2015 Spring College Guide by Gwinnett Daily Post Special Section

community

gwinnettdailypost.com

SECTION C • SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2015

spotlight on education

COLLEGE READY? HOW

WHEN

Seasoned parents: Start application process early on By Keith Farner

the process. “Following up with them, showing them you’re Leigh Ann Sweney has really interested in their one word to describe the school, you care,” Chip college application prosaid. “It sort of sets you cess: Overwhelming. apart that a student’s taking “It’s almost like a little initiative.” part-time job for a period While a traditional of time,” said Sweney, four-year college degree is co-president of the Duluth not for everyone, and the High PTSA, whose chilpath to a doctorate is not dren, Caroline and Jack, required, or even desired in are a college freshman and some cases, Jessica Smith a high school sophomore. encourages high school “It’s very much like apply- students to achieve some ing for a job. You want to type of certification or stand out, you want to go degree after high school. for the acceptances, and “You do really want to then choose.” get something done after When the family high school,” said Smith, a planned for Caroline, a counselor at Duluth High. Duluth High alumnus and “The more education you student at Georgia College obtain, it does correlate to Ante Williams of the Georgia Student Finance Commission speaks to a crowd of students and parents recently at and State University, Leigh a couple of things. One, it’s Duluth High about options to pay for college. (Staff Photo: Keith Farner) Ann said they focused on a higher earning potential, her major of study, costs of and the other is less likelischools where she would hood of unemployment.” be accepted, enrollment A large majority of and distance from home. jobs continue to need at “There’s so much out least some type of skilled there, it’s easy to get lost,” training, especially by Leigh Ann said. “I made a when current high school plan, and worked the plan. students will be graduating It’s very time-consuming, or entering the workforce. By Keith Farner February or early March. lege411.org, has plenty of “Look at different and there’s really no way “There really is a plan keith.farner And tax forms are needed resources for scholarship scholarships outside around it.” for every single student, @gwinnettdailypost.com to determine eligibility. options, Williams encour- of what you see on the That plan was to finish and as long as you have an Williams works for the aged students to think screen,” Williams said. testing by the end of her idea of what you want to DULUTH — Ante Georgia Student Finance creatively for scholar“Start looking at things junior year, have applicado, we can help you find Williams has one reason Commission, and remind- ships. Start looking at that relate to your own tions out by August or the appropriate course of why high school students ed students recently at a Coca-Cola or Xerox, or interests, or your own September trying for early study,” Smith said. should encourage their Duluth High College and other major companies characteristics.” acceptances by Christmas For every job where parents to finish this Career Night that the Free that offer scholarships. If you’re 4-foot-11 or of the senior year, and to a doctoral or advanced year’s taxes: Financial Application for Federal Look in local comshorter, there are scholar- apply for scholarships in degree was required, there aid. Student Aid, or FAFSA, munities where in Gwin- ships, Williams said. A January and February. would be two jobs where Deadlines for some col- scholarship deadlines are nett, for example, sevDuct Tape scholarship is Leigh Ann’s husband, just a four-year degree was leges and universities pri- fast approaching. eral electric membership also out there. Chip, added that taking required, and seven jobs ority financial aid appliWhile his organizacorporations that offer initiative with schools’ adcations are at the end of tion’s website, gacolscholarships. See PAY, Page 2C missions personnel helped See APPLY, Page 2C

Tips on paying for college Beyond loans: Don’t overlook niche scholarships

keith.farner @gwinnettdailypost.com

2C • SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2015

gwinnettdailypost.com

spotlight on education •From Page 1C Even social media platforms offer opportunities. “YouTube has scholarships; there are scholarships out there for students to make videos,” he said. “I know you like Instagram, I know you like Facebook, I know you like Twitter, students if you’re looking at your parents like you don’t, please stop lying to yourself. There are scholarships there for those, you just need to start using your resources.” Best ways to save Coverdell Education Savings Account: A savings account that is set up to pay the qualified education expenses of a designated beneficiary. Contributions to a Coverdell ESA are not deductible, but amounts deposited in the account grow tax free until distributed. Generally, the maximum contribution per year, per child is $2,000.

•From Page 1C where technical or specific training is all that’s needed, Smith said. Whatever path a student chooses, or sets a goal to achieve, the process begins from the first day as a freshman in high school. Earning a high grade-point average starts when high school does, and Smith stressed that’s one reason for students to choose an appropriate curriculum. A selective university, for example, requires more honors or Advanced Placement classes on a transcript.

Pay

deductible. These distribution of these plans also include the cost of the purchase of any computer technology, related equipment and/or related services such as Internet access. The technology, equipment or services qualify if they are used by the beneficiary of the plan and the beneficiary’s family during any of the years the beneficiary is enrolled at an eligible educational institution. Scholarships Hope Scholarship: Students are eligible if they have a 3.0 high Duluth High Principal Anthony Smith speaks to a crowd of students and parents recently at Duluth High during a school GPA and certain rigor requirements. College and Career Night. (Staff Photo: Keith Farner) Students graduating after 529 Plans: A plan ject to federal tax and operated by a state or generally not subject to educational institution, state tax when used for with tax advantages and the qualified education potentially other incenexpenses of the desigtives to make it easier to nated beneficiary, such save for college and other as tuition, fees, books, as post-secondary training well as room and board. for a child or grandchild. Contributions to a 529 Earnings are not subplan, however, are not tax

Apply “Their GPA calculation starts from Day 1,” she said. “I hear this a lot in the counseling office, ‘What do I have to do to get my GPA to jump a full percentage point?’ It’s really too late to do that in your senior year.” As sophomores, students take the PSAT and begin to pursue volunteering and extra-curricular activities to bolster a college application resume. As juniors, college visits begin and the first official SAT and ACT exams are taken, along with any test

preparation classes and program research for a specific post-secondary path. As seniors, Smith encourages students to make a list in early fall of potential college choices to apply, while early decision applications come in November and December. Simultaneously, writing essays and securing letters of recommendations are also underway. Scholarship deadlines don’t come until spring of the senior year, but Smith said it’s never too early to apply.

May 1 must have two full credits in advanced math, advanced science, advanced foreign language, advanced placement in core subjects, international baccalaureate in core subjects, or dual credit enrollment in core subjects taken at an eligible post-secondary institution. Students graduating after May 1, 2016, must have three of those credits, and students graduating after May 1, 2017, must have four full credits. The Hope awards a portion of standard tuition at a public institution and $1,910 per fulltime semester at a private institution, or $1,274

per quarter at a private institution. Zell Miller Scholarship: Students are eligible if they meet rigor requirements and are a designated valedictorian or salutatorian, or they must have a 3.7 high school GPA in core curriculum courses and a 1,200 combined score on the SAT or 26 composite score on the ACT. The Zell Miller Scholarship awards full standard tuition at a public institution, or $2,110 per semester or $1,407 per quarter full time at a private institution. Sources: IRS, Georgia Student Finance Commission

gwinnettdailypost.com

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2015 • 3C

spotlight on education Mergers dominate headlines on statewide education By Keith Farner

keith.farner @gwinnettdailypost.com

State higher education news this year has been dominated by mergers as officials look to cut costs and combine resources. The largest and most recent came early last month when it was announced that Georgia State University and Georgia Perimeter College would merge after the University System of Georgia Board of Regents approved a proposal. GPC will be renamed Georgia State University following approval of the consolidation timeline by the board of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. The Board of Regents is scheduled to approve the new institution in January. Current GSU President Mark Becker will serve as the president of the new institution. Board of Regents Chancellor Hank Huckaby recommended the consolidation of the two schools in order to improve student success, according to a released statement from the BOR. “Georgia State is a recognized national leader in improving student retention

and graduation rates and will be able to apply its best practices,” Huckaby said in a press release. “Combining these attributes with Georgia Perimeter College’s leadership in providing access to students across the metro area presents a major opportunity to improve student success.” Board of Regents member Dean Alford said that the consolidation was approved in the interest of students, and 44 percent of GPC students said their first choice in a school would be Georgia State. When combined, the two institutions will have an enrollment of more than 53,000 students, making it the largest university in the state after the consolidation. The consolidation would eventually mean that students may earn four-year degrees at current GPC locations. Some GSU students have met the consolidation with resistance after its studentoperated radio station, WRAS FM 88.5, was sold to Georgia Public Broadcasting last year. Some students have questioned whether the consolidation is proposed solely for financial interests. Classes begin this fall after Kennesaw, Southern Poly merger A merger of Kennesaw

