Statesboro Magazine - July/August 2023

JOHN PARRISH & THE BIRDMEN OF BULLOCH

Georgia doesn’t need college graduates who just l show up for work. We thrive with graduates who will truly contribute and leave their mark on our state, on the world.

At Georgia Southern University, we believe in skills AND service. That means our students get instruction…but they also get involved. We make sure they get the hands-on training to be leaders in their field. It also means they learn to contribute to their communities and make Georgia a better place to live.

Eagles are ready to give back. Ready to roll up their sleeves. Ready to dig in. Ready to make a difference.

Because at Georgia Southern, READY is what we do.

Visit GeorgiaSouthern.edu

What other town of our size can boast of three halls of higher learning? Statesboro is home to nationally renowned Carnegie research institution – Georgia Southern University - ranked by US News & World Report as one of “America’s Best Colleges.” East Georgia State College, once a two-year institution, now offers limited 4-year degrees. Ogeechee Technical College trains our local workforce offering degrees, certificates, and diplomas ranging from cybersecurity to wildlife management; forensics to funeral services.

In fact, OTC’s Cybersecurity Program is one of the few offered by technical colleges in Georgia! This issue includes stories on OTC’s 3-year-old nationally award-winning Cybersecurity Program and its lead instructor, Terry Hand. Find out about his unique classroom style and the students who are being employed before they can even graduate!

You’ll also get to meet one of Bulloch County’s Birdmen. Two bird books, written 250 years apart, titled “Birds of Georgia” were authored by naturalists John Abbot (1751 – 1839), and John Parrish (1941 - ). Their story tells of the joy of listening to bird songs and identifying back yard birds. What’s the largest bird seen in Bulloch County? Find out inside.

There’s one woman in Statesboro who takes daycare to a whole other level.

Inside we talk with Michelle Smith Lank, owner of Kid’s World Learning Center, a child development center recognized by the state of Georgia as a model, and Lank as a mentor for new daycare center owners throughout the state. She shares her passion for children and her success with us.

Inside you’ll also find everything you need to know about the Bulloch County Board of Education in their 2023 Annual Report. Keep your guide handy for back-to-school information and statistics on our area schools’ progress.

In another special section OTC gives us a look at their year with eight pages of exciting announcements and plans they have for the future in workforce development.

“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn,” said Benjamin Franklin.

Enjoy!

Jenny Foss, Editor

ESTABLISHED MARCH 1, 2000

Jenny Starling Foss

Editor

Joe McGlamery Publisher

Hunter McCumber

Senior Creative Director

Ashton Brown Director of Sales & Marketing

Frank Fortune

Contributing Photographer

Statesboro Magazine is proudly produced by:

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ABOUT THE COVER

From song lyrics to lesson plans, we’re taught, “Children are the future.”

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.

Lazar Brown Oglesby

Lazar Brown Oglesby is the owner of Honey Catering and Dolan’s BBQ both 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. Visit her at Dolan’s & Honey’s new location on South Main Street.

Rev. John Waters

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.

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 StatesboroMagazine. Doy Cave is the Marketing Content Manager in the Office of Marketing and Communications at the University, and resides with his family in Statesboro.

Frank Fortune

The future is on our cover engaging in learning play. A sensory experience that reinforces their learning about dinosaurs. Three of her students are captured here playing favorites with the Tyrannosaurus Rex by award winning photographer Frank Fortune #TheFortuneImage.

JOHN PARRISH

Since 2005, John Waters has been the lead pastor of First Baptist Church Statesboro. Raised in a military family, he spent his childhood years in Tokyo, Japan, and Selma, Alabama. He earned a master’s degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and a doctorate from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. As a teenager, he once worked a weekend as a circus clown but now enjoys collecting fountain pens, reading across many genres, and visiting the great cathedrals of the world. His wife, Cynthia, is a retired elementary school teacher, and they have two married adult daughters and five grandchildren.

Frank is the national award winning freelance photographer who holds the distinction of shooting 24 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 Jack and Cate.

& THE BIRDMEN OF BULLOCH

WORLD with MICHELLE SMITH LANK

Lauren Davis Lakeisha Howard

Lisa Jacobs

Barbara Gibson

Marjorie Kennedy

Sam Dipolito

Billy Allen

Tim Montgomery

James Lawson

Sam Butler

FRIDAYS – TUESDAYS

STATESBORO MAIN STREET MARKET2GO

FRIDAYS – TUESDAYS @ 10:00 P.M.

STATESBORO MAIN STREET MARKET2GO

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. Shop online Friday – Tuesday at 10:00 p.m. @ https:// 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.

EVERY SATURDAY!

STATESBORO MAIN STREET FARMERS MARKET

9:00 A.M. – 12:30 P.M.

FREE, FUN, FAMILY EVENT!

222 SOUTH MAIN STREET

NEW EVENT VENUE: VISIT STATESBORO WELCOME CENTER

Enjoy 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 at Statesboro’s Main Street Farmers Market. Savor homemade products from jellies to jerky; from honey to muffins. Plus, Craft & Jewelry vendors and food trucks! Applications for the 2023 Statesboro Main Street Farmers Market are here! If you are interested in signing up to become a vendor at the Saturday market or online at Market2Go, follow the link below and download an application and the 2023 Market Guidelines. You can also pick up an application in person at the Visit Statesboro! office located at 222 South Main St.

JULY 4

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!

JULY 6

SWINGIN’ MEDALLIONS LIVE!

SUMMER CONCERT SERIES

6:00 P.M. – 8:30 P.M.

FREE, FUN, FAMILY EVENT!

EAST MAIN STREET/COURTHOUS e

The 2023 City of Statesboro Summer Concert Series is the first of its kind. The intent is to establish a local community event that will generate excitement and draw visitors to the downtown Statesboro area. The Concert Series’ will include fun-filled events for senior adults, young adults, teens, and youth, including live entertainment, dancing, and food concessions. Each concert will be located on East Main Street in front of the Bulloch County Courthouse central to the downtown area.

JULY 1

FIRECRACKER FEST

5:00 P.M. – 10:00 P.M.

FREE, FUN, FAMILY EVENT!

MILL CREEK REGIONAL PARK

GEORGIA SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY STATESBORO CAMPUS

Enjoy inflatables, vendors, frog jumping contest, live music, fireworks, and food vendors throughout the park!

JULY 11 – 13

SHARK WEEK!

1:00 P.M. – 5:00 P.M.

$4/PERSON FREE/ CHILDREN 3 & UNDER/MUSEUM MEMBERS/STUDENTS

GEORGIA SOUTHERN MUSEUM

Learn more about shark anatomy and how sharks are different from other fishes in the sea with these activities presented by the Center for STEM Education. This activity will be held in the Georgia Southern Museum’s classroom and is included with admission.

2023 July & August

JULY 15

JAWS ON SWEETHEART CIRCLE

8:30 P.M. – 11:00 P.M.

FREE, FUN, FAMILY EVENT!

GEORGIA SOUTHERN MUSEUM

We’re wrapping up Shark Week with a FREE outdoors screening of the 1975 movie JAWS on Sweetheart Circle. Food truck vendors, BoroSno and Saucy Shrimp will be on hand with food for purchase. The museum will also be offering extended hours from 5;00 p.m. –10:00 p.m. Guests can arrive earlier to visit the museum, get snacks, and pick out the perfect spot to watch the movie! Bring a blanket or lawn chair!

JULY 20

LIQUID PLEASURE BAND

CITY OF STATESBORO SUMMER CONCERT SERIES

6:00 P.M. – 8:30 P.M.

FREE, FUN, FAMILY EVENT!

EAST MAIN STREET/COURTHOUSE

The 2023 City of Statesboro Summer Concert Series is the first of its kind. The intent is to establish a local community event that will generate excitement and draw visitors to the downtown Statesboro area. The Concert Series’ targeted audience will include funfilled events for senior adults, young adults, teens, and youth, including live entertainment, dancing, and food concessions.

Each concert will be located on East Main Street in front of the Bulloch County Courthouse central to the downtown area.

JULY 21 - 23

FINDING NEMO JR. SUMMER THEATER SHOW

7:00 P.M. – 9:00 P.M. FRIDAY

3:00 P.M. SATURDAY & SUNDAY

$20/PERSON

$18/MEMBERS/MILITARY/FIRST RESPONDERS/CITY & COUNTY EMPLOYEES

$16/STUDENTS

$3 PROCESSING FEE ADDED TO ALL TICKETS

EMMA KELLY THEATER, AVERITT CENTER FOR THE ARTS

JULY 14 – 16

FINDING NEMO JR. SUMMER YOUTH THEATER SHOW

7:00 P.M. – 9:00 P.M. FRIDAY

3:00 P.M. SATURDAY & SUNDAY

$20/PERSON

$18/MEMBERS/MILITARY/FIRST RESPONDERS/CITY & COUNTY EMPLOYEES

$16/STUDENTS | $3/PROCESSING FEE ADDED TO ALL TICKETS

EMMA KELLY THEATER, AVERITT CENTER FOR THE ARTS

Disney’s Finding Nemo Jr. is a 60-minute musical adaptation of the beloved 2003 Pixar movie Finding Nemo, with new music by award-winning songwriting team Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez. Marlin, an anxious and over-protective clownfish, lives in the Great Barrier Reef with his kid Nemo, who longs to explore the world beyond their anemone home. But when Nemo is captured and taken to Sydney, Marlin faces his fears and sets off on an epic adventure across the ocean. With the help of lovable characters such as optimistic Dory, laid-back sea turtle Crush, and the supportive Tank Gang, Marlin and Nemo both overcome challenges on their journey to find each other and themselves. Featuring memorable songs such as “Just Keep Swimming,” “Fish Are Friends Not Food,” and “Go with the Flow,” Finding Nemo JR. brings a vibrant underwater world to life on stage in a story full of family, friendship, and adventure.

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

AUGUST 4

10TH ANNUAL ROCKIN’ OUT ALZHEIMER’S BENEFIT CONCERT

FEATURING JUMPING JACK FLASH – ROLLING STONES TRIBUTE BAND

6:30 P.M.

$25/PERSON

THE BLUE ROOM, STATESBORO

ALL PROCEEDS WILL GO TO BENEFIT THE ROCKIN’ OUT ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE FOUNDATION

The R.O.A.D Foundation proudly presents its 10th annual concert, featuring The Rolling Stones Tribute Band: Jumping Jack Flash! Save the date for August 4th at Blue Room, tickets are on sale now. All proceeds support education and research towards the Alzheimer’s Foundation. Email The ROAD Foundation if you are interested in sponsoring or donating! Contact: info@rockinoutalzheimers.org. „

AUGUST 12

DANCE THRU THE DECADES

BENEFITTING THE SENIOR COMPANION PROGRAM

7:00 P.M. – 10:00 P.M.

$35/PERSON

THE MARKET AT VISIT STATESBORO!

222 SOUTH MAIN STREET

Come party and dance the night away at the first annual Dance Thru The Decades! Take a step back in time with decor from all of your favorite decades! Live music will be featured by The Ripleys Band. Food will be served by Dolan’s Bar B Que. There will be an auction and several prizes. All proceeds will benefit the GSU Senior Companion Program.

AUGUST 17

13TH ANNUAL TASTING STATESBORO THE UNITED WAY

5:30 P.M.

$25/PERSON IN ADVANCE

$30/AT THE DOOR

$15/KIDS 6 – 10

FREE FOR KIDS 5 AND UNDER

THE FOXHALL

This signature event is an opportunity to sample dishes from over 30 local restaurants while supporting a worthy cause! Tasters experience a wide variety of food ranging in cuisines and have their 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, establishments from around the area have participated in the event to promote their menus ranging from breakfast, lunch, dinner, and appetizers to desserts, coffee, beer, and wine!

Best of all, all proceeds from the event directly benefit local charities. If you need a child’s ticket, please contact the United Way office at 912.489.8475 or ccassedy@unitedwaysega.org. For more information about sponsoring or being a vendor contact ccassedy@unitedwaysega.org

AUGUST 19

23RD ANNUAL BROOKLET PEANUT 5K

BENEFITTING SE BULLOCH HS CROSS COUNTRY & TRACK TEAMS

6:00 A.M. – 7:00 A.M. PACKET PICK-UP

7:15 A.M. – RUN START

8:30 A.M. - AWARDS CEREMONY

$20/REGISTER THROUGH JUNE 30.

$25/REGISTER JULY 1 – AUGUST 5

$30/RACE DAY REGISTRATION

BROOKLET ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

600 WEST LANE STREET, BROOKLET

Packet Pickup: Last chance registration and race packet pickup will be available on Fri. Aug.18th between 4:00p.m. & 7:00p.m. in front of the Brooklet Elementary School. This years’ race will be limited to 500 runners.

