Statesboro Magazine - July/August 2021

July August 2021 Priceless

’s OTC the ng Fueli force Work

2021

BOE A nnual Report

Wemberly Ponder

PLAYING OUR SONG

Evy Shen

GIRL WONDER

SMART THINKING

BRILLIANT HOUSE

Jennifer Bray & Jason NeSmith Ken’s IGA

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RESEARCH IN OUR BACKYARD, FOR OUR BACKYARD We get it. We know “research” can conjure up images of perplexing experiments in dark labs for the purpose of getting an article published in some academic journal.

But at Georgia Southern, faculty and student research means figuring out ways to make Statesboro and Southeast Georgia a better place to do business. A better place to work, to farm, to make products. A better place for people to live healthy lives. It’s called public impact research. And it means we’re ready to make a difference... here. In our backyard.

Our public impact research is focused on five areas: • Holistic Fitness and Wellness • Coastal Resilience and Sustainability • Logistics and Supply Chain Innovation • Advanced Materials and Manufacturing • Empowering Communities We’re ready to find ways to make Statesboro and Bulloch County an even better place to live, work and play.

Ready to innovate. Ready for a better tomorrow.

Because ready is what we do.

GeorgiaSouthern.edu/research

WE LIVE HERE

from the editor

Frank Fortune

W

e have one month before heading back to school, so we thought now would be a great time to get a head start on gathering information about new teachers, principals and classrooms in Bulloch County schools for the 2021 school year. Inside you will find the Bulloch County Board of Education’s Annual Report with all you need to know about the success of our area schools. Read the report and you will feel confident about sending your student back to the classroom this fall.

If you lost your job this past year and want to train for a new one, there’s no better place to help you rejoin the workforce than Ogeechee Technical College. Inside you’ll find their annual guide to Fueling the Workforce with plenty of inspiration to get you starting on a new career or improving your skills by exploring the area’s best provider of job training and adult education.

We found the smartest kids in the neighborhood - Stuart and Mylissa Gregory. Their smart thinking led to the design and construction of Bulloch County’s smartest home. Find out about all the special and innovative features of this custom construction and learn how your home can be smart, too!

We met a new friend, Evy Shen, who we think you’ll find very intriguing. Evy is a student at Statesboro High School who has a list of accomplishments as long as the last day of school. She’s a real Renaissance woman! We’re inspired by her talented writing, scholarly pursuits, and athletic prowess. We think you will be, too.

Our great and talented friend Wemberly Ponder is giving a gift to all of us that cannot be matched. Wemberly has written original songs to honor both Georgia Southern and the City of Statesboro. He presented the original score Melody to the Stars to Mayor McCollar on June 25 at a special ceremony at city hall. Wemberly will be performing both songs and a tribute to the Averitt Center for the Arts at the Emma Kelly Theater on September 24, 2021 at 7:30 p.m. This is a show we don’t want to miss!

From the youngest reader to the discerning scholar, there’s something new everyone can learn about in this issue!

Jenny Foss, Editor

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Frank is the national award winning freelance photographer who holds the distinction of shooting 22 years’ worth of covers for Statesboro Magazine. He retired from Georgia Southern after having been responsible for capturing the University’s history on film and video for 30 years.

Throughout his career Frank’s enjoyed all aspects of photography, including sports, still-life, landscape, and architecture.

He and his wife, Mandy, are the proud parents of teens, Jack and Cate.

Hunter McCumber Hunter is an award winning multidisciplinary Graphic Designer and Senior Art Director from Reidsville, Georgia.

Hunter earned both his undergraduate and masters from Savannah College of Art and Design, where he found his passion for illustration and all thing mid-century modern.

Currently based in Savannah, Georgia, Hunter enjoys spending time (exploring, enjoying, absorbing) the creative aspects of the "Hostess City" while working as the Senior Creative Director for Morris Multimedia and Morris Newspaper Corporation. He also works for several agencies around the Southeast as a designer and illustrator.

contributors

Ric Mandes Ric Mandes, a popular essayist, retired after 27 years as Director of Public Relations and Development for Georgia Southern. His memories about growing up and living in South Georgia inspire his writings. He’s a published author and former newspaper columnist for the AJC.

Carolyn Altman Carolyn Altman is the Director of the Botanic Garden at Georgia Southern University. She holds degrees from Cornell University, Portland State University, and the University of Nebraska and has published, produced, and taught creative work of all forms, including dance, film, and writing. She spends as much time as possible outside, and has backpacked the Pacific Crest, telemark-skied the Northwest, white water paddled the Northeast, cycled Europe, and bike raced throughout the South. These adventures provide opportunities to learn local plants and how people live among them. Her son, Colby Parker, and daughter-in-law Jordan Miller, are USAF musicians who join Carolyn on wildflower expeditions in the Rockies and river trips through the Ogeechee cypress.

Adison Marsh Born and raised in Statesboro, Adison Marsh loves the town and the people here. The daughter of Elliott & Christy Marsh, who make it a point to be active members of their community, Adison also believes in being as involved as possible in the things she feels are important. As a junior at Statesboro High and a member of the 2021 class of Youth Leadership Bulloch, she hopes to offer a teenager’s point of view on the topics covered in Statesboro Magazine in her column, A Fresh Take.

WE LIVE HERE

Lazar Brown Oglesby Lazar Brown Oglesby is the owner of Honey Catering and Café and Dolan’s BBQ both located in Millen and Honey Too located in Statesboro. Lazar attended Ogeechee Technical College where she earned a Culinary Arts degree. In 2012 Lazar followed a lifelong dream and opened Honey Catering and Café. She enjoys cooking Southern food with an adventurous twist! Lazar is known for her famous cheesecakes of which she has over 100 flavors. Lazar recently started the Honey Blog to share her recipes and stories.

Doy Cave From Eagle Nation is a column brought to you by Georgia Southern University, where we cherish our place in the larger Statesboro community. In each issue, we hope to bring interesting and informative stories to the readers of Statesboro Magazine.Doy Cave is the Marketing Content Manager in the Office of Marketing and Communications at the University, and resides with his family in Statesboro.

Rev. Dr. H. William Perry Bill Perry grew up in Live Oak, Florida, a small town just south of Valdosta, GA. After graduating from Stetson University, he earned three degrees from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

In 2004, he retired as pastor of First Baptist Church of Statesboro after serving that congregation for 22 years. He and his wife, Margaret, registrar of Statesboro High School before her retirement in 2005, have two daughters, five grandsons, and one granddaughter. Bill has been very much involved in community life in Statesboro. He is an avid reader and has been a runner since 1973.

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table of contents

LIVING WELL Smart Thinking The Amazing Home of Stuart & Mylissa Gregory Written by Jenny Starling Foss Photography by Frank Fortune A Stellar Performance Wemberly Ponder at the Piano Written by Jenny Starling Foss Photography by Frank Fortune Unfettered Potential The World of Evy Shen Written by Jenny Starling Foss Photography by Frank Fortune

ESTABLISHED MARCH 1, 2000

Jenny Starling Foss

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Editor

Joe McGlamery Publisher

Hunter McCumber

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Senior Creative Director

Mindy Boyette Advertising & Marketing Director

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Auna Phillips Director of Business Development

Frank Fortune

SPECIAL SECTIONS

Contributing Photographer

Fueling the Essential Workforce Ogeechee Technical College

25

2021 Bulloch County Board of Education Annual Report

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IN EVERY ISSUE From the Editor Contributors News & Notes Calendar of Events Transitions Look Around

FEATURED COLUMNISTS A Fresh Take Written by Adison Marsh

Written by Doy Cave

Written by Lazar Brown Oglesby

Garden Variety

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Written by Carolyn Altman

The Spiritual Pathway Written by Rev. Dr. H. William Perry

The View from Here

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Written by Ric Mandes July/August 2021

FOR ADVERTISING INFORMATION, PLEASE E-MAIL: mboyette@StatesboroMagazine.com FOR EDITORIAL QUESTIONS, PLEASE E-MAIL: editor@StatesboroMagazine.com MAILING ADDRESS: PHYSICAL ADDRESS: P. O. BOX 1084 One Herald Square, Statesboro, GA 30459 Statesboro, GA 30458 p: 912.489.2181 f: 912.489.8613

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Buzz Worthy Bites

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True Blue GS

Statesboro Magazine is proudly produced by:

Priceless

’s OTC the ing Fuel kforce Wor

ABOUT THE COVER

Stuart & Mylissa Gregory are living large. They have designed and built one of Bulloch County’s most Wemberly Ponder PLAYING impressive smart homes.

OUR SONG The innovative design and n She Evy GIRL WONDER wireless technology make it a real spectacular SM ART THINK ING BRILLIANT HOUSE showplace. Just say “turn on the lights” and you’ll see all the bright ideas that make smart living fun! Captured at home by award winning photographer Frank Fortune. #TheFortuneImage.

2021

BOE Annual Report

For over 20 years, Southern OB/GYN has provided the highest level of service and care to the women of Statesboro and the surrounding area.

Our physicians and staff are committed to serving our patients with the outstanding care that they have come to expect and deserve.

Our practice remains solid and unified group due to our commitment to providing the best medical care through strong values and a common goal.

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JAMES L. HILLER, M.D., F.A.C.O.G

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the calendar

FRIDAYS - TUESDAYS AT MIDNIGHT STATESBORO MAIN STREET MARKET2GO

JULY 9

Order the season’s freshest local fruits, vegetables and homemade baked goods, preserves, jams, jellies, candies and relishes. You’ll also find locally sourced meat, seafood, spices, dairy and eggs. Home and garden items, honey and locally grown flower bouquets.

PAINT-N-PARTY 6:00 P.M. – 8:30 P.M. $35/PERSON ROXIE REMLEY CENTER FOR FINE ARTS AVERITT CENTER FOR THE ARTS

Shop online Friday – Tuesday at midnight at statesboromarket2go.locallygrown.net. Pick-up on Thursday afternoons at the Statesboro Visitors Center, 222 South Main Street or in Sylvania at the Victory Garden General Store, 124 West Telephone Street.

No experience necessary! Just come and have fun with friends and your favorite beverage! (21+ years old to consume alcohol). Price includes a 16 x 20 canvas and art supplies that you will use to create your very own masterpiece. Don’t wait, sign up today! Our instructor Lori Ward will guide you through the steps to paint your version of the painting-of-the-month. Call us at 912-212-2787 to register. www.averittcenterforthearts.org.

EVERY SATURDAY STATESBORO MAIN STREET FARMERS MARKET 9:00 A.M. – 12:30 P.M. CHARLIE OLLIFF SQUARE DOWNTOWN STATESBORO

The perfect place to get the best locally grown and produced food.

The Farmers Market features the freshest locally grown seasonal fruits and vegetables, along with fresh bakery goods, organically produced meats, eggs, dairy items, such as cheese, and other savory edibles. The Market provides the area’s best organic goods with a heaping side of fun, music, food demonstrations, arts and crafts, friendly neighbors, and so much more!

JULY 17 – 18 FROZEN, JR. 7:30 P.M. – JULY 17 3:00 P.M. – JULY 18 FOR TICKETS VISIT WWW.AVERITTCENTERFORTHEARTS.COM EMMA KELLY THEATER AVERITT CENTER FOR THE ARTS

JULY 3 FIRE CRACKER FESTIVAL ANNUAL 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION 5:00 P.M. – 10:00 P.M. 5:00 P.M. GREASED POLE OPENS 5:30 P.M. FROG JUMPING CONTEST (BRING YOUR OWN FROG!) 5:30 P.M. SWEETWATER JUNCTION LIVE MUSIC! 9:15 P.M. FIREWORKS SHOW MILL CREEK PARK HIGHWAY 24

Statesboro Bulloch County Parks and Recreation Department’s annual fireworks extravaganza and 4th of July celebration returns!

A full evening of family entertainment, activities, food and fun!

Full concessions available at Mill Creek’s hub throughout the events.

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Frozen JR. is based on the 2018 Broadway musical, and brings Elsa, Anna, and the magical land of Arendelle to life, onstage. The show features all of the memorable songs from the animated film, with music and lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, plus five new songs written for the Broadway production. A story of true love and acceptance between sisters, Frozen JR. expands upon the emotional relationship and journey between Princesses Anna and Elsa. With a cast of talented local actors and loaded with magic, adventure, and plenty of humor, Frozen JR. is sure to thaw even the coldest heart!

JULY 19 BATTLE FOR THE BORO 4:00 P.M. – 10:00 P.M. FREE ADMISSION LIVE MUSIC! FOOD TRUCKS! LOCAL VENDORS! DOWNTOWN STATESBORO

Battle for the Boro is a “battle of the bands” competition in Downtown Statesboro. Hear bands compete for the $1000 cash prize and title of “Best Band in the Boro.” Shop local vendors and visit the food truck park. For more information, visit http://borobattle.com.

2021 July & August JULY 23 – 25 FROZEN, JR. 7:30 P.M. – JULY 23 7:30 P.M. – JULY 24 3:00 P.M. – JULY 25 FOR TICKETS VISIT WWW.AVERITTCENTERFORTHEARTS.COM EMMA KELLY THEATER AVERITT CENTER FOR THE ARTS

Frozen JR. is based on the 2018 Broadway musical, and brings Elsa, Anna, and the magical land of Arendelle to life, onstage. The show features all of the memorable songs from the animated film, with music and lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, plus five new songs written for the Broadway production. A story of true love and acceptance between sisters, Frozen JR. expands upon the emotional relationship and journey between Princesses Anna and Elsa. With a cast of talented local actors and loaded with magic, adventure, and plenty of humor, Frozen JR. is sure to thaw even the coldest heart!

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S END US YOUR EVENTS! EMAIL THEM TO EDITOR@ STATESBORO MAGAZINE.COM

AUGUST 6 F1RST FRIDAY! DOWNTOWN PEP RALLY! 5:30 P.M. – 8:00 P.M. FREE FAMILY EVENT DOWNTOWN STATESBORO

Come celebrate the beginning of Football Season for local schools at the annual downtown Pep Rally event!

Enjoy local marching bands. Meet this year’s football teams, and cheer with the cheerleading squads! Food vendors, entertainment and fun for the whole family!

JULY 24 THE 22ND ANNUAL YELL 6:00 P.M. PITS - $40 / CHILDREN 7-12 - $20 CHILDREN 6 AND UNDER ARE FREE GRANDSTANDS - $30 CHILDREN 12 AND UNDER ARE FREE. SCREVEN MOTOR SPEEDWAY IS LOCATED 6118 SAVANNAH HIGHWAY SYLVANIA, GEORGIA

For further information on Screven Motor Speedway visit the Speedway online at www.screvenmotorsports. com. The 22nd Annual Yell is headlined by the $10,053 to win Schaeffer’s Oil Southern Nationals Super Late Models. Also on the card are $2500 to win SCDRA, $1500 to win 602 Bandits, Sharp Mini Late Models and CRUSA Street Stocks. Gates open at 12 Drivers meeting at 6:00 p.m.

AUGUST 6-7 OPERATION MOVE-IN GEORGIA SOUTHERN STUDENTS RETURN FOR FALL SEMESTER ALL DAY FRIDAY & SATURDAY HQ @ GEORGIA SOUTHERN RAC

Operation Move-In is the official start to the fall semester at Georgia Southern University campuses.