State University and Southern Polytechnic State University means the number of institutions in the University System of Georgia is reduced from 31 to 30. The new Kennesaw State will operate as a fully consolidated institution when classes begin this fall. With an expected student enrollment of 32,000, Kennesaw State will be one of the 50 largest public universities in the country. The new consolidated university will maintain campuses in Kennesaw and Marietta, the current sites of Kennesaw State and Southern Polytechnic State, respectively. The institution will have 13 colleges. “This is a historic moment for both institutions, for all the people who have worked so hard to bring consolidation about, and especially for all current and future students, faculty and staff of the new Kennesaw State,” said Daniel S. Papp, president of the consolidated University. The consolidation plans, first announced in November 2013, were given the green light from accreditors in December. The merger is expected to expand the school’s academic and research mission with new academic programs to better serve students.

“Our consolidation of institutions has been about serving our students better by expanding access, broadening programs and reinvesting resources for the benefit of our students,” University System Chancellor Hank Huckaby said in a press release. “As with past consolidations, our goal with the new Kennesaw State University is to continue to broaden opportunities for more students and to do so more efficiently.” Enrollment dropping at 15 Georgia colleges, universities Last month, before a joint meeting of the House and Senate appropriations committees, Chancellor Hank Huckaby offered a stark warning. Fifteen colleges and universities across the state have recorded a notable drop in enrollment that’s ranged from 7.65 percent to more than 30 percent. Huckaby explained that the competition for students is so “fierce” that’s he has “grave concerns” about how the schools can recover. Many of the schools are outside metro Atlanta, and they include Armstrong State University (7.65 percent), Bainbridge State College (33.89 percent), College of Coastal Georgia (13.41 percent), Darton State Col-

lege (12.09 percent) and East Georgia State University (15.28 percent). State and federal policy changes and the University System Board of Regents’ no longer accepting two remedial courses are often cited as the main reasons behind the declines. “That was a big deal. It really changed our structure in the first couple of years, as far as the number of students we were admitting,” Clayton Daniels, assistant vice president for enrollment management at the College of Coastal Georgia in Brunswick, was quoted as saying by the Morris News Service. Officials at East Georgia State College saw it coming but were still surprised by its magnitude. Changes in admission requirements were designed to weed out students who weren’t prepared for collegelevel work. The stricter standards and tougher financial conditions coincide with a long-term decline in the population of most south Georgia counties. “The pie is not getting much larger for high school students,” Daniels said. “… The challenge is getting much harder for all of us.” Huckaby told the legislative budget writers that the system is shifting its formula

for determining how much money each school gets from one based on enrollment to one factored on student performance, namely graduation and retention. Huckaby endorses a plan outlined by Gov. Nathan Deal and lawmakers that said the goal should be to prepare more workers, not just employ more faculty and staff. Interim presidents at Dalton State, Georgia Southwestern Margaret Venable recently took over as interim president of Dalton State College. Venable previously served as provost and vice president for Academic Affairs at Gordon State College. President John Schwenn retired at the end of 2014. In November, Charles Patterson was named interim president of Georgia Southwestern State University. Patterson previously served as Georgia Southern University’s vice president for research and economic development and dean of the Jack N. Averitt College of Graduate Studies. He also serves as chair of the Georgia Southern University Research and Service Foundation. Patterson took over for Kendall Blanchard, who retired at the end of December.

Gwinnett Tech among fastest growing two-year public colleges By Keith Farner

keith.farner @gwinnettdailypost.com

Gwinnett Technical College isn’t only growing campuses. It’s one of the fastest-growing schools of its kind by enrollment, too. In a December report by the publication Community College Week, Gwinnett

Tech ranked 10th in the group of two-year public schools with enrollment between 5,000 and 9,999. The rankings, published in a special report, compared the percent change in headcount from fall 2012 to fall 2013 using U.S. Department of Education data. For that time period, Gwinnett

Tech’s enrollment increased 7.5 percent, from 6,682 to 7,180. “Our ranking reflects the vital role that technical education plays in preparing students for an in-demand and rewarding career. Helping our students advance their careers, succeed in the workforce and improve

their lives through a college education is always our top priority,” President D. Glen Cannon said in a press release. “We’re constantly working to improve student success, provide leadingedge training for emerging fields, and meet the workforce needs of business and industry in our region.”

Now completing its 30th year, Gwinnett Tech serves about 18,000 students annually through college credit, adult education and continuing education classes. The college continues in a growth mode with the current construction of a new campus in Alpharetta, at Ga. Highway 400 and Old

Milton Parkway. Classes are expected to begin there in January. At the Gwinnett campus in Lawrenceville, the college’s One Stop Student Services Center is being redesigned and expanded to provide enhanced advisement and service to students.

4C • SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2015

gwinnettdailypost.com

spotlight on education

‘It definitely prepares them’ Becoming more common, Advanced Placement classes challenge students By Keith Farner

keith.farner @gwinnettdailypost.com

DULUTH — Being admitted to a well-known in-state school not only requires a high grade-point average, students these days must add credit in several Advanced Placement classes. This year’s freshman class at Georgia Tech had credit from an average of seven AP classes out of high school, Duluth High Principal Anthony Smith said. “You could have a 4.0 and not even get looked at,” he said. At Duluth, the number of students taking AP classes has grown steadily in recent years. In 2001, social studies department chair and gifted program coordinator Geri Flanary said she taught 38 students in an AP human geography class. Two years ago, before she moved to AP world history, she had close to 160 students enrolled. And those students aren’t just taking one class. The class of 2014 had 571 students take 1,098 AP exams, and 86 were AP scholars meaning they scored a three or higher (on a five-point scale) on three or more exams. Across Gwinnett County Schools, those Duluth students aren’t alone. The class of 2014 saw 5,033 seniors take 12,010 Advanced Placement courses during their career. “Over time, the diversity of our school has increased,” Flanary said. “We’ve made a concerted effort to go out and pull in students for the program.” Duluth teachers use a software program called AP Potential that measures students’ performance on the PSAT and predicts possible success on AP exams. Teachers use that information to encourage students to enroll in AP classes. “Based on what you’ve done, we think you can do this,” Flanary said. “We reach out to them, we don’t wait for them to come to us. Because of that, our AP numbers have skyrocketed, and we’ve maintained our success and our commitment to kids regardless of how many kids are in the program.” Earning credit on an AP exam enhances students’ applications for college admissions, placement and scholarships, and in some cases earns the student college credit. “It definitely prepares them more,” Duluth High teacher Gregg Tavani said. “It looks good on their resume for college admission, but it definitely prepares