About the Run & Course: The run ambles through the picturesque streets of Brooklet, GA. The course is flat & fast. In years past the course has been certified, however the certification expired in 2014. Race organizers have been attempting to re-certify the course however due to very few people available to certify the course we cannot guarantee a certification by race date. The course will be well marked and guided by a lead bicycler. Due to the August heat the run will begin promptly at 7:15A.M. It is imperative that all participants wear their assigned race Bib# on their front and visible at all times as timing will be by this number. This is a great run for the entire family at a great value. – Teams welcome!

AUGUST 26

INAUGURAL GRAPE FESTIVAL

10:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.

TWIN OAKS VINEYARD

305 KENNEY POND ROAD, STATESBORO

Come out for the start of a great new tradition! There will be grape picking, hay rides, bouncy houses, and water slides! Fun for the whole family! S

W E ' R E T H E H E A R T O F

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GS Names David Owen as New Dean of the College of Arts and Humanities

David Owen, Ph.D., will join Eagle Nation on July 1st to serve as the new Dean of the College of Arts and Humanities (CAH).

“I am pleased to welcome David to Georgia Southern as the next generation of leadership for the College of Arts and Humanities,” said Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Carl Reiber, Ph.D. “David brings with him a wealth of knowledge and understanding in analytical and philosophical foundations that will prepare our students for vital roles in their professional communities.”

Owen comes to Georgia Southern from the University of Louisville, where he has served as the interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences since 2020. Among his many achievements, he transitioned the college to a new enrollment-based budget model, led the development of a three-year retention plan, and led morale improvement efforts in the College.

While interim dean, Owen oversaw a budget of $62 million, including $4.8 million in funded research grants and a fundraising campaign that raised $4.3 million in 2021-2022. Prior to becoming interim dean, he was the chairperson of the Department of Philosophy at the University of Louisville. He is a three-time alumnus of the University of Illinois at Chicago, where he received his B.A., M.A. and Ph.D.

“I am truly excited to be joining Georgia Southern as dean of the College of Arts and Humanities,” said Owen. “In my meetings, I found the faculty and staff of the College to be extraordinarily talented, and deeply committed to student success. The importance of the arts and humanities to a vibrant civic culture has never been more clear, and I look forward to working with the faculty and staff in CAH, Provost Reiber, colleagues from across campus, and alumni and friends of the college to advance the impact CAH has on students’ lives, on the wider community, and on civic culture.”

NASPA Recognizes President Kyle Marrero, Jodi Kennedy in Latest Round of Awards

The NASPA (Student Affairs Professionals in Higher Education) Region III has selected Georgia Southern University President Kyle Marrero and Leadership and Community Engagement Director Jodi Kennedy for two of its organizational awards.

Marrero was selected for the NASPA Region III President’s Award, which recognizes a university president that consistently provides support for student affairs staff and initiatives and advances the quality of student life on campus. Additionally, the award recipient must be recognized by all constituencies, particularly by students and student affairs professionals, as having special interest in student life for a significant period of time.

Kennedy received the James E. Scott Mid-Level Student Affairs Professional Award, which recognizes mid-level, senior-level or associate vice president-level student affairs professionals who develop programs that address student needs and create a campus environment that promotes student learning and development.

Kennedy and Marrero were also recognized at the NASPA Region III Symposium in Orlando, Florida, in June.

NASPA Region III encompasses the states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia; the Central American country of Mexico; the Caribbean Islands of the Bahamas, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago; the Bermuda Islands; the African countries of Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa; the Eastern European country of Bulgaria; the Middle Eastern countries of Kuwait, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates; and the East Asian countries of Taiwan and Japan.

2500-Student School Planned for SE Bulloch Board Approves Expanding Career Academy Offerings

The Bulloch County Board of Education has unanimously approved phase one of its longterm facilities plan which includes an initial 2,500 capacity high school for Southeast Bulloch that will be expandable to 3,000 students, as well as implementation of a district career academy concept that includes all three of the district’s high schools.

A long-term facilities strategy discussion was the topic of the Board’s June 22nd work session. To help guide the discussions, Superintendent of Schools Charles Wilson presented the Board with its feedback from a facilities survey and reviewed population projections that had been previously presented to the Board by County Manager Tom Couch as well as student enrollment projections and available funding resources.

Information provided by Couch on March 23rd, shows that Census Tract 1107 in the Southeast Bulloch area is projected to have a 62% population increase by 2030 and an additional 13% by 2040. Wilson used this information to project enrollment growth for the entire Southeast Bulloch area as well as other information provided by Couch to project student enrollment growth in the Statesboro and Portal areas at an 18% and 12% growth for the same time frame.

David Owen, Ph.D.

President Kyle Marrero

Jodi Kennedy

Georgia Southern Recognizes Exemplary Donors at 2023 Gratitude Gala

Georgia Southern University recently hosted its annual Gratitude Gala to recognize key donors for their longtime support of institutional initiatives.

“The people in this room represent Georgia Southern’s most loyal alumni, friends, faculty, staff, corporations and foundations, each of whom has given $25,000 or more to the University, equipping our mission of helping students reach their academic and career goals,” said Trip Addison, vice president for University Advancement, to the crowd.

“Because of supporters like you, more than $3 million in scholarships were awarded this year,” he continued. “Over the past few years, we have also experienced record years in charitable support, proving that our alumni and friends believe in what Georgia Southern is doing and the impact it will have on our campus, community and state.”

The 2023 recipients, who were honored on March 31 at the JW Marriott Plant Riverside in Savannah, are:

2023 PRESIDENT’S VISIONARY HONOREE: DON AND CINDY WATERS

Don and Cindy met at Armstrong State University. Don, a 1975 graduate in accounting, attended law school and served as CEO of Brasseler USA until his retirement in 2016. Cindy, a 1976 graduate in management and finance, enjoyed a career in logistics. In 2013, Don was appointed by Gov. Nathan Deal to serve on the Georgia Board of Regents, which enabled him to advocate on behalf of Armstrong State and Georgia Southern. Don and Cindy’s vision of advancing health education in the Southeast led them to provide the funding to name the University’s Waters College of Health Professions. Through their naming of the Waters College, endowments were established which allow the institution to have scholarship opportunities for students and professional development opportunities for faculty.

2023 PRESIDENT’S AMBASSADOR AWARD: JULIAN AND FRANCES DEAL

Julian, a 1960 graduate in business education, and Frances, a 1967 graduate in business, have been loyal supporters and ambassadors of Georgia Southern for the last 40 years.

2023 PRESIDENT’S INNOVATOR AWARD: DAVID AND FAYEBETH BALL

Through the vision and generous gifts of David, a former restaurateur, and his brothers, Warren and Lamar, the University’s Center for Wildlife Education and Lamar Q Ball, Jr. Raptor Center was created in 1997. The site not only offers a home to Georgia Southern’s feathered friends, including the University’s live bald eagle mascot, Freedom, but it has grown into one of the leading environmental education facilities in Georgia.

2023 LEGACY SOCIETY AWARD: BRIAN AND BILLIE SNELL, M.D.

Brian and Billie met at Georgia Southern in the late 1970’s. Brian graduated in 1978 with an accounting degree and Billie earned a degree in biology in 1979. They moved to Augusta, where Brian earned an MBA while Billie attended the Medical College of Georgia. Their careers took them to Gadsden, Alabama, where Billie joined the Gadsden Pediatric Clinic and Brian’s career in pharmaceuticals flourished. Yet, they always remained loyal to Georgia Southern University and have supported many departments on campus.

White and Motes First Students to Win Bulloch County Historical Society Scholarships

This year the Bulloch County Historical Society’s Board of Directors voted to use monies donated to the Society in honor or memory of area citizens as funding for scholarships for qualifying area high school seniors. Students were invited to choose from two topics to write an essay on history, and were judged by their entries and their academic and extra-curricular activities. The inaugural winners of the two 2023 scholarships were area seniors Avery White and Marlie Motes.

White is an honor graduate of Statesboro High School where she was a member of the Beta Club and the National Honor Society. She completed high school honors courses in History, World History, and American Government/Civics. Through joint enrollment at Georgia Southern, she has completed History and Political Science. White has volunteered with Feed the Boro and Compassion Church’s Kid’s Ministry. She plans to attend the University of Georgia in the fall. White is the daughter of Johnny and Melanie White. Her chosen essay topic asked “If you could travel to another moment in history, when and where would you like to go? Why? Take us there.” She wrote about witnessing the first airplane taking flight; the Wright brothers first manned aircraft at Kitty Hawk, N.C.

Motes is valedictorian of Portal Middle & High School where she was a member of Beta Club and the National Technical Honors Society, FFA, and FCCLA. She is a graduate of Youth Leadership Bulloch. She has completed with honors American Government/Civics and World History. Since 2021 Motes has been joint enrolled at Ogeechee Technical College. This fall she plans to transfer to East Georgia State College in Statesboro. Motes has volunteered with the Portal Food Drive and Community Clean-Up, ARtsFest, Statesboro Food Bank and Portal United Methodist Church. She is the daughter of Travis and Mandy Motes. Her chosen essay topic “If you could have a conversation in a quiet corner of Starbucks with some famous Georgian, whom would you choose and what would you like to learn from her or him?” Motes chose fellow Georgian and baseball great Jackie Robinson, who broke racial barriers by becoming the first African American to play Major League Baseball.

Both White and Motes were recognized as winners at their respective school’s Honors Nights and at the annual meeting of the Bulloch County Historical Society held at Pittman Park Fellowship Hall on Monday, June 26th. „

Pictured (L-R): Georgia Southern President Kyle Marrero, Brian Snell, Billie Snell, M.D., Don Waters, Cindy Waters, Fayebeth Ball, David Ball and Georgia Southern Vice President for University Advancement Trip Addison. *Not pictured - Julian and Frances Deal.

Avery White

Marlie Motes

Boykin Promoted to Assistant Superintendent of Business Services at Board of Education

Veland Appointed Interim Principal

Brad Boykin, a principal in the Bulloch County School System, has been promoted to assistant superintendent of business services, as part of personnel recommendations approved unanimously by the Board of Education during its called session on May 23rd.

“I am appreciative to Superintendent Charles Wilson and the Board of Education for giving me the opportunity to carry on amazing work at the district level,” Boykin said.

Boykin, who has been an administrator at Southeast Bulloch Middle School (SEBMS) for six years, was selected from a pool of well qualified applicants from inside and outside the district. Todd Veland, Ed.D., a veteran administrator and a current school improvement director for the district, will serve as SEBMS’s interim principal for the 2023-2024 school year until a new administrator is hired.

Boykin will assume his new role on June 1st, following the retirement of his predecessor, Troy Brown, who served the district for 29 years. The Office of Business Services oversees the district’s transportation, school nutrition, accounting, procurement, payroll, facilities maintenance, information technology, school safety, and human resources departments.

Boykin, a 15-year educator, has served Bulloch County Schools since 2014, when he first came to the district to teach fourth-grade math at Sallie Zetterower Elementary School after teaching six years in Screven County. This summer he will defend his dissertation in order to complete his doctorate in education leadership from Georgia Southern University. This will make him a quadruple Eagle, as he also obtained a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, a master’s degree in instructional technology, and a specialist degree in educational leadership from the University.

During his time as a classroom teacher, Boykin served as a grade-level chairman and was active in school improvement teams, school councils and school safety committees. He was accepted to Bulloch County Schools’ Aspiring Leaders program in its second cohort, which met from April 2016 to February 2017. He completed the program which is designed to prepare and support employees who aspire to future leadership roles within the school district.

As a school-level administrator, Boykin successfully managed the business and education operations of the district’s third largest school, with a student enrollment of nearly 800 and a staff of 80. He led data analysis training for teachers to help them identify and better address the academic needs of students. He also dealt with student discipline, building and grounds, school safety and helped work toward school improvement goals. Throughout his tenure at Southeast Bulloch Middle, the school experienced academic gains in mathematics, English language arts, science, and social studies. He is an experienced supervisor that has recruited new and veteran teachers to support the fastest growing area of our community.

Boykin had the opportunity to personally introduce Dr. Veland to the SEBMS faculty and staff on May 26th during a faculty meeting at the school. Veland, who has 11 years of experience as a school principal and district school improvement director, came to Bulloch County in 2019, to lead the district’s multi-tiered system of supports after serving 18 years in Evans County as a teacher and administrator. He served as principal of Claxton Elementary School for four years, Claxton High School for two years, and the interim principal for Langston Chapel Middle School during the 2020-2021 school year.

OTHER LEADERSHIP ANNOUNCEMENTS

Three of the district’s four middle schools will have new principals for the 2023-2024 school year. At its April 13th meeting the Board of Education approved the hiring of Willie Robinson, Ed.D., to be LCMS’s principal and John McAfee, Ed.D., to be William James Middle School’s principal beginning July 1st.

Other personnel recommendations which were also approved unanimously by the Board of Education during its called session on May 23rd, included Desiree Yaeger as school nutrition director and Joshua Mattos as technology director. At the Board’s April 27th work session, Dawn Tysinger, Ed.D. was approved to fill the newly created position of executive director of student wellness and support, along with Jeff Tysinger, Ph.D., NCSP, to replace Leslie Schlierf, the retiring executive director of special education, in a retitled role as the executive director of compliance and program evaluation.