OMI is always an exciting time for Georgia Southern as we welcome students into the residence halls and prepare to kick off the academic year. More information regarding OMI will be sent to students throughout the summer including information regarding signing up for a move-in timeslot, early arrival information and instructions, and information on how to prepare for moving to campus.

To Volunteer: https://auxiliary.georgiasouthern.edu/ housing/operation-move-in-information/volunteerfor-omi/

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the calendar

AUGUST 11 – SEPTEMBER 8

AUGUST 21

GEORGIA SOUTHERN BIENNIAL FACULTY EXHIBITION GALLERY HOURS: MONDAY – FRIDAY, 9:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. RECEPTION: THURSDAY, AUGUST 26, 5:00 P.M. – 7:00 P.M. BETTY FOY SANDERS DEPARTMENT OF ART CENTER FOR ART & THEATRE CONTEMPORARY & UNIVERSITY GALLERIES GEORGIA SOUTHERN

STREET FIGHTING BAND ROLLING STONES TRIBUTE 7:30 P.M. FOR TICKET INFORMATION VISIT WWW.AVERITTCENTERFORTHEARTS.COM. EMMA KELLY THEATER AVERITT CENTER FOR THE ARTS

The “Biennial Faculty Exhibition” will feature a range of interdisciplinary works of art, design and research, created by the art and design faculty of the Betty Foy Sanders Department of Art. Meet with faculty at the reception.

As arguably the longest running tribute show in the country today, Streetfighter has been capturing the music, spirit, and feel of the world’s greatest rock and roll band since 1978. Blasting out hits from those classic Rolling Stones albums with the energy and zeal of those legendary live performances, Streetfighter concerts are akin to those born from the masters themselves. Led by dynamic front man and resident “Mick” Pete VerEecke, Streetfighter takes their audience on a decades long rock and roll journey from the psychedelic 60’s, through the 70’s and beyond. Streetfighter is guaranteed to deliver a timeless performance all generations will delight in as evidenced by their legion of devoted fans that range in age from the very young all the way up to the very young at heart.

AUGUST 14 SHE WOMEN’S EXPO HEALTH/WELLNESS/CONNECTIONS 9:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M. FREE ADMISSION JACK HILL BUILDING • OGEECHEE TECHNICAL COLLEGE

The Expo is designed to empower women to make better decisions about their health, wellness, lifestyle, and beauty; the day-long event offers information on health issues, available services and resources, and comprehensive wellness. Attendees will receive medical information, free health screenings, product samples, makeovers; and demos from beauty, health and fitness companies.

In addition to receiving giveaways from participating exhibitors, door prizes will be announced throughout the day, and each attendee will have a chance to win the SHE Expo Grand Prize!

AUGUST 20 THE MAD HATTERS LIVE! TOM PETTY TRIBUTE BAND 7:30 P.M. FOR TICKET INFORMATION VISIT WWW.AVERITTCENTERFORTHEARTS.COM EMMA KELLY THEATER AVERITT CENTER FOR THE ARTS

In Tom Petty’s famous music video for his hit, “Don’t Come Around Here No More,” he’s dressed as the Mad Hatter of Alice in Wonderland. The reason is a story involving supreme rockers Stevie Nicks of Fleetwood Mac and Joe Walsh of the Eagle’s, once a couple until Nicks told Walsh, “Don’t come around here no more!”

She wrote a song with the lyric, and when friend Tom Petty sang it, Nix gave him the song, thinking she couldn’t do it justice. The Mad Hatters tribute band does it justice! Performing live all the Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers hits for one night only!

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AUGUST 26 11TH ANNUAL TASTING STATESBORO THE UNITED WAY 5:30 P.M. – 7:30 P.M. $20/PER PERSON IN ADVANCE, $25/PER PERSON AT THE DOOR RUSSELL UNION BALLROOM 85 GEORGIA AVENUE GEORGIA SOUTHERN

Tasting Statesboro the United Way is an opportunity to sample dishes from over 35 local restaurants while supporting a worthy cause!

Tasters experience a wide variety of cuisines and have a chance at over 30 incredible raffle items. Since 2011, the United Way of Southeast Georgia has successfully hosted. Tasting Statesboro the United Way to raise awareness and funds for local member agencies. Every year, restaurants and caterers from around the area have participated in the event to promote menus ranging from breakfast, lunch, dinner and appetizers, to desserts, coffee, beer and wine! All proceeds from the event directly benefit local charities. Tickets are $20 in advance and available on Event Brite at www.eventbrrite/e/11th-annual-tastingstatesborothe-united-way-tickets-159679504697. (By end of day Wednesday, August 25th). Tickets will be $25 at the door on the evening of the event. Kids 5 and under are Free/ Kids 6-10 are $10.

If you need a child’s ticket please contact the United Way office at 912.489.8475 or cmelton@unitedwaysega.org.

THANK YOU CORPORATE MEMBERS YOUR SUPPORT HELPS KEEP BULLOCH COUNTY HISTORY ALIVE.

AgSouth Farm Credit Anderson’s General Store Averitt Center for the Arts BBWH Insurors Berkshire Hathaway—Kennedy Realty Bernard’s Jewelers Bulloch First Bulloch Solutions Citizens Bank City Of Statesboro Claude Howard Lumber Co., Inc. Clifton Forest & Appraisal Service Coldwell Banker-Coldwell Realty CORE Credit Union D & R Car Care Dabbs, Hickman, Hill & Cannon, LLP Dairy Queen David A. Ball Family Foundation Davis Bozeman Johnson Law Denmark’s Furniture and Mattress Mart, Inc. Design Studio Dolan’s Bar B Que Edenfield Trial Law, LLC Ellis Wood Contracting Excelsior Electric Membership Corp.

Express Tune & Lube Fordham’s Farmhouse Restaurant

Franklin Chevrolet Cadillac Buick GMC Georgia Power Georgia Southern University Hendley Properties Honey’s Catering Internal Medicine of Statesboro Joe Westerfield CPA PC Joiner/Anderson Funeral Home Josh Tucker, P.C. Kiwanis Club of Statesboro L.A. Waters Furniture Co. Lanier, Deal & Proctor Lanier’s IGA Larry G. Hubbard, D.D.S. Lee, Hill & Johnston Insurors Lowe’s Manack Signature Properties Maxwell-Reddick & Associates, Inc. McCook’s Pharmacy Meldrim Woods Plantation Merrill Lynch of Statesboro Morris Bank Nesmith Construction Co. Orchid Asian Restaurant Pope Construction Company Ranco Renasant Bank

Savannah Perio & Implants, Aaron Rawlings South GA Center for Cancer Care Southern Manor Statesboro Agency Statesboro Bank Statesboro Convention & Visitors Bureau Statesboro Floor Covering Statesboro Publishing Co., Inc. Statesboro-Bulloch Chamber of Commerce Statesboro-Bulloch Regional Veterinary Hospital Synovus Taulbee, Rushing, Snipes, Marsh & Hodgin, LLC TD Contractors, Inc. The Hube Law Firm The Lodge at Bethany The Neurological Center of East GA The Tattnall Journal Tillman-Brannen- Minick Farm Supply, Inc. Vision Source Walker Pharmacy & Gifts Wells Fargo Advisors Whitfield Signs William James Family Legacy Group Willow Pond Senior Care Yates-Astro Termite & Pest Control

ONE COUNTY, 225 YEARS OF HISTORY.

BULLOCH COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY MEMBERSHIPS: CORPORATE $250 | INDIVIDUAL $40 | COUPLE $50

WWW.BU LLOCH HISTORY.COM 3 15 SAVAN N AH AVE , 3 04 5 8

FOL LOW US ON FAC EB OOK @bullochhistory

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Ellis Installed to Lead IIAG Ashley Hines Ellis, Executive Vice President of BBWH Insurors in Statesboro, was sworn in June 5th at the Annual Meeting and Convention to the lead the Independent Insurance Agents of Georgia as President. Ellis is a former Young Agents Chair as well as former Chair of the IIAG Board of Directors and Chair of the Convention Planning Committee.

Ellis started with BBWH in 1995. With over 20 years of experience, she handles all the Life and Benefit Clients of the Company and also sells Commercial and Personal Lines Insurance as well. She is a Past President of The Statesboro Service League and Mid-Day Optimist Club. Ellis has served as Chairman of the Statesboro-Bulloch County Chamber of Commerce and on the Park Avenue Bank Board of Directors. She is a 2000 graduate of Leadership Bulloch and served as Chairman of the 2012 Leadership Bulloch Class. She is a graduate of the Southeast Leadership Georgia Program and the Georgia Economic Development Academy. Ashley has also served on the Statesboro Convention and Visitors Bureau Board of Directors and was the Finance Chairman for Bethel Missionary Baptist Church for four years. In 2000, she was named The Business and Professional Women’s Club Young Careerist Winner for Georgia and received National Recognition in 2001. Ashley has also received the Dean Day Service to Mankind Award and the Statesboro Herald’s “20 under 40” Outstanding Business Person Award.

Dr. Brian Sellers joins East Georgia Center for Oral & Facial Surgery Brian Sellers, DMD, will soon be joining the medical staff of East Georgia Center for Oral, & Facial Surgery, located on Brampton Avenue in Statesboro.

Dr. Sellers grew up in nearby Hazlehurst, Georgia. He attended Georgia Southern University and graduated in 1996 with a BBA in Business/Marketing. Life threw him a couple of curveballs, but in 2011, he began to pursue his dream of becoming an oral surgeon at Augusta University.

He graduated in 2015, with his DMD, and continue to pursue his specialty degree until his recent graduation in 2021.

Dr. Sellers and his wife of 23 years, Mia, have two boys, Kyle (21) & Carter (18). When not in the office, Brian enjoys playing golf and Carolina Shag Dancing with his family.

Dr. Sellers is super excited to be living his longtime dream of coming back to Statesboro & being a part of this wonderful community. We know Statesboro will welcome this “hometown boy” back with open arms. www.eastgeorgiaoralsurgery.com 12 statesboromagazine.com

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OTC Graduate Miranda DeLoach 1st Runner Up in State GOAL Competition Before being announced as first runner up in the Technical College System of Georgia’s annual Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership competition, Miranda DeLoach was seated in the Joe Kennedy Auditorium surrounded by her family, friend, and OTC’s administration, faculty and staff members. She heard her name announced

by TCSG Commissioner Greg Dozier during the virtual ceremony.

DeLoach rose to the state level of the competition by competing against six other students from six area technical colleges. In early May, it was announced that she had placed ninth in the state. The finalists were required to give a speech in which DeLoach gave her mom and dad credit for encouraging her to pursue a career in culinary arts.

DeLoach previously started her studies at a four-year university – it was Georgia Southern, as has been the case for more than one of OTC’s previous Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership champions – before realizing she was interested in something other than the degree she was pursuing.

By cooking for her parents and others, she wanted to share with them the joy she felt in doing so. That same passion for cooking eventually led her to transfer from the university to the technical college’s culinary arts program, she said.

As the state’s first runner up GOAL winner, DeLoach becomes an honorary statewide spokesperson for the education available at Ogeechee Tec and the Technical College System of Georgia.

DeLoach was accompanied by her parents, Crystal and Michael DeLoach. They all currently live in Reidsville, and Miranda DeLoach, now 22, graduated from Pinewood Christian Academy in Bellville.

DeLoach graduated from Ogeechee Tech in May, she isn’t working in her field yet, but plans to work for a local bakery after getting her culinary arts degree.

Chef Bryan Richard, Ogeechee Tech’s leading and only full-time culinary arts instructor, received the Nominating Instructor Award for having nominated DeLoach. He also nominated last year’s Ogeechee Tech GOAL winner, Erica Deaton, who went on to be a regional finalist. www.ogeecheetech.edu

Jade Ainsworth Promoted to Lead Community Banking Associate at Bulloch First Bulloch First is proud to announce the promotion of Jade Ainsworth to Lead Community Banking Associate. Ainsworth joined Bulloch First in April of 2017 as a Community Banking Associate. Her hard work and dedication are always noticed by the bank’s loyal customers and staff. One of Ainsworth’s top priorities has always been to make customers feel welcome and wanted as soon as they walk into the door. Ainsworth is a native of Statesboro, and is married to Justin Ainsworth. www.bulllochfirst.com.

Statesboro Resident Beverly Gnehm Celebrates 104th Birthday Beverly Gnehm, a long-time resident at Willow Pond Senior Care in Statesboro, celebrated her 104th birthday recently, a surprise for Mrs. Gnehm planned by her daughter Jane Dekle, attended by her friends and family. Mrs. Gnehm was born May 7, 1917.

Gnehm is mother of three children: Statesboro resident Jane Dekle, Skip Gnehm and Barbara Johnson, who is now deceased.

She moved to Statesboro after living for 40 years in Macon.

Professionally, Gnehm worked as a school teacher and high school guidance counselor.

Jane Dekle said her mom has always been an adventurous woman, enjoying travel to places like the Mediterranean and many trips to Alaska, hiking over 30 miles of the Appalachian Trail while in her early 40s, and achieving the status of Senior Cherry Blossom Queen in Macon in 1992.

Airport Terminal Named for Ellis Wood The Bulloch County Board of Commissioners recently honored the longtime chair of the Statesboro-Bulloch Airport Authority, Ellis Wood, by naming the airport terminal building, The Ellis G. Wood Aviation Complex. Wood is known for his commitment to aviation, law enforcement, disaster relief and community support. He has many, many times volunteered his services as a helicopter pilot for relief, rescue and law enforcement endeavors throughout the state.

Wood was tapped by the Bulloch County Commission as Chairman of the Airport Authority when the County took over operations of the facility in the early 1990s. Wood’s started work immediately on building a much needed airport terminal. The building was finished in 1996, and featured a lobby, reception area, commercial restrooms, a lounge area for pilots and visitors, a board room for meetings, a kitchen and offices for management and staff.

According to the website: “The airport sits on 899 acres with two paved runways. The primary runway is 6,000 feet long and the secondary runway is 4,382 feet long. Bulloch County operates the airport, providing fueling, tie-downs, hangar rentals, pilot supplies, a pilot lounge, and flight planning resources.

“There are over seventy aircraft based at the Statesboro Bulloch County Airport. Due to the location of the airport, the amenities it has to offer, the number of aircraft based at the airport, and the number of operations, the airport is designated as a Level III airport by the Georgia Aviation System plan. A Level III airport is considered to be of national and regional significance.”

In addition to being instrumental in the overall operations of the airport, Ellis has raised funds to improve the airport’s infrastructure by lengthening runways, adding an Instrument Landing System, and in cooperation with the state and the FAA, building additional hangars.

The honor was a surprise to Ellis arranged by friends, State Senator Billy Hickman, and former County Commission Chair Raybon Anderson, at a recent county commission meeting.

Ritzy Celebrations Opens Party Boutique The Chamber of Commerce recently held a ribbon cutting for Statesboro’s newest party store, Ritzy Celebrations. Owned by Brittney McDaniel, a Georgia Southern graduate and neonatal nurse, Ritzy Celebrations was her answer to not being able to find a place to blow up balloons for her 3-year-old’s birthday party. So she founded her own party supply company.

In addition to balloons, the boutique carries party décor ranging from Fortnite and Unicorns to the perfect accessories for a backyard barbeque!

