Mary Elliott

TEENS UNITE!

Teen Advisory Board members read and do crafts with classes at Thrive Special Needs Ministries.

Library System Values the Voice of Area Youth

BY MARY ELLIOTT

The Sequoyah Regional Library System’s Teen Advisory Board (TAB) is an appointed group of teens that functions like a student government. TAB members help plan and implement young adult library programs, participate in volunteer service projects, earn volunteer hours, and help in the selection of new young adult materials for the library.

TAB is a great way to have fun, make friends and become an integral part of the library system. TAB members also develop leadership, public speaking and writing skills, which look great on any college or job application. Additionally, members may be eligible to earn the Presidential Volunteer Service Award from the White House for volunteer services completed during the TAB year.

The TAB term runs from August until July, unless there are openings on the board, in which case the term can start upon interview and acceptance of the applicant. The board is open to all students ages 12-18 who reside in Cherokee, Gilmer and Pickens counties. TAB meets four to five times during the 12-month period, and meeting attendance is mandatory. These meetings generally take place on weeknights, ending by 7:30 p.m. What Has TAB Done?

Teen Library Programs

•Festival of Trees

Fandom and Gaming Programs

• Mario Kart 8 Tournament • Harry Potter Yule Ball

Outreach Opportunities

• Thrive Special Needs Ministries: First Baptist Church

Woodstock • Art Appreciation Programs (Teen Art Appreciation Night) • Lego Robotics and STEAM, and so much more!

How to Get Involved

Interested teens can apply on the library’s website on the Teen Info Hub page, www.sequoyahregionallibrary. org/teenhub. After the application is received, the applicant will be contacted to start the interview process.

Mary Elliott is the Sequoyah Regional Library System’s teen services specialist. She oversees TAB and travels to all Cherokee County library branches to host teen programs and events.

Meet the

2021-22 TEEN ADVISORY BOARD

“My name is Lenata Tombari, but my friends and family call me Nata or Lena. I’m a senior at Georgia Cyber Academy, and I joined TAB to bond with my peers over literature and create various ways to uplift our local community.”

“My name is Anna Henderson. I’m a senior at Timothy Ministry. I wanted to join TAB so I could help people experience the joy of going to their local libraries like I do.”

“Hi! I’m Piper Duncan. I’m in 12th grade at Pickens High School. I wanted to join TAB in order to plan community events where teens can meet and have fun. As a kid, I loved the library’s programs, so I love giving back to the community!” “Hi, my name is Ila Prabhuram, and I’m the regional board chair for this year’s TAB. I’m a junior at Etowah High School. I’m part of TAB to not only get involved in various literacy opportunities, but to give back to the community that’s impacted and shaped me in so many ways. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed every moment on the board, and I look forward to what’s to come!”

“Hi! My name is Rosemary Bragg, and I’m a homeschooled eighth grader. I wanted to be involved in TAB because I love reading, and I want to help people in my community find out about all the great things that the library has to offer!”

“My name is Emily Flair, and I go to River Ridge High School. I wanted to join TAB to be more involved with the library I grew up in, and to get more people wanting to spend time at the library!”

“Hi! I am Manik Durani, and I am in seventh grade at Mill Creek Middle School. I joined TAB because I want to interact with my community and compare likings with each other.”

“Hi! I am Maulik Durani, and I am a senior at River Ridge High School. I joined TAB because I want to share my passion for books with others and spread happiness in my community through literature.”

“Hello! My name is Morgan Gosdin, and I’m a senior at The King’s Academy. I wanted to join TAB to find a way to share my love of reading with other students in my community!”

“My name is Talyn Mesner, and I’m the regional board operations chairI am a sophomore at Gilmer High School and am on the varsity cross country team. My enthusiasm for reading and Dungeons & Dragons, along with my interest in getting experience on a committee and volunteering, is why I wanted to join TAB.” “My name is Victoria Marin, and I am in seventh grade at Mill Creek Middle School. I joined TAB just recently, and they have been so kind and welcoming to me! I joined to become more in touch with my community and library, and to get service hours.”

“My name is Unity Thornton. I’m a junior at Compass Prep Academy. This is my fourth year as a member of TAB. From a young age, I always loved going to library programs. I think TAB is great, and I have enjoyed how it has allowed me to be a part of the inner workings of the library, make friends with similar interests and learn how to plan events.”

“I’m Makena Dubois, the Cherokee County projects chair, and I’m in 11th gradeat Creekview High School. I wanted to get involved in TAB because I wanted to help teens get more involved in the library and the community, as well as myself. I’ve always loved the library and wanted others to love it as much as I do. I’ve been in TAB for three years, and I couldn’t imagine not being a part of this wonderful group!”

Not pictured:Regional Board Vice Chair Marlayna Macking, and board members Walker Stone, Sophie Salzar and Nicholas Brown.