Georgia Southern Announces Huggins, Ph.D., as New Dean of the College of Science and Mathematics

Michael Huggins, Ph.D., will join Georgia Southern University on August 1st as the Dean of the College of Science and Mathematics.

“I am excited to welcome Dr. Huggins to our academic leadership,” said Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Carl Reiber, Ph.D.

“Dr. Huggins has a distinguished career filled with research, service and mentorship. He will be a valuable partner as we move forward with our leadership goals. He brings with him the working knowledge of how to lead a college, along with the foundations needed to advance our research mission.”

Huggins comes to Georgia Southern from Tarleton State University, where he has served as a dean since 2020. He led three academic departments with nine undergraduate degree programs and three master’s degree programs.

While serving as dean at Tarleton State, Huggins established a $15 million College of Science and Mathematics (COSM) fundraising initiative. He also led efforts to improve COSM First-Time-In-College (FTIC) retention rates resulting in an improvement from 67.3% COSM FTIC retention for the Fall 2019 cohort to 71.7% retention rate for the Fall 2021 COSM FTIC cohort; a 6.5% improvement in just two years.

“I am excited to join the Georgia Southern team,” Huggins said. “I look forward to working with the faculty and staff to develop initiatives that support the growth of the College of Science and Mathematics and to ensure the success for all students during their time at the University and beyond.”

Huggins holds a B.S. in Chemistry from the University of West Florida, a Ph.D. in Chemistry from University of Nevada, Reno and completed his postdoctoral at University of Texas at Austin. He is also a graduate from the Harvard University Institute for Management and Leadership in Education. S

Brad Boykin

Todd Veland, Ed.D.

Michael Huggins, Ph.D.

INFANT/TODDLER SUITE

A nurturing environment for your little ones to grow and explore.

PRESCHOOLERS

Stimulating curriculum and dedicated teachers fostering a love for discovery.

GEORGIA PREK PROGRAM

Prepare your child for success in Georgia’s funded PreK program.

PRIVATE KINDERGARTEN

Individualized attention and a strong academic foundation.

SUMMER TRANSITION PREK

Keep the learning momentum going during the summer.

SUMMER CAMP

Adventure-filled days with exciting activities, field trips, and friendships.

BEFORE & AFTER SCHOOL

A safe and enriching environment for school-age children.

OUR COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE

• Nutritious Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and snacks prepared by our talented Chef Jamel.

• Private Playgrounds: Four ageappropriate outdoor spaces for active play and exploration.

• Quality Rated Accreditation: 3-Star rated since 2012, ensuring high standards.

• NAEYC Accredited: Recognized for our commitment to quality early childhood education.

Michelle Smith Lank & Kids World Learning Center

WRITTEN BY JENNY STARLING FOSS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY FRANK FORTUNE

Her mom, Maria Smith, says she played teacher when she was little. Plus, she has aunts who are teachers. And, her father is a retired Army drill sergeant. With that pedigree, it’s clear to see how Michelle Smith Lank ended up with one of Georgia’s model early child development centers.

Kids World Learning Center was started by the late Frances Bradley of the Adabelle community. In 2005, Bradley was preparing to sell the business to another individual.

“My own children, Jasmyn and Jamel, went to Mrs. Bradley’s daycare and I asked her to call me if the plans to sell to that person changed,” said Lank.

Back then, the learning center occupied one house with a fenced-in yard. Since purchasing the business, Lank has expanded to practically a city block of childcare at 367, 369, and 371 Savannah Avenue, and 32 Lindberg Street.

“When I opened the center, there were several areas in which we needed to update and improve,” said Lank. “We implemented progressive programming and demand grew for exceptional daycare. I love the challenge of taking something old and making it into something new.”

From the time Lank purchased the center, she worked to meet and exceed industry standards. „

I love the challenge of taking something old and making it into something new.

Michelle Smith Lank

“It took two years for us to reach All Exceeds from our state inspections,” said Lank. “We fixed everything and created curriculum according to the Georgia Department of Early Care & Learning ‘s ‘Bright from the Start’ programming.”

Lank disdains the daycare models that offer little more than babysitting services for parents. Having been a single Mom herself, she values the parental support she is able to give, and the programming recommended by the state which includes child care services, child care and parent services, Early Head Start partnership, Georgia’s Pre-K, Head Start, Nutrition, Instructional Support, Professional Learning, Summer Transition Program and Quality Rating.

“I think it’s important to meet and exceed those standards with an inhouse ‘Core of Values,’” said Lank. “Number one is family first. Number two is community partnerships, and number three is quality matters. Everything is based on these values. I have great expectations. I think it is important to strengthen the link between parents and children and set the foundation for education, nurturing and high-quality standards.”

Lank keeps up with the latest in childcare through her many associations. She is past president of the Board of Directors of the Georgia Childcare Association, where she is currently the VP of Marketing. She was the Georgia GOAL winner for Bulloch County and now sits on the Planning Committee of the Technical College System of Georgia’s Board of Directors. She is one of 14 delegates chosen from Georgia and the only one outside of Atlanta by the U.S. Small Business Administration’s T.H.R.I.V.E. Emerging Leaders Reimagined program. T.H.R.I.V.E. stands for Train. Hope. Rise. Innovate. Venture. Elevate. – “an executive-level training series designed to accelerate the growth of high-potential small businesses across the United States.” She was chair of the Business & Workforce Committee of the Statesboro/Bulloch Chamber of Commerce for two years. And, she and Tony Phillips were voted as Fan Favorites in the Safe Haven fundraiser, Dancing with the Statesboro Stars.

“My state affiliations have helped me with the bigger picture in childcare,” said Lank. “They make it possible for me to travel and get a larger perspective for the Center, and give me the opportunity to share best practices and learn from others in the profession.”

Lank believes in training her staff the Kid’s World way. She expects them to be teaching meaningfully, and pouring into the families.

“If I keep that in mind, all else will fall into place,” Lank said.

Each day begins with greeting the children, then a warm breakfast followed by group time and learning. Then there’s outside time and afterwards a hot lunch. Lunch is followed by story time, nap time and afternoon activities. There’s still a recess in the afternoon and then the children are dismissed for the day.

“At staff meetings in January and July I asked my staff to choose a word for the year,” said Lank. “This year they chose ‘Aspiring.’”

They’ve been aspiring for greatness by bringing in a diversity of programs to benefit the children.

There’s a garden on property so the children can see how their food is grown. They supplement the meal program with locally grown foods, whole wheat and whole grain products. Vegan and gluten free children are accommodated.

There is a ‘celebrity’ reading program where people such as the late Senator Jack Hill and current Senator Billy Hickman read books to children. The Bulloch County School’s Book Bus makes visits to allow children to choose free books.

There are no TVs in the centers. The staff holds and talks to infants about colors and numbers and reads to them. There are lesson plans for all ages.

Lank was one of the first to go through Governor Kemp’s Language & Literacy Program. Kid’s World was the first in the state to become quality rated by Bright from the Start.

“Now we’re a mentor site for the state,” said Lank. “New owners tour our

facilities and observe our programming as a model. Consultants, state testing professionals, someone is always observing.”

Lank offers classes for parents as well through ZOOM, such as Effective Guidance for Children. She asks parents what methods they use and gives them guidance.

“I love being a resource,” she said. “There are so many family dynamics: grandparents, traditional parents, new parents, divorced parents, non-traditional parents. We hope to be a resource and to offer support to our parents.”

The Center has three classes of Infants/ Toddlers: Infant A, Infant B, and Toddler 1.

“To me the most important stage is infancy,” said Lank. “We spend time with the babies. We teach through play for positive outcomes.”

If there’s a crying baby that can’t be settled, staff members call Michelle.

“I’m the Baby Whisperer,” she said. “I love filling the children’s day with joy, it’s an expression of the passion I have for what we do. Our burden is heavy – responsibility for so many – children, parents, the state, etc. We take that responsibility seriously. Our goal at Kid’s World is to always send our kids home better than when they arrived.” S

Number one is family first. Number two is community partnerships, and number three is quality matters. Everything is based on these values.

Michelle Smith Lank

ANNUAL REPORT

FISCAL YEAR 2023-2024

BULLOCH COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION

Voting District 1

Glenn Womack, Chairman lwomack@bullochschools.org

Term: 1/1/2021 - 12/31/2024

Voting District 2

Elizabeth Williams, Vice-Chairman ewilliams@bullochschools.org

912.682.2615 (H)

Term: 1/1/2023 to 12/31/2026

Voting District 3

Stuart Tedders, Ph.D. stedders@bullochschools.org

912.478.1922 (W)

Term 1/1/2017 - 12/31/2024

Board of Education Meetings

Voting District 4

Donna Clifton dclifton@bullochschools.org

912.536.3466 (C) 1/1/2023 - 12/31/2026

Voting District 5 Glennera Martin gmartinsugarhill@yahoo.com

912.531.1332 (C)

Term: 1/1/2015 – 12/31/2026

Voting District 6

Jimmy “Jay” Cook, Jr. jlcook@bullochschools.org

912.512.3796 (H)

Term: 1/1/2015 - 12/31/2026

Voting District 7

Heather Mims hdmims@bullochschools.org

912.541.3514 (H)

Term: 1/1/2017- 12/31/2024

Voting District 8

Maurice Hill hillmaurice@yahoo.com

912.764.7134 (W & H)

Term 1/1/2005 - 12/31/2024

Board Secretary

Mary Henley

912.212.8500 mhenley@bullochschools.org

Board email: boe@bullochschools.org

Open Records Requests

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

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.

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

Bruce, Matthews & LaVoie 102 South Main Street Statesboro, GA 30458 912.764.9889

Key Issues Forum

An online source of for answers to frequently asked questions, information, and feedback www.bullochschools.org/keyissues

Charles Wilson,

912-212-8500

cwilson@bullochschools.org

“Public education is foundational to our values as a nation and a community. At Bulloch County Schools, we strive daily to make a positive impact on our students so that they learn to their potential and become contributing members of society.”

- Superintendent Charles Wilson

Bulloch County Board of Education

2023-2024 – Pictured Standing (L-R): Stuart Tedders, Ph.D.; Glenn Womack; Jimmy “Jay” Cook; and Maurice Hill. Seated (L-R): Elizabeth Williams, Donna Clifton, Glennera Martin, and Heather Mims. Superintendent of Schools

Ed.S., MBA, CPA

STRATEGIC

FOCUS

Vision

Bulloch County Schools will prepare its students to be contributing members of society, based upon their interests and abilities, to pursue the work 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.

Mission

Provide work and career readiness pathways for students

Empower a collaborative team committed to the vision and mission of the district

Work and Career Readiness

Provide guidance and support, commensurate with our core values, for students

Collect and utilize appropriate and necessary information resources

the culture and learning environment of the district

Provide differentiated learning opportunities for our students

Provide foundational skills development for our students

Continue to ensure that the district remains compliant with laws and regulations

Community Resourcefulness

NATIONAL & STATE RECOGNITIONS

SCHOOLS 15 Schools

9 Elementary Schools (PK-5)

3 Middle Schools (6-8)

2 High Schools (PK, 9-12)

1 Middle-High (6-12)

13 of the schools are Title I schools

LEARNING PROGRAMS

Transitions Learning Center (6-12)

Graduation Performance Academy (9-12)

Learners Involved in Flexible Education (9-12)

Lead Empower Adapt Pride (K-5) Cedarwood (GNETS)

FACULTY & STAFF

2,434 full-time, part-time, contracted services, seasonal and substitutes

Bulloch County’s 2nd largest employer

TRANSPORTATION

95 School Bus Routes

95 drivers, 23 bus monitors, and 6 mechanics make up our driving force

5,000+ student bus riders; Ride 2x daily

5,891 miles bus drivers travel each day

1.3 million miles bus drivers travel annually

Drivers conduct daily pre-route and postroute inspections.

Every 20 days buses are serviced & inspected by a qualified mechanic.

STUDENT MOBILITY RATE

The rate at which students transfer schools for reasons other than promotion. High mobility rates can affect student learning and disrupt faculty instruction. It was 17.10% in 2022, down from 19.10% in 2021.

AREA SCHOOL SYSTEM

MILLAGE RATES

Bulloch: 8.263

Bryan: 15.075

Candler: 14.000

Chatham 17.631

Effingham: 15.810

Emanuel: 12.960

Evans: 14.000

Jenkins: 14.875

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

62.61% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. All students in the school district are offered free breakfast. 1,739,584 meals were served to students during the 2022-2023 school year.

In the first 20 days of Bulloch County Schools’ 31-day Summer Nutrition Program for 2022-2023, the district served 36,417 meals to children. For four weeks during summer 2023, the district provided breakfast and lunch to children 18 years of age and younger through either a weekly box pick up and daily on-site meal service.

