Fayette County students kick-off the summer break with community service in New Orleans

Thirty-seven members of the Association of Village Pride, Inc., a community-based youth leadership development organization, planned and executed a community service project addressing the clean up efforts resulting from the devastation of hurricane Katrina. This group of Fayette County students began their summer traveling to New Orleans on a mission to provide hands-on service to this ravished community.

Governor Sonny Perdue announced that Daniel Groce, a native of Fayetteville, Ga., is among 29 college students and recent graduates chosen to participate in the Governor’s Intern Program for the summer of 2008. Groce is working as an intern for the Office of Government Affairs.

Michael Hollis Harris, a recent graduate of Starr’s Mill High School, was named the 2008 Student of Integrity Scholarship Award winner, sponsored by the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Harris was honored with a $1,000 scholarship. Six area high school seniors were chosen from over 120 applicants to receive the award. Harris is the son of David and Leigh Ann Harris of Fayetteville and the grandson of Joyce and Hollis Harris of Peachtree City and Betty Mayfield of Fayetteville. Harris is pictured with Fred T. Elsberry, president and CEO of the BBB. Photo/Special.

Fayeanne Large, a student at Fayette County High School, was selected to attend the 2008 Congressional Student Leadership Conference, CSI: Forensic Science, sponsored by LeadAmerica. The CSLC is a college-accredited invitational leadership program for academically talented and promising young leaders from across the United States and internationally.

Mallory Lange of Fayetteville, Ga., was named one of the most accomplished spring quarter graduates of The Art Institute of Atlanta, a college of creative professional studies. During the college’s graduation event on June 13, Lange was presented with the Outstanding Contribution to the College for advertising.

Grace Christian Academy held its second commencement exercises on May 24, 2008.

Michael Anderson graduated as valedictorian and finished his coursework with a 4.180 GPA. Anderson plans to attend the University of Georgia this fall.

Mike and Chris McNeal, owners of McNeal Transit Group located in Newnan, established a non-profit organization in January of this year in order to be more strategic with their philanthropy. The McNeal Family Foundation is a non-profit organization committed to serving local families who have been affected by childhood cancer. The foundation was established in honor of their niece, Hannah, who was diagnosed with childhood leukemia at age four.

Dr. Rick Verdin, of Fayetteville, Ga., was the guest speaker at the Terrebonne Parish native American High School graduation ceremonies and presented scholarships to two Houma Indian High School graduates. Verdin was a member of the last class of the Dulac Indian School, served on the Houma Tribal Council and became the first Houma Indian to attend LSU School of Dentistry. To honor his father, Joseph Verdin, Dr. Rick Verdin initiated The Verdin Indian Heritage Scholarship. The recipients were John Foret Jr. and Heather Parfait. Photo/Special.

Fayetteville Main Street has been accredited as a 2008 National Main Street Program for meeting the commercial district revitalization performance standards set by the National Trust Main Street Center. Fayetteville joins over 700 other Main Street revitalization programs being recognized as 2008 National Main Street Programs. Each year the National Trust Main Street Center and its coordinating program partners announce the list of accredited National Main Street Programs around the country that have demonstrated their ability to follow the Main Street methodology.

Two students of the Fayette Suzuki Flute program were awarded medals at the spring recital for their practice time. Jamesie Lussos received a 500 Day Club medal and Rachel Dwyer received a 1,000 Day Club medal. The daughter of Alex and Anna Lussos of Fayetteville, Jamesie began her study at age 5. Dwyer, daughter of Joe and Mo Dwyer of Sharpsburg, also began her studies at age 5. For more information on the Fayette Suzuki Flute program, contact Karen Collins at 678-364-0837. Photo/Special.

Virginia Gibbs, president of the Fayette County Chamber of Commerce, has graduated from the Institute for Organization Management, a four-year nonprofit leadership training program held June 22–26, at the University of Georgia in Athens, Ga.

Gary D. McGaha, an organizer of Southern Community Bank who has served as its only president and chief executive officer, has retired, bank chairman Richard Dumas said. The retirement was announced to bank employees during a meeting on June 9 and became effective June 30.

Georgia author Leslie S. Jones, a resident of Brooks, Ga., has released nationwide a new, inspirational children's book titled, "Adventures of Callaway."

Students from the Fayette Suzuki Flute program who performed at the spring recital include Tucker VanEgmond, Jamesie Lussos, Madison Warren, Josh Mejia, Sarah Wampler, Sarah Holland, Sally Worst, Jillian Martin, Erin Landry, Jim Long, Rachel Dwyer, Meghann Gibson, Katie Patrick, Hannah Smith, Andrew Picard and Meghann Pinter, a guest graduate player. Also in attendance was Lori Richards, a guest teacher from North Carolina. For more information on the Fayette Suzuki Flute program, contact Karen Collins at 678-364-0837. Photo/Special.