The new store is located at 883 Northside Drive East. www.ritzycelebrations.com July/August 2021

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WE LIVE HERE

news & notes

Morris Bank Welcomes New Commercial & Mortgage Lenders

Bulloch Retired Educators Scholarships

Morris Bank announces the expansion of their lending team in the Bulloch County market as they welcome aboard two commercial bankers and one mortgage originator. The new members will be joining the team at Morris Bank’s Main Street and Brannen Street locations in Statesboro.

John Roach and Chad Avret will fill the roles of commercial bankers, while Alana Avret will serve as a mortgage originator.

John Roach began his banking career at Sea Island Bank in 2002, while he was an undergraduate at Georgia Southern University. He has held numerous management roles throughout his banking career, including positions at Renasant Bank/Heritage Bank of the South and most recently as Senior Vice President/ Commercial Loan Officer at Synovus Bank. John and his wife, Joie, have three children: Anderson, John Brunson and Banks Roach.

Chad Avret has been an active member in the Statesboro community since his graduation from Georgia Southern University in 1995. Following graduation, he served the area at the Statesboro Bulloch Parks and Recreation Department, holding various management roles throughout his time there. Chad joined Synovus Bank in 2010 where he served as Commercial Lender/Vice President. Chad is married to Alana Avret, and has three children: Evan, Elizabeth, and Lane.

Alana Avret and her husband, Chad, are proud of their deep roots in the Statesboro community. She graduated from Statesboro High School as well as Georgia Southern University, where she received both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Business Administration. She began working as a loan originator with Synovus 14 years ago and served as Market Sales Leader for Statesboro, Brunswick, St. Simons Island, and St. Mary’s. Prior to becoming a mortgage originator, Alana helped develop the Banking and Finance program at Ogeechee Technical College where she served as an instructor for more than 3 years.

Morris Bank is a community bank rooted in Middle and South Georgia with branches in Dublin, Gordon, Gray, Houston County, and Bulloch County and a Mortgage Services Center in Milledgeville. In an ever-changing banking environment, Morris Bank still takes a common-sense approach and leverages practical financial solutions. Decisions have been made locally since 1954, and the Morris Bank team is ready to make banking easy for you. To learn what it means to Bank Blue or to find out more about our Code Blue philosophy, visit www.morris.bank.com. Member FDIC.

The Bulloch Retired Educators Association’s Foundation recently presented three $1,000 scholarships to area students. Chloe Branch, Katherine “Kate” Lamb, and Garrison Littles were this year’s recipients. Each received a scholarship in the amount of $1,000 to further their pursuit of degrees in education. The program was sponsored by CORE Credit Union.

Chloe Branch is a 2021 honor graduate of Southeast Bulloch High School and will be attending Georgia Southern University in the fall, majoring in Education with certification in Middle Grades Education. While a student at SEB, she was active in FFA, served as the yearbook editor for two years, and was listed on the Principal’s Honor Roll for four years. Chloe also served her faith community by directing a mission trip to Nassau to provide relief after a hurricane. While a student she maintained jobs at Splash in the Boro as a lifeguard, at Chick-Fil-A as a team member and trainer, at Turf Pros and McCook’s Pharmacy. Chloe is the daughter of Mr. & Mrs. James Branch of Brooklet.

Katherine “Kate” Lamb is a 2021 honor graduate of Statesboro High School and will be attending the University of Georgia in the fall majoring in Elementary Education. She was a nominee for the Governor’s Honors program in 2020. She was a member of Beta Club, the Thespian Society, the National Honor Society, and FCCLA. In the community, Kate has participated in Youth Leadership Bulloch and Youth Lynda Brannen Williamson Leadership Academy. She has volunteered for Vacation Bible School and the Boys & Girls Club of Bulloch County. Her hobbies include dance and acting. Kate is the daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Franklin Lamb of Statesboro.

Garrison Littles is also a 2021 honor graduate of Statesboro High School and will be attending Kennesaw University in the fall, where he hopes to become a high school or college basketball coach.

While at SHS, Garrison played varsity basketball for all four years. He also served as the basketball team’s video coordinator for two years. He was also a member of the tennis team, and served as Co-Captain his junior and senior years. Garrison has been an applicant for a distinguished Pathway Skill Seal for his diploma, through the Leadership Skill Seal Application process. He is the son of Mr. & Mrs. Vernon Littles of Statesboro. And the brother of Vernard Littles, a 2017 honor graduate of SHS, a BREA scholarship recipient, and a 2021 cum laude graduate of Morehouse College.

The Bulloch Retired Teachers Organization is comprised of retired teachers, principals, librarians, college professors, and other educators from Georgia education agencies who are part of the Georgia Teacher Retirement System, a pension agency for retired educators. Members reside in Bulloch County and annually award scholarships to outstanding students who intend to pursue a career in education. The students were presented scholarships by Dr. Gwendolyn Yarbrough. Entertainment was provided at the piano by Maurice Hill. Becky Renfroe currently serves as the organizations president. Retired Educators interested in joining may contact Mrs. Renfroe at renfrroebecky@gmail.com.

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THE CULTURE

smart thinking

Smart Think 16 statesboromagazine.com

July/August 2021

F

t king WRITTEN BY JENNY STARLING FOSS PHOTOGRAPHY BY FRANK FORTUNE

or Stuart Gregory, designing a custom home with all the latest “smart” technology was a no-brainer. The Director of Business Development for Bulloch Solutions makes his living as an IT problem solver.

It’s his business to keep up with the most innovative solutions for consumers’ homes to provide more efficiency, ease of use and lower their environmental impact. So when it came time to build his own home, Gregory wanted the latest and greatest materials, innovative design, cost effectiveness and functionality for him and his wife, Mylissa.

“I did a lot of research on all aspects of building our custom home, from the construction materials to the wireless technology,” said Gregory. “We wanted a home that was not only energy efficient, but efficient and secure for us to live in. Everything was built to work by phone, by voice command, or by being pre-programmed to come on when needed.”

Gregory should know something about that.

He was responsible for the building and design of the new Bulloch Solutions Technology Center on Buckhead Drive here in Statesboro.

Constructed to give consumers a “one stop shop” for their technology needs, the building looks like no other building in Statesboro. The opposing angles of the entrance create expectations of something new and exciting within.

The lofty lobby has stations for customers who are searching for help with broken gadgets, computer repair or to pay their phone and cable bills. All clean, modern and futuristic by design. But, the brilliant element of the Technology Center that provides an experience, rather than a service, is the tiny four-room smart home.

“What better way to show our customers how to achieve a smart home, than to let them experience it for themselves?” asked Gregory.

“We can showcase how better technology can save you time, energy and money. In addition to giving you a sense of security about your home and your family.”

Better technology available through the 2,500 miles of fiber optic cable that Bulloch Solutions wired the county with, providing 100 Gigabits per second to households for the area’s highest-speed internet access. An important component in establishing any smart home.

“The board of directors has been very forward thinking and supportive in that aspect. It has taken vision and a consistent investment in the future of technology to keep abreast of the innovations available to homeowners today,” said Gregory. “At Bulloch Solutions we are buying and testing products and apps for you to provide the best services possible. We find that folks are buying apps from Amazon, Google, Georgia Power, Apple, they’re all getting into the smart home business. We show July/August 2021

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how you can achieve a smart home without 20 apps. Most people can get it down to five apps, but we want you to have just one.”

With his IT knowledge and expertise, getting his own home down to one app was the easy part. The idea to use large corrugated metal shipping containers as rooms within his home was a bit trickier.

“Nothing like our home had been built in Bulloch County before,” said Gregory. “Most traditional homes are built with a lot of pre-wiring. Like there’s a core brain with wiring going everywhere. At our home it’s completely wireless. Everything is controlled by voice or phone. The house is constructed of steel. There were no comparisons, it was non-traditional construction. Initially we were penalized with the financing because the appraisal didn’t match what was spent. But AgSouth now has a mortgage product that called for a new appraisal which allowed non-traditional construction to be compared based on value vs. cost. We were able to save interest and lower our payment by 1/3.

They are to be commended for having the foresight to accommodate innovative housing.”

Instead of a tiny four-room home, the Gregory’s have a home based on four shipping containers, joined together by welding to make a two-story rectangle structure with metal roofing and solar panels, to further the energy cost efficiency and lower the footprint.

“I was always cognizant of the environmental impact of both buildings,” said Gregory. “At Bulloch Solutions our power bill is $1,040 for 18,000 sq. ft. At my house, its $53 for 4,500 sq. ft. The advantages of this type of construction are easy to see. Metal construction is fire resistant, energy efficient, safer – if a tree fell on the house, it’s not going to break it. It’s safer in bad weather.”

Gregory had the cement slab poured and set the containers up and built the remaining welded steel structure around it. He used spray foam insulation and installed HVAC systems similar to the ones used on the Bulloch Solutions Technology Center. On the inside a metal staircase was constructed and the interior was softened with a distressed (burned with a roofing torch) heart pine ceiling and accent walls. A cypress dining room table was designed and constructed by a friend. There’s an open common area downstairs with living area, kitchen and dining room. The home features bedrooms, a home gym and a 900 sq. ft. media room in the attic for gaming and movies. Ceiling fans help with the heating and cooling. And the thermostat is set at 76 degrees.

“When we want to go to the movie room I can say, ‘Going to media room.’ The thermostat goes down and the fans come on. When I say ‘Watch a movie,’ the lights go down and the sound comes up along with the picture,” Gregory said.

The home is controlled by a system operated through Gregory’s smart phone. All exterior lights are controlled.

The front porch lights are programmed to turn on at sunset, and at midnight they turn off. The remaining exterior lights come on at sunset and turn off at dawn. Even when away from home, the Gregory’s can control the lights to give the impression someone is home. The door locks are also controlled through his smart phone with pin codes.

The locks cannot be engaged with voice commands.

Stereo sound is available in each room and in the shop July/August 2021

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THE CULTURE

smart thinking

outside with Google home speakers installed. The lights, the outlets, the thermostat, the TV & soundbar, and the stereo are all controlled by phone or voice command. All are integrated seamlessly.

“It’s not a matter of need,” said Gregory. “It’s a matter of convenience and efficiency. It saves a lot of time. With my many responsibilities, I have to measure my day in 15 minute increments.

Having a smart home allows me to multitask and accomplish much more during any given time.”

The Gregory’s enjoy the added security that a home with access control, video monitoring, high speed internet, climate control and voice activation can provide. There’s even a product called Car Connector that was designed for parents with teen drivers, which Gregory has put to a practical use with Mylissa.

“My wife drives to Savannah to attend classes,” he said. “She was a MRI Tech at EGRMC, but is now attending Physician’s Assistant school at South in Savannah. I wanted a way to make sure she was safe traveling back and forth. With our schedules being so different, we like that Car Connector lets us keep up with each other.

It gives me peace of mind knowing she made it home, or if she’s delayed, knowing why.”

Peace of mind seems to be the greatest benefit to both the Gregory’s in building and living in a smart home.

“I know what happens during the day and night outside and inside my home,” said Gregory. “When I’m not there. Whether my wife is home. Who else is there? Whether my AC is on. Did I leave the coffee pot on? The things other people have to consider. I don’t have to. What we have goes far beyond whether our telephone is ringing or our cable is working or our internet is doing what it’s supposed to do. We have taken it to the next level. These new technologies have greatly improved our own quality of life.” S

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ANNUAL REPORT 2021-2022

BULLOCH COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETINGS

Visit www.bullochschools.org/board for a schedule of meeting dates and times, maps of the areas that each Board member represents, Board agendas and meeting packets, and official minutes of meetings.

Board meetings are held in the boardroom of the school district’s Central Office located at 150 Williams Road, Suite A, in Statesboro, Georgia..

Bulloch County Board of Education 2021 – Pictured Standing (L-R): Dr. Stuart Tedders; Glenn Womack; Mike Sparks; Jimmy “Jay” Cook; and Maurice Hill. Seated (L-R): April Newkirk, Glennera Martin, and Heather Mims.

Voting District 1 GLENN WOMACK glennwomack@live.com Term: 1/1/2021 - 12/31/2024 Voting District 3 DR. STUART H. TEDDERS 912-478-1922 (W) stedders@bullochschools.org Term 1/1/2017 - 12/31/2024 Voting District 5 GLENNERA MARTIN 912-764-3291 (H) gmartinsugarhill@yahoo.com Term: 1-1-2015 – 12/31/2022 Voting District 7 HEATHER MIMS VICE-CHAIRWOMAN 912-541-3514 (H) hdmims@bullochschools.org Term: 1/1/17- 12/31/2024

Voting District 2 MIKE SPARKS CHAIRMAN msparks@bullochschools.org 912-842-2460 (H) Term: 1/1/2011 - 12/31/2022 Voting District 4 APRIL C. NEWKIRK 912.690.5973 aprilcnewkirk@gmail.com 1/1/2019 - 12/31/2022 Voting District 6 JIMMY “JAY” COOK, JR. 912-512-3796 (H) jlcook@bullochschools.org Term: 1/1/2015 - 12/31/2022 Voting District 8 MAURICE HILL 912-764-7134 (W & H) hillmaurice@yahoo.com Term 1/1/2005 - 12/31/2024 Board Secretary MARY HENLEY 912.212.8500 mhenley@bullochschools.org boe@bullochschools.org

Superintendent of Schools CHARLES WILSON, ED.S., MBA, CPA 912-212-8500 cwilson@bullochschools.org

WATCH BOARD MEETINGS LIVE OR LATER Board meetings can be watched live or later. They are live streamed online at www.bullochschools.org/ boardlive, and an archived video is uploaded to the website within 24 hours of each meeting

OPEN RECORDS REQUESTS The public may direct all open records requests to Mary Henley, the Board of Education secretary and custodian of records at 912.212.8508 or recordscustodian@bullochschools.org.

BOARD LEGAL COUNSEL Edenfield, Cox & Bruce 115 Savannah Avenue Statesboro, GA 30458 912.764.8600 | www.edenfieldlaw.com

KEY ISSUES FORUM An online public source for frequently asked questions, information and feedback about key issues. www.bullochschools.org/keyissues WWW.BULLOCHSCHOOLS.ORG/BOARD

STRATEGIC FOCUS VISION

Bulloch County Schools will continue to prepare its students to be contributing members of society, based upon their interests and abilities, and provide opportunities to pursue the colleges and careers of their choice

BELIEF & CORE VALUES

We believe everyone can learn and grow in a continuous improvement culture that incorporates our core values.

Our core values signify our expectations of ourselves and each other, from the boardroom to our classrooms.

Be Relational: We build relationships with others through integrity, compassion, and respect.

Be Purposeful: We pursue what needs to be accomplished through appropriate and intentional effort.

Be Reflective: We evaluate our efforts in relation to our purpose.

Be Resourceful: We implement resourceful solutions through innovation and collaboration.

Be Courageous: We exemplify commitment, determination, and grit in making needed changes happen.

Be Accountable: We hold ourselves accountable for the decisions we make and the actions we take.

STRATEGIC FOCUS AREAS

COLLEGE & CAREER READINESS • Student achievement • Student learning experiences • Technology access • Professional learning for faculty and staff

STAKEHOLDER & COMMUNITY SUPPORT • Stakeholder & community engagement • Partnerships with organizations and regional employers • Partnerships with colleges & universities

RESOURCE OPTIMIZATION • Financial efficiency & transparency • Funding allocation plan for schools • Five-year facilities plan • Employee recruitment & retention

MISSION The mission of Bulloch County Schools is to prepare students for success and enhance community value.

