his
life from “a country boy in John’s Island, South Carolina”
to becoming a mechanical engineering graduate of
Tuskegee University, to serving as a command instructor
pilot in the U.S. Air Force, to retiring and becoming a
motivational speaker and published author. Col. Saunders commended students for asking “high quality questions,” and he responded in ways that informed them of
their roles as tomorrow’s history and the world’s future.
He emphasized that black history does not start with
slavery, and suggested that raising oneself involves doing
the right thing, doing the best one can, practicing teamwork, listening better, doing homework, and having a
good attitude. On behalf of all black legacy leaders, his
concluding command was, “Plant an idea. Start today.
Start right now, and remember you don’t have to be
great to start, but you have to start to be great.”
At the conclusion of the program, Dr. Linda Thomas,
Resource Teacher of the Gifted and Gifted Collaboration
Professional, presented Col. Saunders with copies of “Are
You Stuck in Traffic? Found Poetry” that was written by
gifted students who attend the Barden REACH Center. Dr.
Thomas expanded the interdisciplinary study of scarcity
in the context of water, food, and energy to incorporate
a lesson on solving the problem of scarcity relative to
highlighting positive black role models. Principal Eddie
McCloud and Dr. Thomas seized an opportunity to expose gifted students from Barden, Burghard, Rice, and
Riley Elementary to a leader who is living the dream.
February 23, 2015 * Page 11
DECA Students Compete at Region 10 Event
DECA Club chapters throughout the District participated in the 2015 DECA Region 10 Competition
at Middle Georgia State College in Macon on
Thursday, January 22, and brought home several
awards.
Central High School
Six students from Central High School placed
among the top award winners at the region competition. First place winners included Nekaybaw
Watson, Public Speaking; and Micheala Woody,
Hotel and Lodging. Second place winners included
Amani Mitchell, Restaurant and Food Service Management; and Nia Holland, Principles of Hospitality
and Tourism. Third place winners included Rukayat
Adebayo, Principles of Finance; and Monica Robinson, Quick Service Restaurant Management.
Howard High School
Students Tariq Raines, Elijah McCoy, Daejah
Sinclair and Brandon O’Neal represented Howard
High School DECA at the region competition. Elijah,
Howard High School DECA chapter president, received first place in the Apparel and Accessories
Marketing event.
Rutland High School
Northeast High School
Northeast High School DECA member Albert
Smith Jr. placed second in Principles of Marketing,
therefore qualifying him to compete at the State
Career Development Conference this month. Other
student competitors from Northeast included
Quantarius Stephens, Devaughn Hamilton, Jarvis
Hill, and Stephaughn Hamilton.
Rutland High School
Three students from Rutland High School qualified at the region competition to attend DECA
state competition this month. Xavier Hawkins
placed second in Business Management and Administration, Josh Courson placed second in Personal Financial Literacy, and Simone Rainey-Way
placed third in Accounting Applications.
Westside High School
Southwest High School
Students Kerria Bryant, Teleshia Vail, and Ashanti Jones competed in the categories of Business
Finance, Job Interview, and Business Speech at the
region competition. Participants received valuable
feedback from the judges, which they will use in
the future.
Westside High School
Six students from Westside High School participated in various events at region competition.
Niyah Dumas, who serves as the chapter president,
competed in Apparel and Accessories and placed
second in the event with a score of 98. Ariane
“Jade” Hodges, who serves as chapter vice president, competed in Principles of Marketing and
placed third in the event with a score of 88. Other
DECA participants included Aaliyah Dorsey
(Principles of Marketing), Jy’Neeshia Goolsby
(Hospitality and Tourism), Meshavise Henderson
(Food Service and Restaurant Management), and
Northeast High School
Howard High School
Yolandria Tomlin (Job Interview). These four individuals are first-year members. Westside also received notification from Shannon Aaron, Executive
Director/State Adviser, that the school’s chapter
exceeded last year’s end of the year membership
total.
Southwest High School
February 23, 2015 * Page 12
FBLA Students Take Part in Region Event
On Friday, January 30, students in Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) chapters from
throughout the District participated in the FBLA
Region 5 Leadership Conference at Wesleyan College in Macon.
Central High School
Many students from Central High participated in
various competitions. Students who attended but
did not compete were able to participate in various leadership workshops, including Bingo for
Babies in support of March of Dimes, Hunger
Games: Are you Hungry to be a Leader? and FBLA
Jeopardy! just to name a few. Those advancing to
state include Ira Moore, first place in Business
Calculations; Grace Nguyen, 10th place in Business
Calculations; A.J. Walker, seventh place in Economics; and Tamia Middleton, first place in Career EPortfolio.
Other awards included Reginald Previlus, Homer
Jones, and Jasmine Green, second place in Digital
Video Production; Ira Moore, fourth place in Career E-Portfolio; Jordan Tarver, first place in Hospitality Management; Tamia Middleton and Amelia
Smith, first place team in Marketing; Grace
Nyugen, third place in Impromptu Speaking; Valencia Williams, fifth place in Public Speaking I; Homer
Jones, fourth place in Public Speaking II; and Alexis
Sanders, second place in Sales Presentation.