PER-PUPIL EXPENDITURES

2016: $8,383.34 • 2017: $8,511.00

2018: $8,876.00 • 2019: $9,203.00

2020: $9,733.69• 2021: $9,673.54

2022: $10,993.00

Georgia Department of Education

Southeast Bulloch High School

GA Advanced Placement Honor School

Georgia Department of Education

Brooklet Elementary School

GA Title I Distinguished School

BULLOCH COUNTY SCHOOLS AT-A-GLANCE

Bulloch County Schools

SCHOOL

Georgia Department of Early Care & Learning

Bulloch County Schools

$125,000

BULLOCH COUNTY SCHOOLS AT-A-GLANCE

STUDENT ENROLLMENT

10,942 (May 2022)

47.2% Economically Disadvantaged Students

15,8% Students with Disabilities

3.6% Students receiving English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) services

10.5% Students receiving Gifted Services

STUDENT

PK 493 K 802 1 867 2 833 3 864 4 812 5 784 6 783 7 783 8 796 9 879 10 859 11 676 12 686 ENROLLMENT BY GRADE

34.79% of students are directly certified as receiving SNAP or TANF, homeless, an unaccompanied youth, as a foster child, or child of a migrant family.

3,656 students are classified as living in poverty

STUDENT DIVERSITY

24 Nationalities

18 Languages

47.3% Caucasian

38.2% Black

7.9% Hispanic

1.7% Asian/Pacific Islander

0.2% American Indian

4.8% More than one race

GA STUDENT HEALTH SURVEY HIGHLIGHTS

Bulloch County Schools Strategic Plan Dashboard

Preparing students for success & enhancing community value

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

4-Year Cohort Graduation Rates

645

Class of 2022 graduates of whom 319 (49.46%) were eligible for HOPE scholarships.

39.7%

Percentage of graduates from the Class of 2022 who enrolled in a four-year college or university; 11.6 % enrolled in a technical college and 28.4% entered the workforce.

CLASS OF 2022 GRADUATION RATES

ACT

Class of 2022

137 School district test takers

Composite Score Avg. Bulloch - 20.76

Georgia - 21.6 United States - 19.8

SAT

Class of 2022

287 School district test takers

Mean Score Avg.

Bulloch 1041 Georgia 1060* United States 1050*

*Data from all public and private school test takers.

STRATEGIC PLAN DASHBOARD

Workforce & Career Readiness Community Resourcefulness

15

Bulloch County Schools has 15 schools and four learning centers.

10,921

Enrollment as reported by Georgia’s March 2023 full-time-equivalent (FTE) student count.

559

Number of K-5 children who were enrolled in the district’s three centrally located Summer Learning Academy sites. These were funded by the American Rescue Plan Act’s Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds.

778

In addition to the Summer Learning Academy, an additional 778 children in grades K-12 were enrolled in the Graduation Performance Academy, the English for Speakers of Other Languages Camp, and two 21st Century Communities Learning Center camps.

2

The number of new programs the district created to address the needs of students. The LIFE program serves high school students with work and physical hardships who need non-traditional options to complete their high school academic requirements. The LEAP program for elementary students is part of our multi-tiered system of support, and it is for children who need temporary, specialized help to be more successful.

30

Number of career pathways within the 13 career clusters that the school district offers students within its Career Technical & Agricultural Education program.

1,510

Number of students enrolled in at least one high school career pathway course.

467

Number of students who are dual enrolled in a post-secondary institution while in high school.

2,434

Total number of full-time, part-time, seasonal, and contracted services employees

$2,000

Georgia’s increase to the base pay salary scales for teachers and certified employees.

$2,500

Bulloch County Schools’ increase to the local salary supplement for teachers and certified employees.

$3

Bulloch County Schools’ increase to the per-hour salary for the district’s non-certified support staff.

$21,017,423

Total Maintenance & Operations Taxes levied by the school district with a millage rate of 8.263 mills.

$25,000

Funds donated by the Statesboro Kiwanis Club for the Project Eaglet learning experiences collaborative with Georgia Southern University for our K-5 learners

$95K+

The total amount of two Georgia Department of Education Opportunity Grants to increase learning opportunities in our schools for math, social studies, health, physical education and fine arts. The funds are made possible through the federal stimulus funds under the American Rescue Plan Act.

47,360

Followers across our social media platforms, up from 41,132 in 2021-2022.

14,378,415

Visits to our district and school websites in 2022-2023, up from 6,679,427 in 2021-2022.

WORK & CAREER READINESS

Workforce Steering Committee hosts 2nd annual summit

Communitycollaborativesharesprogress

ofworkforcedevelopmentplan

The Bulloch County Career Workforce Steering Committee hosted its second annual Career Workforce Summit in December 2022. The committee updated the community about the significant progress that has been made in accomplishing the goals of the Bulloch County Workforce Development Plan that was launched in October 2021. Student leaders from career pathways and their corresponding student organizations were in attendance as well and were recognized for recent honors.

State honors Bulloch County Schools’ economic development work

SchooldistrictreceivesGA’spartnershipdesignation foritsworkforce&careerreadinessprograms

The Georgia Department of Education, in partnership with the Georgia Economic Developers Association (GEDA) and Georgia Power, has awarded Bulloch County Schools with the Economic Development Partnership designation.This designation certifies that Bulloch County Schools’ Career, Technical & Agricultural Education program is collaborating with Bulloch County’s leading economic development partners, and continues to position itself to best benefit the work and career readiness needs of its students.

“This is a worthwhile recognition of the great work being done by our staff and community partners to prepare our students for success and better address workforce development needs, and this is very timely given the forthcoming demand that will require even greater partnership and preparation across our community,” said Charles Wilson, superintendent of schools for Bulloch County.

Career Ready Bulloch Website launched

Workforcecollaborative’sonlinetoolhelpsstudents beenrolled,enlistedoremployed

Launched in December 2022 by the Bulloch County Workforce Steering Committee, the Bulloch Career Ready Website is an online tool to help students lay out a successful education path to a career whether they want to be enrolled in college, enlisted in the military, employed by local business and industry, or have a journey that includes one or more of those options along the way.

The information on the website can help students and their families have more intentional conversations with counselors, teachers, and employers. It can help youth and their families make decisions about registering for high school courses, using the YouthScience tool to learn a student’s skills, selecting career pathway electives based on skills and interest, earning industry certifications in high school, dual enrollment and work-based learning, and how combinations of these can make career journeys more successful.

“Partnering with Bulloch County Schools for the Economic Development Designation and the Career Ready Bulloch website are important steps toward increasing the marketability of Bulloch County for new and existing industries.”

- Benjy Thompson, Chief Executive Officer Development Authority of Bulloch County.

The website also helps business and industry learn how they can become a work-based learning site, be part of an industry advisory committee for the school district’s career pathways, and make connections with our community’s future workforce. Bulloch County Schools currently has 234 businesses who have partnered with the district to be a workbased learning site for students to explore careers, build their skills, and earn a wage.

Launched by Bulloch County’s Career Workforce Steering Committee at its Career Workforce Summit on December 8, the online resource is a collaborative community effort to further help prepare students for successful careers and build an educated, skilled, and efficient workforce for continued economic growth in Bulloch County.

Superintendent of Schools Charles Wilson (back row, second from right) with local and area leaders and

Hyundai representatives. Hyundai EV is constructing a $5.5 billion manufacturing facility and an adjacent electric vehicle battery factory in neighboring Bryan County on a nearly 3,000-acre tract of land. Hyundai plans to employ 8,100 workers. It is the largest single economic development project in Georgia history. post-secondary leaders to position the school district to best serve students.

WORK-BASED LEARNING

283 Total number of students

$1,364,178 Student earnings

234 Employer sites

231 Business partnerships

Statesboro High Construction wins SkillsUSA Teamworks state championship

Statesboro High School Construction’s Teamworks team competed at the National Leadership and Skills Conference in Atlanta in June 2023 after winning the Georgia state championship in the event. Perry Hattaway, Patrick Mock, Evan Smith, and Nathan Wallace made up the four-person team led by Josh Hall, Statesboro’s construction teacher and SkillsUSA advisor. In the Teamworks event the team will be demonstrating their skills in specific trades such as electrical wiring, plumbing, carpentry, and masonry to complete a specific building task.

138,341 Hours worked CAREER DISCOVERY EVENTS

8 Number of career discovery events

915 Number of students

18 Event partners

CAREER PATHWAYS

1,510

Students taking at least one career pathway course

13 Career Clusters

SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. SkillsUSA helps each student excel. SkillsUSA provides educational programs, events and competitions that support career and technical education in the nation’s classrooms.

These students were enrolled in Construction career pathway courses to help develop job and life skills. Bulloch County Schools has 30 career pathways within its Career Technical & Agricultural Education program.

467 Number of students taking college courses while in high school

30 Career Pathways Dual Enrollment

WORK & CAREER READINESS

Focus on Recovery

Snack on a good book

Bookvendingmachinesincreaseaccesstobooks, especiallyathome

Children in Bulloch County Schools’ nine elementary schools are snacking on good books after the installation of Inchy Bookworm Vending Machines.

In March 2020, the first machine was placed at Langston Chapel Elementary School with the help of district funds and grants, including an $850 innovation grant from the Bulloch County Foundation for Public Education. During the 2022-2023 school year, the remaining elementary schools received machines stocked with books.

The project is in keeping with the school district’s literacy initiatives which seek to improve preschool literacy, increase the number of reading resources children have at home, encourage reading, and ensure all children read on grade level by third grade. The machines do not replace school libraries, but instead place more books, especially free books, in the hands of children that they can keep at home. The machines also help support the school district’s positive behavior initiatives. Students can earn tokens to use at the machines through good attendance, positive behavior, and academic growth.

District recognizes student growth for i-Ready in reading and math

Seven schools were recognized for the academic growth of their students based on the fall 2022 to winter 2023 administrations of the i-Ready Diagnostic for reading and math. The i-Ready is a test that is used with children in Kindergarten through eighth grade. Given three times

Bulloch County Schools continues to adjust to the impact that the pandemic had on the community and schools. Test data confirms that disruptions to learning did occur districtwide. Educators are focused on continuously helping students get back on track and to fill the gaps in learning. District initiatives have placed an emphasis on multi-tiered systems of support for students to meet their academic and behavior needs, professional learning communities for teachers, literacy, and an emphasis on regular school attendance.

Georgia’s Multi-Tiered Systems of Support for Students = interventions + remediation + enrichments

Teachers’ Professional Learning

Communities = a layer of support + continuous improvement + benefits students

Improve Literacy

High school students with hardships have new learning option

Learners Involved in Flexible Education (LIFE) is a new, non-traditional high school choice for students in grades 9 to 12 who have medical or employment hardships which make regular attendance in a traditional school setting an obstacle. Virtual and hybrid learning models can benefit students with hardship situations and help keep them on track to graduate.

LIFE offers both in-person and virtual learning options with flexible class hours to complete coursework. Students are supported by a team of certified teachers who provide instruction and monitor students’ progress to help keep them engaged and on track to complete course credits. Interested families or students can register for the LIFE program online at www.bullochschools.org/life

each school year (fall, winter and spring) in reading and math, the results help teachers see learning gaps, plan if a child needs more lessons to reteach certain skills, or if a child needs more challenging lessons to enrich their learning. Thank you to all teachers for their hard work in preparing students for success. These are the schools that were recognized: Stilson Elementary School – highest i-Ready growth in reading and math; Langston Chapel Middle School – highest i-Ready growth in reading; Southeast Bulloch Middle School l – highest i-ready growth in math; William James Middle School – second highest i-ready growth in reading and math; Brooklet Elementary School – second highest i-Ready growth in reading; Portal Elementary School – second highest i-Ready growth in math; Nevils Elementary School – third highest i-Ready growth in reading and math.

Instruction = guided reading & phonics training for teachers + community literacy collaboratives

Support Our Schools = instructional coaches to help improve instructional practices + climate coaches to help improve behavior interventions and classroom management

COMMUNITY RESOURCEFULNESS

Community resourcefulness is a strategic goal of the school district. It represents our ability to be resilient and focus our school district’s and community’s strengths, knowledge, skills and relationships and how we can best work together to support each other in positive and practical ways that best prepare students for success and enhance our community’s value. The Bulloch County Foundation for Public Education, the Bulloch County Literacy Council, the Bulloch County Workforce Steering Committee, Project Eaglet, the REACH Georgia Scholarship Program, and school councils are just some of the examples of resourceful community collaboratives.

Bulloch County Literacy Council - Bulloch READ Initiatives

Encourage reading nooks and a literacy-rich environment, increase access to books and reading resources, and increase early brain development

Reading Nooks

Local businesses are supporting literacy in our young children by placing reading nooks in their offices. Children can enjoy a book and take a book. There are now 11 nooks around the community. Interested?

Contact 912.212.8892

Literacy-Rich Environment

The Literacy Council and Bulloch Solutions hosted a Literacy Luau on Read Across America Day. Interactive exhibits were fun for children and provided reading tips for parents, childcare professionals, and volunteers to help create a literacy rich community.