SEE THE COMPLETE BULLOCH COUNTY SCHOOLS AT WWW.BULLOCHSCHOOLS.ORG/STRATEGICPLAN.

STATE RECOGNITIONS Georgia Department of Education

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BULLOCH COUNTY SCHOOLS AT-A-GLANCE

SCHOOLS 15 Schools (total) 9 Elementary Schools (PK-5) 3 Middle Schools (6-8) 2 High Schools (PK, 9-12) 1 Middle-High (6-12) ALTERNATIVE LEARNING CENTERS Transitions Learning Center (6-12) Graduation Performance Academy (9-12) Cedarwood (GNETS) FACULTY & STAFF 2,000 full-time, part-time, contracted services, seasonal and substitutes Bulloch County’s 2nd Largest Employer TRANSPORTATION 102 School Bus Routes 113 drivers, 22 bus monitors, 21 maintenance personnel and 7 mechanics make up our driving force

5,000+ student bus riders; Ride 2x daily 6,200 miles bus drivers travel each day 1.3 million miles bus drivers travel annually Drivers conduct daily pre-route and post-route inspections Every 20 days buses are serviced and inspected by qualified mechanics

STUDENT MOBILITY RATE The rate at which students transfer schools for reasons other than promotion. High mobility can affect student learning and disrupt faculty instruction. 18.1%

MILLAGE RATE Bulloch: 8.918* Bryan: 15.075 Candler: 14.000 Chatham: 18.881 Effingham: 16.225 Emanuel: 4.000 Evans: 14.022 Jenkins: 4.902 (*In Bulloch County, the school district is also provided a one-percent local option sales tax. This helps keep property millage rates and taxes lower.)

SCHOOL NUTRITION PROGRAM 59% of students qualified for free or reduced-price lunches.

533,317 breakfasts and 746,008 lunches were served. All students are eligible to receive free breakfast.

Due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, all students received free lunch as part of the extension of the U.S.D.A’s Seamless Summer Feeding Program.

For seven weeks during summer 2021, the district prepared and distributed more than 4,200 boxes packed with a week’s worth of breakfast and lunch meals to families.

PER-PUPIL EXPENDITURES 2015: $7,651.70 | 2016: $8,383.34 2017: $8,511.00 | 2018: $8,876.00 2019: $9,203.00 | 2020: $9,733.69

STATE RECOGNITIONS Georgia Department of Education Advanced Placement Expansion School 25% growth in student participation in AP course enrollment Southeast Bulloch High School

Georgia Department of Education’s Career Technical Education Division & the Georgia Economic Developers Association Accepted into Georgia’s Economic Development Partnership Bulloch County Schools Career Technical & Agricultural Education Program

BULLOCH COUNTY SCHOOLS AT-A-GLANCE

STUDENT ENROLLMENT 10,839 (March 2021) 1,665 Special Education 518 English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) 1,199 Gifted Services

STUDENT DISCIPLINE 3,658 Total discipline incidents 1,713 Students involved in incidents 26.3% led to out-of-school suspensions 52.3% led to in-school suspension 0.05% led to expulsion from system

STUDENT DIVERSITY 24 Nationalities 18 Languages 49.1% Caucasian 37.6% Black 7.4% Hispanic 1.6% Asian/Pacific Islander 4.3% More than one race

TYPES OF DISCIPLINE INCIDENTS Total Reported Bullying Incidents:27 Total Reported Disorderly Conducts: 385 Total Reported Tobacco: 81 Total Reported Attendance-Related: 404 Total Reported Fighting: 203 Total Reported Student Incivility: 2,221 Total Reported Larceny/Theft: 52 Total Reported Threat/Intimidation: 92 Total Reported Drug Incidents: 5 Total Reported Weapons – Gun: 0 Total Reported Gang-Related: 0

10 832

11 700

9 907

12 PK 632 537

K 812 1 844

ENROLLMENT

BY GRADE

8 831 7 785

2 788 3 792

6 758

5 814

4 807

STUDENT SUPPORT PROVIDERS School Social Workers for District: 4 School Psychologists: 5 School Counselors (Full-Time): 27 School Resource Officers: 8 School Safety Director: 1

STRATEGIC PLAN DASHBOARD

Bulloch County Schools Strategic Plan Dashboard

ACHIEVEMENT

Preparing students for success & enhancing community value Bulloch County Schools will continue to prepare its students to be contributing members of society, based upon their interests and abilities, and provide opportunities to pursue the colleges and careers of their choice.

4-Year Cohort Graduation Rates 84.90% Bulloch

79.40% Georgia

82.50% Bulloch

85.10% 80.6% Georgia

Bulloch

81.56% Georgia

79.9% Bulloch

82.0% Georgia

83.5% Bulloch

83.8%

1,499

Students in Bulloch County who are currently receiving HOPE Grants and Scholarships.

Georgia

$5,530,204

Amount of HOPE grants and Scholarships received by students in Bulloch County in Fiscal Year 2020.

ACT

Class of 2016

Class of 2017

Class of 2018

Class of 2019

Class of 2020

Note: Updated graduation rate data is released each September. For the most recent data visit www.bullochschools.org.

60.7%

Graduates who were deemed college-ready based on national assessments (SAT/ACT)

Top Institutions Graduates Attend

In State: Georgia Southern University, East Georgia State College, Ogeechee Technical College, University Of Georgia, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, Georgia College & State University. Out-ofState: University of Alabama, Harvard, Yale, Liberty University

Graduation rate for Career Pathway completers tops 95.56% The graduation rate for students involved in Career,

405

Students age 16 and older who are dual-enrolled

Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE) programs has risen to 97.18 percent in Georgia. This rate, which applies to students who complete at least one career pathway, exceeds the statewide graduation rate by 13.38 percentage points. The trend is similar in Bulloch County where the graduation rate is 95.56 percent for students who complete a career pathway, compared to the overall four-year cohort graduation rate of 83.5 percent. Like the state, high school students in Bulloch County, who enroll in advanced academic content courses, world languages, or fine arts courses are also shown to achieve higher four-year graduation rates of 95.45 percent or higher.

Class of 2020 Composite Score Avg. Bulloch 20.2 Georgia 21.7 United States 20.6

SAT

Class of 2020 Mean Score Avg. Bulloch 1037 Georgia 1043 United States 1030

GaDOE Review

The Georgia Department of Education’s review of K-12 public schools resulted in no schools in the Bulloch County School System being identified for the Comprehensive Support and Improvement list or Targeted Support and Improvement list.

State assessments were not administered in spring 2020 due to COVID-19, so updated data is not available for fall 2020.

STRATEGIC PLAN DASHBOARD LEARNING

COMMUNITY

RESOURCES

$2,844,910

$52,500

$38,538

The amount of Georgia Lottery funds that Bulloch County received in Fiscal Year 2020 to provide instruction for 700 Pre-K students.

6th - 9th Launched a communityreviewed Sexuality Education program for grades 6 to 9. The 10-day unit is taught in physical education and health classes.

SEL

Legacy college scholarship trust fund established by Marion C. & Terri Hulsey for Portal Middle High School. It will annually provide a $2,500 competitive scholarship to a graduating Portal senior who plans to pursue a postsecondary degree.

$1,999,894 Commissions earned by Bulloch County retailers from the Georgia Lottery in Fiscal Year 2020.

School counselors and district administrators launched an online Social & Emotional Learning website with resources for students, employees and parents.

43.7 %

Percent of students who learned virtually during the first semester of 2020-2021 after schools reopened during the COVID-19 pandemic. This reduced to 22.6% and 19.6 % by the second semester and year end.

1,279,325

Total number of free breakfasts and lunches provided to all Bulloch County Schools’ students for the 2020-2021 school year due to extension of the U.S.D.A’s summer feeding programs during COVID-19.

$3.4K

Amount raised by Southeast Bulloch High School’s Girls Soccer Team for Safe Haven to assist victims of domestic violence.

3,004

Number of hours school nurses invested in COVID-19 contact tracing during 41 weeks of school for 2020-2021.

33,711

Followers across our social media platforms, up from 30,703 in 2019-2020.

3

Talent

Families now have online talent development resources for their children. Available for all students, it can be particularly helpful for families interested in gifted services.

Additional special education funds allotted by the Georgia Department of Education to Bulloch County to help serve students with disabilities during COVID-19.

ENGAGEMENT

Number of free COVID-19 vaccine clinics the school district coordinated for its employees.

$11,000

Amount donated to Bulloch County Schools and its schools in 2020 from Parker’s Fueling the Community program.

$25K

Grant from the Howmet Aerospace Foundation to bolster the STEM education program at Southeast Bulloch Middle School.

100

Employees who participated in the school district’s Employee Wellness Initiative in spring 2021 to promote resilience, mindfulness, and wellness.

$5.25 M

Board-approved construction bid for new athletic facilities at Langston Chapel and William James middle schools.

4,106,766 million

Visits to our district and school websites in 2020-2021, up from 1.866 million in 2019-2020.

823

Number of students who participated in the school district’s Summer Learning Opportunities. These experiences for children in grades K-8 helped close learning gaps that exist due to COVID-19 and reinforced critical English and math skills.

COLLEGE & CAREER

GOURDS GALORE!

Stilson Elementary STEM grows rural education

A

teacher’s trip to a gourd farm in North Carolina five years ago sparked what has become a favorite learning experience for Stilson Elementary School students.

Jenny Hendrix, Stilson’s STEM Lab teacher is growing rural education using gourds. Fueled by a $1,000 grant from the Bulloch County Foundation for Public Education, Hendrix cultivates practical science, math, and agriculture lessons from the various types of gourds she and her students now grow at the school. She also collaborates with the school’s art and music teachers, Erin Henry and Rachel Thompson, to add a fine arts focus.

The gourd project is introduced each year to third-grade students who begin by preparing the school’s two gourd tunnel trellises, planting seeds, monitoring the weather and the gourds’ growth cycle, and learning about the hard-skinned fruit’s different varieties and their past and present uses. They grow Swan, Loofah, African Canteen, African Bushel, Snake, Apple, Birdhouse, Long-neck Dipper and Martin gourds. When students advance to fourth grade they take their harvested gourds and fashion them into works of art, birdhouses and musical instruments in their art and music classes.

Stilson, an unincorporated community, on U.S. Highway 80 between Statesboro and Savannah, grew from a station along the former Savannah & Statesboro

Railway. Stilson has a rich agricultural history, and Hendrix, who went to school here and still lives nearby, has a passion for weaving history and the importance of agriculture into her lessons.

For instance, three years ago, to teach her students a unit on technology, she taught them how it can be used to preserve history through documentary filmmaking. Her students partnered with Georgia Southern University’s College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences to collect and film oral histories about Stilson and the 84-year-old log cabin that sits on the back corner of the elementary school.

Believed to be the last of its kind, the historic landmark was built in 1937, and was funded by President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s depression-era Works Progress Administration relief program. Its original purpose was to be a community resource for meals during the depression and other former uses chronicle the changing needs of the school district and community.

Each of Bulloch County School’s nine elementary schools has a STEM lab which serves as an exploratory class, just like art, music, and physical education, in which all pre-kindergarten through fifth-grade students rotate each week. The school district’s four middle schools also have STEM labs as an elective course, and at the high school level, STEM is infused into specific applicable courses.

COLLEGE & CAREER STATESBORO HIGH CONSTRUCTION RECOGNIZED BY STATE

The Georgia Department of Education and its Career, Technical & Agricultural Education (CTAE) Division awarded Statesboro High School’s Construction career pathway and its SkillsUSA chapter a Certificate of Excellence.

The pathway’s teacher and SkillsUSA advisor, Josh Hall, accepted the certificate which highlighted the outstanding achievements of the pathway and its accompanying student technical organization.

One of the learning opportunities that Hall developed for his students also earned a $1,000 grant from the Bulloch County Foundation for Public Education. The project he calls, “A Little Learning on Wheels,” had students create a mobile construction classroom to provide various interactive and hands-on learning stations. Students began with an old camper which they demolished to the chassis, and then installed the framing, flooring, roofing, vinyl siding, electrical and Internet wiring.

Georgia’s CTAE programs offer students more than 130 career pathway options within 17 different career clusters. Bulloch County Schools offers 13 of those career clusters with 20 career pathways. Statesboro High provides seven career clusters with 11 different career pathway options for students. Its Construction program is part of the Architecture and Construction cluster and Carpentry pathway.

WILLIAM JAMES MIDDLE SHINES IN NASA STUDENT ASTRONAUT CHALLENGE

A team of William James Middle School students won second-place in the Aerospace Engineering Challenge portion of NASA’s national Student Astronaut Challenge, and sixthplace in the overall competition. The team was one of only 11 teams nationwide to qualify for the final competition.

Pictured: (L-R) - 2020-2021 team members Tatum Lonon, Katlyn Sullivan, Sanan Khairabadi, Erin Shen, Ann Parker, and Krupa Pandya, Callie Barger. The team is advised by the school’s STEM Lab teacher, Amy Smith.

STAKEHOLDER & COMMUNITY SUPPORT FRESH LOCAL PRODUCE FOR FAMILIES

Lynda Brannen Williamson Foundation, Restoring the Breach, Inc & Farmers Market offer food assistance

Pictured Above (L-R): Charles Wilson, Glennera Martin (BOE District 5), Derrick Mathis (STEM teacher), James Evans (student), Mike Sparks (BOE Chairman) James Evans and Ivy Goodman of Howmet Aerospace, Brad Boykin (Principal), and Heather Mims (BOE District 7)

During spring 2021, the Lynda Brannen Williamson Foundation, Restoring the Breach, Inc and the Statesboro Mainstreet Farmers Market offered food assistance to families who are eligible to use federal food assistance programs (SNAP, WIC, or EBT). The program allowed families to get free fruits and vegetables from the Farmers Market.

Families could place an order using their food assistance benefits, and then receive additional fruits and vegetables for free equal to the cost of the order (up to $50). This meant families could essentially double their federal nutrition assistance benefits and bring more locally grown, healthier produce into their home. The Farmers Market has historically participated in the Georgia Fresh for Less program that made this possible.

The Lynda Brannen Williamson Foundation’s latest leadership class and Restoring the Breach, Inc. provided volunteers to host how-to sessions for the families at the Outreach Center of Bulloch County. They helped families learn how to sign-up for the service, place orders, and benefit from it.

SOUTHEAST BULLOCH MIDDLE SCHOOL RECEIVES $25K GRANT

Howmet Aerospace Foundation bolsters schools STEM Lab

Southeast Bulloch Middle School (SEBMS) received a $25,000 grant from the Howmet Aerospace Foundation to bolster its STEM education program. The largest of the school district’s four middle schools, SEBMS has a dedicated STEM lab and instructor that provides an exploratory course option for its more than 800 students. The Howmet Aerospace Foundation seeks secondary schools (K-12) to apply for its competitive grants, particularly those like SEBMS who want to expand learning opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics and help foster student interest in STEM-related careers.