Howard High School
The Howard High FBLA team walked away with
the Region 5 Trophy for the fourth year in a
row. The following students placed and/or qualified for the State Leadership Championship: Jimmy
Asbell, second place in Personal Finance; Nick
Ayerbe, eighth place in Business Calculations and
sixth place in Business Math; Zach Carlson, second
place in Spreadsheet Applications; Bayleigh Carver,
seventh place in Economics; Brynn Codone, second
place in Computer Applications; Rett Elliot, fourth
place in Emerging Business Issues; CJ Hammock,
second place in 3D Animation and third place in
Management Information Systems; Sarah Harvin,
third place in Introduction to Business Communication; Ashlynn Kilcrease, first place in Digital Video
Production; Jenny Lee, second place in Future Business Leader; Chase McCard, fifth place in Personal
Finance; Lauren McCue, fifth place in Business
Communication; Amrigna Mehta, fourth place in
3D Animation; Hitanshi Mehta, fourth place in 3D
Animation; Sarah Miranda, fourth place in Emerging Business Issues; Erin Rodenroth, fourth place in
Accounting I and first place in Desktop Publishing;
Ashley Todd, second place in Business Calculations;
Savannah Tomberlin, first place in Digital Video
Production; Ashley Van Aken, fifth place in Introduction to Business Communication; Cecelia
Venditto, first place in Database Design and Applications; Cameron Wright, second place in 3D Animation and third place in Management Information Systems; and Alex Wu, ninth place in Business Calculations.
The following students placed at the region competition: Nadia Adkins, second place in Manage-
Central High School
Howard High School
Hutchings College and Career Academy
Northeast High School
ment Decision Making; Jimmy Asbell, first place in
Accounting II; Madelyn Barker, second place in
Parliamentary Procedure; Cedric Barnes, second
place in Social Media Campaign; Cameron Belvin,
third place in Business Presentation; Nyesha Card,
fifth place in Help Desk and second place in Public
Service Announcement; Jazmin Carswell, fifth
place in Job Interview and second place in Management Decision Making; Marquis Chester, fifth
place in Impromptu Speaking; Trinity Choo, third
place in Global Business and fourth place in Future
Business Leader; Brynn Codone, first place in ParContinued on Page 13
Southwest High School
February 23, 2015 * Page 13
FBLA
Continued from Page 12
liamentary Procedure; Noah Davis, third place in
Sales Presentation; Larkin Floyd, second place in
Parliamentary Procedure; Sadie Giegler, first place
in Parliamentary Procedure and first place in Social
Media Campaign; Sydney Hutchings, first place in
Business Plan; Weldon Hutchings, first place in
Business Plan; Jordan Jedneski, first place in Social
Media Campaign; Garrett King, second place in
Sport and Entertainment Management; Jenny Lee,
third place in Global Business; Pennuel Lockett,
second place in Social Media Campaign; Baylee
Marsh, second place in Parliamentary Procedure
and first place in Word Processing; Hunter Martin,
third place in Business Ethics and second place in
Electronic Career Portfolio; Caroline Mayfield, first
place in Parliamentary Procedure; Lauren McCue,
first place in Network Design; Prit Patel, fourth
place in Digital Design and Promotion and third
place in Marketing; Juliann Pham, third place in
Global Business; Briauna Scott, second place in
Public Service Announcement; Constance Sermons, third place in Business Presentation; Mary
Slaughter, first place in Hospitality Management;
Thorsha Stephens, second place in Social Media
Campaign; Jordan Tarver, first place in Hospitality
Management; Cary Lynne Thigpen, third place in
Business Ethics and second place in Electronic Career Portfolio; Eliza Thigpen, third place in Public
Speaking I; Jake Thornton, second place in Sport
and Entertainment Management; Ashley Todd,
first place in Network Design; Savannah Tomberlin,
first place in Parliamentary Procedure; Cecelia
Venditto, second place in Parliamentary Procedure; Rand Williams, fourth place in Digital Design
and Promotion and third place in Marketing; Jordan Williamson, second place in Accounting II; and
Alex Wu, first place in Network Design.
Hutchings College and Career Academy
Hutchings FBLA students earned 10 medals* (all
in the top five), with two students advancing to
state competition. Competitors attending were
Khabiyr Dawkins*, Vada Amerson*, Ira Freeman,
Neiman Johnson, Jordan Reeves, Logan Poole*,
Angelique Orr*, Makaylah Brown, Elise Harris*,
Roni Roland*, Jaylon Pitts, Judah Dixon, Monica
Jackson*, Alexis O’Dette*, Ananeisha Walker and
Anderson Wash*. Roni Roland and Elise Harris will
advance to state competition this month. Advisers
are Maggie Bruce and Jo Brown.
