MyConnection MAY 4, 2016
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Published every Wednesday by The Newnan Times-Herald
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HATS AND HOOVES A Derby Affair returns to Coweta May 7
She Might as Well
JUMP
By Maggie Bowers maggie@newnan.com The Hats and Hooves Derby Affair returns to Coweta County on May 7 from 5 to 10 p.m. The event, which raises money for the Communities in Schools of Coweta County (CIS), will take place at the McRitchieHollis Museum at 74 Jackson Street in Newnan. The third-annual event, highly-anticipated by many in the community, will offer food, beverages and live music. The Kentucky Derby will be shown on several big screen televisions throughout the gathering as well. A popular attraction of the CIS event is the silent auction, which has included autographed sports memorabilia and even world-class artwork by renowned artists at past events. “After last year’s Hats and Hooves, people were saying this was one of the best fundraisers they had ever attended,” said Gina Weathersby, CIS executive director, in a press release earlier this year. “We plan to make the 2016 event even bigger and better. And with the type of support people have already shown for CIS of Coweta, we have no doubt we will succeed.” Communities in Schools
PHOTO BY JEFF ARMSTRONG
East Coweta senior track athlete Aliyah Whisby stands by the high jump bar and mat at school during a recent practice. Whisby is currently ranked second in the state in the high jump. She recently high jumped 5’8” at the Region 3-AAAAAA Tournament to win the event.
is the largest dropout prevention organization in the nation. CIS in Coweta County was organized to offer the organization’s
overall goal of providing services and support to students struggling to remain in school and graduate specifically to struggling Coweta students. The 2015 Hats and Hooves event was able to raise more than $73,000 for the organization. Funds, along with additional support from Coweta businesses and service organi-
zations, allowed the local CIS to hire three new site coordinators and to begin serving students at Ruth Hill Elementary School in Newnan. “The generosity shown to CIS by the community has been overwhelming,” Weathersby added in the release. “A lot of that
HOOVES, page 4
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FAMILY FEATURES
all is a busy time for families on the go, but dinner can still be approachable and wholesome. One easy solution: transform a simple everyday side dish into a meal that will have your family asking for more. These recipes, created in partnership with lifestyle expert Sandra Lee, feature Bob Evans’ collection of high-quality, likescratch side dishes ranging from mashed potatoes to macaroni and cheese. The sides, found in the refrigerated section of most local grocery stores, are made with real ingredients and the perfect blend of seasonings to make entrees taste just right. Find more mealtime solutions that put side dishes at the forefront at Farm Fresh Ideas (bobevans.com/recipes), a club that provides recipes, a personalized recipe box and helpful tips in the kitchen.
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Baked Potato Pizza
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EAST COWETA TRACK STANDOUT ALIYAH WHISBY EXCELS IN THE HIGH JUMP By JEFF ARMSTRONG jarmstrong@newnan.com
East Coweta High senior track and field athlete Aliyah Whisby has received accolades and awards in the 200 and 400 meter runs and the 4x100 and 4x400 relay races during her time at EC. She has two state medals in the 4x400 relays, is currently ranked 18th in the state in the 400 meters, 30th in the 200 meters and has helped the 4x400 team make 38th in the state. But where Whisby excels is in the high jump. She’s won two state medals in the high jump and is currently ranked second in the state in the event. Whisby, 18, has been participating in track and field since she was in the fourth grade and it was the high jump which quickly became her favorite event. “I love the high jump. I knew I could jump really high and my middle school track coach kept encouraging me to do it,” said Whisby, who has an older and a younger brother. “I jumped 5’5” in the eighth grade, which was the best in my class.” Whisby now has improved her high jump to 5’8” (which she recently did at the Region 3-AAAAAA Tournament) and she has higher aspirations in her favorite event. “The goal for me is to clear
5’10” in the high jump,” she said. She will get the chance to do that at the next level, as she has committed to attend Kennesaw State University in the fall. “I’m excited to go to college on a track scholarship. I can’t wait to show my high jump skills at the next level,” Whisby said. What’s even more amazing about Whisby’s high jump prowess is the fact she currently doesn’t have a specific high jump coach. Everything she learned about excelling in the high jump came from watching Olympic high jump athletes perform workouts on YouTube. “All the girls who are ranked higher than I am in the high jump are girls who do have a high jump coach or participate in indoor track,” said Whisby, who sports a 3.6 grade point average. “I am doing this pretty much on my own through my God-given talent, working with my running coaches and watching the videos.” Whisby said watching the videos of the Olympic track athletes helped her tremendously. She especially liked the videos on calf raises and the podium backflip workouts. For the podium backflips, Whisby said she would stand on a 3-foot track podium in front of the high jump bar and mat and actually do a backflip over the bar and onto the big cushioned mat behind the bar. At least, that was the goal. “Doing those podium backflips taught me to get my legs up, which is key in the high
JUMP, page 3
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