Fayetteville resident Kelly Batcho has been named chairperson of the local chapter of the American Cancer Society’s fifth annual Barons’ Ball.

Batcho, who moved to the community from Ohio in 2002, said she was inspired by friends and neighbors four years ago to get involved with what was then a new fundraising event for the American Cancer Society. She served on the Barons’ Ball decorations committee for the past two years. This year, however, she said it just felt right to volunteer to serve as the overall event chair.

With one of the smallest staffs in its nine-year history, Starr’s Mill High School’s The Prowler newspaper scooped up an unprecedented 13 awards at the annual Georgia Scholastic Press Association’s annual journalism convention and competition which was held at the Henry W. Grady School of Journalism at the University of Georgia on Friday, April 27.

Heritage Bank celebrated academic achievement with the seventh annual High Honors Recognition program for the exceptional students of Fayette County High School by extending the honors to include neighboring Starr’s Mill High School. Best-selling author Ronda Rich entertained the group of 220 scholars and their families with her renowned humor as she drove home the message that hard work and persistence are the tools of success, and they should never give up their dreams.

Sara Harp Minter Elementary's K-Kids receive two distinguished honors from the Kiwanis Club.

Andrea Zonneveld is one of eleven Carnegie Mellon University undergraduate students to be named recipients of Milton and Cynthia Friedman fellowships and who will spend their summer as interns in Washington, D.C. Grants of up to $3,000 were awarded to the students to support unpaid and underpaid policy-related internships in the nation's capital.

Sandy Creek High School senior David Mitchell is one of 19 high school seniors in Georgia identified as a “Promising Scholar” by the University of Georgia’s Center for Undergraduate Research Opportunities (CURO).

Meet popular Christian author Lauraine Snelling and hear what she has to say about her career as a successful writer of both historical and contemporary inspirational fiction when she appears at the Fayette County Public Library, 1821 Heritage Park Way, Fayetteville, on Saturday, June 30 at 1 p.m.

Local students from Arlington Christian School attended the mock trials at Emory University on Saturday, May 12.

Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) Cadet Christopher J. Telley is one of 273 cadets who received the 2007 George C. Marshall ROTC Award at the George C. Marshall Foundation in Lexington, Va.

Recently, Fayette Christian School recognized several students for outstanding academic performance.

Duke University has two programs designed to recognize academically gifted students across a 16-state area. The Duke University program designed for fourth and fifth graders is called the 4th/5th Grade Talent Search.

Approximately 60 fifth graders from Kedron Elementary in Peachtree City concluded nearly a semester of class work on the dangers of drug usage. Taught by specially trained police officers the D.A.R.E (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) Program explains the harmful effects of multiple types of drugs and teaches students how to deal with negative peer pressure. At the conclusion of the course each student writes an essay on what they learned from the class. Essay winners are then selected from each class. Students read these essays during graduation ceremonies which are attended by parents and faculty members.

Dancers from Georgia Youth Ballet (GYB) have returned from performing at the Regional Dance America (RDA) National Festival in Pittsburgh, Penn. This year’s event was only the second national festival in RDA’s 50-year history.

Joycelynn Foster, a sophomore at Fayette Christian School, has been nominated to attend the 2007 National Youth Leadership Forum on Medicine. Foster, daughter of Johnny Gordon and Augusta Gordon of McDonough, plans to attend medical school after college.

Kid’s Safety and Movie Night will be held Friday, June 29 at the Peachtree City Baseball and Soccer Complex on Ga. Highway 74.

Peachtree City Chapter, Order of DeMolay, recently honored John Bouchell, assistant principal at Starr’s Mill High School, for his many years of dedicated service as an educator and school administrator at their Educational Day Observance.

The James Waldrop Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution has elected its first officers.

A 30 year plan unfolds

It’s the story every kid dreams of (and even some adults, too): the discovery of buried treasure. There are stories of it, movies and television shows about it and even real life treasure hunters.

For three Peachtree City children, this fantasy became a reality over Memorial Day weekend when they discovered a trove of treasure in their very own backyard.

Solid reading skills are vital for success on many of the tests your child will take between Kindergarten and high school graduation - including the SAT and ACT. Students therefore need to possess a strong vocabulary and be confident in their ability to discern the meanings of many words. Here are some tips for building word power:

When Michael Paré and Pam Shaneyfelt of Fayetteville wanted a place to celebrate their new life as a married couple earlier this year, they bypassed the traditional house of worship or catering hall and exchanged their vows at a place known more for the end of life – a Riverdale hospice.

Dean to attend Governor’s Honors Program for Visual Arts
Samantha Dean, a Fayette County High School student, has been selected to participate in the 2007 Governor’s Honors Program for visual arts. The program is a six-week study program this summer in Valdosta. provides intellectually gifted and artistically talented high school students challenging and enriching educational opportunities not usually available during the regular school year. Activities are designed to provide each participant with opportunities to acquire the skills, knowledge and attitudes to become independent, life-long learners.

“The Papercuts,” a team representing Robert J. Burch Elementary School, took a gold medal at the 5th grade Reading Invitational on April 25. The team, which includes Alexus Cruz, Destiny Teasley, Carly Weikle, and alternate Brandon Blanchette (not shown), had a near perfect score and shared honors with one other team which also took gold. There were 16 teams representing Fayette County schools.

Hundreds of U.S. soldiers returning to the Middle East after two weeks of R&R were treated to Girl Scout cookies before they boarded their World Airways flight at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport recently.

The International Kiwanis is geared toward the children of the world, and that emphasis trickles down to Fayette County.

Belles & Beaus, a family-owned bridal and formalwear salon, is closing its doors a quarter of a century after Joan Branton founded it in July 1982. Belles & Beaus is the oldest and largest salon on the southside of Atlanta and one of the largest in the southeastern United States.

The Hoagies and High Fashion event held at New Hope South net nearly $7,000 for Promise Place. Event planning committee member and assistant vice president for Heritage Bank Barbara Stevens presents a check for $6,700 to Sonja Strickland, director of Promise Place.

Students of Dance Contempra in Peachtree City have recently been accepted to programs nationwide.

On Monday, April 30, Jump 2 It in Peachtree City hosted Jump 2 a Cure Relay for Life for Courtney Smith. Pictured here is Jay Argo, Jump 2 It owner, with Smith, a Jump 2 it employee and cancer survivor. Photo/Special.

Ciani Walker, a fifth grade student at Spring Hill Elementary School, was chosen by District Attorney Scott Ballard as a finalist in an essay contest about law enforcement. In her essay, entitled “I Appreciate Police,” Walker expresses her admiration for police for their strength, positive attitude, and courage. She says she has seen them on the job and respects them for the work they do every day, and thanks them for the work they do to make Fayette County safe.

• Air Force Airman Michael G. Boyle has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. During the six weeks of training, the airman studied the Air Force mission, organization, and military customs and courtesies; performed drill and ceremony marches, and received physical training, rifle marksmanship, field training exercises, and special training in human relations. In addition, airmen who complete basic training earn credits toward an associate degree through the Community College of the Air Force. He is the son of David and Tracy Boyle of Fayetteville, Ga. and a 2004 graduate of Fayette County High School, Fayetteville.

Promise Place opens shelter with a full house

Have you ever known a friend or family member to flinch at a sudden movement by her spouse after he makes a spontaneous gesture with a hand or arm? Have you ever seen someone flinch after hearing a loud, unexpected noise? Muscles in the neck and upper torso will often tighten and the person, usually female, will turn her head just slightly to one side with her eyes appearing to squint. But most of the time there is no overt sign at all that anything is wrong since humans are quite adept at pretending all is well.