Northeast High School
The Northeast chapter of FBLA was recognized for moving forward to the next round of the
world’s largest Monopoly tournament. The chapter will be testing and participating in the following
competitive events at the State Leadership Conference: Agribusiness, Computer Problem Solving,
FBLA Principles, Cybersecurity, Healthcare Administration, Introduction to Parliamentary Procedure,
Introduction to Business, Business Procedures,
Insurance and Risk Management, and Mobile Application Development.
Rutland High School
Thirty-three students from the Rutland High
Rutland High School
Westside High School
Rutland Middle School
School FBLA chapter competed and attended leadership sessions throughout the day. Rutland had
22 students place in 16 events, 11 of which advanced to the state conference. Three of these
students are already ranked first at the state level
in their respective event.
Southwest High School
The Southwest FBLA chapter was recognized for
the December Draft membership campaign in Region 5. The following students were recognized for
their achievements: Ashanti Jones, third place in
Business Communications; and Jamarkus Dixon
and Victoria Vail, fifth place in Website Design.
Ashanti will advance to the state competition.
Miller Magnet Middle School
Westside High School
Westside High School’s FBLA students competed
in numerous competitions, as well as attended
various leadership workshops.
Miller Magnet Middle School
Miller Magnet Middle School students Ashley
Knight and Markayla Mathews will advance to the
state FBLA conference. They will compete in the
area of FBLA Concepts.
Rutland Middle School
Rutland Middle School students attending the
FBLA conference included Paige Thurman, Kierra
George, Jared Crittle, Amaia Howard and Maria
Askew. The students attended workshops, participated in competitive events and attended an
awards program. FBLA advisers were given the
opportunity to meet and network with one another. In addition, the students had an opportunity to
network with other FBLA students from around the
region.
Weaver Middle School
Weaver Middle School
Weaver Middle School’s FBLA chapter received
eight awards, including two first place medals.
Winners were Amari Bray, third place in Parliamentary Procedures; Anthony Bray, second place
in Personal Financial Concepts; Tamia Collins, fifth
place in Business Concepts; Zyan Cornelius, first
place in Career Exploration and fourth place in
Intro to Business Communication; Marchad Edwards, fifth place in Marketing Concepts; Akira
Felton, fifth place in Internet Concepts; Kaitlin
Simms, first place in Personal Financial Concepts;
and Herman Story, fourth place in Parliamentary
Procedures.
February 23, 2015 * Page 14
Westside Engineering Class
Designing, Building Cars
Howard Middle Student
Sings at Mayor’s Address
Howard Middle School eighth-grader Leah Duval, seen
above with Principal Lindsey Allen, sang the National
Anthem at Macon-Bibb County Mayor Robert Reichert’s
State of the Community address on Thursday, February 5,
at the Emerson Ballroom in downtown Macon. Guests
included community members and business stakeholders, as well as the Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce.
About This Newsletter
This newsletter is created and distributed by the
Department of Communications / Community &
School Affairs as a means to inform the community
of the events, announcements, and highlights of the
Bibb County School District. Permission to reprint
unaltered photos and/or stories is hereby granted,
provided the Bibb County School District is cited.
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Students taking engineering at Westside
High School have been using the Auto Inventor program with WhiteBox Learning to design cars. Through the program, students
designed cars and tested them against other
students’ cars on a virtual track. Because the
designs were completely virtual, the students
could go back and make changes to the car.
Once they were satisfied with their car and
the cars were within the parameters given to
them at the beginning of the assignment,
they began printing the design, laying it on a
wooden car block, and then drawing it
out. Once completed, students cut their cars
out with the help of the Construction instructor. Once the cars have been built, students
will test them out in actual races.
School Counselors Recognized
for National Counseling Week
During National Counseling Week,
which was celebrated February 2-6,
the Macon-Bibb County Commission
recognized school counselors during
its meeting on Tuesday, February 3.
National Counseling Week honors
school counselors across the nation.
School counselors are an integral
part of the educational program. School counselors assist with
helping to remove barriers and challenges that students face daily.
To view a letter from United
States Secretary of Education Arne
Duncan in which he discusses the
role of school counselors and the
impact they have in meeting the
needs of students’ academic success
and overall well-being, click here.
From left are Commissioner Elaine Lucas and District
administrators Dr. Beverly Stewart and Pat Galloway.
Vineville Academy Students
Create Art for Capitol Exhibit
Vineville Academy of the Arts had the privilege to participate in the Capitol Art Exhibit and
reception held on Wednesday, February 11, at
the James H. Sloppy Floyd Building in Atlanta.
Students from throughout the state participated
in the art exhibit, which was sponsored by the
Georgia Art Education Association and the Secretary of State’s Office in honor of Youth Art
Month. Debra High and Alexis Lanier, fourth
grade students at Vineville Academy, were both
chosen by art instructor Amanda Gaskins to
participate in the event. Representatives, senators, and State School Superintendent Dr. Richard Woods were present during this event.