Chick-fil-A Leader Academies

Portal & Statesboro students

arere-imaginingleadership andservingcommunity

Portal and Statesboro high school students have established Chick-fil-A Leader Academy chapters at their schools. The national leadership program is sponsored by the restaurant chain’s owner operators, and it focuses on re-imagining leadership and encouraging students to make an impact through action with school and community service projects.. David Boykin, the Statesboro Chick-fil-A’s owner operator, has invested in the program’s success locally by providing seed capital in the form of two micro-grants to cover the cost of initial start-up fees.

Access to Books & Reading Resources

The Book Bus makes stops around the community to provide free books to children in their neighborhoods, schools, special events, summer camps, and summer nutrition programs. Families are invited to get on board the Book Bus to pick out free books for children to take home and keep.

Early Brain Development

School leaders from Bulloch County Schools shared local literacy efforts with state legislators in Atlanta during the 2023 legislative session. They addressed the state senate’s Education and Higher Education committees’ joint hearing on literacy about the importance of early literacy initiatives.

New Employee Benefits & Wellness Fair

Morethan40communityvendorshelpserve theneedsofschooldistrictemployees

Bulloch County Schools hosted its inaugural Benefits & Wellness Fair in March 2023 for the district’s more than 2,100 employees. More than 40 local and area vendors hosted interactive booths to help employees on their individual journeys to better overall health and wellness in the many aspects of their lives – financial, psychological, social, spiritual, physical, occupational, environmental, and intellectual.

“Our employees are public servants who have dedicated their careers to teaching and supporting our community’s children.This is a way that we can give back to help them be the best versions of themselves, which in turn helps them be the best for students.”

- Allie Baxter Chief Human Resources Officer

Voters approve E-SPLOST V

Registered voters in Bulloch County approved the continuation of a fifth education special purpose local option sales tax referendum on November 8, 2022. The one-cent tax is estimated to raise a maximum of $110 million over the next five years (October 2023 - September 2028), and the approved referendum allows for up to $80 million of general obligation debt.The primary purpose of this E-SPLOST is to fund the first phase of the Board of Education’s facilities plan which includes construction of a 2500-student high school to replace the existing Southeast Bulloch campus and the implementation of a district career academy concept that includes all three high schools (Portal, Statesboro and Southeast Bulloch).

REACH Georgia Scholarship Program

Schooldistrictselectsits10thREACHGeorgiaScholarcohort 51scholarsnowhavemorethan$1Mincollegescholarships

Bulloch County Schools and the Bulloch County Foundation for Public Education honored the tenth cohort of REACH Georgia scholars in November 2022. The six eighth-grade students and their parents signed their commitment to the program’s stringent academic, attendance, behavior, and service standards.

“When you think of our school district’s mission to help prepare students for success and enhance the value of our community, REACH is one resource we have to help do just that. We are changing the future one day and one student at a time.”

Bulloch County has 51 REACH Georgia scholars who have a combined total of $510,000 invested in their post-secondary education. This local amount doubles to a combined total of more than $1 million when the scholars choose to attend one of the state’s partnering colleges or universities.

Foundation funds Bulloch’s REACH GA Scholars Program

The Bulloch County Foundation for Public Education is the sole sponsor that keeps the REACH Georgia Scholars program active in our community. The Foundation annually donates $7,500 ($1,500 per student) to help fund the required seed capital for the $10,000 base scholarships. The community can help in this effort by contributing to the Foundation, supporting its fundraisers, like the Statesboro 5K Turkey Trot, or by becoming a corporate sponsor of the program. Donations to the Foundation are tax deductible.

Each receives a base scholarship of $10,000, which is held for them by the Georgia Student Finance Corporation until their high school graduations. More than 63 colleges and universities in Georgia have agreed to double-match and some triple-match the base scholarship, so graduates may receive $20,000 to $30,000 in scholarship funds depending upon where they decide to go to college in Georgia. These funds are over and above any HOPE Scholarship or other private scholarships they may also receive. The REACH Georgia Scholarship is a needs-based college scholarship program which is designed to ensure that the state’s academically promising students have the academic, social, and financial support needed to graduate from high school and complete college.

- Superintendent Charles Wilson

In May 2022, the first of the district’s REACH Georgia scholars, who were selected in 2013, began graduating from college, making graduate school plans and establishing their careers.

Project Eaglet benefits elementary students

KiwanisClub,GASouthern&BullochCounty Schoolspartnerforlearningexperiences

Elementary school children in the school district benefit from additional learning experiences due to a community collaboration between the Statesboro Kiwanis Club, Georgia Southern University, and Bulloch County Schools. With an initial investment of $20,000, Kiwanis helped launch Project Eaglet, which offers children in the school district the opportunity to interact with GA Southern’s five outreach centers:Museum, Wildlife Center, Botanical Garden, Planetarium, and That Great Gretsch Sound! through the Fred and Dinah Gretsch School of Music.

“We are excited about this collaboration, and the opportunities that it will provide for our elementary school children. This is another great example of community resourcefulness, and how we can partner to provide children with beneficial learning experiences at Georgia Southern.”

- Superintendent Charles Wilson

Pictured (L-R): 2022-2023 REACH Georgia Scholars Roger Claudio of Langston Chapel Middle School; Ansley Martin and Hilda Reyes of Portal Middle High School; Gabriela Mendez and Aliyah Rawls of William James Middle School; and Cristina Pacheco of Southeast Bulloch Middle School.

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

AA + Standard & Poor’s Credit Rating.

10

The Maintenance & Operations School Millage Rate has been rolled back annually for the past 10 years

8.263 mills

Bulloch County Schools Maintenance & Operations School Millage Rate

$21,017,423

Total school taxes levied on property for calendar year 2022 for school district’s 2023 Fiscal Year.

No audit findings

Based on the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts annual audit of the school district $2,000

A $2,000 raise for all certified employees $2,500

The raise in Bulloch County Schools’ local supplement for teachers and other certified educators $3

Increase in the pay per hour for the school district’s non-certified school employees. This follows a $2 per-hour raise provided in Fiscal Year 2023 $10,993.43 Per pupil expenditure for 2022-2023

$38.44 Million

Total COVID-19 federal relief funds received from CARES Act I & II and the American Rescue Plan funds from the state and federal government. The school district has a four-year plan to use these funds to address the learning loss and behavioral and mental health needs

GENERAL FUND HIGHLIGHTS ($ MILLIONS)

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

FISCAL YEAR 2024 ALL FUNDS BUDGETED

STUDENT RECOGNITIONS

Ansley Burnham, Southeast Bulloch Middle School: One of only 60 national winners of AAA’s Discovery Crew Travel essay contest. She was awarded an educational river cruise through Belgium and the Netherlands..

Georgia Department of Education

Julia Basquin Statesboro High School

2023 Georgia Scholar

Mill Creek Elementary Student Artists: T.J. Melton, Adrian Griffin, Zaya Grant, and Emily Roberts each received the Georgia Fire Commissioner’s Fire Prevention Art Award. T.J.’s and Adrian’s artwork will be featured in the 2023 Georgia Fire Prevention Calendar. The students’ art teacher is Judy Ware.

Positive Athletes: Emma Yates (Flag Football) of Portal Middle High School and Kaylee Haas (Soccer) of Southeast Bulloch High School were two of 26 southeast Georgia athletes (boys and girls) who were honored by Positive Athlete for the positive sportsmanship they bring to their respective sports.

Hunter Cribbs, Southeast Bulloch High School: Selected as a Hagan Scholarship recipient. He will receive more than $60,000 to help fund his undergraduate degree and school supplies, plus the program pays separately for a study abroad experience. Hunter will be attending the University of Georgia where he plans to major in Chemistry.

Family, Career and Community Leaders of America

Reagan Padgett Southeast Bulloch High School

1st Place at FCCLA Nationals in Instructional Video Design

NCAA College Football

Amir Jackson Portal Middle High School

10 Division I & Power-5 offers. Signed with the University of Florida

The Bulloch Blues Marching Band performed at Disney World on March 18. The musicians were treated as honorary Disney cast members for the day and performed during Disney World’s prestigious Marching Down Magic Kingdom Parade. The Bulloch Blues Marching Band is a musical collaboration of 128 student musicians and band directors from our three high schools: Portal, Southeast Bulloch and Statesboro.

Georgia SkillsUSA

Perry Hattaway, Patrick Mock, Evan Smith, & Nathan Wallace of Statesboro High School

Teamworks State Champions

Family, Career and Community Leaders of America

Claire Pagliarullo Southeast Bulloch High School

National Technical Honor Society Scholarship

Georgia Junior Science and Humanities Symposium

Xavier Deckard Statesboro High School

Selected as a presenter & finalist for his research

The Georgia Institute of Technology

Nathan Wallace Statesboro High School College of Engineering Dean’s Scholar Program Scholarship Recipient

Portal, Southeast Bulloch & Statesboro High Flag Football Teams: Introduced in 2020, our three high schools have embraced flag football as a new sport, and they have consistently made the state playoffs. Southeast Bulloch has won two state championships and Portal has won two state runner-up titles.Five Portal and SEB athletes (Emma Yates,Riley Lamb, Abigail Morgan,Kaylee Haas, and Ainsleigh Littles) were selected for the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association’s inaugural All-Star Flag Football game. At the game, Portal’s Emma Yates was selected as the GACA Player of the Game. These AllStars also exhibited the sport during an Atlanta Falcons game.

Hunter Martin of Portal Middle High School, won back-to-back Georgia High School Association State Track & Field Championships in the 200 and 800 meter adapted division sprints in 2022 and 2023.

GA Music Educators showcases Whitaker’s choral program

The Georgia Music Educators Association showcased Brent Whitaker’s Southeast Bulloch High School Choral Program during its annual In-Service Conference at the Classic Center in Athens, on January 26-28.Touted as one of the premiere professional development events for music educators, each year the association selects up to four choirs to perform in mini concerts during the event to showcase the best of what Georgia schools have to offer in choral music. More than 4,000 music directors from elementary to college levels, fine arts supervisors, college students, school administrators, students, and professional musicians were in attendance at the event. The SEBHS Advanced Chorus has received national and international recognition. Most recently they were named Top Choir at Festival Disney at Disney World amongst all participating choirs of all sizes.

Office of the President of the United States

Penny Lott National Call to Service Lifetime Achievement Award

FACULTY & STAFF RECOGNITIONS

Georgia Association of Teachers of Family & Consumer Sciences

Kristin Rogers

Elected president of GATFCS

Georgia Association for Career & Technical Education

Katherine Wellman

Counseling & Career Development Professional of the Year Award

Thomas Marshall, Ed.D

(Retired in 2020 - Ag Teacher)

Inducted into the Georgia Educators Hall of Fame

Atlanta Falcons Coach

Marci Cochran State Champion Award

2023-2024 School-Level Teachers of the Year

These teachers will be eligible to compete for the Bulloch County Schools Teacher of the Year title and possibly advance to the Georgia Teacher of the Year and the 2025 National Teacher of the Year competitions.

Stephanie Harrelson Brooklet Elementary

Alecia Wiggins Julia P. Bryant Elementary

Suzanne Wubbena Langston Chapel Elementary

Joni Chavers Langston Chapel Middle

Christina Grant Mattie Lively Elementary

Naketris Hall Mill Creek Elementary

Deborah Conner Nevils Elementary

Jennifer Bailey Portal Elementary

DeeDee Thompson Portal Middle High

Kyle Rehm Sallie Zetterower Elementary

Jessica Elmore Southeast Bulloch Middle

Ashleigh Wright Southeast Bulloch High

Josh Hall Statesboro High

Nikki SImmons Stilson Elementary

Vernetta Staten William James Middle

Bulloch County Schools Aspiring Leaders Program

Bulloch County Schools’ Aspiring Leaders program has selected 21 teachers for its third cohort of leadership development training.Launched in 2016, the program gives teachers the privilege and opportunity to advance their leadership potential. While completion of the program is not a guarantee of being hired for future leadership positions, 23 participants from the previous two cohorts’ 39 members have been promoted to serve in school or district administrator positions.Facilitated by Mark Wilson, the lessons focus on the district’s core values, developing leadership skills to improve school culture, and fostering communication. All of the school district’s more than 800 teachers were given the opportunity to apply for the program.

Georgia Athletic Directors Association Members

Justin Chester, Portal

Mark Oliver, Southeast Bulloch

Region 3-A, Div. I and Region 3-AAAA High School Athletic Directors of the Year

GA Future Business Leaders of America

Brent Osborne

Region 4 Faculty Advisor of the Year

2022-2023 Bulloch County Schools Retirees

These 48 retirees devoted a combined total of 1,062 years of service to the children of Bulloch County.

