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School News
Murray Innovation Center’s digital lab.
MPCS students Will Duncan and Caitlyn Ealey offer a tour of Murray Innovation Center’s technology-enhanced active learning classroom.
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Mount Paran Unveils Murray Innovation Center
On Jan. 5, Mount Paran Christian School (MPCS) dedicated and unveiled the Murray Innovation Center (MIC). The building, named after a generous lead gift from the Stuart and Eulene Murray Foundation, is a much-needed 23,000-plus-square-foot addition to the current Dozier Hall high school, originally built to house just 250 students. With enrollment continuing to grow, the expansion allows MPCS to offer innovative new learning spaces for its 450 high school students.
The MIC includes a digital design lab and a fabrication lab, a collegiatestyle technology-enhanced classroom, two new science labs, high school administrative offices and additional classroom and gathering spaces. The building offers a permanent storefront for Roost Coffee Co., a cafe run entirely by MPCS high school entrepreneurship classes. Because of this student-led venture, MPCS added and refined course programming in personal finance, business management, marketing and entrepreneurship.
Former Owl Wins Wrestling Title
Former Kennesaw State University running back Bronson Rechsteiner won the WWE NXT Championship Jan. 4, defeating former champion Tommaso Ciampa at the NXT New Year’s Evil event.
Rechsteiner, who competes under the name “Bron Breakker,” played for the Owls 2016-2019, and currently holds the singlegame record for rushing yards, tallying 221 against Missouri State in 2019. He began his NXT career on Sept. 14, 2021.
NXT features the next generation of wrestlers battling to become superstars in the WWE.
Former KSU football player Bronson Rechsteiner won the WWE NXT Championship as “Bron Breakker.” Photo courtesy of the WWE.
Teacher Writes Book Inspired by Students
This month, Valerie King joined Cobb County’s list of published authors when Scholastic released her book, “Make It Relevant! Strategies to Nurture, Develop and Inspire Young Learners.” The veteran educator, who currently inspires students at Kennesaw Elementary School, based her book on her two decades of teaching experience in Cobb.
“This story would not have happened without the children who allowed me to be their teacher. They allowed me to try things, to fail, to laugh and to try again. This book is written for them, the kids, in the hopes that other teachers will find the same joy and purpose in teaching with their learners,” King said.
The Cobb Schools Foundation recently announced four scholarships with application deadlines in April.
The Cobb Schools Foundation Senior Scholarship will be presented to up to 34 graduating seniors in the Cobb County School District, in the amount of $1,000. The application deadline is April 15.
The Sen. Lindsey Tippins Scholarship will be presented to graduating seniors from Allatoona, Harrison, Hillgrove, Kennesaw Mountain and North Cobb high schools. Scholarships will be awarded to four recipients from each of the five high schools, totaling 20 scholarships. At these high schools, there will be one scholarship awarded in each of the following amounts: $500, $750, $1,000 and $1,250. Applications must be submitted no later than 11:59 p.m. April 1.
The Spanish-Speaking Future Educator Scholarship is for graduating seniors or graduates of Cobb County High School District, who are pursuing careers as Spanish-speaking educators. Applicants must have a plan to major in education, and applications must be submitted no later than 11:59 p.m. April 22.
Applicants already holding a teaching degree, who are interested in pursuing a masters degree to help them advance into educational leadership, should apply for the Kathie Elliott Education Leadership Scholarship. Each scholarship awarded will be $1,000. Applications are due April 22.
For more details and applications, visit https://bit.ly/33LNDSK.
Students Eligible for Free Tutoring
Cobb County Public Library connects students to TutorATL for free online, as well as on-demand K-12 test prep and homework help. TutorATL offers support from expert tutors in more than 50 subjects, interactive workspaces and bilingual offerings.
Students can use TutorATL at any Cobb library branch and access the service from home with a Cobb library card number. Cobb County public school students can access TutorATL with the Library PASS (Public Library Access for Student Success). For more information, visit tutoratl.org or the library’s K-12 Student Resources page at cobbcat.org/students.
GTS Students Tops in Welding Competition
Three Georgia Trade School (GTS) students recently competed in a welding competition at Gwinnett Technical College, sponsored by the American Welding Society’s Atlanta chapter. The GTS trio competed against students from technical colleges and welding schools throughout North Georgia.
Students were provided a blueprint and given a time limit. The print required advanced gas tungsten arc welding and gas metal arc welding. In addition, students were required to have a comprehensive understanding of blueprints and general fabrication. GTS student Cade Cordle won the competition, taking home a $1,000 prize, while fellow GTS student Brenden Jones finished second and won $500.
