2024-2025
July 9, 2024 (Click Here)
July 9, 2024
Columbia County Board of Education Special Recognitions
GHSA 6A Boys Golf State Champions
Lakeside High School
Team Members:
McCrae Bella
Jack Demyan
Tommy Eremito
Nick Flite
Lukas Fritsch
Cooper Hawkins
Qasim Khan
Jacob Mondi
Theron Sapp
Coley Shiver
Bennett Wiggins
Hamilton Coleman*
Barrett Loftis (All-State)
Jacob Weaver
Head Coach: Justin Crawford
Assistant Coach: Matt Scott
Principal: Juliet King
*Individual State Champion and Boys Player of the Year
The Lakeside High School Boys Golf Team was named the 2024 GHSA State Champions, the school's first title since 2010. The dedication, perseverance, and leadership demonstrated by this team is remarkable. Their commitment to excellence and teamwork has truly set a new standard for future athletes at Lakeside High School.
Never wilting under pressure, the Panthers won the state tournament by four strokes after being down seven strokes on Monday.
These young men came together and took the lead at the midway point Tuesday morning and never looked back. It was a true team effort.
Monday was led by the four underclassmen of Coleman, Wiggins, Flite and Hawkins, but Tuesday’s comeback was spearheaded by the Lakeside seniors of Loftis and Eremito.
With the win, the Lakeside boys golf team claimed their first state championship since 2010!
GHSA 5A Girls Golf State Championship
2nd Place - Greenbrier High School
Team Members:
Adyson Lukich (Individual State Runner up)
Avery Simpson
Allyson Barber
Kate Christiansen
Sara Grace Cribb
Reagan Henderson
Madi Link
Benton Vineyard
Zion Young
Head Coach: Casey Heckathorn
Assistant Coach: Daniel Jordan
Principal: Chip Fulmer
After winning the 2023 State Championship, the Lady Pack entered this year’s event ready to compete against 11 other 5A schools. The first day’s scores put them in the group with last year’s runner-ups and the school was currently in the lead by 7 strokes. On the 11th hole, Avery Simpson nearly made birdie, Reagan Henderson made back-to-back birdies on 11 and 12, Adyson Lukich continued to dominate her pairing, and Madi Link completed her round with back-to-back pars.
The Greenbrier Girls Golf program only had 1 player 4 years ago and currently has a team of 9. This group of girls has created a culture of excellence. They practice hard, and have high expectations.
CCSD Police Department State Certification
The Columbia County School District Police Department (CCSDPD) received State Certification by successfully completing the Georgia Association Chiefs of Police (GACP) Georgia Law Enforcement Certification Program.
After a rigorous application and process review, the CCSDPD joins the ranks of only 140 top law enforcement agencies, out of 700 law enforcement agencies across the state, of which 41 are school police, to successfully demonstrate best practices for effective and professional law enforcement. Out of the 180 school districts across the state, the CCSDPD is now one of only five to earn certification. Cornerstones of the certification program include professionalism, positive community support, transparency, ethical conduct, and more. As part of the accreditation process, the CCSDPD met a required 141 standards covering nine areas essential to effective law enforcement. Additionally, the typical 36-month process was completed by the CCSDPD in an impressive 13 months, signifying the department’s commitment to excellence.
“We are so proud of our outstanding team of professional law enforcement officers and staff for their continued dedication to the safety of our schools, students, and staff,” said Dr. Steven Flynt, Superintendent. “This certification is an impressive achievement and is emblematic of the great work that is taking place all across the CCSD every day to help ensure our students receive the high-quality education they deserve, in a safe, positive environment.”
In 2018, the Columbia County Board of Education approved the placement of a dedicated, POST-certified, School Resource Officer in every school. In 2022, the CCSD PD was established along with full jurisdiction of school safety. Today, the Columbia County School District has a dedicated district training officer, and a School Resource Officer in every school, with two at every high school.
With accreditation complete, the CCSDPD will continue to participate in compliance monitoring.
Congratulations, CCSDPD.