Ann Anderson

Dianne Anderson

Terri Beasley

Joe Bettinger

Barbara Black

Carol Brown

Troy Brown

Gwendolyn Butler

Susan Cassedy

Donna Crosby

Georgianna Darsey

Annie Davis

Dwight Deal

Regina Days-Bryan

Michelle Fields

Ronald Flott

Lynda Harris

Cynthia Higgins

Donna Holmes

Lois Hylow

Mittie Huff

Tracey Jackson

Donna Jarrett

Angela Jones

Julia Jones

Craig Liggett

Larry Littles

Pamela Mallard

Jacqueline Merrill

Gail Mizelle

Melissa Murphy

Cynthia Oliver

Frankie Owens

Frances Parker

Debra Phillips

Lisa Ponder

Larry Roberts

Shannon Robertson

April Rushing

Donna Samples

Leslie Schlierf

Lori Spence

Sylvia Tremble

Merri Waters

Patricia Webb

Carolyn Wilson

Willie Whitlock

Allison Woodard

Georgia FFA Organization

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

Innovation Grants

Since 2006, the Bulloch County Foundation for Public Education (Foundation) has funded nearly 270 innovative teacher grants totaling more than $340,000 to fund learning experiences for Bulloch County children.

Charitable Giving

WWW.BULLOCHSCHOOLS.ORG/FOUNDATION

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’ employee payroll deduction option.

REACH Georgia Scholarship Program

Each fall the Foundation selects a new cohort of five eighth-grade students to enter Bulloch County’s REACH Georgia Scholarship program. As each cohort graduates from high school the Foundation celebrates their success and the REACH scholarships they have earned by successfully maintaining the program’s requirements.

The Foundation funds Bulloch County School’s participation in the REACH Georgia Scholarship Program. It annually provides the required $5,000 to $7,500 in seed capital to the state’s REACH Georgia Foundation to fund the scholarships for local scholars. As a result, Bulloch County’s graduating REACH scholars each receive a $20K - $30K scholarship for college in addition to any HOPE scholarship funds for which they are eligible. Since 2013, the Foundation has invested in college scholarships for 51 of the school district’s scholars. The first cohorts of these scholars began graduating from college and pursuing their chosen careers in 2022.

STAR Student / STAR Teacher

As the local underwriting sponsor for the STAR Student/STAR Teacher program in Bulloch County, the Foundation partners with the Statesboro Rotary Club each February to host a luncheon to celebrate the community’s STARs from the five participating public and private high schools. The Foundation also sponsors the winning STAR pair’s participation in the Region 8 STAR competition and in the state event should they advance.

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 locally for Bulloch County’s public, private and charter schools.

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.

Members of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees visit schools where they have funded innovation grants to see how the programs benefit children. The Foundation funds up to 20 grant requests from teachers each school year.

Bulloch County Schools’ teacher of the year, finalists, and school-level nominees each receive grants thanks to the Foundation, NFP Insurance Company, and Parker’s Fueling the Community Program.

The Statesboro 5K Turkey Trot is one of the Foundation’s major fundraisers. Held annually on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, it draws more than 300 participants of all ages.

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

MAMA E’S

From having a dream to starting her own bakery in 2012, Marie Motes creator of MaMa E’s brand of Southern treats, has brought a community together around her beloved cheese straws, and smallbatch, hand-made candies. This Georgia Grown producer began making cheese straws and divinity for friends and family. Her treats were so popular, Marie started producing them from a state certified commercial kitchen in her own home. Where they are still created by hand today! Marie, and her helpers, Barbie Morgan, and Marsha Lee, make cheese straws, divinity, fudge, lady fingers, peanut butter cornflake candy, and other homemade goodies, now for sale throughout Georgia. MaMa E’s treats are available in the North Georgia Mountains at The Dahlonega Fudge Factory and at the Georgia Coast on St. Simons at Uncle Don’s Local Market. Her treats can be found at Stripling’s General Stores throughout Georgia and at Lane Southern Orchards in Fort Valley. Locally you can purchase MaMa E’s treats in Metter & Statesboro, along with other Georgia Grown products.

Metter: The Funky Pineapple | Metter Welcome Center |Bevrick’s Cliftons, Inc. | Jomax BBQ | Candler Pharmacy

Metter Farm Market | Metter Mercantile | Wiregrass Junction

IHS Pharmacy & Gifts | Burlap & Lace Market & Coffee Bar

Statesboro: Honey Specialties | Food World | Ellis Meats

3011 POND VIEW ROAD, METTER, GEORGIA | 912-531-3269

OTC’s Cybersecurity A Force for Good

WRITTEN BY JENNY STARLING FOSS |

PHOTOGRAPHY BY FRANK FORTUNE

With new developments in criminal attempts to hijack government and private sector information and technology, the demand for highly trained Cybersecurity personnel has grown significantly.

Ogeechee Technical College is meeting the challenge by training students in a new program, Cybersecurity. Students enrolled in the Computer Information Systems Technology program can now become Cybersecurity specialists with advanced instruction.

“I have been working for three years on implementing the Cybersecurity Program,” said Terry Hand, lead cybersecurity instructor at Ogeechee Technical College for the past 20 years. “The demand for trained technicians is great from the business sector due to the constant threat of security breaches and ransomware. Now companies are starting their own cybersecurity divisions. OTC saw the need and implemented a Cybersecurity program to train professionals to meet the demand.”

OTC’s Cybersecurity Program started in 2019 with 24 students enrolled in the first cohort; 17 degrees and 7 diplomas. In six semesters the students were prepared for a career in helping to protect individuals and organizations from the damage that comes from breaches of internet security from hackers.

In fact, OTC’s candidate for the Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership, (GOAL) was Cybersecurity Program student Justin Clenny, nominated by Hand. GOAL competition begins during the fall semester. Technical college instructors across Georgia identify their most promising students and nominate them for GOAL based on academic achievement and personal leadership. The first phase of GOAL takes place at the local technical college level. As nominees move through an interview process, the screening committee selects the top student to represent their college and community. After each college selects their college winner, competition among the students moves to the regional level. Clenny placed in regional finals held in April in Atlanta.

“The new Cybersecurity program offered here at OTC really piqued my interest,” said Clenny. He explained that instructor Terry Hand’s “passion” for what he teaches sold him on the program. “His love for teaching, his passion for cybersecurity, it was infectious. I looked forward to class every day, often showing up at least an hour early. He made learning fun and challenging.”

Clenny completed both the CIS and the Cybersecurity degrees.

“OTC prepared me for the interviews with companies, and I was immediately hired by The Sack Company,” said Clenny. “At my 90-day evaluation, I was given a promotion.”

Success like Clenny’s is a common theme among the graduates of the program. A program that has tripled enrollment from the initial class of 24 to 75 students enrolled for academic year 2023. With job growth in this „

Cybersecurity

profession expected to exceed 28% in the next seven years, one can translate training in this specialized field into a lucrative career.

On-going communication with students (and graduates) is important to Hand, who established a Discord Chat Room, where his students can talk to him and each other about challenges, new technology and job postings.

“The pay offers these guys are getting are significantly higher than those offered high school graduates,” said Hand.

Hand’s classroom is set-up like a gaming room, an exciting and fun “lab” that is open to students when not in use.

“Gaming helps them to build the skills needed in Cybersecurity,” said Hand. “It’s open outside of class to allow them to learn as they play. The same skills of attack and defend that are needed in gaming are also needed in Cybersecurity and IT in general.”

Hand’s work isn’t all in the classroom. He meets with companies to find out the level of

need and what they want from the program; he revamps and adjusts the curriculum every three years. He also works on partnerships with other schools.

OTC and Middle Georgia State University (MGA) have signed an agreement to create seamless transitions for students pursuing a career in information technology. The agreement is designed to facilitate the transfer of credits earned in the Associate of Applied Science in Cybersecurity degree at OTC to the Bachelor of Science in Information Technology at MGA. OTC also has established a similar relationship with Kennesaw State. The transfer of credits earned in the Cybersecurity Associate of Applied Science Degree at OTC into the Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity eMajor degree program at KSU.

Hand also helps students with internships with local companies.

“I think internships teach students how to enter the workforce and how to talk and work with others,” said Hand. “Good strong graduates are produced here now and they often get hired on the spot.”

His students are proficient with all types of computers: including Mac, Windows, and Lennox. They learn ethical hacking and penetration testing, invasive tactics used (with permission) to identify weaknesses in company’s systems. Students get a planned sequence of courses in computer hardware, computer software, operating systems, networking, network security, cyber defense and countermeasures, penetration testing/ethical hacking, digital forensics, cyber ops, and security policies and procedures.

The same skills of attack and defend that are needed in gaming are also needed in Cybersecurity and IT in general.

Dr. Sreevalli Dega

OTC’s Cybersecurity Program team of Justin Clenny and Dalton Flanders entered the 2023 SkillsUSA competition, a non-profit national education association serving middle-school, high school and college/post-secondary students preparing for careers in trades, technical and skilled service occupations. SkillsUSA is recognized by the U.S. Departments of Education and Labor as a successful model of employer-driven youth development training. A National Leadership & Skills Conference is held each year; this year in June, in Atlanta.

The Cybersecurity team of Clenny and Flanders, competed and won, bringing home gold medals for the program! For the competition the students had to create an operating system, operate and maintain the system, and protect and defend it. The award brings national recognition to OTC and the great training Hand pours into his students.

“From day one each of these students stood out showing an amazing passion for their studies and demonstrating a strong work ethic, leadership, and teamwork,” said Hand. “They are both incredible individuals and I am honored to have been their instructor.”

Classes for the fourth cohort of OTC’s and Hand’s national-gold-medal-award-winning program start this fall. For information on classes, schedules and enrolling, please visit www.ogeecheetech.edu. S

Terry Hand, Cybersecurity Instructor

Michael Bolyard: Digital Office Equipment

Justin Clenny, The Sack Company

Vincent Drescher: APOGEE

Mikayla Haigh: Georgia Technologies

Anthony Blitch: The Claxton Bank

James Colson: Bit Cloud Services Matthew Magalei: Superior Computer Services

Nathan Warnock: Crider Foods

Many people have a desire to remain in the comfort of their home during their retirement years. Often, they need some assistance to carry out their daily living activities and we offer 24/7 home care services to meet the needs of busy families. We provide care in a variety of settings, including residential homes, skilled nursing facilities, assisted living facilities, and hospitals. Whether you require a caregiver for a few hours or need assistance overnight, we strive to provide a caregiver who would compliment your personality and particular needs.

All of our in-home caregivers have been carefully chosen after a rigorous screening process that includes drug screening and background checks.

Non-medical home care services include:

Bathing, grooming, and dressing

Meal preparation

Medication reminders

Transportation to medical appointments

Grocery shopping and errands

Companionship

Light housekeeping

Senior Care has a new Meaning

Southern Manor at Candler Senior Living stands ahead of the rest. Nestled on 12+ acres and minutes from Metter, we are committed to maximizing resident satisfaction and providing necessary care. Our residents regularly take advantage of local events and activities available in Metter and in Statesboro. We are conveniently located near eating establishments, parks, and other activities.

Our community fosters an environment that embraces our residents and their families with an atmosphere of belonging. We value the caregivers involvement in the lives of our residents. Our staff is available to families for support and answer any questions they may have. We provide a friendly home with a variety of options for suites so every resident can express themselves and make it home.

NikkiEvans, BSN, RN, NREMT-P & Owner | RalphE.Cowart,Jr.,ALA-NBC, FACHCA, CEO & Owner | MeghanMcCullough,Executive Director

the birdmen of bulloch county

John Parrish & John Abbot The Birdmen of Bulloch County

WRITTEN BY JENNY STARLING FOSS PHOTOGRAPHY BY FRANK FORTUNE

Bulloch County’s leading Birdman, John W. Parrish, Jr., Ph.D., emeritus professor of biology at Georgia Southern, has long been involved in the research and study of birds, native to and migrating through the area. Because of Georgia’s great diversity in habitat, from mountains to piedmont to coastal plain, it is home to 405 bird species that have been seen and recorded in the state.

But Parrish is not the first naturalist to call Bulloch County home. In 1818, famed British naturalist, John Abbot moved to Bulloch County from Burke County, where he had purchased land and married and started a family. Abbot was a bird and insect enthusiast collecting and mounting samples for his British patrons of birds and insects, including moths and butterflies for shipping. Abbot is not as well-known as Audubon for his meticulous bird drawings, because many of his discoveries were funded by private citizens or scientists and held in their collections back in England. In all it is believed that he spent about 65 years in Georgia and created over 4,000 original watercolors, although fewer than 200 were published during his lifetime. After his wife died, his health and finances declined and he moved in with friend William E. McElveen, where he remained until he died. In 1957, the Georgia Historical Society placed a marker at his grave in Bulloch County. He is buried in McElveen Cemetery off of Mud Road.

Abbot’s meticulous illustrations and careful writing from 250 years ago chronicled the habitats, life cycles, behaviors, and migratory patterns of numerous species. His work helped other scientists and naturalists to classify closely related species, several of which were named from his specimens, drawings and descriptions. Two species of spiders and one moth are named in his honor.