Above left, at Duluth High, Kirsten Lombardo leads an AP U.S. History class as students discuss compulsory military service. Above right, Duluth High student Ethan Minter takes an AP World History test. (Special Photos) Below left, Duluth High gifted program coordinator Geri Flanary speaks to students and parents about the school’s Advanced Placement program during a recent College and Career Night at the school. Below right, Alex Broomfield, a Duluth High senior who will join the Coast Guard Academy this fall, speaks at a recent College and Career Night at his school. Broomfield has taken eight Advanced Placement classes during high school. (Staff Photos: Keith Farner)

them. (Colleges) want students that have a solid foundation who can do well and stay in their college and go on to be future leaders in the community. I think students want to be challenged at a younger age so they can be more successful at the next level.” Teachers explain the benefits of the program during College and Career Nights, offer chances to meet the teacher and during advisement time throughout the school day. Students are often overcome by fear, and Flanary said teachers try to show students that they can, in fact, succeed in a class. “If you aren’t challenged, you can’t grow,” Flanary said. “You can’t change unless you’re challenged. This is a chance for you to change and grow in a positive way by stepping out.” Alex Broomfield, a senior at Duluth, told students and parents about the benefits he’s received by taking eight AP classes in his career. Broomfield will enroll in the Coast Guard Academy this fall, and he said the challenges offered

by AP classes and the Coast Guard have parallels. Inspired by a cousin, the Coast Guard has been a lifelong goal for Broomfield. “I wanted to do everything I could to make myself a prime candidate for it,” he said. “So I was taking the most rigorous courses I could, and when I had the opportunity to take AP classes, I took full advantage of that, so I could put that on college applications.” Broomfield’s pitch to parents and younger peers is the skills developed by AP classes will stick with you beyond high school and college. Work ethic, responsibility and leadership are three things that are prime character traits for employability. “The mindset of challenging yourself is something that will last with you forever,” he said. “Even though it might seem kind of intimidating, taking a risk, putting yourself out there and just trying something harder, even if it’s one at a time is definitely better than not.”

At Duluth High, students Madison Richardson, left, and Margaux Ratcliffe work to solve a puzzle in AP World History. (Special Photo)

gwinnettdailypost.com

Looking for the perfect college? Look no further than ABAC! Check out our bachelorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degrees in Business, Biology, Diversified Agriculture, Rural Studies, Natural Resource Management in Wildlife or Forestry and Turfgrass & Golf Course Management.

Come to campus for Stallion Day and discover why ABAC is College Done Right.

Register at www.abac.edu/stalliondays You can also come during the week for a personal tour of campus led by current students.

239413-1

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2015 â&#x20AC;˘ 5C

6C • SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2015

gwinnettdailypost.com

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2015 • 6C

WE MADE COLLEGE ALL ABOUT

YOU You, the student.

We literally built a college from the ground up, designed for students by students. We reimagined and revolutionized higher education to put you at its center. Our innovative dedication to student success makes a H-U-G-E difference for your future. With small class sizes, you get a private college experience, at a state college price. Discover how much a four-year bachelor’s degree can do for you at www.ggc.edu. Schedule a campus tour online at www.ggc.edu/tour 238320-1

APPLY ONLINE TODAY www.ggc.edu

8C • SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2015

gwinnettdailypost.com

spotlight on education

Colleges struggle with financial pressure in today’s buyer’s market Reuters

discount tuition despite growing costs. The U.S. higher educa“This competitive tion sector is bracing for landscape is beneficial to another difficult year students but financially in 2015 as colleges and challenging for colleges,” universities face a tugS&P analyst Jessica Matof-war to balance tuition sumori said. “Institutions affordability with rising face an expensive contest costs. to attract and retain the A new report from best students.” Standard & Poor’s RatInstead of dormitories ings Services found that with shared rooms and while American students bathrooms located down still want to attend postthe hall, students now secondary education, expect living quarters they are demanding better with private rooms and value for their tuition more amenities. Basic dollars. As a result, the gyms or swimming pools not-for-profit higher are being converted at education environment many colleges to state-ofhas become a more com- the-art recreation centers petitive buyer’s market, with extra touches, such forcing universities to as climbing walls, the rat-

ing agency found. While costs tick up, colleges and universities are finding it difficult to hike tuition or raise revenues in other ways. In 2014, the ratio of downgrades to upgrades increased for the fourth consecutive year. The result could be a management shake-up at some schools. “We expect to see a growing number of leadership changes due to both the aging of current senior leadership teams and strategic changes that may require different expertise and skills than an institution’s current management possesses,” Matsumori said.

Gwinnett Daily Post Follow us on Instagram @gwinnettdailypost

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2015 • 9C

gwinnettdailypost.com

GWINNETT GAB Gwinnett Braves award $1K grant to Path Project

Gwinnett and surrounding counties. The nonprofit organization works to help those students The Path Project has close the achievement been awarded the Gwingap, graduate from high nett Braves’ $1,000 Janu- school, become producary grant. The “I Have tive members of society A Dream” themed grant and find the right path for is aimed at funding an their lives. The outreach organization that grants ministry operates five wishes, dreams and opcommunity centers in five portunities for the youth, mobile home parks, servelderly, injured or sick. ing approximately 450 The Path Project offers children each week. The academic, social and spir- $1,000 grant awarded by itual development for at- the Gwinnett Braves will risk youth living in mobe used for literacy and bile home communities in educational enrichment

through field trips and the purchase of books and school supplies. For more information about the Gwinnett Braves Grant Program, call Community Relations Coordinator Alison Atkins at 678-277-0346.

Richard Pope completes GPSTC course Officer Richard Pope of the Suwanee Police Department completed a DUI Detection and Stan-

dardized Field Sobriety Testing Instructor course taught by Georgia Police Academy Division of Public Safety Training Center in Forsyth. Students successfully completing this 40-hour course become Georgia Peace Officers Standards and Training Council certified to teach the D.U.I. Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing course on a local, state and national level. As a prerequisite for the course, officers must have complete a National

Highway Traffic Safety Administration certification course in Standardized Field Sobriety Testing. Funding for this program has been provided by the State of Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety.

FUNdraising offered at Coolray Field Gwinnett Braves is offering FUNdraising opportunities for those

looking to raise funds for their organization. Participants will be able to raise money by working at the concession stands at Coolray Field. Professional Sports Catering is looking for groups to staff concessions for the 2015 season. For more information, call 678-277-0382. Gwinnett Gab appears in the Thursday and Sunday editions of the Gwinnett Daily Post. To submit an item to Gwinnett Gab, email gab@gwinnettdailypost.com.

ANNIVERSARY

Upchurch 60th Billy and Clydine Upchurch of Snellville recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. They were married Dec. 23, 1954, in Lawrenceville. They have two children; Joy Bryan and husband Robbie Bryan, Melanie Gay Henkle and husband Jeff Henkle. They also have 6 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. They celebrated with a family gathering in their honor at their daughter’s home.

Billy and Clydine Upchurch

WEDDING

Durfee — Hoffman

Kathryn Durfee and Joseph Hoffman

Kathryn Louise Durfee and Joseph Hoffman III were married Jan. 4 at Little Gardens in Lilburn. Minister Jeremiah Okeef West officiated the ceremony. The bride is the daughter of Lisa Coppi Durfee of Atlanta and the late Dale Alden Durfee. She is a 2005 graduate of The Westminster Schools and a 2009 honors graduate of the University of Georgia. She is employed with The Animation Collaborative as Director of Operations. The groom is the son of Joseph and Susan Hoffman of Grayson. He is a 2005 graduate of Grayson High School and

a 2010 graduate of the University of Georgia. He is employed as a Sysco marketing associate. Kaitlin Felipe of Decatur served as the maid of honor. Bridesmaids were Isabel Harding of Atlanta and Jenny Helton of Denver, Colo. Alex Duran of Atlanta served as the best man. Groomsmen were Clayton Hoffman of Athens, David Epstein of Cincinnati, Ohio, Cory Helton of Denver and James Roper and Robert Durfee, both of Atlanta. While planning a honeymoon to Iceland in July the couple resides in San Francisco.