Bulloch County Schools provides STEM labs in each of its nine elementary schools and four middle schools. At the high school level STEM is infused into academic core classes, specialized career pathway courses in the district’s Career Technical & Agricultural Education (CTAE) program, and in multiple student technical organizations like SkillsUSA, the Technology Student Association, the Health Occupations Student Association, and the National FFA Organization which have student chapters at each of the system’s three high schools. The school district has also worked to establish opportunities for practical application of STEM skills by establishing a regional, annual student technology fair 10 years ago for grades 3-12, and working with local industry and post-secondary institutions to establish apprenticeship, dualenrollment, and research opportunities in STEM fields.

The Howmet Aerospace Foundation is an independently endowed charitable unit of Howmet Aerospace. It grants more than $7 million annually to schools and nonprofit partners around the world. STEM, technical education, and workforce development initiatives are a particular funding focus, along with an emphasis on increased access to STEM fields for underrepresented individuals. Howmet Aerospace is an innovative international company that creates high-performance engineered solutions for the world’s leading manufacturers in the aerospace and automotive industries.

BULLOCH COUNTY LITERACY COUNCIL

Community partnership promotes preschool literacy.

Bulloch County Schools and its literacy partners have formed a Bulloch County Literacy Council. Volunteers make a difference in our community by offering fun reading events and needed reading resources for preschool children and their families.

You can help by reading to children, supplying books to children, or donating to local literacy organizations. Preschool illiteracy is one of the most critical issues in Bulloch County today. Many children in our community start school lacking the basic early language skills needed to learn how to read successfully. This may hinder a child’s ability to read on grade level by the end of their third-grade year, a key indicator of future academic achievement.

Thank you to representatives from Georgia Power Company, East Georgia Regional Hospital, Georgia Southern University College of Education, the Altrusa Club, Ferst Readers, Statesboro Regional Library, Kid’s World Learning Center, Safe Haven, Prevent Child Abuse Bulloch, and the Bulloch County Health Department for partnering with Bulloch County Schools to form the Literacy Council.

STAKEHOLDER & COMMUNITY SUPPORT SCHOOL NURSES DEVOTE MORE THAN 3K HOURS TO COVID TRACING

Bulloch County Schools’ team of 18 nurses successfully managed a robust COVID-19 isolation, quarantine, and guidance plan during the 2020-2021 school year in addition to their regular roles.

Each school has a trained registered nurse on staff. During the COVID-19 global pandemic, the ways in which our school nurses serve our schools and community has expanded exponentially. They have worked diligently and tirelessly to coordinate with the Department of Public Health, help guide the district and school administrators to create and manage safe return-to-school plans, provide basic medical services, communicate with families, and more.

To attempt to quantify the contact tracing work that school nurses and administrators performed August 17, 2020, when schools reopened through the last day of school on May 26,2021, the school district used a formula recommended by Rick J. Kaufman, the executive director of community relations and emergency management with Bloomington Public Schools in Minnesota. The formula was developed

by Neustar, Inc., a tech company that provides real-time information and analytics for state health and human services departments in the United States.

According to the formula, each COVID-positive case takes nearly 130 minutes of time to trace: • 23 minutes for a contact exposure to a confirmed case that results in a quarantine; • 30 minutes for a confirmed case; and • 72 additional minutes per case for follow-up calls and missed dials).

In 41 weeks of the school district’s public COVID-19 reporting, these are the approximate number of hours that school nurses and support staff invested in COVID-19 contact tracing response: • 652 confirmed positive cases to date multiplied by 30 minutes equals 19,560 minutes or 326 hours • 4,946 quarantines resulting from contact with a confirmed positive case in or on school property multiplied by 23 minutes equals 113,758 minutes or approximately 1,896 hours • 652 confirmed positive cases to date multiplied by 72 minutes equals 46,944 minutes or 782 hours • In total this equates to 3,004 hours of COVID-19 contact tracing, which is equivalent to 375 days of work. A school year is 180 days.

For many children, our registered nurses are the first line of medical care. In a normal year each school nurse sees an average of 75 students and employees per day for a variety of medical needs, and they help manage the care of students with diagnosed conditions like diabetes, cystic fibrosis, and asthma.

SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKERS HELP LINK SCHOOL AND HOME DURING COVID-19 Staff key to keeping virtual learning students and families engaged

For both the 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 school years, families had the choice of virtual or face-to-face instruction due to the ongoing COVID-19 global pandemic. The district’s team of school social workers help to ensure children and families remain engaged while learning from home. During the 20-21 school year more than 4,600 students (43%) received virtual instruction during the first semester and approximately 2,400 (22.6%) in the second semester. School social workers were a vital link between home and school during this time: • 446 home visits with virtual learning students who were not remaining engaged in learning (10 days or more without accessing virtual learning program).

• 1,377 telephone contacts with families • 550 referrals for social work services for families of both virtual and face-to-face learners (average of 15 referrals per week) • Weekly average of 20 home visits to students most at risk of being withdrawn for non-engagement.

• Re-engaged 85 families whose children were at risk of being withdrawn from the district due to lack of attendance • 218 screenings for housing displaced families • Enrolled 144 students in the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Program

TEACHERS ENGAGE STUDENTS THROUGH VIRTUAL & DISTANCE LEARNING

FINANCIAL TRANSPARENCY AND EFFICIENCY GENERAL FUND HIGHLIGHTS ($ MILLIONS)

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

3.5 of 5 Stars

Fiscal Year

QBE Revenues

Property Tax Revenues

Local Option Sales Tax Revenues

Total Revenues

Total Expenditures

Revenues over/(under) Expenditures

Ending Fund Balance

FY ‘11

$41.40

$17.30

$10.00

$73.10

$66.60

$6.60

$19.90

FY ‘12

$39.30

$17.10

$10.40

$69.10

$68.90

$0.20

$20.10

FY ‘13

$39.50

$16.60

$9.60

$69.10

$69.30

-$(0.2)

$19.90

Standard & Poor’s Credit Rating

FY ‘14

$38.4

$16.5

$9.9

$68.8

$71.0

-$(2.2)

$17.70

FY ‘15

$44.80

$17.40

$10.40

$78.40

$75.60

$2.80

$20.50

8

FY ‘16

$47.30

$17.20

$10.30

$78.70

$82.70

-$(4.0)

$16.50

FY ‘17

$52.10

$17.60

$10.60

$84.30

$86.00

-$(1.7)

$14.80

FY ‘18

$58.20

$18.20

$10.80

$91.80

$89.80

$2.00

$16.70

FY ‘19

$61.16

$21.35

$11.38

$96.38

$92.81

$3.57

$20.31

FY ‘20

$66.67

$22.13

$12.31

$103.76

$101.28

$2.48

$22.79

FY ‘21

$64.07

$23.01

$13.14

$101.39

$90.78

$10.61

$33.40

FY ‘21

$65.49

$23.27

$12.69

$102.50

$89.40

$13.10

$46.50

Financial Efficiency Rating

AA-

Maintenance & Operations Millage Rate has been rolled back annually for the past eight years

$19,145,885

Total school taxes levied on property in 2020

No audit findings

(In progress) (Budgeted)

*For complete budget information on all Bulloch County Board of Education funds, capital projects, ESPLOST and state audit reports, visit www.bullochschools.org/budget

Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts

FISCAL YEAR 2022 ALL FUNDS BUDGETED Total General Fund Expenditures - $150,251,705

2%

Raise for all employees for Fiscal Year 2022

$36.8 Million

Other Support Services $116,877 School Administration $7,871,468

Maintenance & Operations $9,605,790

General Administration $827,610 Business Administration $1,098,496

Debt Services Principal $7,985,000

Total COVID-19 federal relief funds received from CARES Act I & II and the American Rescue Plan

Central Support Services $2,134,388 Educational Media Services $1,487,570 Improvement of Instructional Services $2,822,985

Instruction $49,543,206

Debt Services Interest $1,155,000 Student Transportation Services $6,501,401

Capital Outlay $10,503,799

Food Services Operation $4,545,133

Pupil Services $6,989,680

FACILITIES MANAGEMENT & SCHOOL CAPACITY BULLOCH TO BUILD NEW HIGH SCHOOL

SCHOOL CAPACITY BALANCING COMMITTEE

Board receives recommendations.

In response to growing and shifting student populations in Bulloch County, the district’s School Capacity Balancing Committee finalized its recommendations to the Board of Education in February 2021. The Board will take these recommendations under advisement and use them to guide discussions about how to balance student populations and plan for future facilities.

The Board appointed citizens to serve on the community committee. Their goal was to recommend solutions that could balance and maintain school capacity but still provide the best possible learning environments for children and ensure responsible use of education resources.

The committee made the following recommendations: • Build a new high school and repurpose existing facilities to address long-term growth; • Rezone entire school district once a long-term plan for facilities, construction, and re-purposing has been completed • Better utilize Portal Middle High School by either rezoning or using a magnet concept, but this would need to involve community input; and • Magnet schools that focus on specific programs like career education, fine arts, or science and technology.

Board votes to add project to district’s five-year plan The Bulloch County Board of Education voted in May 2021 to add the proposed construction of a new Southeast Bulloch High School to its fiveyear facilities plan.

This will enable the district to seek partial funding from the Georgia Department of Education for construction of the new school, which is estimated to cost between $50 to $60 million.

$2,811,630 Amount of E-SPLOST IV funds used to-date for new and updated school safety, security, and crisis/ emergency alert measures for all schools and offices.

Find more information about how education special-purpose local option sales tax (E-SPLOST) funds are used for capital improvements at www.bullochschools. org/esplost.

BOARD APPROVES $5.25M BID FOR ATHLETIC FACILITIES William James and Langston Chapel middle schools to open new sites in 2022

The Bulloch County Board of Education approved a bid for $5.25 million for two new athletic complexes at Langston Chapel Middle School and William James Middle School. Dabbs Williams General Contractors will begin construction in July 2021, and they are scheduled to be complete by July 1 2022.

Designed by Hussey Gay Bell Architecture, the facilities will each include six-court tennis courts, combined football-soccer fields, softball fields, baseball fields, concessions, restrooms, and new parking lots.

New athletic facilities were provided for Portal Middle High School when its new school and new athletic complex were constructed and opened in 2010 and 2016. Southeast Bulloch Middle School is expected to gain expanded athletic facilities when a proposed future move into the current Southeast Bulloch High School occurs. In the interim the school district is completing upgrades to the school’s football/ soccer and baseball/softball fields during summer 2021.

Middle school athletic facilities were a priority item identified by both the Board’s E-SPLOST IV and Facilities committees. The community committees met to review and prioritize a proposed list of projects to guide the use of the funds generated by the education special-purpose local option sales tax for capital improvements.

Registered voters in Bulloch County approved, in a special election on Nov. 7, 2017, a fourth one-cent sales and use tax for educational purposes for five years (Jan. 1, 2019 - Dec. 31, 2023). E-SPLOST IV will raise approximately $51 million for capital improvement projects like these for each of the district’s 15 public schools and alternative learning centers.

STUDENT RECOGNITIONS Hope Givers Film Challenge & Tamlin Hall

Congress of Future Medical Leaders

Georgia High School Athletic Association

First Runner-up, Hope Givers Storytelling Award, & $600 grant

National Delegate

Southeast Georgia Regional Positive Athlete Winner

Tazmerria Wilson Statesboro High School

MINCEY WINS A NATIONAL PRUDENTIAL SPIRIT OF COMMUNITY AWARD

Ava Mincey, a rising seventh-grade student at William James Middle School in Statesboro, was selected as one of two Georgia recipients of the national Prudential Spirit of Community Awards for 2021, due to her extensive community service with the Alzheimer’s Association and its Walk to End Alzheimer’s. The award also qualified her as a finalist for the Volunteer Service Award from the President of the United States.

More than 21,000 students applied or were nominated, and only 102 state honorees in the nation were chosen.

Mincey received a $2,500 scholarship, an engraved silver medallion and a virtual celebration with the nation’s other recipients.

The Prudential Spirit of Community Award honorees are chosen based on their service initiatives, their impact and effort, and personal growth over the course of the project they conduct.

Mincey has raised over $2,000 for the Alzheimer’s Association through online contributions to her Walk to End Alzheimer’s team and by selling lemonade throughout Statesboro and surrounding counties. Known as Ava’s Lemonade, she dedicates this effort to her late great-grandmother, Daisy Littles, for whom her fundraising team is also named. Besides these initiatives, she also advocates for personal devices for caregivers that alert them to the exact location of their Alzheimer’s patients.

Madeline Brown S.E. Bulloch High School

Emma Yates Portal Middle High School

NASA National Student Astronaut Challenge 2nd Place in Aerospace Engineering Challenge & 6th Place Overall William James Middle School

YOUNG GEORGIA AUTHORS FIRST DISTRICT RESA WINNERS

Four of Bulloch County Schools’ students’ students’ entries placed in the First District Regional Education Service Area (RESA) level of the 2021 Young Georgia Authors Competition. The students advanced to this level of the competition after winning the grade-level competitions within Bulloch County Schools.

• Kindergarten Category: Iniya Kumar, second place for Becoming Friends • First-Grade Category: Kenadie Knight, second place for Gymnastics • Fourth-Grade Category: Zoey Lanier, second place for Ruby Bucher & The P Girl • Twelfth-Grade Category: Terry’anna Mercedes, Honorable Mention for What a Life

LIPPINCOTT IS BULLOCH COUNTY STAR

David Lippincott of Statesboro High School and his third-grade teacher, Estella Newkirt, were named as the 2021 Bulloch County STAR Student and STAR teacher.

Newkirt, who is a 21-year veteran educator, taught Lippincott when he was a student at Julia P. Bryant Elementary School, and she was his math team coach in third, fourth, and fifth-grade.

Lippincott, who is also Statesboro High’s Class of 2021 salutatorian, plans to attend the Georgia Institute of Technology and major in mathematics. He credits Newkirt with instilling in him a passion for learning and math.

HORTON WINS STATE ART CONTEST

Brynn Horton, now a rising seventh-grade student at Langston Chapel Middle School, was the 2020 elementary school-level winner of the Georgia Art Educators Association (GAEA) and Georgia Secretary of State’s Youth Art Month contest. Her work was featured in the annual yearlong Capitol Art Exhibit in Atlanta during the 2020-2021 school year. Horton’s work was selected in the spring of her fifth-grade year at Mill Creek Elementary School. She was nominated by her then MCES art teacher, Judy Ware.

SCHOOL DISTRICT HONORS NEW COHORT OF REACH SCHOLARS

On January 14, 2021, Bulloch County Schools honored six middle school students as its 2020 cohort of REACH Georgia Scholars during a special signing ceremony at the William James Educational Complex in Statesboro. The scholars, who will each receive a $10,000 scholarship for college, were selected from 184 eligible students across the school district’s four middle schools. Board of Education Chairman Mike Sparks, Superintendent Charles Wilson, and Director of School Social Work Keith Wilkey joined the scholars and their parents as they signed agreements to abide by the program’s requirements. The Bulloch County Foundation for Public School Education (Foundation) annually funds the seed capital for the scholarships, which will be held by the Georgia Student Finance Corporation until the scholars graduate high school in 2025. The scholars are Shelbie Jones from Portal Middle High School; Janarria Wimberly from William James Middle School; Jaydon Lawson and Kelly Xochicale from Langston Chapel Middle School; and Saniyyah Jones and Michael Dixon from Southeast Bulloch Middle School.

