Cherokee Countys Michael Gustafson Achieves Rare Boy Scout Honor Michael Gustafson recently became the first Boy Scout in Cherokee County to ever earn all the merit badges that the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) offers. Currently, there are only 136 merit badges. But in addition to those 136 badges, Michael also earned the only 4 historical merit badges earned in 2010, and he earned a computers merit badge before it became digital technology. So Michael has 141 total merit badges. There have only been 7 other Boy Scouts in Georgia to ever accomplish this goal in the past 100 years, and no Boy Scout in Cherokee County has ever accomplished this feat. Judge Frank C. Mills was Michaels first merit badge counselor in swimming in 2009, and he recently presented Michael with his 141st merit badge at the Boy Scout Court of Honor at the Cherokee Arts Center. To understand how rare it is for a Boy Scout to accomplish this, there are only about 2 or 3 Boy Scouts in the U.S. who reach this goal each year.
Reinhardt Receives Two Partners in Education Awards The University was honored as R.M. Moore Elementary Schools Partner in Education of the Year and the Reinhardt University Football Team and head coach, Drew Cronic, were awarded Partner in Education of the Year for Clayton Elementary School.
Local Youth Selected for Extreme Mustang Makeover Molly Johnston of Ball Ground, GA has been selected to compete in the Fort Worth Extreme Mustang Makeover held in Fort Worth, TX. Molly will have approximately 100 days to gentle a randomly assigned, wild horse and compete for cash and prizes. Molly is a 7th grade honor roll student at Teasley Elementary, and she loves riding and training horses. Her love for horses began when she started volunteering at Trinity Horse Rescue in Acworth. The mustangs competing in the Extreme Mustang Makeover challenge, which were virtually untouched prior to being picked up by the contestants, will compete in Fort Worth in September. The youth, ages 8-17, and the mustangs will compete in a series of classes that will showcase their new skills. The horses will compete in handling and conditioning, leading trail and a freestyle class. Event information about the Fort Worth Extreme Mustang Makeover is available at ExtremeMustangMakeover.com. The purpose of the competition is to showcase the beauty, versatility and trainability of these rugged horses that roam freely on public lands throughout the west, where they are protected under federal law.
Reinhardt alumna named the Georgia 2016 National Distinguished Assistant Principal Reinhardt University alumni continue to excel in their careers, and a 2006 Price School of Education graduate has been honored by the state for her work as an educator. Rachel Wasserman 06 was surprised May 23 with the announcement that she was named the Georgia 2016 National Distinguished Assistant Principal. Reinhardt is where it all started for me on my path to becoming an educator. I cannot tell you how proud I am to say that I am a Reinhardt grad, Wasserman said. The experiences I had there through my professors and fellow students made me the educator I am today. They are the ones that will stay with me always. The presentation was made by Hal Beaver, Georgia Association of Elementary School Principals Executive Director, at Woodstock Elementary School where Wasserman serves as an assistant principal. The honor also includes a $500 award. You have been chosen by your peers because you exemplify educational leadership of the highest quality, he said, noting the award is presented to only one Assistant Principal in Georgia each year, and honorees are selected for successful leadership. You have put the progress and well-being of every child at the forefront of school planning and operations. Your distinguished leadership and extraordinary service as an educator exhibit your commitment to improving young lives. Dr. Cindy Kiernan, dean of the Price School of Education at Reinhardt University, said Wassermans experiences at Reinhardt are reflected in the Universitys mission of educating the whole person. As reflected in our University Mission Statement, Reinhardt seeks to educate the whole person by developing the intellectual, social, personal, vocational, spiritual/moral and physical dimensions of its students, Kiernan said. Graduates are distinguished by attributes that are developed through personal interaction with the faculty, the staff and fellow students. Ms. Rachel Wassermans experiences in the Price School of Education at Reinhardt University reflect a graduate impacted by faculty supporting this mission. Wasserman credits the educator that she has become to Reinhardt and its faculty members a sentiment she highlighted while speaking at a recent retirement event.She chose to speak about RU alumnus, former Reinhardt adjunct professor and former Cherokee County School District superintendent, Gene Norton. So you see, Mr. Norton, having you as a teacher did more for me than you will ever know, Wasserman said during the event. I would not be the Assistant Principal, sister, daughter or person I am today without being taught by a teacher like you. Wasserman began with the CCSD as a classroom teacher in 2006 after graduating from Reinhardt. She continued her education and earned a masters degree in early childhood education and specialist in educational leadership degree from Kennesaw State University. She was named the schools Teacher of the Year for the 2013-14 school year. Fellow RU alumnus and current Cherokee County School District superintendent, Dr. Brian Hightower, said the respect for Wasserman and her work as an educator and administrator go far past the walls of Woodstock Elementary School. Assistant Principal Wasserman is a dynamic leader who has earned the respect of colleagues at her school, the district and statewide, Dr. Hightower said. We are committed to growing and supporting leaders like Ms. Wasserman, who has risen to the challenge of helping to lead one of our largest Title I schools. I could not be more proud to congratulate her on this well-deserved honor, which we expect will be the first of many."