PET OF THE WEEK

The GA SPCA in Suwanee’s Pet of the Week in need of a good home is Edwina, who is looking for a nice window to sit in and a loving lap in the evening.

235324-1

Each week the Gwinnett Daily Post will feature an animal available for adoption at the Georgia SPCA, which is located at 1175 Buford Highway, Suite 109, Suwanee, GA 30024. The hours of operation are Mondays through Fridays 11 a.m. until 7 p.m., Saturdays 11 a.m. until 5 p.m., and Sundays 1 until 4 p.m. You can see the rest of the adoptable cats and dogs at www. georgiaspca.org.

10C • SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2015

gwinnettdailypost.com

Riverside Elementary students visit Gold Dome Riverside Elementary students recently made a field trip to the Gold Dome to see government in action first hand, a trip the school annually makes with thirdgraders. Teacher Lynne Franks said the students study democracy, branches of government and levels of government. Rep. David Clark, who represents the Suwanee area that Riverside serves, helped out with the tour and students taking a picture with Gov. Nathan Deal. “Our goal is for our students to become active citizens and understand the democratic process,” Franks said. “We love going to the Capitol because kids don’t usually go with their parents, so it is a fun day, and also a great learning experience for them to see their legislators in action.” On the day of their visit, Franks said it was crowded so the kids got to see the “people’s house” in action. Maxwell takes home SkillsUSA awards Maxwell High School of Technology students took home some hardware at a recent region competition. The school also celebrated SkillsUSA Week. Principal Jeff Hall said all of the students who competed represented Maxwell with their professionalism and talent. Several students who were recognized for outstanding achievement in leadership or skills: • First place for T-Shirt Design: Gabby Bloomfield. • Third place for Esthetics: Elizabeth Fortenberry and her model, Ravyn

Good News from Schools

Third-graders from Riverside Elementary recently visited the Gold Dome and posed for a picture with Gov. Deal, Rep. David Clark and teachers Lynne Franks and Ginger Cox. (Special Photo)

Keith Farner Alford. • Second place for Braiding, Adeajah Cargill, and for Cosmetology, Diana Carlos. • First place in Advertising Design, Sydney Freeman; Automotive Refinishing, Bryant Amaya; Collision Repair, Joel Leyva; Early Childhood Education, Ashley Palomino; Job Demonstration, Tyler McCalpine; Masonry, Kelvin Bonilla; Welding, Jacob Berch; Welding Fabrication, Zane Maddox, Tanner Pace, Ben Ross and Ana Cabrera. All students who won first and second place at region will advance to state. Peachtree Ridge senior named volunteer award finalist Jack Griffin, a senior at Peachtree Ridge High, was recently named a finalist for The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, a nationwide program honoring young people for outstanding acts of volunteerism. Griffin founded FoodFinderGA.org, a web site that quickly searches and identifies soup kitchens, food banks, churches and other free food resources available to families in his county who are foodinsecure.

Griffin raised $6,000 to fund the construction of the site with an IndieGoGo campaign, built and maintains the site’s database of 167 public schools and 97 food resources and hopes to take the site nationwide sometime this year. Daughters of the American Revolution essay winners Duluth’s William Day Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution recently awarded bronze medals to three American History Essay Contest winners: Vani Senthil, a Duluth Middle eighth-grader; Eli Shoaf, a Crews Middle seventh-grader; and Nuha Omar, a Winn Holt Elemen-

tary fifth-grader. The theme was “A Child’s Journey Through Ellis Island.” The students received framed certificates with their medals and enjoyed refreshments, including a patriotic cake in their honor. The NSDAR American History Essay Contest is held annually and is open to public, private, or home schooled students in grades 5-12. The William Day Chapter primarily the Duluth school clusters. Wing, Murphy to serve on Gov. Deal’s education advisory boards Kerensa Wing, Principal at Collins Hill High School and Mary Kay Murphy, GCPS School Board Chair-

Chivalry might not be dead, but it certainly seems to be on life support Last week we took my daughter and her family to a popular restaurant, where we encountered a 20-minute wait and a full lobby. Many patrons sat on benches provided for that purpose, including several able-bodied men. My daughter is visibly pregnant and has an active 15-month-old, who of course chose that moment to demand Mommy. So there she stood, belly protruding, holding a squirming toddler — and not one of the men offered his seat or even glanced in her direction. Fortunately, grandpa (that’s me) succeeded in coaxing the little tyke away, and eventually a couple got up when their table was called, so my daughter was finally able to sit down. But I couldn’t help wondering: What’s wrong with those guys? Has chivalry gone completely out of style? Are boys no longer taught good manners? Or have we simply become so self-absorbed that we fail to notice the plight of those around us?

we could do far worse than teach boys to treat women with respect. Here are some specific gentlemanly behaviors we need to embrace and model for our sons: Don’t just sit there. As my story illustrates, too many men seem conRob tent to relax in comfort Jenkins while a young mother wrestles with a small child or an elderly lady To some, leans on her cane. (chivalry) That must stop. In a might seem public setting, a man sexist. But with date should always offer his rape and domestic seat to a woman. She violence becoming might not accept, which increasingly comis her prerogative, but he monplace, we could should at least offer. do far worse than Hold the door. We teach boys to treat don’t hold doors for women with respect.” women because they can’t do it themselves. We do so as a sign of Whatever the case, I respect. would suggest that the If you’re too selfworld is a better place conscious or afraid some when we as men resolve women might take ofto serve others, especially fense, then just hold the women, and encourage door for anyone, male or our sons to do the same. female, who happens to To some, that might be close behind you. seem sexist. But with Carry that weight. I date rape and domestic cringe whenever I see a violence becoming inwoman carrying a heavy creasingly commonplace, box or several bags of

“

SCHOOL LUNCH MENUS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Tuesday Big daddy’s pizza; black bean empanadas; deli fresh subs; PBJ’wich; mellow yellow corn; farm fresh produce Wednesday Mozzarella sticks; oven roasted chicken; vegetarian burger; signature salads; PBJ’wich; roasted zucchini; farm fresh produce Thursday Seasoned baked wings; old world lasagna; lasagna marinara; deli fresh subs; PBJ’wich; local green beans; farm fresh produce

Friday Pancakes and sausage; poppin’ shrimp poppers; yogurt basket; pinwheels; PBJ’wich; hashbrown sticks; farm fresh produce

produce Thursday Tex-mex nachos; country style steak sammie; mexi bean pizza; wrap n’ roll wraps; signature salads; PBJ’wich; farm fresh produce Friday Chicken & waffles; catch of the day; yogurt muffin basket; deli fresh subs; signature salads; PBJ’wich; farm fresh produce

MIDDLE SCHOOL Tuesday Spicy chicken sammie; calzone dippers; vegetarian burger; deli fresh subs; signature salads; PBJ’wich; farm fresh produce Wednesday HIGH SCHOOL Oven breaded chicken; Tuesday mini corn dogs; cheese Chicken tenders; big quesadilla; homestyle daddy’s pizza; Gwinnett’s sammies; signature salbest burger; empanadas; ads; PBJ’wich; farm fresh deli fresh subs; signature

groceries, or a young mother with a baby carrier in one hand and a toddler in the other — while a bunch of men stand there doing nothing. It’s not that women aren’t capable of fending for themselves. They just shouldn’t have to. Offering a helping hand might require some courage — what if they think you’re a creeper? — but it’s the right thing to do. Remember, the way we as men behave toward women in public is an extension of how we think about them in private. If we truly value women, we will treat them with respect and deference — and if we consistently treat them that way, we’ll find it much harder to objectify them or regard them as inferior. Rob Jenkins is a local freelance writer and the author of “Family Man: The Art of Surviving Domestic Tranquility,” available at Books for Less and on Amazon. Email Rob at rjenkinsgdp@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter @ FamilyManRob.

woman, have been named to serve on one of Gov. Nathan Deal’s Education Advisory Boards. Wing will serve on the Principals’ Advisory Board and Murphy will serve on the School Board Members’ Advisory Board. These Boards will meet with the governor and his staff over the next year to provide input on education policy issues facing the state. Buice principal receives School Library Advocate Award Kim Holland, principal at Buice School, is the recipient of the 2015 GCPS School Library Advocate Award. Holland was nominated by Karen Willingham,

media specialist at Buice. This award honors administrators outside the library profession who have made worthy contributions to the operations of effective library services in their school and to advancing the role of the school library in the educational program. As a recipient of the GCPS School Library Advocate Award, Holland will be nominated by the district for the Distinguished School Administrators Award sponsored by the American Association of School Librarians. Keith Farner writes about education. Good News from Schools appears in the Sunday edition of the Daily Post.