JROTC leads Pledge of Allegiance
Harlem High School
August 13, 2024 (Click Here)
August 13, 2024
Columbia County Board of Education Special Recognitions
Georgia School Boards Association (GSBA)
24-25 Youth Advisory Council
Ryan Schluter - Evans High School
Ryan Schluter of Evans High School has been invited by the Georgia School Boards Association (GSBA) to be a member of the GSBA Youth Advisory Council (YAC).
The YAC is a dynamic platform that brings together young leaders from various public schools to participate in the discourse on educational policies and practices actively. This council empowers students to voice their perspectives and contribute to decision-making processes, ensuring that youth viewpoints are integral in shaping the academic landscape.
The YAC was formed by the Georgia School Boards Association (GSBA) to give high school students the opportunity to provide meaningful input to school board members. The goal of the feedback is to help aid school board members in their decision-making and implementation processes. The YAC Committee is composed of GSBA staff and serves as a resource to students enrolled in the program. Through this program, they hope that students and school board members can achieve greater awareness regarding academic programs and school climate.
National Junior Beta Club Convention Winners
Students from Columbia Middle School and Lakeside Middle School took home top 10 wins at the National Beta Club Convention. Students attended the State Junior Beta Club Convention in Savannah this past fall where they competed and qualified for the National Junior Beta Club Convention in June.
Kathryn Lawrence
Columbia Middle School
8th Place - National Visual Arts
Lakeside Middle School
5th Place - Engingeering
McKayla Benjamin
Adain Cox
Emma Cox
Logan Cox
Arya Doshi
Peter Kenny
Isabelle Pendley
Madeline Smith (Golden Ticket Winner)
Emery Smitherman
Zavier Voigt
Vash Whaley
Grace Williams
Beta Club Sponsor - Emily Gainey
Principal - Jeremy Medlin
These students spent countless hours during the school year and over the summer practicing and preparing for their events. This was their first time competing in Meeting of the Minds and Lead Outside the Box, and their second year competing in Engineering. Last year LMS students placed 6th in Engineering, and this year they placed 5th.
There were 5 “Golden Tickets” given to students who competed in the performing arts category at the state competition last November. Students were chosen for their performance quality and stage presence. Madeline Smith was one of the 5 chosen performers in the state of Georgia to be one of the National Premier Performers at the National Convention this summer. As one of the “Golden Ticket Winners” from around the nation, they lead the Opening Session with a series of choreographed routines.
All of the students represented themselves and LMS with integrity and impressed everyone with their commitment, teamwork and problem-solving to come to a viable solution during all of their competitions.
Students, sponsor, and principal, please come forward when you are called and remain until a photo is taken. Family members here to support these students, please stand and be recognized. Please hold your applause until all team members have been called.
Evans High School
JROTC Color Guard
Thanks to the Evans High School JROTC for leading the Pledge of Allegiance at the Board Meeting.
October 8, 2024 (click here)
October 8, 2024
Columbia County Board of Education Special Recognitions
Columbia Virtual Academy art teacher Tiffany Weser selected for two awards
Tiffanty Weser, an art teacher at Columbia Virtual Academy, has been selected as the Georgia Art Education Association’s 2025 Georgia Art Educator of the Year. The GAEA awards committee was delighted to recognize her outstanding contributions to art education and her commitment to positively impacting our schools and community. She will be honored at the GAEA Fall conference and her application will move to the Southeastern Region for judging at the regional level.
Ms. Weser is also receiving the Georgia Youth Art Month Award of Merit. Youth Art Month is a program that brings student artists together to celebrate all their accomplishments over the school year. Ms. Weser taught the preparatory workshop to Georgia art teachers, and then to students from across Georgia. She commented, “To see them create once they were given the prompt was so exciting. To see the student's creativity flow at the drop of a hat is so much fun to watch. They are so unique in their styles, mediums, and approach to the task. She states that she is grateful to have been able to share her love of art with those students.”
Students at Lakeside and Greenbrier high schools selected as National Merit Scholarship program semi-finalists
Five students at district schools were recognized as semifinalists for the 70th Annual National Merit Scholarship Program by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC®).