FACULTY & STAFF RECOGNITIONS College Football Playoff Foundation & GA Southern Athletics

National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution

$2,900 in Extra Yard for Teachers Grants

Dr. Tom & Betty Lawrence American History Teacher Award

Awarded to 10 Faculty at LCMS, NES, PMHS, SZES, SEBHS, SEBMS, SHS, & SES

Thomas Miller Statesboro High School

City of Statesboro and Statesboro High School

Georgia Southern University Alumni

Bestowed the name rights for Lee Hill Arena and Coach Lee Hill Boulevard

Named to the 40 Under 40 Alumni Class of 2020

In memory of Coach Lee Hill Georgia’s Winningest

Brad Boykin, Principal Southeast. Bulloch Middle School

2020-2021 SCHOOL-LEVEL TEACHERS OF THE YEAR Alina Odom

Brooklet Elementary

Katie Johnson

Julia P. Bryant Elementary

Kathy Hindman

Langston Chapel Elementary

Marchelle Russell

Langston Chapel Middle

Caitlin Faglier

Mattie Lively Elementary

Elise DiPalma

Mill Creek Elementary

Beth Waters

Nevils Elementary

Michael Mascolo

Portal Elementary

Shannon Hattaway

Portal Middle High

Ashley Carter

Sallie Zetterower Elementary

Lisa Crowe

Southeast Bulloch Middle

Stephanie Mireles

Southeast Bulloch High

Stephanie Deal

Statesboro High

Erin Henry

Stilson Elementary

Sarah Bahorich

William James Middle

2020-2021 BULLOCH COUNTY SCHOOLS RETIREES

GREENE WINS STATE PR AWARD

The Georgia School Public Relations Association awarded Hayley Greene its 2021 Marie Wofford Professional Growth Award. Greene serves as the school district’s public relations director. GSPRA is a state chapter of the National School Public Relations Association. It is comprised of more than 95 school public relations practitioners across the state.

Greene has also served as the organization’s vice-president of membership for two years.

This year’s retirees have served our community a total of 898 years.

Cynthia Canty Cheryl Smallwood Margot Bragg Janine Fordham Tanya Finch Joy Tucker Tammy Tillman Shirley Jones Charlene Lamar Eddie Brinson Julie Wilson Jimmy Futch Herman Metcalf Duane Mulnix Timotheus Mincey Cynthia Bozeman Patsy Hendrix Lucian Lyons Marlene Cairney Donna Lumpkin Nancy Callaway Jerry Morris Susan Manack Jeanette Clifton Michele Rountree Lisa Crowe Judy Finch Bertha Mosley Thomas Davis Gilbert Riggs Sherri Cribbs Steven Bonnette Lucinda Walker Barbara Bennett Kathy Hendrix

STATE HONORS SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR FINANCIAL STEWARDSHIP

The Bulloch County Board of Education and Bulloch County Schools received the Award of Distinction for Excellent Financial Reporting from the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts after the completion of an annual audit of the school district’s financial practices and its financial reporting and controls. The award is based on the completion of an audit of the district’s Fiscal Year 2020 finances.

The GDAA has established best practices criteria that it uses to recognize better practices for financial reporting and controls.

Its award program encourages local Boards of Education to go beyond the minimum requirements of generally accepted accounting principles and recognize organizations like Bulloch County Schools and its Business Services Department who are successful in achieving that goal.

BULLOCH COUNTY FOUNDATION FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL EDUCATION A charitable foundation that supports these worthwhile education programs

REACH GA Scholarships • STAR Student/Teacher Innovation Grants to Teachers • Teacher of the Year Program We’ve helped make college possible for

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Innovation Grants Since 2006, the Bulloch County Foundation for Public Education (Foundation) has funded more than 220 innovative teacher grants totaling nearly $300,000 to fund learning experiences for Bulloch County children.

$1,000

The grant amount provided each year to the Bulloch County Teacher of the Year

Charitable Giving The Foundation provides a way for individuals, businesses, industries and civic organizations to invest in local education programs that benefit public, charter, private and home-schooled students. In addition, the Foundation’s two major fundraising campaigns are the Statesboro 5K Turkey Trot and Bulloch County Schools’ Jeans Fridays, which is an employee payroll deduction option.

College Scholarships The Foundation funds Bulloch County School’s annual participation in the REACH Georgia Scholarship Program with a $7,500 annual contribution. As a result, five graduating REACH scholars each receive a $20K - $30K scholarship for college in addition to the HOPE scholarship.

300+

People who annually participate in one of our main fundraisers Statesboro Turkey Trot 5K Saturday before Thanksgiving; In Downtown Statesboro

Bulloch’s REACH Georgia Scholars since

$300,000 Innovation grant funds provided to more than 220 teacher projects since 2006

STAR Student / STAR Teacher The Foundation is the local underwriting sponsor for the Professional Association of Georgia Educators’ STAR program. The Foundation’s financial support makes this program possible for Bulloch County’s public, private and charter schools.

$37,000

Funds donated annually to the Foundation by Bulloch County Schools’ employees through payroll deduction

Teacher of the Year Program The Foundation is one of the main corporate sponsors for Bulloch County Schools’ Teacher of the Year program. The Foundation annually provides a $1,000 grant to the district’s teacher of the year.

150 Williams Road, Suite A | Statesboro, GA 30458 T: 912.212.8500 | F: 912.212.8529 www.bullochschools.org | boe@bullochschools.org

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THE CULTURE

a stellar performance

a stellar pe 56 statesboromagazine.com

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erformance WRITTEN BY JENNY STARLING FOSS PHOTOGRAPHY BY FRANK FORTUNE

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THE CULTURE

a stellar performance

m

any know Statesboro native Wemberly Ponder, the piano virtuoso who has blessed Georgia Southern University and the surrounding area for many years as a stellar performer, teacher and accompanist.

Now, at the pinnacle of his career, Ponder’s repertoire has been heightened by the creation of original poems with musical scores, written as tributes and gifts to the two places he extols for nurturing and supporting his talent, Melody to the Southern Pines, dedicated to Georgia Southern University and Melody to the Stars, dedicated to the City of Statesboro.

Born in Statesboro on November 23, 1951, Ponder was reared mostly by his mother Harriett, a gifted seamstress who cared for Ponder and his brothers and sisters by working for a dry cleaner and later for Minkovitz Department store. Ponder’s father, Sanford Ponder was confined to a veteran’s hospital in Tuskegee, Alabama, a victim of shell shock from his service during World War II. Ponder’s family included two sisters: the younger, Rachael Ponder Jackson, and the elder, Emily Ponder Natson. There were also two brothers: Sanford Junior and Thomas.

As a small child, Ponder started playing pi-

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ano by ear. By age five, he was performing at area churches like Johnson Grove Baptist in Portal, and the Statesboro First African Baptist Church.

He played for special programs, Sunday School, and worship services.

By age eleven, Ponder started weekly formal musical training with Tharon Stevens, who was then Choral Director of William James High School Choral Society and a distinguished piano teacher in Statesboro.

His lessons involved reading music and practicing the Hannon virtuoso pianist exercises for the hands to emphasize technique. Mr. Stevens played along with Ponder as he practiced, so that he was forced to keep up the tempo with his teacher who instilled discipline.

During this time, Ponder attended grades one through twelve, entering high school at William James. In 1968, during Ponder’s junior year of high school, Mr. Stevens asked Ponder to accompany him to Georgia Southern. It was there that he introduced Ponder to Dr. Sterling Adams, professor of piano. Ponder went on to graduate from William James in 1969 and continued lessons with Dr. Adams, all the while wanting to enroll at Georgia Southern to formally study music.

The first piece Ponder played for Dr. Adams was Frederic Chopin’s Fantasie Impromptu, Op. 66. Dr. Adams was impressed enough with Ponder’s talent to help him secure a Theodore Presser scholarship to attend Georgia Southern.

At the end of Ponder’s freshman year at Georgia Southern, Dr. Adams took him to a concert piano camp in Atlanta. The camp was sponsored by the Mozart Society. For his performance, Ponder played a Mozart Sonata and was awarded the Pro-Mozart Society Scholarship to study at the Mozarteum Academy in Salzburg, Austria, under Professor Kurt Neumüller, internationally renowned pianist and pedagogue.

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THE CULTURE

a stellar performance

This visit to Europe changed Ponder’s perspective on the world of music. In Austria he met students of music from all over the world.

He found that in Europe, once you mastered a piece, it became a permanent part of your repertoire. You were to maintain the ability to recall the music and play it at any given time.

Ponder began a weekly discipline of “repertoire day” to review his own collection of musical pieces.

Shortly after returning from Europe, Ponder was asked to perform Rhapsody in Blue with the GSU Symphony. A year later he was asked to play Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D minor with the Savannah Symphony. As graduate of Georgia Southern, Ponder has often been asked to be a guest performer and an accompanist playing in recitals at both Augusta College and Savannah State.

Ponder studied conducting, musical composition, orchestration, and music theory with Dr. Don Northrip. He has been coached by several well-known artists from whom he personally pursued instruction including Andre Watts, Ruth Slenczynka and Eugene Hayes.

“I often think that I could have had a career in New York,” said Ponder. “I was making 60 statesboromagazine.com

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money playing at hotels. But, when one of my hotels closed, I went for job auditions every day and every evening I sat in silence listening for some guidance on where to go from there. I eventually got another hotel job, but it also required me to pitch in with driving the hotel van to the airport. On the way to the airport one day, the answer came to me. I needed to go home to teach music. My greatest influence would not be from fame and celebrity, but from the number of students that I could reach through music and send out into the world to play. Which was and is, in my view, a much greater influence and blessing.”

In recent years, Ponder has served as musical director for a play written by Bob Dick and directed by Mical Whitaker, about the life of Langston Hughes, An Evening with Langston Hughes, performed at the Averitt Center for the Arts. Ponder has accompanied the Statesboro Youth Chorale and the Statesboro Boys & Girls Choir under the direction of Dr. Tamara Harper. During the Statesboro bicentennial, Ponder directed and performed with the Brannen Chapel United Methodist Men’s Choir, another original composition, O’ Statesboro, Where the Sun Smiles.

“I call the music that I write colorhythmic, or a style of colorhythm,” said Ponder. “Which means that the most important element in the music I write is tone color. Colorhythmic refers to my style of flowing tone colors. For me the beauty in the music that I write is how it flows from delicacy of tone to the most intense or depth of tone, and vice versa. And for me, the created tone is of most importance. In visual terms it is like looking at the sky sometimes in the evening, thinking of the sky as the canvas upon which God paints the most beautiful shades of endless variety; the colors are of utmost importance, because form is created

from the various shades of color, instead of color being determined by the forms. In the music I write, I let tone, especially in that I love the beauty of piano tone so much, create rhythm, melody, and harmony!

I use these three elements to create the most beautiful shades of piano tone imaginable, from the most brilliant to the most delicate and degrees in between, and vice versa. So I use melody, rhythm, and harmony to create a rainbow of colors from the piano.”

To date he has written 20 original piano pieces. On June 25, 2021, Mayor Jonathan McCollar received Ponder’s gift of Melody to the Stars on behalf of the City, along with Bulloch County Historical Society Executive Director Virginia Anne Waters, the original score presented to them in Ponder’s own handwriting. Both were asked by Ponder to autograph the composition for posterity.

Ponder will perform his original work live in concert on Friday, September 24, 2021 at 7:30 p.m. in the Emma Kelly Theater at the Averitt Center for the Arts in downtown Statesboro. He will open with Prelude to the Averitt Center, an ode to the performance venue of sacred, popular and classical music. Followed by performances of Melody to the Southern Pines and Melody to the Stars.

“Finding my direction simplified my life,” said Ponder. “Serving your community and serving God are so important in life. It is not how great you are, that is a very narrow view contained in your own mind. It is far better when one feels connected to everyone, inspiring others, creating a ripple effect of touching lives. That is the blessing that I have been given to share.” S Editor’s Note: Tickets are available at www.AverittCenterForTheArts.org or by calling 912-212-2787.

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THE CULTURE

unfettered potential

Evy

Un

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Shen’s

fette r ed ential WRITTEN BY JENNY STARLING FOSS PHOTOGRAPHY BY FRANK FORTUNE

T

here’s an online bio of Evy Shen at the Eunoia Review, a poetry publishing website designed to give unfettered opportunity to new writing talent. It says: “Evy Shen is a junior from Statesboro, Georgia. Her writing has been recognized in an international RoundPier Poetry Contest and published in The Lumiere Review. She loves to travel, her favorite place in the U.S. being Soho/Times Square in New York City, whereas her favorite place outside of the U.S. being Suzhou, China. When she is not writing and furiously studying, she is outside with her family enjoying God’s beautiful nature.”

Or she might be teaching Georgia Southern University students chemistry. You might also see her as a volunteer shelving books at the Statesboro Regional Library, or on the phone making calls for Senator Jon Ossoff’s 2020 campaign. Then there’s Model UN, Beta Club, Math

Team, and her work as senior editor at the online global literary platform, Polyphony Lit. Plus, we can’t forget, she was a valuable player on the 2020 Region Championship Lady Blue Devil Tennis Team, winning all-region First Team Doubles player. It’s going to take more than one paragraph to describe the young woman who masters so many passions, one by one. You would have to read really hard between the lines of her brief online bio to capture the whole essence of Evy Shen.

An eager and self-effacing junior at Statesboro High School, dual enrolled at Georgia July/August 2021

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THE CULTURE

unfettered potential

CREST WRITTEN BY EVY SHEN

what the rill does to its salt-tangled grasp, & resplendent horses to their soaring is a truth i wish to unlearn. to untether from swirling bodies of life & be realityrodded to the calliope and sinusoids, carving our own ruination. on the splintering walk, rays in decrescendo to mother’s strands wild with sea, moment elusive as meaning. convince me there is convergence beneath this rhythm. that death brings us closer to a gilded shore, & you are real despite this transience. i burnish our photograph. i’ve held you before. it is hard to source where i lost you. all i know is after all these summers, every carousel chord still strikes the same wooden ache & i prefer my thoughts breaking against my feet, wrought and reckless. yesterday, i found a capsized roach choked faithless in sink foam. remind me what i am waiting for. this silence is untenable, sleep Southern since 10th grade, Shen found no working student publication when she entered SHS, and thought of revamping the student newspaper, but decided instead to start a literary magazine, “Listen.”

“It’s about listening to other’s ideas, viewpoints and perspectives,” said Shen. “My A.P. Language Arts teacher, Jennifer Calhoun, was very supportive and encouraging.”

Shen credits her past and present teachers and principals Julie Mizell and Chad Prosser for encouraging her and offering her opportunities to succeed.

It was Calhoun who saw something special in Shen’s writing and nominated her for the Governor Honors Program in Communicative Arts, twice. Shen was a semi-finalist in 66 statesboromagazine.com

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irreconcilable. the tide-drilled planks.

2020, and was the canopy of your mouth — suspension announced in over & over loud emptiness. shoulders 2021 as a finalist in a class of motion-weighted & hands sundered, approximately brave me enough to inhale this soft high.

600 chosen from over 3,000 nominees statewide. She will be attending the prestigious residential summer program for gifted and talented high school students at Berry College in Rome, Georgia. “The program offers instruction that is significantly different from the typical high school classroom and that is designed to provide students with academic, cultural, and social enrichment necessary to become the next generation of global critical thinkers, innovators, and leaders.” – according to the GHP website.