VOLUNTEER

OPPORTUNITY OF THE WEEK

The Gwinnett Council for Seniors, a nonprofit organization, is seeking volunteers to staff the office located at 186 E. Pike St. in Lawrenceville. The office is open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Volunteers usually staff the office one day per month, providing assistance for call-ins or walk-ins. The Council is an advocate for seniors in the community, helping to provide resource information to those in need. We are “Seniors Helping Seniors.” Those interested should contact the office at 770822-5147 and leave a message for MaryAnn the GCFS Information Center Director.

RESTAURANT SCORES

Restaurant, Address.................................................. Score Oh My Samgyupsal 3585 Peachtree Industrial Blvd., Duluth.......................... 80 Mackenzie’s Restaurant and Tap Room 4790 Peachtree Industrial Blvd., Berkeley Lake.............. 96 La Fuente Mexican Restaurant 5045 Singleton Road, Norcross....................................... 90 Polos Taqueria 2449 Lawrenceville Highway, Lawrenceville.................... 100 Waffle House 772 Dacula Road, Dacula................................................ 91 Man Hong Chinese 1291 Old Peachtree Road, Suwanee.............................. 44 Cafe Restaurant Dominicano 4650 Jimmy Carter Blvd., Norcross................................. 84 Super Hibachi 1630 Pleasant Hill Road, Duluth...................................... 91 salad; fiesta burrito Green Tomato Wednesday 256 Gwinnett Drive, Lawrenceville................................... 96 Oven roasted chicken; Chef Chang 2645 North Berkeley Lake Road, Duluth......................... 82 stuffed crust pizza; ultiFlava mate hot dog bar; vege103 Lawrenceville Suwanee Road, Suwanee.................. 92 tarian burger; wrap n’ roll Raku wraps; signature salad; 550 Pleasant Hill Road, Duluth........................................ 93 quesadilla pizza Marlow’s Tavern Thursday 3333 Buford Drive, Buford............................................... 84 Speciality flatbreads, McDonald’s big daddy’s pizza; Asian 2101 Duluth Highway, Duluth........................................... 96 wings; cheesy grilled Greek Island Grille 3320 Lawrenceville Suwanee Road, Suwanee................ 95 cheese, deli fresh subs; Wendy’s Old Fashioned Hamburger signature salad; Asian 4840 Sugarloaf Parkway, Lawrenceville.......................... 90 rice bowl Big Daddy Que Friday 2950 Rosebud Road, Loganville...................................... 100 Brunch 4 lunch; big Church’s Chicken daddy’s pizza; seafood 6111 South Norcross Tucker Road, Norcross................... 87 basket; black bean Waffle House burger; homestyle sam545 Peachtree Industrial Blvd., Suwanee........................ 88 mie; signature salad; Dolmen Bar B Que cuban sub 1611 Satellite Blvd., Duluth.............................................. 92

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2015 • 11C

gwinnettdailypost.com

your community: city by city

City by City is a weekly look at the happenings in the places you call home MORE FROM LAWRENCEVILLE

AUBURN Dr. Seuss celebration coming to library The Auburn Public Library will host a Read Across America Dr. Seuss Celebration on Monday, March 2. The event, held from 4 to 7 p.m., will offer those who drop in the opportunity to watch Dr. Seuss videos, take pictures in a photo booth, make special crafts and eat cake. The Auburn Public Library is located at 24 5th St. BARROW COUNTY CERT team members honored The Barrow County Community Emergency Response Team recently honored its members for their volunteer work serving the community. In 2014, CERT team volunteers put in 836 volunteer hours, supported 11 community events and helped with one special project, officials said. Among those honored for their “outstanding level of participation” were Carol Goodnight, Brian Keener, Connie Keener, Fern Oakes, Vance Oakes, Steven Southerland, Mike Wilson and Michael Wolcott. CERT volunteers work special events and occasionally assist first responders. During last winter’s ice storm, Barrow CERT members helped support the county’s emergency operations center. For more information on the CERT program, visit barrowcert.org. BERKELEY LAKE Elementary celebrates young authors competition winners Berkeley Lake Elementary recently celebrated its winners for third grade through fifth grade in the Young Georgia Authors Writing Competition. Third-grader Meredith Santoso, fourth-grader Veda Khieu and fifth-grader Sylvia Chan each were honored. Berkeley Lake plans to expand its entries next year to include kindergarten through second grade. BRASELTON Town honored at Georgia Main Street luncheon The town of Braselton was recently honored at the annual Georgia Main Street luncheon. Braselton was one of 17 communities “that are graduating from the Georgia Main Street start-up program in 2015 to receive the national designation of a Classic Main Street Community,” officials said. The town entered the program in 2014 and, over 14 months, worked with the Office of Downtown Development at the Georgia Department of Community Affairs. Officials attended “downtown development trainings, community visioning sessions and capacity building activities.” BUFORD Business alliance to host monthly meeting The Buford Business Alliance will host its monthly “Networking Over Breakfast” meeting from 8 to 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday. The event, held at the SpringHill Suites located at 3250 Buford Drive, will offer BBA members and guests the opportunity to network, exchange cards and introduce their businesses. The format will include 30 minutes of open networking, a fiveminute presentation by a BBA member and an opportunity to go around the room and offer everyone 30 seconds to introduce their business. DACULA Mayor observing Read Across America Day Dacula Mayor Jimmy Wilbanks plans to visit Alcova Elementary School for National Read Across America Day. The holiday, also known as Dr. Seuss Day, is March 2.

“Sunday Supper” Food Trucks event at Coolray Field is open from noon to 5 p.m. each Sunday during the Gwinnett Braves’ offseason from September through March. (Special Photos: Andrea Roa)

G-Braves host weekly ‘Sunday Supper’ By Katie Morris katie.morris@gwinnettdailypost.com

The Gwinnett Braves host a weekly Sunday supper for the community, but with a twist. The “Sunday Supper” event combines the tradition of gathering with friends and family to enjoy a Sunday meal together with a recent culinary trend, food trucks. Every Sunday during the Gwinnett Braves’ off season, food trucks such as Fry Guy, On Tapa the World, the Buford-based Mac the Cheese Truck and more park at Coolray Field to offer a variety of cuisines. Guests are able to choose their fare before sitting down at the outdoor picnic seating area to enjoy. The “Sunday Supper” Food Trucks event was started in the fall of 2013 with Coolray Field chosen as the venue due to its convenient location near In observance, the mayor will read to students at the school from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m., according to the city. Founded in 1997, the Read Across America campaign is aimed at motivating children to read and creating lifelong readers. DULUTH Harris Elementary to host STEAM night A workshop that focuses on science, technology, engineering and math will be held at Harris Elementary from 6 to 6:45 p.m. on Thursday. School officials said they focus on these areas together not only because the skills and knowledge in each discipline are essential for student success, but also because these fields are deeply intertwined in the real world and in how students learn most effectively. They call STEAM an interdisciplinary and applied approach that is coupled with hands-on, problem-based learning. At this workshop parents will learn about and experience the STEAM initiative. For more information, contact Donna Power at 770-232-3244. GRAYSON Library to host Pete the Cat party The Grayson branch of the Gwinnett County Public Library will celebrate with stories, activities and a special craft dedicated to everyone’s favorite cat. The event will begin at 11 a.m. on Tuesday and is for children ages three and up. The branch is located at 700 Grayson Parkway.