The program honors individual students who show exceptional academic ability and potential for success in rigorous college studies. A Semifinalist must also have an outstanding academic record throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by a high school official, write an essay, and earn SAT® or ACT® scores that confirm the student’s earlier performance on the qualifying test.
These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 6,870 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $26 million that will be offered next spring. The nationwide pool of 16,000 Semifinalists, representing less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors, includes the highest-scoring entrants in each state.
SEMIFINALISTS
$35,000 in STEM grants awarded to district schools
Teachers from seven district schools received from $2,500 to $5,000 grants to advance programs relating to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Battelle Savannah River Alliance, the manager and operator of Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) awarded $125,000 in K-12 Catalyst Grants for STEM Education to Central Savannah River Area schools.
Thirty teachers from 25 different schools within the CSRA received grants, impacting more than 6,500 students. These grants will empower educators to bring their visionary projects to life, igniting curiosity and passion in their students. This initiative is about inspiring young minds to explore, discover and ultimately lead the way in advancing science and technology of the future.
GRANT RECIPIENTS
October 22, 2024 (click here)
October 22, 2024
Columbia County Board of Education Special Recognitions
- Greenbrier High students take first place in Georgia STEM competition
- Middle school student chosen as a Student to Watch in Georgia
- CCSD students and a teacher picked to serve on state councils
- McDowell receives high honor from science teachers association
Greenbrier High students take first place in Georgia STEM competition
Two students at Greenbrier High School won first place for their innovative supplement concept. While in 8th grade and for 18 months, Mia Riley and Kherington Phillips worked on their solution to combat vitamin and mineral deficiencies for people who live in food deserts. Called MicroMealz, the students submitted their solution to the 2023-2024 eCybermission STEM competition and were selected number one in the 9th-grade category for Georgia. They went on to compete in the southeast region competition for 9th Grade and finished in the Top 3.Middle school student chosen as a Student to Watch in Georgia
Lucas Beasley, now in 7th Grade at Greenbrier Middle, was chosen as one of Junior Achievement of Georgia's Nineteen Under Nineteen Student to Watch. He was one of two students in the CSRA to be selected for the recognition.CCSD students and a teacher picked to serve on state councils
McDowell receives high honor from science teachers association
The National Association of Biology Teachers named Greenbrier High teacher Crystal McDowell as one of three Oustanding Biology Teacher Award 2024 Honorees for Region IV, which includes five other states. McDowell is the recipient of awards and honors across the state for her innovative teaching and community partnerships to enhance the academic experience of students.
November 12, 2024 (click here)
November 12, 2024
Columbia County Board of Education Special Recognitions
GHSA Coach of the Year for Girls Wrestling
Donell Bradley
Greenbrier High School Coach Donell Bradley started coaching Girls Wrestling at Greenbrier High during the 2021-22 season. During her time as head coach of the Lady Wolfpack Wrestling team, she established Greenbrier as one of the top girls' wrestling programs in Georgia. Coach Bradley also serves as the National Wrestling Coaches Association Girls State Chairperson, the Georgia Amateur Wrestling Association Women’s Director, and is a Board Member of the Georgia Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.
Here are some highlights of her accomplishments as Greenbrier’s Head Girls Wrestling Coach:
- 2023 & 2024 Region Champions
- 3rd place 2023 GHSA State Duals
- 2nd place 2024 GHSA State Duals
- 1st School & County Individual State Champion 2024
Other Coaching Honors:
- 2021 USA Wrestling Woman’s Age Group Developmental Coach of the Year
- 2022 NWCA Scholastic Girls Coaching Staff of the Year
- 2023 & 2024 Georgia Athletic Coaches Association Region Coach of the Year
Georgia Association of Middle School Principals (GAMSP)
2024 Outstanding Assistant Principal Award
Marisa Forney
Grovetown Middle School
Ms. Forney is in her third year as an assistant principal. She served as an elementary teacher and an instructional coach before becoming an assistant principal. Ms. Forney’s instructional knowledge is an asset to her students and Grovetown Middle School. She is always searching for ways to stretch Grovetown Middle School students and challenges her team to think beyond the curriculum. Ms. Forney is committed to being a lifelong learner and exemplifies that through her leadership. She is a consistent participant in collaborative planning with teachers. She models and leads by example what it means to be an instructional leader while building a positive climate and culture with staff, students, and the community.