Reinhardt Celebrates Inauguration of New President, Dr. Kina Mallard Reinhardt University recently celebrated the inauguration of its 20th President, Dr. Kina S. Mallard (pictured), in an almost two-week-long celebration. The event was kicked off with an art gallery reception at the Falany Performing Arts Center. The art on display was in honor of Dr. Mallard, and each piece had a connection to Reinhardts newest president. The guest artists included Ann Bailey, of Canton; Nancy Currie Moore, of Canton; Lisa Flanary, of Jefferson City, Tennessee; Angela D. Lee, of Nashville, Tennessee; Michael Mallard, of Plains; Melissa Mann Bean, of Louisville, Kentucky; Julie Rabun, of Jefferson City, Tennessee; David Underwood, of Jefferson City, Tennessee; Joshua Wagner, of Nashville, Tennessee; and Jen White, of Memphis, Tennessee. In addition to the art gallery reception, the week-long celebration also included an Inauguration and Alumni Awards Gala, as well as concerts by the Universitys Jazz Ensemble, its Symphonic Winds group and its Choir.
Cherokee Chamber Names Volunteer of the Quarter The Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that Jennifer Simonis with Healing Hands Youth Ranch has been named the Chairmans Council Volunteer of the Quarter for the first quarter of 2016. She was honored during the Chambers April Good Morning Cherokee networking event. In determining the Volunteer of the Quarter, attendance at Chamber events is evaluated for all members of the Chairmans Council. There was no doubt when naming this quarters honoree, as Jennifer attended many Chamber events since the first of the year, said Steve Garrison, Chamber Chairman and Owner of Canton Tire & Wheel.
CTCs Executive Director for Adult Education Recognized Nationally Chattahoochee Technical Colleges Executive Director for Adult Education, Tamika Phillips, has been named runner up for Outstanding Administrator of the Year by the Commission on Adult Basic Education (COABE) an award she was nominated for by Beverly Smith, assistant commissioner over the adult education programs for the Technical College System of Georgia. COABE is a 13,000 member organization that exists to provide leadership, communication, professional development and advocacy for adult education and literacy opportunities. The commissions mission is to inspire educators so adults succeed and communities thrive. COABE provides a variety of services, including competitive national-level awards, incentive grants and scholarship opportunities through special funding provided by the Dollar General Literacy Foundation.
B.J. Weeks Chairing GA Farm Bureau Honeybee Committee Cherokee County Farm Bureau member B.J. Weeks is serving as chairman of the Georgia Farm Bureau Honeybee Committee for 2016. Weeks maintains 500 bee hives, selling honey to 65 local grocery stores and providing limited pollination services. He also raises queen bees and sells packaged beehives. The 10-member GFB Honeybee Committee is made up of fruit producers from around the state. Weeks leads the committee in making recommendations to Georgia Farm Bureau regarding issues that impact the states honeybee industry. Weeks has previously served on the Cherokee County Farm Bureau board, including a stint as vice president. He has also served as vice president for Georgia Beekeepers Association and helps teach classes and workshops for the Cherokee County Beekeepers Club.
Lyndon Academy Ground Breaking Lyndon Academy recently broke ground on the third phase of their Toonigh Road campus. The new addition will enable the school to fully educate current and future students, from kindergarten through high school graduation. The Murdock family owns and operates the school and made a promise to add a grade level per year to build a complete k-12 academy. The beginning of phase III brings that promise to fruition. Lyndon Academy is excited to enter this next phase of development and growth for the students and families it serves. The Academy is now enrolling kindergarten through 10th grade for the 2016-2017 school year.
Hickory Flat Fire Chief Larry Berry Retires Hickory Flat Volunteer Fire Chief, Larry Berry, recently retired after 40 years as a volunteer firefighter and 37 years as fire chief. Nearly 100 friends, relatives and firefighters attended a retirement celebration at station 23 in Hickory Flat. Fellow officers discussed Berrys impact on the community and the county as a whole. Chief Berry was instrumental in building the Volunteer Firefighters Organization, said Tim Crossland, the new Hickory Flat Volunteer Fire Chief. He then added that, beginning in the 1970s, Chief Berry set high training standards, which enabled many volunteers to pursue firefighting careers. Crossland estimated that as many as 35% of Hickory Flat volunteers have become career firefighters. Even after retirement, Berrys legacy will continue, as the firefighters he recruited and trained help citizens in fire stations throughout the county. Berrys final radio call came through at 8:30 pm on March 14, 2016. After a series of tones representing fire stations throughout the county, the dispatcher thanked Chief Larry Berry for 40 years of service. Following the dispatch, firefighters sent messages of appreciation to a chief who has made a difference in Hickory Flat and beyond. Berry will continue to serve on the HFFD, Inc. Board of Trustees.