Guests are able to choose their fare from a selection of food trucks before sitting down and enjoying at the outdoor picnic seating area during “Sunday Supper” Food Trucks at Coolray Field.

the Mall of Georgia and local churches. “The Sunday Supper is a great example of how Coolray Field and its surrounding area can be utilized for other functions besides baseball,” Gwin-

LAWRENCEVILLE Spring Green Festival set for March 28 at fairgrounds The Spring Green Festival, put on by Heart of Gwinnett, will be held on March 28 at the Gwinnett County Fairgrounds. Previously held in downtown Lawrenceville, the event is moving because the fairgrounds offer more room for parking and vendors. The event, whose proceeds go wo Gwinnett Habitat for Humanity, is currently looking for vendors and volunteers. Vendor booths cost $100. For more information, email contact@ heartofgwinnett.com. LILBURN City to take input on park A 30-day public input period for improvements to a Lilburn park kicks off Feb. 23. The city has begun a master planning process for Lilburn City Park and the Camp Creek Greenway. The Department of Planning and Economic Development is creating an online survey to gather public input. The input period will start Feb. 23, with a presentation at the mayor’s town hall meeting at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 76 Main St. After the meeting, the survey is planned to be available online. LOGANVILLE Grayson Tech to have open house The Grayson Technical Education Program will host an open house from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday. Students and parents can tour the building and learn about the programs that are available. Current sophomores and ju-

nett Braves General Manager North Johnson said. “Each Sunday in the offseason, we bring in some of Atlanta’s best, most unique food trucks to serve the citizens of Gwinnett County. The best part for

niors are eligible to apply for the 2015-2016 school year. Visit www.graysontech.org for more information. Programs include advanced engineering, commercial photography, culinary arts, digital media, it and network systems, law and justice, audio engineering, music technology, sports medicine, TV & video production and veterinary science. NORCROSS High school foundation awards grants The Norcross High School Foundation for Excellence recently awarded $21,500 in teacher grants and instructional funds. “This is another example of how our community supports excellence in our school,” explained Principal Will Bishop. “We appreciate the generosity of the foundation and our community. The support we receive is tremendous.” The contributions from parents, faculty, alumni, resident and the business community went to 29 teachers in 9 departments. With the funds, students will be afforded additional opportunities with vital resources teachers choose to enhance learning. PEACHTREE CORNERS Dr. Seuss birthday bash planned A birthday party for Dr. Seuss is set for Feb. 27 at the Peachtree Corners public library. Children ages 3 and up are invited to come celebrate the beloved children’s author at 11 a.m. with stories and activities. The library is located at

us is that we use our portion of the proceeds to give back to the community through our Gwinnett Braves Foundation.” The Gwinnett Braves Foundation operates under the Atlanta Braves Foundation and is the nonprofit arm of the team that actively supports community organizations and their programs. “Sunday Supper” Food Trucks at Coolray Field is open from noon to 5 p.m. each Sunday during the Gwinnett Braves’ offseason from September through March. There are typically three to five food trucks located in the north parking lot of Coolray Field, 2500 Buford Drive in Lawrenceville. For the most up-to-date information on the Sunday Supper, visit Mac the Cheese Truck’s Facebook page at facebook.com/macthecheesetruck.

5570 Spalding Drive. SNELLVILLE ‘Visions’ sought for city’s future A series of “visioning” meetings have been scheduled by the Snellville Urban Redevelopment Agency to gauge residents’ vision of the city’s town center. City officials are urging residents to attend the meeting and share their opinions, according to a news release. Dubbed the “Snellville Visioning Sessions,” the meetings will poll residents on the 2011 Towne Center Plan, the recently announced Wisteria Pop-up Marketplace and community unity concept “Generation Merge,” which calls for different generations to work together to make Snellville a better place. The meetings are: — 6 to 8 p.m., Feb. 19 at South Gwinnett High School, 2288 East Main St. — 6 to 8 p.m., March 12 at Brookwood High School, 1255 Dogwood Road — 6 to 8 p.m., March 19 at the Briscoe Park offices, 2500 Sawyer Parkway in the Betty McMichael Room. SUGAR HILL City touts intern program, looks for more At the end of 2014, the city of Sugar Hill brought on six interns to assist with tasks supporting the community. Their efforts have included community outreach, 3-D modeling, and researching and planning for a mobile app. The city currently has volunteer positions available in “several key areas.” For more information, contact

Megan Carnell at mcarnell@ cityofsugarhill.com or 770945-6716. SUWANEE Ride along with one of Suwanee’s finest Suwanee’s latest Citizens Police Academy, which offers residents a better understanding of the day-to-day functions of police officers as well as an opportunity to patrol Suwanee’s streets alongside an officer, is accepting applications. The next academy will be offered Monday evenings March 9 through May 11. Classes will be from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Suwanee Police Training Center at 2966 Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road. Notarized applications are due Feb. 27. Guidelines and applications are available at suwanee.com. The academy offers classroom training and hands-on experiences in crime scene processing, traffic stops, building searches, crime prevention, and narcotics identification and provides an understanding of the risks and responsibilities of officers. The program is designed to open and maintain communication between citizens and the police department. Classes are free and open to the public, but space is limited and preference is given to Suwanee residents or those who work in the city of Suwanee. A criminal and driver history background is required for all applicants. For additional information, contact Theresa Miranda at tmiranda@suwanee.com or 770-904-7669.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2015 • 12C

gwinnettdailypost.com

Grocery store a fine spot for a nice conversation It is, I believe, a distinct and unique trait of the South the way we carry on long conversations with people we are passing in the loaf bread section of the grocery store or in the checkout line. In other places, where I’ve traveled and shopped, people don’t take up with complete strangers to discuss which fabric softener is best or how mayonnaise has tripled in price in the past handful of years or pontificate on why pimentos are not located on the same aisle as the pickles or olives. They should be. At least that’s what I and a strangerfriend decided the other day. “Oughta put things where they make sense,” he said. And I agreed.

frying bologna or how paprika is an underappreciated seasoning, a spice that is capable of so much more than just decorating deviled eggs. I’ve noticed when I grocery shop in Los Angeles that people keep Ronda their eyes to themselves Rich and their thoughts far from the reach of anyone “After all,” he continued, close by who is pushing a “if the grocery store folks cart. That’s right. In L.A., used their common sense they have “carts.” No then the rest of us with one there ever heard of a common sense would “buggy” in a food store. know where to find ’em My husband’s one of so we wouldn’t have to those sorts who likes to hunt somebody down and keep his eyes to hisself, ask.” buy what he wants and He shook his head in get out. aggravation. “It would “Really?” he asked the save all of us a bunch of other day as he tagged time.” behind me in the produce Down South, the most section. “Do you really entertaining of conversa- think she’s interested tions is liable to spring that you cut up kale with forth over the virtues of kitchen shears?”