Veterans Day is an important date set aside to honor men and women who have served our country as members of one or more of the United States Armed Forces. In the days leading up to Veterans Day and in the days following, students across the district celebrated Veterans Day through a variety of student-led performances and other engaging events. Additionally, we understand the importance of veterans who currently serve as employees of the CCSD. To celebrate these outstanding educators and support staff, please enjoy the compilation of our staff who have served in the armed forces. Thanks to all who wear the uniform, we are grateful for your service.
4-H Presidents
Thanks to our 4-H Presidents from Greenbrier Elementary School for leading the Pledge. Great job, student leaders!
December 17, 2024 (Click Here)
December 17, 2024
Columbia County Board of Education Special Recognitions
GHSA One-Act Drama Competition
Grovetown High School, 2nd Place, State Runner-up
The Drama Team from Grovetown High School won the regional title and advanced to state competition where they placed as State Runner-Up again other 6A schools. Traditionally, 6A schools are the toughest of the competition, representing the largest high schools throughout Georgia.
Each school presents a 55-minute play or musical. Grovetown High's Drama Team presented Alabama Story by Kenneth Jones. Mr. Jones, a New York-based playwright, worked with students to prepare for the competition.
Grovetown High Drama Team
Riley Bale
Evan Bizzell
Maxwell Blair
Catie DuBose
Adam Duncan
Tiffany Escobar
Natalie Franz
Kailey Giles
Madison Holland
Mason Lathrop
Anthony LoBianco
Tyler Neely
Sal Rogers
Noah Sparks
Alex Stickney
Rebekah Watson
Damien Wilson
Coach: Dan McGill.
Principal: Andrew Young
4-H Presidents
Thanks to our 4-H Presidents from Cedar Ridge Elementary School for leading the Pledge. Great job, student leaders!
January 14, 2025 (Click Here)
January 14, 2025
Board of Education Special Recognitions
Junior Beta Statewide Secretary
Lorelai Patrick
Harlem Middle School
Harlem Middle School student Lorelai Patrick has been elected as the State Secretary for Junior Beta during the State Junior Beta Convention. Lorelai delivered a prepared speech in front of thousands of students and adults, and after votes were cast, she was announced the winner.
Advisors: Angela Haygood and Melissa Fogarty
Principal: Mr. John Bush.
GHSA Division II
Girl's Flag Football Back-to-Back State Champions
Greenbrier High School
Team Members:
Chloe Ackley
Jayla Ayler
Ari Boone
Darcy Bridwell
Libby Brooker
Emma Bryant
Sophie Campanaro
Sloan Carrillo
Jayden Carter
Bailey Chauvin
Jordan Harvey
Kenzie Horton
Finley Jones
Lexi Lacey
Abby Lester
Presley McDermott
Carrington Meyers
Addisen Odom
Anderson Odom
Maggie Pangle
Mary Pangle
Aaliyah Silver
Avery Simpson
Hailey Valentino
Head Coach: Daniel Jordan; Assistant Coaches: Wes Marshall, James Smith, and Ali Collins; Athletic Director: Garrett Black; Principal, Chip Fulmer.
Congratulations to the Greenbrier High School Lady Wolfpack Flag Football team for their second consecutive GHSA state championship! The Wolfpack traveled to Atlanta’s Mercedes Benz Stadium for the state finals and capped off their remarkable season with an 18-0 shutout victory. Leading 6-0 at halftime, Greenbrier finished strong with two touchdown passes in the second half.
The team ended the season with an impressive 21-1 record, cementing their status as one of the premier flag football programs in Georgia. This back-to-back state title is a testament to the team's hard work, dedication, and excellence on the field. Congratulations to the 2024 GHSA Girl's Flag Football State Champions!
