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pleasure of the board. the Board decides am not who they want, they can take action and change that. In the meantime, there a lot of work to do on behalfofGwinnettCountyPublicSchoolsand am committed to getting done.”

Dr. Lacrecia Smith is BHS alumna from the class of 1988. Lacrecia was born and raised in Buford to her parents, Anna Sue Smith and Marcus Smith Sr. She has two siblings, Marcus Smith Jr. and Sonya Lott. Both of them are also BHS graduates of the classes of 1991 and 1985, respectively. Lacrecia started at Buford in 1975 at the half-day kindergarten, and she attended Buford City Schools until her graduation. During her time at BHS, Lacrecia was an avid athlete, running track all four years of high school, as well as competing on the cross country team. She participated in the 1986 State track meet in the 200M race. Her 4x100 relay team held the school record BHS for more than 20 years. In her senior year, Lacrecia received the scholar award and the coach’s award for track. addition to athletics, Lacrecia was a member of the band from to 12th grade, earning several first-place awards band competitions. She also was member of FBLA, BETA Club and the Talent Search Program. Lacrecia remembers the day she first met the new principal, Mrs. Beauty Baldwin, when she was fifth grader at Buford Middle School. She remembers how Mrs. Baldwin always carried herself with great poise, dignity and grace. The phrase “representation matters” always stuck with Lacrecia. She always wanted to be like Mrs. Baldwin, and her presence always motivated Lacrecia to strive to be an even better student. After high school, Lacrecia attended Albany State University, where she earned her Bachelor of Science early childhood education in 1992. She also earned her Master of Education early childhood education at Albany in 1996. She earned her Educational Specialist Degree in early childhood education at Brenau University in 2002 and recently, she earned her Doctorate Education in curriculum and instruction in 2019. While at Albany State University, Lacrecia earned track scholarship. She also was an inaugural member the college’s Kappa Delta Pi Inc. and cum laude graduate. Lacrecia works at the BCS Central Office as the Buford City Schools Diversity and Inclusion Manager and the Title III Instructional Coach. She chose to be an educator because the rewarding nature of the job. She loves that she can see the fruits of her labor every day. As a teacher, Lacrecia uses the knowledge her students’ cultural academicbackgrounds, capabilities and the curriculum to create excitement and energy in her classroom. However, her favorite lessons are the ones that her students teach her. In her free time, Lacrecia loves to spend time with her mother. They attend church and eat dinner together almost every Sunday. She also volunteers for various projects at her church, Union Baptist Church. Lacrecia is proud member of the Gwinnett County Alumnae Chapter of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. She has served as volunteer on the Education Development Committee. Lacrecia also co-chaired EMBODI, male mentoring program that sponsored community event designed to bridge the gap between youth and the Gwinnett County Police Department. She is currently part the Risk Management Team. Dr. Smith’s work in the Buford school system as a teacher, mentor and coach, as well as local volunteer, constantly benefits the community that so lovingly raised her when she was in high school. Her outstanding achievements and impeccable character make her role model for BCS students, and we are proud to call her Buford High School alumna. Once Wolf, always Wolf! — Torin Smith Dr. Lacrecia Smith, Class of 1988 Rally draws supporters as two online petitions call for Wilbanks’ resignation or termination Supporters of Alvin Wilbanks attend rally Feb. the J. Alvin Wilbanks Instructional Support Center in Suwanee. Photo by Alicia Couch Payne To nominate a graduate from Buford High School, fill out a short nomination form online at www.northgwinnettvoice.com/bhs-alumni-spotlight-nomination. Success Stories Welcome Here If you know a Buford High School graduate who deserves a little recognition, nominate them for the BHS alumni spotlight “Where are They Now?” 26 Buford High School | Class of 2022 Class of 2022 | Triple A Excellence 27