“Kale is a new-fangled vegetable to many,” I replied, plucking four slightly green bananas from a bunch of seven. “It’s bitter and that’s why most people won’t eat it. You have to cut it small. And if it’s eaten raw, it needs a sweet dressing with it.” “I know. I heard you tell her all that. Good gracious. The way you people in the South carry on in the grocery store…” He grinned. Though such openness isn’t bred in him, he’s coming to enjoy it. Or perhaps it’s tolerance. One day, in the bakery section, we encountered the same man a couple of times. As I selected hard rolls, he pushed his buggy around me and said, “I’m sorry. I just keep circlin’ y’all.”

I laughed. “Like a coyote. You’re going in circles.” He stopped, folded his arms and sighed heavily. “Coyotes. Boy, I’m tellin’ you, they’re getting bad.” Then he commenced to tell a story of how he’d been seeing them off and on for quite a spell at his house but they had never bothered anything. Not that he knowed of, anyway. But a few days earlier, one grabbed his cat. “I saw her up there in the tall grass and, suddenly, the grass started shaking. I run up there and one of ’em had hold of her. Dropped her when he seen me. Didn’t hurt her too bad but she’s got a place on her back that I’m havin’ to doctor.” While my husband watched in astonishment and listened wordlessly,

I offered a couple of my own coyote stories. That’s what Southerners do. We respond with a story. A week later, I ran by the grocery to pick up a few things including a package of individual coconut pies. The woman in the check-out line in front turned and studied the package. “Those look good,” she remarked. She continued reading the package. “Whew, that’s a lot of calories.” She read a bit more. “Hmm, a lot of sodium. Are you sure you want that much sodium?” Sometimes, the conversations can go too far. Ronda Rich is the bestselling author of There’s A Better Day A-Comin’. Visit www.rondarich.com to sign up for her weekly newsletter.

Your company’s culture matters more than goals What’s the culture of your organization? Is it an environment where things get done on time, every time? Or are deadlines more flexible? Do you believe in having fun, or is it more serious? Every organization has a culture, so does every family. Culture is the, usually, unspoken beliefs about how things work around here. Peter Drucker famously said, “Culture eats strategy for breakfast.” Culture is often what enables or prevents an organization from achieving goals. For example, if an organization sets a goal to increase on time deliveries, but the culture tolerates excuses, it’s unlikely

Forget Perfect

Lisa McLeod that the team will achieve the goal. The company can provide incentives, and it may drive a shortterm spike, but in the end, the culture will ultimately prevail. Why does this happen? It’s a case of implicit versus explicit. Most leaders are explicit about goals, they write them

down, share them and measure against them. But when it comes to culture, it’s more implicit. We assume people should just “know” how to behave. In my work with toptier organizations, and my personal study of highachieving, happy families, I consistently observe that success is directly connected to a leader’s ability to be explicit about their culture. Here are three ways you can fast track your team, be they your coworkers or your kids, to a culture of success. 1. Name and claim your own true and noble purpose This is not the goal you want to achieve or the revenue you want to attain.

Enter for a chance for you and your sweetheart to win the

V I P PAC K AG E

in Clearwater Beach, FL April 23-26, 2015!

Package includes round-trip air transportation for two from Atlanta to Tampa, three nights’ accommodations at Shephard’s Beach Resort, dinner at Ocean Flame, Pier 60 Sugar Sand and Sunsets VIP dining experience on April 23, 2015, unlimited access to Sugar Sand Walk Exhibit, Pier 60 concessions (beachside cabana and lunch), Clearwater Marine Aquarium and Winter’s Dolphin Tale Adventure admission tickets AND a $200 Visa gift card towards a rental car!

Enter by March 1, 2015. TWO grand prize trips will be awarded!

ENTER ONLINE AT CONTEST CENTRAL on

gwinnettdailypost.com

or send completed entry (only entries completely filled out will be eligible) to GDP/Clearwater Sugar Sand Festival P.O. Box 603, Lawrenceville, GA 30046

Name _____________________________________ Address ____________________________________ ___________________________________________ Phone _____________________________________ Email______________________________________ I agree to contest rules (required)

Yes! Send me more information on VISITFLORIDA.com, and Clearwater, FL!

A Noble Purpose is about the effect you want to have on your constituents, and the concept applies to any endeavor, including families. For example, early in our parenting journey, my husband and I decided that the higher purpose of our parenting was to raise future leaders who would make a difference in the world. I didn’t become a Tiger mom. In fact, just the opposite. The goal wasn’t to have them win every competition or get the highest score on every test. It was to provide them with a mental construct that would enable them to make good decisions, harness their own unique talents, and have a positive effect on the world. Clarity of purpose keeps your culture focused on the right end game. 2. Establish clear, con-

cise values One of our clients, G Adventures, literally wears their values to work. The global leader in Adventure travel, G as they refer to themselves, prints their five core values on T-shirts that team members wear to work. Values like “We Love Changing People’s Lives” and “Embrace the Bizarre” communicate what’s important to their business. G Adventures founder, Bruce Poon Tip, was intentional about working with his team to craft values that are simple and easily understood across multiple cultures. They didn’t settle for generic language like, we’re customer-centric, or be a team player. Instead they narrowed it down to five core values that speak to their competitive differentiation, and the pas-

sion they want to evoke from team members and ultimately customers. This provides performers with a framework for making decisions and setting goals. 3. Focus on behavior first, outcomes second When a manager says “Great sale,” or a teacher says, “You got them all right,” the performer doesn’t know how to replicate those results. When you say, “You studied well in advance, you made note cards, you focused on the higher concept items,” the performer knows how to do it again. Goals are what you want to do. Culture is a critical element of how you get there. Be intentional and explicit about both. Lisa McLeod is the author of the bestseller “Selling with Noble Purpose.”

Year of the Goat no kidding matter for local inventor Gung Hay Fat Choy! That’s the Chinese New Year greeting for “May you come into good fortune.” I think there was some good fortune here for me since the Year of the Goat starts on Feb. 19 and I didn’t have to root around for column fodder. The first person who came to mind was Carlyen Cumbie, known as the Goat Man. His goats that graze on his five-acre spread are legendary in Lilburn. But goats are hardly what keep Cumbie busy. Cumbie, an Alabama farm boy, left home at age 16 in 1949 to seek his fortune in Atlanta where he started working as a plumber. Fifty-four years later he retired as Supervisor of Plumbing at the Center for Disease Control to follow his dream of working full time as an inventor. For years, Cumbie made miniatures of farm wagons and tools. His little American buggy, with an authentic spring mechanism took first place at the 2005 Gwinnett County Fair and he received a patent for a lock he designed for a retainer pin in a miniature tractor. But his real passion is inventing

Susan Larson devices for people with disabilities. “When I see people that’s struggling to do something, I want to do what I can to help out,” he said. “A Vietnam vet told me how it’s impossible to wheel a chair and hold an umbrella at the same time, so I invented an umbrella holder for his wheelchair.” Cumbie, a longtime member of the Inventors Association of Georgia, has received CDC’s Contributor to Disabilities Awareness Award and is recognized by Leaders in American Innovation. And yes, back to those goats. I asked him if that was some sort of side business. “Oh, no,” he said, “The only reason they’re there is to keep the yard clean. They do a real good job.” Well, that in itself is innovative thinking. Cumbie has been employing his

goats that way for decades. But now there’s a new trend in the construction industry to herd goats onto a vacant lot and let them chew off all the vegetation before the building begins. In fact, my great nephew Thomas is working his way through college as a goat herder for Get Your Goat Rentals. The owner, Michael Swanson, said, “It’s just starting to catch on. We started with a few goats in 2009 and now we have 100.” Swanson’s “chew crew” has eaten its way across Gwinnett from Lilburn to Peachtree Corners. He said that in addition to working for food, his goats “volunteer” their time clearing off the graves of veterans in local cemeteries. But getting back to the Cumbies, this year on Dec. 31 Carlyen and his wife Cora will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary. OK, do the math. With 60 being a multiple of 12, yes, you got it! They were married in the Year of the Goat. And it’s obvious that they both came into very good fortune! Susan Larson is a writer from Lilburn. Email her at susanlarson79@gmail. com.