Grovetown Elementary School 4-H Presidents
Thanks to our 4-H Presidents from Grovetown Elementary School for leading the Pledge of Allegiance during the recent Board of Education meeting. Great job, student leaders!
Board Members Swearing In
January 28, 2025 (Click Here)
January 28, 2025
Board of Education Special Recognitions
Junior Beta Club State Competition
The Beta Club is an academic service club that emphasizes academic leadership and community service. To be considered for membership, students must be working at or above grade level, demonstrate excellent academic success, and have a good moral character. Traditionally, students are awarded membership based on their GPA, or test scores and character traits. Students from Lakeside Middle School and Stallings Island Middle School recently competed at the annual Georgia Junior Beta Club State Convention and earned top three awards in a variety of categories.
Lakeside Middle School
First place in Cake Decorating - Xyla Lopez
Golden Ticket Premier Performer - Katherine Fruechting
Second place in Creative Writing - Aliyah Crawford
Third Place place in Wood Working - Logan Cox
Advisor: Emily Gainey - Ms. Gainey recently achieved recognition for her work as a National Beta sponsor. She was named a 2023-2024 Educator of Excellence.
Principal: Jeremy Medlin
Stallings Island Middle School
Second Place in Painting - Elizabeth Martin
Advisors: Caroline Knight, Alayna Paine
Principal: Vicki Tarleton
Georgia CyberPatriot State Championship
CyberPatriot is the National Youth Cyber Education Program created by the Air & Space Forces Association to inspire K-12 students toward careers in cybersecurity or other science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines critical to our nation's future. At the core of the program is the National Youth Cyber Defense Competition, the nation's largest cyber defense competition that puts high school and middle school students in charge of securing virtual networks. CyberPatriot teams from four schools in the Columbia County School District swept the competition earning first, second and third place at the middle school level and the Evans High School CyberPatriot team earned second place in the highest tier, platinum, at the Statewide Cyber Competition. These students demonstrated exceptional skills and teamwork in the field of cybersecurity. Their contributions represent the next generation that will protect our country from cyber attacks!. Great job, students and teachers! Special note: Evans High School's winning team special recognition for this competition can be found below in February 11, 2025.
Greenbrier Middle School
First Place and Second Place
This is the seventh year in a row that a team from Greenbrier Middle School has placed first in the state competition.
First Place
Team Members:
Brendan Fleming
Ashwin Gurumoorthy
Nolan Mennis
Jonathan Mikell
Mason Rice
Carter Stone
Second Place
Team Members:
Alexander Hoxworth
Isaac Lee
Toby Shoemaker
Isaac Welton
Elliot Yoo
Advisor: Loradonna Shultz
Principal: Toni Cliatt
Stallings Island Middle School
Third Place
Team Members:
Aarush Gupta
Edward Kean
James Kean
Jayden Kwon
Vraj Patel
Hisham Rashid earned third place.
Advisor: David Oexmann
Principal: Vicki Tarleton
Greenbrier High School
Third Place - Silver Tier
Team Members:
Ayman Abuelhaija
Lucas Bew
Renee Jetter
Aiden Pullum
Shane Islas-Rios
Connor Roese
Advisor: Tyrone Abero
Principal: Chip Fulmer.
February 11, 2025 (Click Here)
February 11, 2025
Board of Education Special Recognitions
Georgia CyberPatriot State Championship
CyberPatriot is the National Youth Cyber Education Program created by the Air & Space Forces Association to inspire K-12 students toward careers in cybersecurity or other science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines critical to our nation's future. At the core of the program is the National Youth Cyber Defense Competition, the nation's largest cyber defense competition that puts high school and middle school students in charge of securing virtual networks. CyberPatriot teams from four schools in the Columbia County School District swept the competition earning first, second and third place at the middle school level and the Evans High School CyberPatriot team earned second place in the highest tier, platinum, at the Statewide Cyber Competition. These students demonstrated exceptional skills and teamwork in the field of cybersecurity. Their contributions represent the next generation that will protect our country from cyber attacks!. Great job, students and teachers! Special note: Greenbrier Middle School, Stallings Island Middle School and Greenbrier High School's winning teams were recognized January 28, 2025.
