School News

Valedictorians, Salutatorians Celebrated at Banquet

The class of 2021 valedictorians and salutatorians were recognized at the 21st annual scholar recognition banquet. The special event was attended by the scholars and their parents, the teacher each scholar chose as the most influential in his or her education, high school principals, and school board and district representatives.

“This has been a school year like no other, but you did not let the challenges stop you from reaching your goals,” Superintendent of Schools Brian V. Hightower said. “Congratulations! We’re so proud of you.”

The students and teachers each gave a brief speech, and Hightower presented each student with an iPad, $50 gift card and plaque, and each teacher received a plaque and $100 gift card. The dinner and gifts were made possible by sponsor donations from LGE Community Credit Union, Cherokee County Educational Foundation, Poole’s Insulation Company and EyeMed.

The speeches from students shared common threads, as they praised their teachers for taking a personal interest in them, encouraging them and mentoring them. The remarks by teachers often echoed, as they recounted the dedication the students showed to their studies, their willingness to help classmates learn and to make their school and community a better place.

Valedictorians: • Analise Black, Etowah • Elizabeth Lawrence, Woodstock • Nicholas Audinet, River Ridge • Jeremy Jeong, Sequoyah • Baker Brown, Cherokee • Nathan William Davis, Creekview

Salutatorians:

• Sophia Stewart, Etowah • Arnav Sharma, Woodstock • Aarya Kothari, River Ridge • Bradley Gordon, Sequoyah • Harrison Russ, Cherokee • Koryn Thanh Todd, Creekview

From left, front row: Baker Brown, Koryn Thanh Todd, Sophia Stewart, Aarya Kothari, Jeremy Jeong, Arnav Sharma; back row: Harrison Russ, Nathan William Davis, Analise Black, Nicholas Audinet, Bradley Gordon and Elizabeth Lawrence. Maggie Bradley

Graduate Earns $5,000 Scholarship

Etowah High graduate, Margaret “Maggie” Bradley, has earned the 14th annual Waste Management/Pine Bluff Landfill Scholarship. The $5,000 scholarship is presented to a graduating senior in the county each year. The designated school rotates annually, with Etowah selected as the 2021 school, and all graduating seniors from the designated school have the opportunity to apply.

A committee of community members, Waste Management and school district representatives scores applications to select a winner who has excelled in academic, extra curricular activities and community service.

Bradley, who ranked third in her class, plans to study biology or neuroscience at Georgia Tech and pursue a medical career. She served as Student Government Association president for four years at Etowah and led charitable fundraising efforts for causes including St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Etowah Cares, a school initiative to raise awareness and funds for mental health and wellness. Captain of the varsity soccer team and varsity flag football team, Bradley also served as president of the school’s HOSA – Future Health Professionals chapter, vice president of the National English Honors Society and volunteered as a tutor for classmates.

Woodstock Principal Mark Smith congratulates future educators. From left, front row: Kaydee Cohran, Lauren De Sanctis, Morgan LaPorta; back row: Hattie Holloway, Sarah Holloway, Macy Hill, Emma Williams, Maddie Brown, Audrey Reecer, Jazlyn Saucedo.

From left, School Nutrition Director Tina Farmer and Culinary Specialist Jessica Emmett accept the sign celebrating the award. Ben Willett Audrey Norton

High Schools Celebrate Future Educators

Woodstock and Creekview held “signing day” events for graduating seniors, to celebrate those who plan to pursue teaching careers.

“Learning one of your students plans to be a teacher is an incredibly proud moment for an educator,” Hightower said.

Woodstock future educators are Kaydee Cohran, Lauren De Sanctis, Morgan LaPorta, Hattie Holloway, Sarah Holloway, Macy Hill, Emma Williams, Maddie Brown, Audrey Reecer, Jazlyn Saucedo, Lily Burlew, Hannah Emling, Kendall Reichman and Isabella Alfano.

Creekview future educators include Laura Jane Garrett (Young Harris College), Madison Uren (University of Kentucky), Hallee Cloud (Kennesaw State University), Riley Shepard (University of North Georgia), Sophie Bentley (Kennesaw State University), Kyla Standridge (University of Georgia), Daisy Sisson (Freed-Hardeman University), Rebekah Pratt (Georgia Southwestern), and Savannah Hill (University of North Georgia).

School Nutrition Program Earns Top Honors

The Cherokee County School District School Nutrition Program earned top honors from the Georgia Department of Education (DOE). The program earned the state’s 2020 Vision District award in recognition of its outstanding efforts to use Georgia-grown foods in school cafeterias. The program has received numerous accolades for its farm-toschool initiative and collaboration with community partners including Cherokee County Farm Bureau.

“Your collaborative efforts have positively impacted our communities and students,” said Linette Dodson, Georgia DOE school nutrition program state director. “Congratulations on your success and being named a 2020 Vision District!”

3 Graduates Earn University Scholarships

Etowah graduate Benjamin Willett, River Ridge graduate Audrey Norton and Cherokee graduate Dylan Iovino, have won National Merit scholarships.

National Merit university and corporate scholarship winners are selected through review of academic records and college-entrance exam scores, leadership and service in their school and community, along with personal essays and letters of recommendation.

Only 15,000 of the nation’s top graduating seniors are eligible for the 3,300 National Merit Scholarships financed by U.S. universities and colleges. The scholarships range from $500 and $2,000 annually, for up to four years of undergraduate study.

Willett won a National Merit university scholarship from the University of Georgia. A repeated state qualifier in swimming, he also was a member of Etowah’s Eagle Connections group that focused on improving and enhancing school spirit.

Norton won a National Merit corporate scholarship from Crum & Foster and plans to attend the University of North Carolina. She participated in the River Ridge marching band for four years, and served her school and community through Beta Club, National Honors Society, Sprouting STEMs Club, Math Team, Earth Club and Family, Career and Community Leaders of America.

Iovino won a National Merit university scholarship from the University of Alabama. He served as the school’s academic bowl team captain and was in the Band of Warriors marching band and honor band, as well as the National Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society.