ENTER BY MARCH 1, 2015!

Rules: No purchase necessary. Must be 21 years old or older to enter. Sponsors and their families are not eligible. All entries must be completely filled out to be eligible. Trip winner is responsible for any and all taxes and/or liabilities associated with the value of the trip package which is estimated at $2,250 and which must be claimed as income in the 2015 tax year. The Gwinnett Daily Post is required by law to furnish a federal form 1099 to the Internal revenue Service and this form will state the $2,250 value of the trip package. Winner’s acceptance of prize also grants permission to publish the winning entry information in future Gwinnett Daily Post publications. Once winner is notified, they have three days to accept the trip. If confirmation of acceptance is not made, a new winner will be drawn. Winner must be able to take the trip during the above dates. If not, another winner will be notified. Grand prize is not exchangeable for other dates or cash value.

Call 770-963-9205 or visit www. gwinnettdailypost.com to subscribe to the

Gwinnett Daily Post 235287-1

gwinnettdailypost.com

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2015 • 13C

Enter to win a Family Four Pack of tickets to the

Atlanta Hawks vs Sacramento Kings at Philips Arena March 9th at 7:30pm

MAIL COMPLETED ENTRY TO: GDP/Atlanta Hawks • P.O. Box 603, Lawrenceville, GA 30046 or gwinnettdailypost.com/contests to enter at

Name __________________________________ Phone ___________________ Address __________________________________________________________ Email _______________________________ NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Must be 18 years old or older to enter. By entering this contest, you agree to receive promotional emails from the Gwinnett Daily Post and their sponsors. Void where prohibited & restricted by law. Sponsor’s employees and their dependents are ineligible. Entries must be received by February 28, 2015. Winners will be notified. 235320-1

What do YOU, Harry Potter & Snow White have in common? NOW OPEN!

ENTER TO WIN GREAT SEATS AND $100 GORDON BIERSCH GIFTCARD IN OUR TRUE BLUE CONTEST

Free for Members!

POISON is part of their story - here’s your chance for it to become a part of yours! Enter to win a family 4 pack of tickets and a special Fernbank prize pack. Name ____________________________________________________________ Address __________________________________________________________ Phone ____________________ Email _________________________________ Mail your completed entry form to GDP/Poison P.O. Box 603, Lawrenceville, GA 30046 or visit gwinnettdailypost.com/contests to enter at: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Must be 18 years old or older to enter. Sponsors and their families are not eligible. All entries must be completely filled out to be eligible. Void where prohibited & restricted by law. Entries must be received by March 15, 2015. Winners will be notified. By entering you agree to receive limited promotional offers from GDP and our partners. There are no exchanges and prizes cannot be resold.

ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS CORRECTLY AND YOU COULD WIN! T/F Blue Man Group creators Chris Wink, Matt Goldman and Phil Stanton met in junior high school. T/F Nearly 70 drums are used in each production of Blue Man Group T/F Past and present members of Blue Man Group created the band Uberschall, an improvisational rock group based in Las Vegas Name ____________________________________________________ Address _________________________________________________ Phone ___________________ Email__________________________ Mail your completed entry form to GDP/TRUE BLUE, P.O. Box 603, Lawrenceville, GA 30046 or visit gwinnettdailypost.com/contests to enter at: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Must be 18 years old or older to enter. Sponsors and their families are not eligible. All entries must be completely filled out to be eligible. Void where prohibited & restricted by law. Entries must be received by March 15, 2015. Winners will be notified.

Call 770-963-9205 or visit www.gwinnettdailypost.com to subscribe to the

Gwinnett Daily Post.

www.gwinnettdailypost.com

238764-1

By entering you agree to receive limited promotional offers from GDP and our partners. There are no exchanges and prizes cannot be resold.

238767-1

14C • SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2015

gwinnettdailypost.com

spotlight on education

Majority of public school students get lunch aid Reuters

most acute in Mississippi where 71 percent The share of public of students were in that school students who qual- category, according to the ify for free or reduced report from the Southern lunch in the United States Education Foundation. has grown to 51 percent, The group identified an indication of growing the share of students poverty, according to a from low-income famirecent report. lies by analyzing 2013 The problem is federal data on children

who qualify for free or reduced lunch at school, which is offered to those from families at or below 185 percent of the federal poverty level. For a family of four, the poverty level is less than $24,000 a year and 185 percent of that figure is about $44,000.

Enter To Win A Family Four Pack of Tickets!

The foundation said the share of poor students in the nation’s schools has been growing for decades. It called the fact that a majority of U.S. students are now from low-income families a “defining moment in America’s public education.” The group argues poor students have greater needs and should receive more support

than has been offered to them. A 2013 report from the Southern Education Foundation based on statistics from two years before found 48 percent of U.S. public school students were low-income. In 2000, about 40 percent of the nation’s public school population was low-income, according to a previous report

from the organization. The organization has for years found the greatest poverty among students in the South and the West. In California, the nation’s most populous state, 55 percent of students qualified for free or reduced lunch in 2013. By comparison, New Hampshire in the Northeast had the lowest rate at 27 percent.

ENTER

Gwinnett Gladiators vs South Carolina Stingrays Saturday, March 7 at 7:05pm - Arena at Gwinnett Center

FOR YOUR

CHANCE TO WIN!

MAIL COMPLETED ENTRY TO: GDP/NightCrawler • P.O. Box 603, Lawrenceville, GA 30046 or gwinnettdailypost.com/contests to enter at

Name _______________________________________________________ Address _____________________________________________________ Phone ____________ Email ____________________________________

236416-1

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Must be 18 years old or older to enter. Void where prohibited & restricted by law. Sponsor’s employees and their dependents are ineligible. Entries must be received by Feb. 27, 2015. Winners will be notified by phone.

ENTER ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16 ONLY ON FACEBOOK.COM/GWINNETTDAILYPOST 235312-1

NOW AVAILABLE ON BLU-RAY™, DVD & DIGITAL HD www.gwinnettdailypost.com

Gerard Preparatory School Instill. Inspire. Ignite.

770.277.4722 NOW TAKING APPLICATIONS FOR 2015-2016 263 Jackson Street • Lawrenceville, GA 30043

www.gerardprep.com

All Inclusive Price: Registration fee: 239292-1

239287-1

2013 Millcrest Drive, Hoschton

It’s Not To t o b e t h o Early in Spring k i ng a b o u t & Summ Camps! er Field Trips Include: Georgia Aquarium • Sky Zone Bowling • Stone Mountain Malibu Grand Prix Medieval Times • Fernbank and much more!

770.904.0004

New Odyssey Summer Adventures 2015

www.SugarHillChristian.org

Helping your child grow in character and faith while being successful in the modern world. • Ranked in the top 2% for ITBS nationwide • ACSI & SACS Accredited K4-8th Grade • Before and After Care Available for K4-8th Grade • Affordable Excellence • Mother’s Morning Out, Preschool • Early Learning Programs, K-Preparatory class

Come preview the fun during Spring Break!

3378 Hamilton Mill Road, Buford

678.714.9555

678-745-4121

239290-1

4600 Nelson Brogdon Blvd., Sugar Hill, GA 30518

television

gwinnettdailypost.com

SECTION E • SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2015

SUNDAY EVENING ABC CBS CW FOX NBC PBS WATL WPBA WPCH A&E AMC BRAVO CNN COMD DSC ESPN ESPN2 E! TV FAM FNC FOOD FSSO FX HALL HGTV HIST LIFE NICK TBS TCM TNT TVLAND USA

7 PM

7:30

7 PM

7:30

7 PM

7:30