Evans High School
Platinum Tier - 2nd Place
The Evans High School CyberPatriot team earned second place in the highest tier, platinum, at the Statewide Cyber Competition. These students demonstrated exceptional skills and teamwork in the field of cybersecurity. Their contributions represent the next generation that will protect our country from cyber attacks!
Team Members:
Joshua DuBose
Weston Evans
Ryan Kinkar
Ethan Lin
Thomas Murillo-Bivins
Meredith Phipps
Advisor is Steve Hahn
Principal is Wade White
2024 GHSA 5A Coach of the Year
Steve Hibbits
Lakeside High School
Steve Hibbitts has been with Lakeside High School Football for 11 seasons. This past season, Lakeside Football finished with its best record of 10-2. It was just the second “10-win” season in program history at Lakeside. Coach Hibbitts has led academic support initiatives, community outreach, and leadership development programs for the Panthers. Because of these, and many more accomplishments, Coach Hibbitts received the Georgia High School Association’s 5A Football Coach of the Year. His Athletic Director is Mr. Derrick Myers and Prinicpal is Juliet King.
Evans Elementary School 4-H Presidents
February 25, 2025 (Click Here)
February 25, 2025
Board of Education Special Recognitions
Georgia Science Teachers Association Student Scholarship Winner
Ava Butler
Grovetown High School
Ava Butler from Grovetown High School was recently selected by the Georgia Science Teachers Association to receive a $1,000 student scholarship to further her education in science. The award includes $1,000 =for students to continue their science education through formal or informal educational programs including camps or undergraduate college programs/courses. Ava currently plans to attend multiple summer experiences, including a 4-H Environmental Education Program, two programs at Georgia Technical Institute, and one program at the Georgia Aquarium. She is also one of two students selected to serve on the State Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council. Congratulatons, Ava!
Advisor: Crystal McDowell, Greenbrier High School
Principal: Andrew Young, Grovetown High School
Savannah College of Art & Design Scholastic Art & Writing Silver Key Winner
Calleigh Uta Anderson
Columbia Virtual Academy
The SCAD/Scholastic Art & Writing competition is a prestigious national competition in which high school students submit artwork for judging at the Georgia Regional Level. Uta earned 2nd place in Georgia for her digital artwork, showcasing her exceptional creativity and artistic talent. Her advisor is Ms. Tiffany Weser, Art Teacher at Columbia Virtual Academy, and CVA Principal Brian Killips.
GHSA Girls Swimming Championship
Lakeside High School
Heba Fouitah
GHSA Boys Wrestling Traditional Individual State Championship
Greenbrier High School
Jack Mathieu
GHSA Girls Wrestling Traditional Individual State Championship
Grovetown High School
Shaniyah McDaniel
Grovetown High School 11th grader, Shaniyah McDaniel, earned the State Runner-Up title in the 115-pound weight class at the GHSA Girls Wrestling Traditional Individual State Competition. She claimed her title with an impressive pin against her opponent.
Head Coach: Bruce Zuehlke
Assistant Coach: Everett McDaniel
Principal: Andrew Young
GHSA 2024-25 Girls Wrestling Dual Team State Champions
Greenbrier High School
Team Members:
Danyah Ahmed
Daniella Anguiano
Kynsley Buckland
Ava Byrd
Jansen Drumgoole
Journey Drumgoole
Dakota Frazier
Larissa Hitchcox
Camille Hood
Kaylynn Hottenrott
Esperanza Huitron
Shane Islas-Rios
Gabrielle Jefferson
Renee Jetter
Josie McQuillan
Anaria Ross
Jalaia Ross
Abigail Sekajipo
Mackenzie Shannon
Laci Sherrill
Jaidyn Smith
Kenya Solomon
Stella Stancoven
Chloe Waller
Head Coach: Donell Bradley
Assistant Coaches: Tyrone Abero, Aaron Epstein, and Dustin Tucker
Principal: Chip Fulmer
Georgia Department of Education Literacy Leader Schools Awards
Three elementary schools and one middle school in the Columbia County School District were recognized by the Georgia Department of Education as Literacy Leaders. The criteria for the Literacy Leader Awards recognize the crucial importance of grade-level reading in third and sixth grades, and require higher growth from schools with lower achievement levels.