“First you are nominated. Then you have to submit an essay. Then you are judged at the county level and must be selected before receiving

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a state application, with questions about why you like Communication Arts,” said Shen. “You are given topics to write about, and if you are chosen as a state semi-finalist, you are interviewed. There is a Socratic Seminar cold read from a text, then we talk about it.”

Another area of the communicative arts in which Shen excels is languages. She is fluent in three: English, Japanese and her family’s native Chinese. Her parents, Junan Shen and Min Zhu, emigrated from China 15 years ago, when Shen was a toddler.

“My parents have always supported and encouraged me in everything I’ve done,” she said.

The family settled first in Clemson, S.C., then moved to Statesboro where her father is a professor of civil engineering at Georgia Southern.

Shen has two sisters: Julie and Erin.

While Chinese may be her family’s native language, she began studying Japanese in 2020, as an elective through dual enrollment at Georgia Southern. Shen was chosen to participate in the 2020 Annual Japanese Speech Contest held on March 7, 2020 at Mercer University in Atlanta. An event co-organized by the Georgia Association of Teachers of Japanese, the Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Georgia, the Japan-America Society of Georgia, and the Consulate General of Japan in Atlanta. Shen received first prize (during her first year of studying the language) at the state level in Category 1 with her speech entitled, “Nattō (Japanese fermented soybeans) and me.”

“I’m inspired to write about my personal experiences,” said Shen. “I like to write about nature, essays and poems. But, poetry is my main writing gig.”

Shen’s poetry has been accepted for publication by the Penn Review, (“Definitions of Water,” coming 2021); Passages North (“Phantom” and “Definitions of Light,” coming 2022); Blue Marble Review (“Breakup Letter to Eczema,” December 2020); and Kissing Dynamite: A Journal of Poetry (“Flight Instinct,” January 2021).

Shen has been recognized as a Young Georgia Author at the 2018, 2019 and 2021 county competitions and received four honorable mentions at the Georgia Region Scholastic Art and Writing Awards in 2021.

She doesn’t let all that writing interfere with her tennis practice, however. The Statesboro Lady Devils had a great season with a 16-3 finish winning the Region Championship. Several of the team members were rewarded for their hard work when the all-region teams were released.

Teammate Kate Lairsey was voted Region Player of the Year. Nicole Crews was honorable mention for Singles. Julia Basquin was First Team Singles. And, Hannah Weaver and Shen were voted First Tea Doubles.

It’s only Shen’s second year on the tennis team.

At 17, Shen is also just as interested in things other teens enjoy. Her current favorite music group is One Direction, especially vocalist Harry Styles. Her favorite author is Ocean Vuong, a young Vietnamese-American poet, essayist and novelist. (A 2017 T.S. Eliot Prize winner for his poetry). Who ruminates on what it means to be a multi-cultural citizen living in America, with thought provoking lines such as, “Because everyone knows yellow pain, pressed into American letters, turns to gold.”

Through her writing, Shen is finding her own voice. She’s been honored with the Wellesley College Book Award. And this year she received the Harvard Book Prize Award, the first time the award had ever been given to a Statesboro High School student. This summer she has been chosen to attend the prestigious writer’s workshop, the 2021 Iowa Young Writers Studio Summer Residential Program under mentor Jane Hoffman at the University of Iowa. A writing Mecca that many published authors have yet to experience.

What does the future hold for one so young, yet so accomplished?

“I haven’t chosen a major yet,” Shen said. “It’s so hard to choose just one thing.”

Which leads to her next writing assignment, filling out those college applications this fall. S

Evy with Communication Arts teacher Jennifer Calhoun

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An immersive, 3 day leadership experience.

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The Southeast Georgia Leadership Forum is a three-day event that brings together more than 400 leaders representing neighborhoods, non-profits, civic groups, government, businesses and the up and comers.

Organized by Morris Multimedia Inc., with the generous support of Georgia Southern University, the Georgia Ports Authority, Georgia Power and Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, the first ever forum is taking place on September 12-14, 2021 at Trustees’ Garden in Savannah, Georgia. To help our communities succeed in an ever changing and fast paced society, the forum is focused on discovering our collective potential to be greater by committing to new ideas, supporting the growth of our emerging and established leaders, and by being purposeful in building collaboration from all segments of our diverse communities.

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WE LIVE HERE

a fresh take

Kudos

WRITTEN BY ADISON MARSH

W

hen this issue of Statesboro Magazine comes out I will be compiling things for my college applications: supplemental essays, recommendation letters, etc. The submission of these applications will be kind of symbolic of the end of my time in the Bulloch County school system and if I’m being completely honest it makes me really nostalgic. My experiences in this phase of my life have made me who I am, for better or worse and it’s really hard to think about it being over. With this chapter coming to a close I find myself compelled to reflect on the aspects that made it really and truly incredible. The things I’ve learned and relationships I’ve gained here, I’ll keep with me for the rest of my life.

Teachers While it can be said that schools everywhere have those select ‘bad egg’ teachers, I think in Bulloch County they’re pretty few and far between, at least at the schools I’ve attended in Statesboro. Looking back, I’ve had pretty incredible luck with teachers. Mrs. Grace. My fourth grade math teacher who let me sit in the back of her class to check papers because she knew I loved it, and always told me she knew I would grow up and be successful if I just put my mind to it. Ms. Lott. My seventh grade social studies teacher who, though she was sometimes blunt, was always ready with a smile. Mrs. Akins.

My fifth grade English teacher who cared so much about us as students that on our last day of school she cried telling us how much she’d miss us and we had a big group hug. Last, but most certainly not least, Mrs. Miller. My third grade English teacher who, during our class reading of Because of Winn Dixie, would stop and have me 72 statesboromagazine.com

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read anytime Sweetiepie Tomas said, “Yes ma’am,” (which eight or nineyear-old me said as “yes-uh ma’am”), because she said that’s how she always read it in her head. These women were just a handful of the amazing educators that have invested in me, but they were definitely the most influential in my enjoyment of my education.

Classmates There are a ton of really amazing people in Statesboro, and lots of those really amazing people have really amazing kids. Of the people in my graduating class of almost 400, I grew up with a pretty good chunk of them. They were either in the classes that I described above, or I knew them from playing Recreation Department sports, or we went to the Averitt Center for the Arts camp together, etc., etc. The point is, people really are the heart of Statesboro and my classmates, specifically the people who’ve become my best friends, are going to be one of the things it breaks my heart most to leave come August next year.

Georgia Southern This one is hit or miss with lots of people I know when talking about positive aspects of living in Statesboro. If I had a nickel for every time I’ve heard somebody say, “It would be a great place to go to school if it wasn’t home,” or “I wish we lived in a bigger college town like Athens,” I could probably afford to get a Master’s degree with no student loans. That being said, the availability of Georgia Southern to me, as even a high school student, has been something that has been really beneficial.

I take dual enrollment classes and I think given that GSU is smaller than UGA it really has been a perfect way to dip my toe in the proverbial water of higher education without feeling as overwhelmed as I think I would have been attending classes as a 16-year-old at somewhere like UGA. Also, it’s comforting to know that if I decide that I don’t want to move away for college for whatever reason, that I always have the option to stay here and get a really great education from the comfort of home.

Honorable Mention - Counselors I think sometimes school counselors get a bad rap, but in my experience they’ve almost always been pretty great (special shout out to Mrs. Massey and Mrs. Dee Dee at William James.)

At Statesboro High there’s a pretty good team of counselors with different areas of expertise and even though sometimes I’m sure they wish I would just stop pestering them about wanting to change my schedule, or logging service hours, or whatever it may be, they always do everything in their power to help me out. S

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true blue gs

Research for a better life (and for my minivan?)

WRITTEN BY DOY CAVE

W

hat pops into your mind when you hear the term research?

I see some of you falling asleep

already.

I get it. To the layperson, research can definitely seem like something smart people do to get other smart people to buy science magazines.

When I think of research, I daydream about how scientists, given the right funding and access, could explore the complete disinterest my sons have in ironing their clothes...or correctly applying deodorant...or leaving the couch. There are so many applications to be explored.

While I would love to solve the mystery of the adolescents who reside in my home, the experts 74 statesboromagazine.com

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tell me that research also can be employed to make ALL of our lives better — right here in Statesboro and southeast Georgia.

Georgia Southern University recently honed their research agenda to focus on “public impact research,” or research that directly affects the communities it serves. As a Carnegie “high research activity” university, Georgia Southern received more than $15 million in sponsored awards last year — funds which didn’t just go to the University itself, but were invested into our communities as well.

“Where we’re getting funded, where our faculty are doing their strongest work, these projects typically have community partners or an outreach component,” said Christopher Curtis, Ph.D., vice provost for research and scholarship. “So instead of talking about research dollars being generated by the University, success is measured by the public impact that Georgia Southern is making throughout the region.”

So what does public impact research look like in our community?

Curtis says the University has identified five impact areas where research is meeting specific needs for our region: Enriching and Empowering Communities — Researchers explore the interconnectivity of business, health care, schools, churches and more to enhance the quality of life in our communities.

Coastal Resilience and Sustainability — Whether they’re studying the coastal plains of Statesboro or the coastal waterways and marshes of Savannah, researchers are looking for new ways to preserve and sustain the environment we call home.

Logistics and Supply Chain Innovation — In the age of online shopping from all corners of the world, researchers are finding better and faster ways to get items from your virtual shopping cart to your front door.

Advanced Materials and Manufacturing — 3D printing has revolutionized manufacturing, and researchers are exploring new materials for every application you can imagine, from construction to nanotechnologies, whether it’s metal, recyclables or biomass.

Holistic Fitness and Wellness — Fitness and wellness is more than just eating right and exercising. It’s about clean environments, an active intellectual life, strong social networks and a sense of community. It’s where researchers explore “the good life.”

“What we’ve really tried to do is craft a specific research identity that is a little bit different from the more esoteric laboratory things you might see in other universities,” said Curtis. “This is a way for us to bring the intellectual capital, the intellectual expertise of our faculty, to be able for them to engage in meaningful ways beyond the classroom and into the communities that we serve.”

Curtis says the University is already working with community partners on a number of research projects. Researchers in Savannah are testing bacteria levels in the waters on Tybee Island; kinesiology researchers in Statesboro run a camp for children with disabilities, training them to live more independent lives; logistics researchers are partnering with Georgia Ports to explore AI and predictive analytics; and the University worked with Gov. Brian Kemp and the Georgia Legislature this year to expand the Savannah Logistics Technology Corridor to seven counties, including Bulloch County.

It’s just a small part of a larger goal — to make our region better for its residents.

“What we want to do is to be a force in the region, and for people to say, ‘Hey, south Georgia is a great place to live. It’s a great place to do business.

It’s a great place to raise a family,’” said Curtis.

It’s an ambitious and worthy goal, to be sure. But I’m pretty sure I’d be happy if they could just make tiny robots that could seek out and neutralize B.O. It would certainly make life better in our minivan. S July/August 2021

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buzz worthy bites

Homage to the Lunch Lady WRITTEN BY LAZAR BROWN OGLESBY

A

t the first mention of teachers, I think of school days: recess scented with the honeysuckle that clung to the fence around the elementary school playground, blackboards with chalk dust and screeching chalk, the smell of wax on old wood floors, real paper books with tattered pages, the sound of children’s laughter, and the watchful eyes of educators.

Mrs. Wilkey’s (Delores Wilkey) kindergarten class was a nurturing period filled with coloring and nap time. I despised nap time until I reached adulthood.

I obediently rested my head on the color-coded mat each child was responsible for bringing at the beginning of the school year. My eyes never closed and my mind always wondered what the next moments and days would hold. Sleep still eludes me because my mind never stops.

Mrs. Frye’s (Patricia Frye) first grade class could be heard singing along to “Ice, Ice baby,” as we built wigwams out of colored bulletin board paper. Mrs. Debbie (Debbie Williams) taught me about prehistoric creatures in the second grade, and we memorized John 3:16. A verse that still rests in my conscience.

Third, fourth, and fifth grades were defined by my love for reading as I occupied my mind with faraway places and characters. I devoured every accelerated reader book I could get my hands on. We were assigned a “How To” speech in Mrs. Bell’s (Lynn Bell) fifth grade class and I demonstrated how to make peanut butter balls with crispy cornflakes. My class mates treasured my creation and this fueled my love for feeding people and the instant gratification of preparing a dish for people to enjoy.

Middle school taught me how to navigate relationships with peers and the politics of life. We built castles out of cardboard boxes, paper towel rolls, and even created a moat out of rice dyed with blue food coloring in Mr. Burke’s (Wayne Burke) class. Ms. Deal (Janine Deal) nurtured my appetite for writing. She laid the foundation and prepared my classmates and me for testing success, college papers, and for me, a future food column.

High School is where I established an interest for more than just learning. My Friday nights were spent cheering on the JCHS Eagles. I developed a love for the Future Farmers of America and practiced leadership skills as reporter and secretary. Mr. Rainey (Virgil Rainey), FFA Advisor extraordinaire, chauffeured the cheerleaders all over South Georgia and the FFA members to the Georgia State Fair in Perry, the 76 statesboromagazine.com

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SALISBURY STEAKS INGREDIENTS: STEAKS

2 lbs. Ground Beef ½ c. Ritz Crackers, crushed 1 Egg (beaten) 1 Tbsp. Ketchup 1 Tbsp. Dijon Mustard 1 Tbsp. Worcestershire 2 tsp. Salt 1 tsp. Pepper 1 Tbsp. Olive Oil GRAVY

1 Sweet Onion (sliced into thin rings) 3 Tbsp. Butter 3 Tbsp. Flour ½ c. Red Wine 2-3 c. Beef Broth 1 Tbsp. Ketchup 1 Tbsp. Worcestershire Salt and Pepper to taste PREPARATION:

In a large bowl mix together all of the ingredients for the steaks except olive oil. Shape mixture into six equal-sized oval patties. Patties should be ¾ inch thick. In a large cast iron skillet heat olive oil. Add patties and brown on each side 3-4 minutes each.

Transfer patties to a plate.

Add onion to the skillet and cook 5-8 minutes until caramelized.

Add butter and flour and cook an additional two minutes. Whisk red wine, 2 cups beef broth, ketchup, and Worcestershire in a bowl. Add to flour and onion mixture. Cook until thickened. You may need to add additional cup of beef broth. Taste gravy and add salt and pepper as desired. Return steaks to pan and cook 10 minutes on low until done.

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buzz worthy bites

PEAS WITH BABY BELLAS AND BACON INGREDIENTS:

4 slices Bacon 1 16 oz. bag Frozen Garden Peas 4 Green Onions (sliced) 8 oz. Baby Bella Mushrooms (sliced) 2 Tbsp. Butter Salt and Pepper to Taste PREPARATION:

Cook bacon in skillet until crispy.

Remove bacon from pan and drain on paper towel. Reserve 1 tablespoon grease in pan. Add green onion and mushrooms and cook for 2 minutes.

Add peas and cook until peas and mushrooms are tender. Add butter, salt, and pepper and stir until dissolved. Serve warm.

State Convention in Athens, and The Ag Expo in Moultrie. Ironically, I was there as Mr. Rainey was driven home. The hearse playing “Old Time Rock and Roll” as we said our final goodbyes years after I graduated.