Currently, Parrish is working on getting the two biologists names added to the bird sanctuary sign located on U.S. Highway 80 East just outside of the Statesboro city limits. “Home of John Abbot, Author: Birds of Georgia (1815, 1997). Home of John Parrish, Author: Birds of Georgia (2006, 2021).”

Parrish, originally from Ohio, began his career at Denison University studying for his undergraduate degree. An athlete, Parrish excelled in sports in high school and played baseball in college. He graduated during the Viet Nam War and joined the U.S. Navy. There he met wife, Paula, a Physical Therapist who “owed” the Navy two years of service in exchange for her training. She outranked him. They met in Virginia, and married in a full military ceremony.

The Parrish’s first jobs took them to Emporia State University in Kansas, 50 miles from Dr. Parrish’s hometown.

“We were close to my parents,” said Parrish. “Our children, Wesley, an Atlanta real estate senior account executive, and Cori, who works with non-profits in N.Y.C., were able to grow-up with their grandparents nearby.”

Parrish’s Master’s thesis research concerned the effects of dietary lysine (amino acids) on nitrogen balance in dark-eyed Juncos (a medium-sized sparrow). „

the birdmen of bulloch county

“In addition to chickens and other domestic birds, we found that wild birds also have amino acid requirements,” said Parrish.

For his Ph.D., Parrish studied at Bowling Green State University through the Medical College of Ohio, a study of enzymes in polio pathway chemistry.

He came to Georgia Southern in 1988 as professor of biology, and retired 20 years later in August of 2008. He did post-doctoral work during that time in Texas, again with birds, from the coast to the Big Bend area.

In 2013, when G.S. graduate assistant Lauren Deaner found a Northern Lapwing near a pond in southern Bulloch County, a bird found mostly in England, Dr. Parrish was one of the first to be made aware of the sighting, afterwards spending weeks watching the bird and collecting data. At the time Deaner and Parrish surmised the bird was blown off its migrating course by Hurricane Sandy. A common occurrence, it seems, looking for new birds after a storm.

In 2006, Dr. Parrish was approached by Lone Pine Publishing, a Canadian company, to author the new Birds of Georgia book, which had a second mass printing in 2021.

BIRD WATCH IN YOUR OWN BACKYARD!

IDENTIFY THESE BIRDS BY THEIR SONGS

American Robin – “cheer-up,cheerily,cheer-up,cheerily.”

Northern Cardinal – “purty,purty,purity”or“sweet-sweet-sweet.”

Eastern Bluebird – “tureeorqueedle,” song, soft warble.

Carolina Wren – “tweedled-tweedle-tweedle” or “tea-kettle,tea-kettle.”

Female: long “churrrrr.”

Purple Martin – “liquidgurglingwarble.”

Barn Swallow – “constantliquidtwitteringandchatting.”

Eastern Towhee – “drinksweettea”or “tow-heee.”

American Crow – “Caw–Caw.”

Turkey Vulture – “hissinggrunt” or usually silent.

Morning Dove – “Cooah,coo,coo.”

Northern Mockingbird – “musicalphrasesusuallyrepeatedthreetimes.”

Brown Thrasher – “musicalphrasesusuallyrepeatedtwotimes.”

Gray Catbird – “irregularmusicalphrases;acat-likemewing.”

Pileated Woodpecker – “

longorshort,sloworfast:cuk–cuk–cuk–cuk–cuk.”

Tufted Titmouse – “Peter–Peter–Peter,repeatedthree–eighttimes.”

Carolina Chickadee – “Chickadee–dee–dee;song:see–dee,see–dee.”

Red-shouldered Hawk – “oftrepeatedslow:kee–year.”

Blue Jay – “raucous–jay–jay–jay;alsoimitatesred-shoulderedhawk.”

Ruby-throated Hummingbird – “mouse-liketitteringsqueaks.”

Barred Owl – “atnightandsometimesduringtheday:whocooksforyou? Whocooksforyouall?”

“Be sure to download the free Audubon Bird Guide App. It plays bird calls on your iPhone. Keep this list with you after you have listened to the downloaded bird calls and songs. With a little practice you will quickly learn to identify the birds by their song, long before you see them. Good luck, and enjoy the Birds of Georgia!” – Dr. Parrish

Birds of Georgia by Parrish, Beaton & Kennedy, published by Long Pine is available at Amazon.com, Books-A-Million, Barnes & Noble and other on-line bookstores.

“I customized the book for Georgia,” said Parrish. “Giff Beaton and Gregory Kennedy were co-authors. Kennedy has done most of the series including several other states.”

Parrish continues to study birds in the closest possible habitat, his backyard. There’s a pool, trees, vines, bushes, grass and many, many bird feeders!

“Birds tell us so much,” said Parrish. “With the warmer seasons, we are seeing birds that normally winter in South or Central America, where there are no seasons, wintering here.”

Those that study birds also help to bring back species that have almost become extinct from overhunting or destruction of habitat.

“Passenger pigeons were once so numerous!” said Parrish. “They had been described as a ‘mass of birds so big it would block the sun,’ they migrated en masse. They were easily shot for food because of their great numbers. They were hunted to extinction. The last one died in 1914.”

Birds tell us so much. With the warmer seasons, we are seeing birds that normally winter in South or Central America, where there are no seasons, wintering here.

John W. Parrish, Jr., Ph.D.

Similar to the fate of quail and doves in the South. Almost extinct by 1970 because of overhunting and destruction of habitat. With feed plots and fields of sunflowers, limited use of herbicides around fields, restoration of habitat, and a general view from the public that we want these birds to thrive, their decline was arrested.

“Eagles hadn’t nested here in over 50 years,” said Parrish. “In the past 20 years, we’ve had several pairs nesting in Bulloch County.”

“Red-tailed hawks are common, as are red-shouldered hawks,” said Parrish. When told three wood storks were spotted in a local pond in Denmark, Parrish stated, “A wood stork is probably the biggest bird you’ll see.”

Parrish and his wife not only feed the birds in their backyard; they summons them with bird calls.

“I have an App I’ve downloaded that has every bird call recorded,” said Parrish. “I can step into the backyard and play a song, then listen for the call from an actual bird nearby. You can almost call them to the feeders.”

For food to attract birds to your own backyard, Parrish suggests black-oiled sunflower seeds for cardinals, sugar water for hummingbirds, and grape jelly for Baltimore Orioles.

“I started grape jelly in the backyard in little glass containers connected with wire to one of our trees,” Parrish said. “Since that time, I have purchased two Oriole sugar water feeders. Every winter for the last 10 years, I’ve had Baltimore Orioles!”

His favorite bird is the painted bunting.

“I feed exclusively millet for painted buntings,” he said. “That’s 80% of their diet.” He awaits their return every spring. They’re late this year he says because it’s been too wet.

The Bulloch County Humane Society at one time had birds that needed to be housed. The Parrish’s stepped forward and created a home in their sunroom for 15 exotic birds.

Parrish has created a list of birds for our readers to look for in their own back yard [Sidebar]. He has written descriptions of the bird calls and in addition recommends downloading an App, that’s free from the Audubon Society, that has all the bird calls recorded. With the list and the App, you, too, should be able to start bird-watching in Bulloch County just like the two Georgia masters, Abbot and Parrish. S

Grapevine Road

WRITTEN BY LAZAR BROWN OGLESBY

Where are you from? I wish I had a dollar for every time I’ve answered that question. Within minutes of meeting someone in the South you will most likely be greeted with an inquiry about your origins. The question is just as much about your ancestry as it is about a physical address. Where we hale from tells a lot about who we are.

Growing up I was always quick to answer “Garfield” in my southern drawl. My parents’ address is Garfield but more specifically Grapevine Rd., a road cut through Georgia red clay with stretches of pale sand, slick clay hills, and long flats crowned with thousands of tiny pebbles. The pebbles look like dark freckles peppering the sandy soil. They sing with pops and dings, ricocheting off a vehicle’s fenders and undercarriage. I’ve traveled this road many miles.

Grapevine Road was appropriately named after the rows of muscadine grapes planted and cared for by my grandfather. There were 10 rows 100 yards long made with heavy wire stretched between wooden posts. Thick masses of vines ascended from the ground to travel the length of wire. At the end of each row was a weathered hand tooled sign naming the variety of grape: Fry, Senoia, Higgins, Dixie Red, and Triumphs to name a few. The rows were just wide enough to accommodate a vehicle. The avenues made the perfect racing lane for my cousins and me to speed on 4-wheelers and golf carts. If you weren’t careful the race would end with the more daring driver jumping the terrace at the end and landing in the cotton field beyond.

The vines grew lush and green in the spring and summer. Chutes of new growth would reach for the sky and light green tendrils spread into the isles tickling passersby. The undergrowth formed a canopy of shade beneath, an ideal home for rabbits who grazed in the early morning dew or late afternoon haze. Clusters of fruit, hidden from the eye in blazing dog days of summer, waited to be picked. Spheres of jewel-toned goodness flecked with designs only the good Lord could create. Little dots and blemishes decorated the shining sweet orbs. The smell was an intoxicating blend of sweet and spice. The taste, heaven! As the real heat of summer descended on the farm carloads of pickers would pull down the lane past the blueberry bushes, pear trees, towering grain bins, and the catfish pond to inquire if the grapes were ready.

BRAISED CHICKEN AND MUSCADINES (FROM FRIEND LINDA NEWTON)

INGREDIENTS:

1 whole Chicken cut into pieces

Salt and Pepper

2 Tbsp. Butter

1 Vidalia Onion (sliced)

2 cloves Garlic (diced)

2 Tbsp. Dijon mustard

1 Bay Leaf

1 tsp. Red Pepper Flakes

1 cup White Wine (I use chardonnay)

3 cups Muscadine grapes (halved and seeded)

PREPARATION:

Pat the chicken dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper. In a large Dutch oven or skillet, heat the butter over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken pieces on all sides and transfer them to a platter. Reserve the pan drippings. Add the onions to the pan and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until soft. Add garlic and cook until fragrant. Add mustard, bay leaf, and red pepper flakes and cook stirring until combined. Add the wine and deglaze by scraping the bottom of the pan; bring to a boil. Return the chicken and all the drippings to the pan. Cover, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for 15 minutes. Add the grapes and skins and stir well; cover and simmer for 25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through, and the juices run clear when the chicken is pierced with a fork.

Taste the sauce and adjust the salt and pepper. Transfer to a serving platter. I like to serve it with creamy risotto.

MUSCADINE LEMONADE

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup Sugar

5 cups Water

1 c. Muscadine Juice (freshly squeezed)

1 c. Lemon Juice (freshly squeezed)

PREPARATION:

Place sugar and water in a pot and boil until sugar is dissolved. Pour into a pitcher and allow it to cool.

Crush grapes in a bowl with a potato masher or spoon. Strain the pulp, skins, and seeds from the juice.

Add grape juice and lemon juice to sugar water. Allow juice to cool in the fridge. Garnish with slices of lemon and halved grapes. Serve over ice.

Folks helped themselves to the rows and filled grocery sacks, buckets, and crates to the brim. Grandaddy taught the grandchildren how to wait on customers. It was an easy first business lesson. Fifty cents a person and fifty cents a pound was simple for a child to calculate on one or both hands. We weighed the grapes in a plastic foot tub perched atop the scale. Money was exchanged and we got to keep half for our cut.

Once school started back in the fall the vines were left lonely and quiet. I can smell the fermenting fruit intermingled with peanut dirt and cotton defoliant. The leaves turned every radiant shade of gold and burnt orange and dropped to the ground leaving the vines bare. The dormant vines were pruned in January

or February to coax new growth in the spring. Afterwards the trimmings were gathered and placed on a trailer to be tossed on the burn pile. Come spring the cycle started anew.

Eventually time took its toll on the weathered posts and my family made the hard decision to tear the vines down and replace them with row crops. I miss the old vines. They were a fixture of home.

Life on a farm is always changing. Old is replaced by new. Rain washes the dirt and changes the topography of the land. The ones left are the memory keepers. One day I’ll tell my little nephew why the road that cuts through the center of Brown’s earth is named after his great-grandfather and the fruits of his labor.

Muscadines are an under-appreciated staple of Southern culture. Many great Southern novels mention backyard grape arbors, and recipes for homemade wine have been passed down for generations. I think every southerner needs a recipe featuring this southern essential. The recipes below were shared by friends or tasted at a local farmers market. They are a treasure. S

Toys, Toilet Rolls and Tadpoles — Oh, My!

WRITTEN BY DOY CAVE

Growing up, I lived next to a massive drainage ditch. My friends and I would spend hours along its filthy banks, fascinated by a world teeming with bullfrogs, water moccasins, pollywogs and crawdads.

However, if my mother knew about the neardeath experiences I had there, she’d have had a heart attack. Luckily, the stuff she knew about only brought her close to a stroke.