Awards were given at the elementary and middle-school levels, and at the high-school level based on the American Literature EOC, which is the state test for ELA in high school.
A total of 324 schools met the qualifications to be recognized as Literacy Leaders, and 4 of them are right here in Columbia County.
The Literacy Leader Awards recognize the crucial importance of grade-level reading in third and sixth grades and require higher growth from schools with lower achievement levels.
Literacy Leader School winners are as follows:
North Columbia Elementary School, Principal: Tonya Gambrell
River Ridge Elementary School, Principal: Michelle Miller
Riverside Elementary School, Principal: Lynn Gardner
Riverside Middle School, Principal: Elijah Putnam
Riverside Elementary School Principal Lynn Gardner and staff.
Riverside Middle School Principal Eli Putnam and staff.
Georgia Department of Education Math Leader School Awards
The Georgia Department of Education also announced that two elementary schools, one middle school and two high schools were also recognized by the Georgia Department of Education for achievement and growth in mathematics on the Georgia Milestones Assessment.
Schools must earn at least a fifth or eighth grade growth or achievement award to be eligible for awards in other grade levels. Awards are also offered at the high school level based on the Algebra End of Course exam, which is the state test for mathematics in high school.
Math Leader Schools are as follows:
Brookwood Elementary School, Principal: Dr. Leslie Dial
North Columbia Elementary School, Principal: Tonya Gambrell
Stallings Island Middle School, Principal: Vicki Tarleton
Evans High School, Principal: Wade White
Greenbrier High School, Principal: Chip Fulmer
Georgia Department of Education Title I Distinguished Schools Awards
Two elementary schools in the Columbia County School District have received the Title I Distinguished School recognition by the Georgia Department of Education. This distinction is awarded to the top 5% of high-performing Title I schools based on ELA and math content mastery scores from the 2023-2024 statewide assessments. Congratulations, Blue Ridge Elementary School under the direction of Bridgette Cliatt, and Martinez Elementary School under the direction of Dr. Whitney Smith.
Blue Ridge Elementary School staff.
Martinez Elementary School staff.
4-H Presidents Lead Pledge
March 11, 2025
Board of Education Special Recognitions
Special Olympics Games of Georgia Winter Bowling Competition
Team Panther Pride - Gold Medal Winners
Cooper Claus, Lakeside High School
Jevon Dunn, Lakeside High School
Nicholas Holsten, Lakeside High School
Kaleb Steele, Lakeside High School
(Kaleb was also named Georgia Athlete of the Month for March 2025.)
Team Pin Crushers - Gold Medal Winners
Team Strike Force - Brown Medal Winners
Khoal Fountain, Evans High School
Kymani Session, Harlem High School
Joseph Zuniga, Evans High School
Team Strike Zone - Bronze Medal Winners
Michael Barker, Grovetown High School
Bryan Belton, Jr., Grovetown High School
Abdias Colon, Harlem High School
Sky Rittenhouse, Grovetown High School
Adaptive Physical Education Coaches:
Steve Aaronson, Grovetown High School
Corie Johnson, Greenbrier Middle School
Crystal Stickland, Parkway Elementary School
Mimi Tom, Riverside Middle School
The Director of Special Education is Mr. Sharard Pritchett.
AP Honor Schools Awards
All five Columbia County High Schools were recognized as AP Honor Schools. This distinction is named in eight categories based on the results of the 2024 AP courses and exams. AP courses are one of several ways Georgia students can access college level learning at the high school level; students who receive a 3, 4, or 5 on an AP exam may receive college credit.
Recognition is received in the following categories:
- AP Access & Support School - Schools with at least 30% of AP exams taken by students who identified as African American and/or Hispanic and 30% of all AP exams earning scores of 3 or higher.
- AP Expansion School - AP schools with 25% growth in AP student participation from May 2023 to May 2024 and a minimum of 25 students testing in May 2023.