School days seemed to creep by like a slow-moving train. The minute hand barely moved as it ticked seemingly in place until we heard the bell ring signaling my classmates and me it was time to move on to the next class.

Looking back, I lump that entire era of my life into one segment that seemed to pass in the blink of an eye.

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What was my favorite part of school? The relationships built with friends and teachers are still playing a part in my life today, and the memories are priceless. Of course, I enjoyed recess, art class, and yearbook staff the most. The latter two thanks to Miss Peri (Peri Dean). But, lunch time was always the highlight of my day. My stomach would rumble at the first smells that crept down the hallways wafting from the cafeteria.

I admired the jovial banter of the lunch ladies and felt at home in their domain of clanging pots and pans, vats of steaming gravy, and racks full of warm yeast rolls. Our school offered quick salads, slices of pizza, and other typical fair enjoyed by teenagers. I usually opted for the “homestyle” line that offered a good solid meat and three sides. I have included one of my favorite “homestyle” meals with a grown-up twist. S

WHIPPED CREAM MASHED POTATOES INGREDIENTS:

5 lbs. Potatoes 1 tsp. Salt 1 c. Heavy Whipping Cream 8 oz. Cream Cheese (softened) 1 stick Butter 1 tsp. Salt ½ tsp. Pepper ¼ tsp. Dill Weed SCHOOL CAFETERIA YEAST ROLLS INGREDIENTS:

¼ oz. package Dry Active Yeast ½ c. Warm Water 5 c. All Purpose Flour ½ c. Instant Nonfat Dry Milk ¼ c. Sugar 1 tsp. Salt ¼ c. Oil 1 c. Water 4 Tbsp. Butter

PREPARATION:

Wash and peel potatoes. Cut into 1-inch cubes. Place potatoes in large pot and cover with cold water. Add salt. Boil potatoes 15-20 minutes until tender. Drain and return potatoes to pot.

Add cream cheese, butter, salt, pepper, and dill to potatoes. Beat with an electric mixer. Slowly add heavy cream and beat until smooth. Serve immediately.

PREPARATION:

Dissolve yeast in warm water. Place flour, dry milk, sugar, and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer. Use dough hook attachment and mix dry ingredients for 2 minutes. Add oil and mix 2 minutes. Add water and mix for 2 minutes. Increase speed to medium and knead for 8 minutes. The dough should be smooth and elastic.

Spray a bowl with nonstick spray and transfer dough to bowl. Put bowl in a warm place and allow dough to rise for 1 hour.

After 1 hour, turn dough onto floured surface. Sprinkle flour on dough and pat out to 1 inch thickness. Cut dough into 1-inch by 1-inch pieces and use hands to form dough into a round shape. Place rolls on on greased pan close together. Put rolls in a warm place and allow to rise again for 1 hour or until doubled in size.

Melt 4 tablespoons of butter and pour over the rolls. Bake at 400° for 20 minutes or until golden brown.

This recipe makes approximately 18 rolls.

[I converted this recipe from the original that our local school nutritionist shared with me. The original recipe made 50-100 rolls! This dough recipe also makes excellent cinnamon rolls.]

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garden variety

Play, Explore and Learn

S

WRITTEN BY CAROLYN ALTMAN

ometimes, I forget how old I am. I am old enough to be a grandmother. But if I am in the Botanic Garden’s Grow Zone with young children, I get as excited about planting tomatoes and picking blackberries as any four-year-old. Sometimes I play Predator/Prey tag with the kids on elementary school trips, although I rarely win. Georgia Southern University students keep me up on the latest in biology. Mature gardeners who share their experience and insight inspire me. I’m lucky to enjoy all these ages every day, and it’s clear that a life-long relationship with nature begins with a young hand feeling the earth and planting a seed.

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These days, young hands are more likely to be holding a phone than a seed. Phones are great, but humans are creatures of the earth, and we need hands-on experience with soil, water, air, and living things for our survival. Adults are the curators of our children’s and grandchildren’s experiences. Those experiences determine who they will become. So how does one encourage a young person to put down the electronics and come out to play?

Where was your special place as a child, the place you could go and dig, climb, build, and imagine? Everyone’s face always lights up when I ask this question, and then I’m treated to stories of hidden hollows formed by shrubs, a secret creek, or even the side of the street after a good rainstorm, where leaf boats navigated stick dams and rock rapids (mine). The demands of work, school, and sports schedules mean that children today have very little free time to explore the outdoors. One of the best gifts you can give is to encourage unstructured play outside.

Vast acreage or fancy gardens are not required. I once gave my nephew a shovel for Christmas because he was obsessed with digging. For a whole year he dug one very deep hole. He discovered all kinds of interesting stones and life forms in the layers he uncovered, and much about persistence, patience, and pursuing a particular interest.

My nephew’s pursuit was a solo endeavor, but it’s also nice to explore together. Families enjoy the free scavenger hunt that begins at the Botanic Garden entrance. You can make up your own: find something that used to be alive that is now dead, find something that carries seeds, find something in nature the same color as your shirt.

Scavenger hunts teach children to look closely, a skill we all could use in these fast paced days of short attention spans.

Growing a plant offers immediate fun and long-term payouts.

Poke some holes in the bottom of a decorated milk carton and plant some radish or bean seeds. Too complicated? Stick some toothpicks in a discarded carrot top to suspend it in a glass of water and watch the greenery sprout. I’m too busy/lazy to have a full-fledged vegetable garden, but I grow a cherry tomato plant in a plastic pot in my driveway. My son in Virginia texts me pictures of his “Supersweet 100s”.

Children love to eat what they’ve grown. Once, two boys ran past me after a session of the Children’s Learning Garden, a free program that teaches kids where food comes from. Those boys had enjoyed a wonderful session. Their fists, and their mouths, were full of greens.

Their mom was right behind them, shepherding them to the car. “I can’t believe they’re eating sorrel!” she remarked.

Botanic Garden’s Education page has great ideas for connecting children to nature. The activities, books, and lively videos there will get everyone moving, and are useful for parents, teachers and children alike. Of course, the Botanic Garden is open from 9:30-7:00 p.m., Monday - Friday and 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. on Sundays on a donation basis, and welcomes families.

In addition to the Botanic Garden, Statesboro has a number of great places for children, including the Center for Wildlife Education & the Lamar Q. Ball Raptor Center and the Georgia Southern Museum. My New York nephews love to explore the edges of the S&S Greenway, which features woods, wetlands, a tunnel, and wildlife. A heron once flew a few feet in front of my bicycle for a half mile or so.

Deer are regular visitors. Take a magnifying glass and look down; the world is full of tiny wonders. Neighborhood parks are home to ducks, raptors, other birds, turtles, and more; try to identify something new to see, smell, touch, or hear. If you have a backyard, picnic in a part where you usually do not sit. Whether in your home habitat or beyond, slow down, and connect to nature. All ages will find something to enjoy. S July/August 2021

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the spiritual pathway

Yours, Mine & Ours WRITTEN BY DR. H. WILLIAM PERRY

I

don’t know when I first read the saying that has shaped my relationships with others, but it must have been several decades ago.

After reading it, I began to reshape it to fit my style of thinking. Surely you’ve read it or heard it yourself: What’s yours is mine if I can get it, What’s mine is mine if I can keep it.

What’s mine is yours if you will have it.

I suppose it’s a progressive relational process that takes us from self-centeredness to centering on others and their needs.

We’ve all struggled with being self-centered, with the attitude that if I see something I want, I will struggle to get it no matter who it belongs to. A man stood up at a PTA meeting and said, “We’ve got to stop all the stealing that goes on in our school. Every morning I give my son a new pen, and during the day at school someone takes it from him. So each morning I have to give him another one. I’m not complaining about the cost; I take one home from work every day. But we’ve just got to stop students from stealing.” He wondered why the others at the meeting started laughing.

A second attitude and practice is based on the idea that What’s mine is mine if I can keep it. A man was seriously sick, and unless some82 statesboromagazine.com

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thing drastic was done he would die. The doctor discovered his patient had a most unusual bone marrow, and a search was made among families to see if anyone’s bone marrow matched with the patient. They found a young cousin that was a match, but when she was approached she would not agree of have the procedure that would share her marrow with her cousin’s. Her attitude was, “It’s mine and nobody can make me share it.”

Her cousin died a few weeks later.

When we are willing to work our way through those two attitudes, What’s yours is mine if I can get it, or What’s mine is mine if I can keep it, we can get to the wonderful stance in life that says, What’s mine is yours if you will have it.

As a teenager I worked for the owner of a department store in my hometown of Live Oak, Florida. Early on I learned of a unique practice among the merchants. If someone came to our store looking for clothing, and we did not have the right size, I would be sent to the other stores looking for the item. I would take it to our store and sell it to the customer. I guess the merchants kept up with those items and settled up each month, but the whole process taught me about sharing with others.

A few weeks ago I was with a friend when a homeless person approached us, asking for some financial help. It happens so often that I have no trouble saying, “No.” But my friend pulled out some money and gave it to the man. It made me say to myself, “Bill, why has your heart gotten so hardened?!”

A state worker was talking with the boys in a ranch for homeless boys, and when he asked if the man who ran the ranch loved them, several said, “Yes! We know he loves us ‘cause he lives in a little house so the money can be spent on our ranch house!”

Lord, help me become more like that. S

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the view from here

Posters WRITTEN BY RIC MANDES

E

ach of us is an ARCADE – A Corridor of deep detailed posters capturing the action of our yesterdays and the current doings of our todays. Let it be noted, we have been advised by Scholars beginning with the rhetoric of Cervantes having inscribed on the Holy Grail, “Thou shall not be an attendant of your Yesterdays. Tis action of the FOLLY.’’ My retort? Those of prose and poetry, have long used the past as the endured canvas as they offered their created sketches. Such as with me.

My Arcade with its posted remembrances has long been a part of my meditation’s design. They appear 20/20 optically. When the stage spots come alive so does the poised petition in fine detail. And there I am waiting on Granny’s front porch facing the dirt road for destiny’s CHARIOT to place me at a Paris sidewalk cafe gracing the marvelous Champs-Élysées.

Truth be noted, I was stationed at Camp De Lodges, an old Napoleonic Fort entitled CAMP OF THE HUTS. AL, JOE, VIC, MANNY, WALT were soon tagged as ‘The BOYS OF THE BAY. Such activity never loses focus, we are speaking of 1954. And each of us, save Walt, were full blood Italians. That rainy night, THE BOYS drove me to Orly Field, now Charles de Gaulle, I was headed home to my Granny. Al was my final hug. Tears carried with rain.

I turn in this my Arcade and am drawn to sketch the McDaniel’s, Joe and Cynthia.

They just celebrated their 52th Wedding Ceremony. A special narrative to me. Joe McDaniel was the student who coordinated our radio programming. He would come in about three each afternoon. Cynthia became a good friend through a chance encounter. Now and then I would produce a pictorial essay of a student’s life in college.

So on a chipper early morning I took a walk looking for a student who had that pleasant impression of “I am what college is all about.”

She was walking right toward me. And I knew she well could be the principal for our next essay.

As she paused with a kind but firm look, I identified myself and told her what I had in mind, and would she think about it. She smiled “I will.”

And she did. It took moving about campus for a couple of hours with the folio being her guide, taking me to her places of action. Two afternoons later she and I were reviewing contact sheets of photos agreeing on which we both liked.

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Two evenings later in the recording studio of WSAV-TV in Savannah, Ii would have chosen a musical display of Cynthia’s captured life for about five to seven minutes. THREE FOR THE SHOW. Host Curt Averitt always invited me to join him for background on the student we would be highlighting each week.

Now a rewind. The afternoon Cynthia and I were studying the contact sheets, Joe came in to do his radio work. Meanwhile she and I did a “wrap” on pictures. As I walked her to the door, I thanked her, letting her know when she would soon be “aired.”

As I turned, Joe was standing stoically.

He minced no words, “Where is she going?”

My reply was, “Joe she’s in our teacher program.”

Being his kindly self with an impish smile he said, “I mean where is she going right now?”

I replied, “Joe I think she said she was going to the Williams Center for lunch.”

“Thank you Mr. Mandes.”

He still hails me with the “Mister” a half-century later.

We have stayed in close touch during these fifty-two years. Be certain their two children, Krista and Chad, and six grands, are truly strong Christians. Joe began his career as a very successful high school coach. But comes the Calling, with God’s leading him into the ministry as Associate Pastor for the Mable White Baptist Church of Macon, followed by Joe’s becoming Senior Pastor for the Musella Baptist Church of Bibb County.

Posters. My Posters. A vial of my life lived. And more to share.

You’ll delight in the one of my delivering Col. John Glenn to the Holiday Inn on a cold winter’s night.

Or watching Dr. Margaret Mead, World’s leading anthropologist, walking right at me in the Savannah Air Terminal with a frown on her face. S

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look around

Ogeechee Tech Renames its Natural Resources Building for Late Senator Jack Hill On April 29th in a late afternoon ceremony, Ogeechee Technical College renamed its Natural Resources Building for the late Georgia Senator Jack Hill in front of a gathering that included faculty, staff, alumni, friends, students, state government officials, and members of Hill’s family.

Formerly known as the Natural Resources Building, the 60,000 sq. ft. facility houses the Agribusiness, Fish & Wildlife Management, and Conservation Law programs, along with the college’s Adult Education program.

Ogeechee Tech’s Economic Development Division is also headquartered in the building. The building which also has generous rental space available to book for events, will now be known as the Jack Hill Building.

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Mrs. Nona S. Taylor 04.15.21 Mr. Joseph Michael “Mike” Tucker 05.16.21 Mr. Roger Vandenbosch, Jr. 05.01.21 Mr. Harry Warren 05.13.21 Ms. Frankie Joyce McClendon Waters 03.24.21 Mr. Michael Corey Waters 05.26.21 Mr. Hugh Reginald Waters, Jr. 05.04.21 Ms. Alicia Nicole Wiggins 04.07.21

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Mrs. Loretta Mae “Rita” Wiggins 03.19.21 Mrs. Mary Hendrix Wiggins 04.27.21 Mrs. Carolyn Wright 04.07.21

July/August 2021

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Statesboro’s favorite place to retire since 1988 We boast being the region’s only community to offer a National Board Certified Assisted Living Executive Director as well as a National Board Certified Adult Nurse Practitioner to meet the needs our families, residents, and employees.

With 45 private rooms in addition to a large spacious sun room, lobby and lifestyle center, our Residents and Families will agree we are the very finest in retirement living.

Call us for lunch and a tour at 912.681.2686 or visit us online at southernmanorstatesboro.com 90 statesboromagazine.com

July/August 2021

Thank You Bulloch County Educators!

FROM CITIZENS BANK OF THE SOUTH www.cbots.com https://www.facebook.com/citizensbankofthesouthstatesboro/ https://www.instagram.com/citizensbankstatesboro/

425 Commerce Drive Statesboro, Georgia 30461 912.871.2971

Local insight. Financial strength.

Serving Statesboro for 120 years.

Statesboro is on the rise, and we’re proud to be part of it. Here’s where our enthusiasm for elevating our customers, valuable local insight, and strength of financial services uniquely position us to meet almost any personal or business banking need. We’re glad to have been your neighbor now for well over a century. If we don’t see you in one of our branches, we’re sure to see you around town. synovus.com/statesboro

Synovus Bank, Member FDIC.