Imminent dangers aside, that drainage ditch was a place filled with life and wonder — a perfect environment to be introduced to STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).

Kania Greer, Ed.D., director of the Center for STEM Education at Georgia Southern, says STEM isn’t merely about lab coats, chemicals and explosions. It’s about unlocking creativity, fostering problem-solving skills and transforming kids into critical thinkers.

“The influx of STEM-related jobs is huge and it’s constantly growing,” said Greer. “And that’s part of the importance of learning it. But the bigger importance or the bigger benefit of STEM is critical thinking.”

And best of all, it’s something you can do with your kids at home.

PLAY YOUR WAY INTO STEM

“One of the key things I think parents need to know is STEM doesn’t have to be electronics and robots and gadgets, and it doesn’t have to cost anything,” said Greer.

Instead of purchasing STEM kits or fancy robotics, Greer suggests saving toilet paper rolls, drink bottles, restaurant straws and popsicle sticks, add some tape or glue and let your children build a car or a spaceship or a gadget — no instructions, just their creative brains at work.

“And then, the best part about it is once they build it, you can ask them questions about it,” said Greer. “How does it go? Where does it go? What are you thinking you would use for fuel? And get them to articulate the critical thinking behind what they’ve built. And again, it doesn’t have to work. It doesn’t have to be perfect. The idea is more to engage that part of their brain, the creative part that builds in the art part of it, but also get them thinking about how things are designed.”

EVERYDAY TASKS AS STEM

Greer says if you don’t have a collection of toilet paper rolls yet, you can make everyday tasks a creative way to learn STEM.

“If you have a garden, let them go outside and garden with you,” she said. “Give them a plot of dirt where it doesn’t matter what happens in that dirt. But that is their garden where they can plant their seeds.

“Maybe you’re trying to teach them practical mathematics. This can take place in the grocery store even with older kids who are learning. Here’s the grocery list. Here’s our budget. This is what we normally spend. Go figure out what we can buy.”

Want your kid to learn chemistry? Let them cook with you. Want them

to learn biology? Take them for a walk in the backyard — more bugs and plants and critters than you would ever need.

GETTING HELP WITH STEM

Supporting STEM learning at home doesn’t mean parents have to go it alone. Georgia Southern’s Center for STEM Education is a valuable re-

source for teachers in the area. Through their lending warehouse program, teachers have access to materials and supplies that enhance STEM education in the classroom.

“We want to ensure that teachers have the necessary resources without having to spend their own money,” said Greer. “From paper rocket launchers to base ten blocks, we provide a range of tools that can make STEM learning engaging and hands-on.”

The Center also works closely with local schools, offering STEM field experiences for students. By bringing students to Georgia Southern’s campus and immersing them in hands-on activities conducted by faculty members, they get a taste of the exciting possibilities of STEM education.

By the time you read this column, summer will be winding down, but there is still plenty of time to get some learning time with your kids. I’m sure these ideas will be a great start.

However, if you want your kids to get an adrenaline-filled, hair-raising, marginally lifeand-death experience, there’s a big drainage ditch on San Anton Drive in Savannah I’ll be happy to show you. S

local flavors and familiar faces

Passport to Real Science & Learning Fun!

WRITTEN BY CAROLYN ALTMAN

Where was the special outdoor place you played as a child? What do you enjoy outside now? Chances are, if you’re reading a gardening article, you love the smell of spring soil and gardenias in May. If you’re like me, you savor every blueberry you win from the birds, and if you’re as lucky as my sister, you are already planning what you will do with a bumper crop of raspberries. I’ve noticed the tiny grapes already on the vine for a fall Scuppernong harvest, and am enjoying watching bees and other pollinators revel in June blooms. But what about our children? In these days

of screens and electronic media, many children don’t realize that there is a fragrant, delicious, delightful world all around them. Worse yet, they struggle to learn how that world works. Science remains abstract to those who do not experience the hands-on wonder of the natural world. We all need for our next generations to appreciate and respect the natural systems that provide us all with clean air, plentiful drinking water, and unpolluted soil. Our children need to know the scientific processes that enable us to see, hear, taste, touch, smell, and explore the world, from the smallest flower to the evocative harmony of a concerto, to the dance of the planets in our solar system. Our children will be the creative problem -solvers of our future. A number of Statesboro community partners have collaborated on an effort to make sure that every Bulloch County elementary school student will experience the physical world we all love and depend upon. Through

Project Eaglet, Georgia Southern University, Bulloch County Schools, and the Kiwanis Club of Statesboro are working together to bring every first through fifth grade to the University to make science real and learning fun.

Thanks to financial support from the Statesboro Kiwanis and Bulloch County Schools, every Bulloch County elementary school child will visit the Georgia Southern University campus according to the following schedule:

GRADE 1 - BOTANIC GARDEN AT GEORGIA SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY

GRADE 2 - GEORGIA SOUTHERN PLANETARIUM

GRADE 3 - GEORGIA SOUTHERN MUSEUM

GRADE 4 - GRETSCH SCHOOL OF MUSIC

GRADE 5 - CENTER FOR WILDLIFE EDUCATION

By the time a Project Eaglet First grader has made it through fifth grade, the student will have learned how plants make food from sunlight, explored the universe, wondered at the wingspan of a raptor, learned how waves become music, and climbed inside a giant mosasaur. These Eaglets will also have had the chance to experience what a college campus feels like, and imagine a future career as a scientist, an astronaut, a musician, a historian or any one of a number of careers that probably don’t even exist yet. A chance encounter during a school assembly set me on a career path, which was especially important since no one in my family had ever been to college and didn’t really know the breadth of what was possible.

In the first year, 825 first grade students explored life cycles in the woods and gardens at the Botanic Garden, 687 second grade students gazed beyond the stars at the Planetarium, 830 third graders dug into coastal plain history at the Museum, 785 students made the universe vibrate at the Gretsch Collection, and 718 fifth graders discovered the non-human neighbors with whom we share our beautiful county. In total, 3,845 students enjoyed learning with some of the Georgia Southern organizations who celebrate the real world best.

In addition, each student received a Project Eaglet passport. The passport provides suggestions for fun to have at home, as well as ways for families to connect with the University units. If your child is a Bulloch County student, dig that passport out of their book bag and have some fun this summer. And be sure to find a favorite outdoor place to share with your child. Helping our children grow is essential gardening for the future for everyone. S

The Hard Work of Spiritual Growth

WRITTEN BY REV. DR. JOHN WATERS

Located in eastern Siberia, the town of Mirny, Russia, is home to the largest open diamond pit in the world. Having discovered the presence of diamonds in this remote area decades ago, scientists and geologists began digging into the mine to excavate the cherished stones. By the time it closed, the mine had produced untold treasures for its owners and for those who worked diligently to unearth the precious gems. The diamonds had been in that part of the earth’s crust for centuries upon centuries, but they were brought to light only through the labor and toil of the miners who worked to unearth what they had found.

The Scriptures tell us to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12), just like miners must toil with diligence and great effort to dig out precious gems. Paul tells the Philippian Christians that they have been given a precious gift called salvation, filled with blessings and riches that go beyond what could ever be imagined. But for them to realize the fullness of joy that comes from following Christ, they would have to put in the hard work of spiritual growth. The term for “work out” describes unearthing something as is done in a mining operation, and the Apostle Paul is telling them to dig out the treasures of God’s salvation through obedience, prayer, and Christian living.

When I was a child, my friends and I would often dig in the dirt for no other reason than just for fun. We weren’t searching for anything, and we usually didn’t uncover anything more than some worms or buried rocks. We weren’t searching for treasure; we were just boys aimlessly digging in the earth. The diligent digging required of spiritual growth, however, yields great results

as we discover greater joy, deeper intimacy, and stronger faith. The effort is neither easy nor convenient, but a growing and expanding faith does not happen by accident. It requires digging.

Are you digging out the blessing of salvation each day by “working out” God’s gift of salvation in your own life? Just as a farmer works a fertile field so that the crop yield will be high, so we must work the fertile field of our salvation to experience the fullness of life and joy that come from knowing Christ.

Perhaps there is no person who ever followed Jesus Christ more closely than the Apostle Paul. He is often heralded as the greatest Christian who lived, and his writings form nearly one-third of the New Testament. His faith was authentic, transforming, exemplary, and vibrant. His advice to others regarding spiritual growth, however, was to “work it out.” He personally knew the intentional effort that was required from him to walk closely with Christ, and he refuses to sugarcoat it for other believers. Any Christian can deepen and strengthen his or her faith in Christ, but not without putting in the work.

Given the modern conveniences of today’s world, we often look for quick solutions and easy answers. We microwave our food, we communicate with instant messages, we travel at breakneck speed on jet airliners, and we always look for the shortest line at the store checkout. But spiritual growth has no shortcuts or secret passageways. Eugene Peterson, a prolific writer and Christian pastor, commonly said it required a “long obedience in the same direction.”

Weeds grow overnight, but oak trees take decades to reach their heights. Too many Christians want an instant version of spiritual growth, devoid of the discipline and diligence expressly required for working out your own salvation.

How do you work out your salvation? Daily prayer. Regular Bible reading and study. Ongoing self-denial and sacrifice. Godly choices in personal conduct. Acts of servanthood. These activities and more, when done on a consistent basis, will enable you to discover the precious treasures that are buried within God’s gift of salvation. Don’t let the treasures of salvation remain buried and undiscovered in your life. Choose to obey God and follow Christ today with unwavering faith, so that you can unearth the precious gems of peace, joy, and gladness that come as part of your salvation. S

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The Invasion from Hell!

WRITTEN BY RIC MANDES

It’s winter of 1983. The year I turned fifty. My professional activities were engagements all based on my devotion and allegiance to Georgia Southern. Illustrations – College Today (television) a thirty-minute one-on-one carried statewide by PBS, Atlanta, Macon, Augusta, Savannah and Philadelphia.

A weekly column about Eagle life, its drama, its prestige, appearing in Savannah and Augusta papers, and essays for the Dixie Living section of the AJC. A 42-station radio network taking a two-minute feed from our recording booth each morning.

Our Foundation was experiencing new muscle and strength of purpose. Erk was in town. Our student population was on the verge of a titanic wave rolling 6,000 students into 16,000.

Dale Wesley Lick was my fifth University president!

It was a Saturday morning. I was moving over the light hills of Augusta headed for a lunch with a car dealer, a potential impressive investor for our Foundation.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, tightness in my chest, heart racing, ears ringing; darkness shadowed my vision. I was all-to-pieces. Was this death calling on me? Without hesitation I made a U-turn on Highway 25 and flew home and closed the door on what I thought at that time was a career’s assassination.

Two days later a sense of calm returned. In the spring of 1984, I was on I/95 headed for Christ Chapel to see my daughter in a wedding. Things were much better. The horror on that Augusta hill, I tendered with brief burnout.

Not to be. Oh, how I remember well this second scourge – gasping for breath, blind, no hearing, weak. Again, I turned around and dashed from I/95 to I/16 weeping openly; tunneling my

way to home to my nest! This time I was locked in the darkness of fear and wounded. Ric Mandes, a victim of what? Crippled from even leaving town. And later in my home, sitting there holding onto the couch, gasping, hurting from a jagged pain. Crippled in fear, I was not able to ride with my daughter four blocks to a McDonalds.

Ric Mandes, the interstate statesman for Southern, emceeing alumni luncheons, introducing Eagle’s basketball events, conducting 30-minute television interviews. Now like a dead gator floating belly-up in an abyss of horror. Yes, I did seek help from a well-known cardiologist who hooked my EKG to The University of Chicago Medical School.

“This patient’s heart is fine. No problems.”

Then four hours of demanding tests with a Respiratory Therapist. Nothing wrong.

Meanwhile fear smothered my freedom.

And then God answered my question the evening I was leafing through Good Housekeeping and there it was FEAR TO FACE THE WORLD. I wept and wept. The next morning, I called Dr. Randy Smith and inquired as to his knowledge of Agoraphobia. Yes, he knew.

For the next six months Randy developed a medical profile to eliminate any unnatural overflow of adrenalin (which incites panic attacks), that caused the two events that blew me away. Unattended they shackled me into agoraphobia (agora meaning market place and phobia meaning fear), all the while Randy ministered to me how what he was doing was equipping me physically to fight back. To learn to drive again. To move onto the stage. To interview.

It took me six months to complete my return to life, eliminating the fear of the fear. Anticipatory anxiety.

1985! It was a warm Southern evening. Deanne and I were sitting in the den chatting when suddenly I said, “Come ride with me!” Without hesitation she rode shotgun with her daddy down Highway 80 to the Savannah Airport. We double-parked and walked to the entrance doors which automatically opened as we approached. She reached over and said, “Daddy, a sign from God you are healed.”

“Now let’s go to Dingus and celebrate.”

That December night of ’85 at two in the morning, I was in the middle of 2,000 fans ripping apart the W.S Hanner Field House holding the mic for Erk!

Precious freedom.

I was back! S

Mr. Euel Akins

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