- AP Humanities Schools - Schools with a minimum of five students tested in each of the following AP categories: one ELA course, two social studies courses, one fine arts course, and one world language course.
- AP Humanities Achievement Schools - AP Humanities schools with at least 50% of all AP Humanities exams earning scores of 3 or higher.
- AP Schools of Distinction - Schools with at least 20% of the total student population taking AP exams and at least 50% of all AP exams earning scores of 3 or higher.
- AP STEM Schools - Schools that administered at least 5 exams in each of four separate AP STEM courses (math, science, and computer science).
- AP STEM Achievement Schools - AP STEM schools with at least 50% of all AP STEM exams earning scores of 3 or higher.
Each School was named in these following categories:
Evans High School - Principal Wade White
AP Humanities School
AP Humanities Achievement School
AP School of Distinction
AP STEM School
AP STEM Achievement School
Greenbrier High School - Principal Chip Fulmer
AP School of Distinction
AP STEM School
AP STEM Achievement School
Grovetown High School - Principal Andrew Young
AP Access & Support School
AP STEM School
AP STEM Achievement School
Harlem High School - Principal Casey Dees
AP School of Distinction
AP STEM School
AP STEM Achievement School
Lakeside High School - Principal Juliet King
AP Expansion School
AP Humanities School
AP Humanities Achievement School
AP School of Distinction
AP STEM School
AP STEM Achievement School
Georgia Science Teachers Association
Teacher of Promise Award
Ms. Emily Flynt - Greenbrier High School
Greenbrier High School biology and chemistry teacher, Ms. Emily Flynt, recently achieved the Georgia Science Teachers Association Teacher of Promise Award.
Ms. Flynt is a first-year teacher at Greenbrier High School; however, her colleagues describe working with her as if they are working with a veteran teacher due to her natural talent as an educator. They also stated how she makes a huge impact on collaborative teams and brings insight that is helping everyone grow and to better serve all students.
The association recognizes science teachers with one, two, or three years of teaching experience that show exceptional promise. The recipient receives a monetary award of $750 and either submits an article describing a teacher practice for the GSTA newsletter or presents a session at the annual GSTA Conference the following year.
Her mentor is Ms. Crystal McDowell, and her principal is Mr. Chip Fulmer.
Georgia Sports Hall of Fame 2025 Inductee
Coach Terry Holder (retired)
Coach Terry Holder, a retired and longtime coach for the Columbia County School District, was recently inducted into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame. His long list of accomplishments includes: being the First Baseball Coach in Georgia History to reach 500 Victories, a career record of 588 Wins (being 13th in State History), and winning 8 State Titles in a 12-year Span. Greenbrier High School’s baseball field is named in his honor, and Evans High School plans to do the same this baseball season.
Other of Coach Holder’s accomplishments include:
- He was the first Head Football Coach at Greenbrier High School, and won three consecutive State Championships in the first three years of the school’s existence. His team made playoffs every year.
- A 61-Game Winning Streak at Evans High School from 1988-1990. The Streak was only seven games shy of the National Record at the time and is still the longest record ever in Georgia and the 14th longest in U.S. History.
- In 1988, the Evans High School team was Coch Holder's first State Championship Team. They were ranked 5th in the Nation by USA Today.
- His 1989 Evans High School team was ranked No. 3 in the nation by USA Today. They are the last undefeated team in Georgia History, a mark that has lasted 35 years and counting.
- In 25 Years at Evans High School and Greenbrier High School he led his teams to 19 Region Titles.
- He is a 6-time Georgia State Coach of the Year and a 2-time National Coach of the Year Award winner.
- He coached the winning South Team to the Title at the 1996 U.S. Olympic Trials in St. Louis.
National Beta Club - John W. Harris Leadership Award
Evans Middle School Junior Beta Club
Pictured from left: Evans Middle School Principal Dr. Michael Carraway; Jr. Beta Club Members Student Representatives, Daisy Troia and Addyson Johnson; Jr. Beta Club Teacher Sponsor Ms. Lisa Shouse; and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Steven Flynt.