Expert CareWhen it Matters Most

The doctors and midwives at Cherokee Women’s Health Specialists wholeheartedly believe bringing new life into the world is an honor and privilege. Their mission is to protect the health of mothers-to-be and their unborn babies by providing top-notch expertise.

Generations of grandmothers, moms and babies have trusted Cherokee Women’s for the past 27 years – and continue to return for expert care. With eight physicians, four midwives and a physician assistant who work in the Canton and Woodstock offices, thousands upon thousands of healthy babies have been safely delivered.

These success stories are best told by the women and families who experienced firsthand how Cherokee Women’s Health makes a difference in so many lives.

The providers enjoy some time with a few of the healthy babies they’ve delivered. Photo by Maniac Agency.

Mary and her baby, Dane. “I was scared, but I completely trusted the doctors and the care I received throughout my entire pregnancy. What could have ended in tragedy resulted in my beautiful baby boy!” – Mary

Mary

Umbilical Cord Prolapse Results in Life-Saving Emergency

A first-time mom, Mary was ecstatic to learn she was pregnant. Nine months later, it was time to give birth to her baby boy.

After 21 hours of laboring, Dr. Leah Goodson-Gerami (known by her patients as Dr. G.G.) could finally feel the baby’s head, but there was a serious problem; the umbilical cord was coming down as well.

She knew this was an umbilical cord prolapse, a condition that occurs when the cord drops down before the baby, cutting off the baby’s oxygen supply, which can result in stillbirth.

Dr. G.G. calmly but firmly instructed, “We have to do an emergency C-section – we have a cord prolapse. It’s going to be OK, but we have to get this baby out right now!” Immediately, several nurses and staff were in the room and began assisting. Within moments, baby Dane was born perfectly healthy.

Cherokee Women’s Health Specialists, PC

770-720-7733 | cherokeewomenshealth.com

Laci

A Placental Abruption Scare

After a journey of upsetting miscarriages, Laci was pregnant with her rainbow baby girl, but at 36 weeks, she noticed her baby wasn’t moving as much. Dr. Lisa McLeod discovered the baby’s heart rate was abnormal and sent Laci to Northside HospitalCherokee for closer monitoring.

At the hospital, the fetal monitor showed no worrisome signs, but Dr. James Haley had a gut feeling that things were not quite right. He decided to keep Laci in the hospital. Still not assured the baby was safe, he felt it best to proceed with delivery. Then, at the time of the C-section, he discovered a placental abruption had occurred. This is when part of the placenta shears off from its attachment to the uterine lining, resulting in loss of blood and oxygen to the baby. If undetected or left untreated, it can readily lead to death of the baby, and result in serious problems for the mother. Meaning, if Laci had been discharged to go home, she and her baby may not have survived.

After this life-threatening emergency, Laci and her husband, Luke, welcomed their healthy baby girl, Livian Joan, into the world.

After two years of infertility, Queen and her husband, Lionel, were discouraged. At her first visit to Cherokee Women’s Health, Dr. Mariya Zhukova discovered Queen had polycystic ovary syndrome. Hopeful that it was possible to have a baby, they came up with a game plan together. Three months later, Queen was pregnant!

Queen had a healthy pregnancy and sweet Mahogani was welcomed

Luke, Laci and baby, Livian Joan. “I’m so thankful for Dr. Haley and his expertise. He has this light about him which put me at ease. This truly was a God thing. We could have had a bad outcome with the abruption, but God was there through it all, especially with Dr. Haley and his midwife Rachelle Denney. My family is forever grateful.” – Laci

Queen, Lionel and baby, Mahogani. Photo by Joyful Day Photography.

Queen

A Preeclampsia Diagnosis

into the world! However, once they were home, Queen started to get terrible headaches and wasn’t feeling like herself. After speaking with her doctor, she was advised to keep track of her blood pressure and return to the hospital if it remained high. With continued headaches and high blood pressure, she went back to the hospital where Dr. Zhukova diagnosed her with preeclampsia. Left untreated, preeclampsia can lead to serious – even fatal – complications. After treatment, Queen had a complete recovery and went home to be with her family.

“Unfortunately, many women don’t survive preeclampsia. I owe Dr. Zhukova my life, truly. Her excellent standard of care and expertise saved me, and my baby. She is the type of doctor you want by your side; she’ll hold your hand. My family has a very special place in our heart for her and everyone at Cherokee Women’s Health.” – Queen

LOCATIONS

Canton Towne Lake

AWARDS

Best OB/GYNs and Surgeons in Canton and Woodstock

Readers’ Choice

Best OB/GYNs in Cherokee County

Cherokee Life Magazine

Mom-Approved OB/GYNs

Atlanta Parent Magazine