Recently Danielle Ruppenthal, Diana Ruppenthal, Katie Cassidy and Megan McDowell had the opportunity to serve as a Pages for Senator Ronnie Chance. Photo/Special.

• Jasczynski named to dean’s list

Michelle Jasczynski of Fayetteville has made the dean’s list at Berry College in Rome Georgia. Jasczynski is a 2007 graduate of Starr’s Mill High School and the daughter of Paul and Karen Jasczynski. She has also been awarded a scholarship program from Berry College to attend Seoul Women’s University in Korea in the International Relations program. With a 3.8 grade average, Jasczynski is the recipient of Georgia's Hope Scholarship entering her third year at Berry College while working in student education and work program. She studies psychology and language arts.

For the past three years, United Community Bank—Fairburn has been the primary sponsor of the non-profit Arts Alliance at Christian City, located in Union City, Ga. The Arts Alliance was formed five years ago by volunteers whose mission is to bring cultural events free of charge to senior adults residing on the Christian City campus. Two of the bank’s employees, Debs MacNellis and Linda Chastang, were recently installed as chairman and secretary respectively of this 40-member organization. MacNellis and Chastang are pictured with vice chairman MaryRuth Kimsey. Photo/Special.

Luke Hilliard, a 2008 graduate from McIntosh High School, has been accepted into the Merchant Marine Academy for fall session. He is taking classes for a degree in marine engineering and will graduate in the class of 2012. Photo/Special.

Clearview Federal Credit Union recently announced the winners of their 2008 Ralph B. Canterbury Scholarship. Jillian Turner of Tyrone, Ga. was awarded one of the ten scholarships at Clearview’s annual meeting on June 21. Turner currently attends the University of Georgia, where she will graduate in 2011 with a degree in international affairs. This $1,250 scholarship will be used to further her education at the University of Georgia.

Travis Richardson of Peachtree City, Ga., joined other outstanding eighth and ninth grade students from across the nation in a unique leadership development program held in 32 cities across the country this spring. Themed Courageous Leadership, the National Young Leaders State Conference (NYLSC) helps young scholars take an introspective and highly-personalized assessment of their leadership skills and abilities.

A new scholarship fund at North Georgia College & State University is available to assist students from Atkinson and Fayette counties, birthplaces of the fund’s donors, Lucille and Bill Perry. 

Sandy Creek High School student Jeremy Miller from Tyrone, Ga. has been selected for membership by the National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS).

The society recognizes the top scholars in the nation and invites only those students who have achieved superior academic excellence.

Lauren Nicole Beck was one of 35 students who received First Honor Graduation distinctions at the University of Georgia’s May 10 commencement ceremonies. The university bestows the honor on students who maintained a 4.00 grade point average throughout their undergraduate studies. The students graduated summa cum laude and ranked in the top 1 percent of the 3,500-member graduating class. Beck graduated with a degree in biology. She is the daughter of William and Li-Lei Beck, of Tyrone, Ga.

Being actively involved in her community is nothing new for Jessi Prahl. The Peachtree City resident has been a mentor in the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America program for several years and has been a volunteer at the Good Samaritan clinic in Atlanta – a clinic for underprivileged Atlanta residents providing quality health care.

Civil Air Patrol Cadet Major Drew Clasen has received an appointment to attend the United States Air Force Academy. Georgia’s senior U.S. Senator, Saxby Chambliss, nominated Clasen for this appointment. Clasen is a 2008 graduate of Starr’s Mill High School and the outgoing cadet commander of the Peachtree City – Falcon Field Composite Squadron.

Some of the most academically talented seventh graders in the U.S. were recognized this spring for their exceptional scores on the ACT or SAT.

A trio of local siblings have chased their dreams to becoming Nashville’s next big star. Tonya Anderson, Dan Daniel and Meloni Thompson known as Crystal Drive tried out for NBC’s country version of “American Idol” – “Nashville Star.”

Georgia Singers is a community choral organization for women beginning in eighth grade through young adult. They are directed by Dr. Franklin Green and accompanied by Mr. Rick Massengale. Georgia Singers recently hosted and performed for the Lexus Scholarships for the Stars Competition in April. Over $24,000 in scholarships was awarded to Fayette County music students. Georgia Singers have also been invited to sing at the opening night of the Alliance Theater production of “A Christmas Carol.”

Are you a new parent? Do you know a new parent? Then you must know about the chaos, sleep deprivation and exhaustion of day-to-day living with a newborn. Now, there’s help.

Erin Roberson, principal at Peeples Elementary School, accepts benches for her school presented by Samuel Strawbridge, a former student. Strawbridge designed and constructed the six benches for his Eagle Scout Leadership Project. He chose to construct the benches so students would have a comfortable place to wait on their rides. Brian VanKouwenberg, scoutmaster of Troop 118 was also present.