Yesterday marked a major milestone for graduating seniors across the nation. May 1 is known as "Decision Day" - the deadline for students to choose the college or university they will attend. As they considered which school to select, GWA's Class of 2019 was well positioned with 82% prequalified for the Zell Miller and/or Hope Scholarships. In all, more than $4.6 million in scholarships were awarded to GWA seniors. Additionally, 10 seniors earned athletic scholarships and two were awarded music scholarships. We asked some of our seniors to share their college choices and how GWA prepared them for success...Read More.

By Femke Côté, Associate Head of Curriculum and Global Studies

"Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer." -Author Unknown

Everything we teach our students on campus has inherent value and a direct impact on their success at the next level. At the same time, we understand that many of the soft skills that successful students need are not found in a curriculum, but are embedded in experiences - like going on a global exchange.

Exchanging to another culture and immersing in a different "normal" provides students with a concentrated opportunity for personal growth that cannot be fully replicated in our classrooms. An exchange trip fosters empathy, adaptability, and resilience in a much shorter amount of time than we are able to provide on campus. All of these skills are of incredible importance for colleges and the working world, and have become hallmarks of a great educational experience at the K-12 level. We are privileged to be able to provide our students with three separate opportunities to go on exchange during their high school tenure and have already seen students reap the benefits of their experience through their ability to tackle tough classes with a new confidence and step into unfamiliar situations with ease. Truly, they are living proof of the opening quote.

Questions about student exchange? Contact Femke Côté at fcote@gwa.com.

Where: Croatia

When: June 8-16, 2020

Cost: $3,990 – includes airfare, all accommodation/transportation costs, excursions, medical insurance, all breakfasts and some dinners

Who: Upper school students (must have completed freshman year by May 2020)

Why: Croatia is perhaps one of the most unique countries in Europe, and sits on the opposite side of the Mediterranean as Italy. The country is known for its incredible natural beauty and cinematographic history, hosting one of the HBO's most popular shows Game of Thrones. George Walton students and trip leaders will embark on an experience of a lifetime, zip-lining across the Cetina River, exploring the famous Plitvice Lakes, sea kayaking on the island of Hvar, and touring the famous historical structures that made Game of Thrones what it was!

For more information, or to register, go to https://travefy.com/trip/gjfc6kkx7ark7uwxgdfb6uuxtjrv2.

Questions? Contact Femke Côté at fcote@gwa.com.

GWA Senior, Thomas Ashley and his competitive cheerleading team, Stingrays Steel, took the Championship title in Level 5 Large Coed Division of the Cheer Worlds competition at the ESPN Center this past weekend in Orlando, FL. Thomas has been cheering competitively for five years and plans to cheer for Austin Peay State University this fall. Thomas credits his tumbling abilities to his dad who co-owns Rockdale Gymnastics and has taught him his skills over the years. Thomas has attended GWA since K5.

The eight juniors with the highest cumulative grade point averages receive the designation of Junior Marshals and will serve as ceremonial leaders for the Class of 2019. Congratulations to Mary Grace Cowan, Bailey Croker, Melissa Gish, Lauren Holley, Ben Howard, Jenna Lo, Landen Johnson, and Spring Rawl.

Mrs. Bishop’s ninth-grade biology students traveled to the Living Waters Outdoor Camp in Arden, North Carolina. They challenged themselves with a variety of team-building activities including ropes courses, a trust fall, navigation through a “spider web” and a trust walk where only the leader has their eyes open. The group also learned about conservation and Lees-McRae College’s animal rescue program as they discussed the concept of survival of the fittest and adaptations, which is a tie-in to their classroom study of genetics and evolution.

By Lynn Robinson, Middle and Upper School Counselor

We are quickly approaching the third decade of the world wide web. That is hard for me to believe, but it is a fact. By the end of the 1990s, even I had a home computer and access to the internet. Ever since the internet became commonplace, educators have faced a challenge: We’ve had to adapt the classroom to make way for new technology. As we changed the classroom, we had to ask ourselves, “In the Information Age, what does it mean to be educated?” Dr. Tony Wagner, former professor at Harvard University and now the senior research fellow at The Learning Policy Institute, began working with “the world of work” in order to find an answer to that all important question...Read More.

We invite our entire community to get involved: volunteer, donate, honor a loved one affected by cancer and help raise awareness and funds to fight cancer. To be part of this life-changing event, CLICK HERE to access the registration form, or contact Director of Dawgs 360 Elizabeth Mcdonel at emdonel@gwa.com for more information.

Dedicate a Luminaria: Light up your community and honor every life touched by cancer. Dedicate a Luminaria to a loved one lost, someone currently battling, or anyone who has overcome cancer. Dawgs 360 is selling Luminaria Bags at the price of two for $10. If you are interested in purchasing bags, please stop by the front office.

100 volunteers are needed on May 3! We are in need of volunteers in different areas, from unloading to loading tents, traffic coordinating, joining or starting a team, helping at the survivor dinner, as well as providing and driving golf carts! If you are interested, please email emcdonel@gwa.com

The AP art show luncheon took place today where the students exhibited their 2D design portfolios before they package them for submission to the AP College Board for judging. Mary Grace Cowan and Delaina Ratliff used drawing, painting and mixed media to create their portfolios under instruction from Mr. Reagan, while Mr. Cole’s students Chloe McGraw, Tayia Mast, Jesse Wood and Rebecca Trifu used their photography skills to create their portfolios.

Last Sunday 90 dedicated and talented first grade through senior pianists performed in spring piano recitals. They have worked hard throughout the year and shown a commitment to study piano. GWA’s piano lab offers a unique place for students to learn on campus. If your child is interested in enrolling in one of our piano classes for the 2019-2020 school year, please contact piano instructor, Corrie Beth Noll at cnoll@gwa.com.

Congratulations to the GWA bands- Jr. Bulldog Band, Concert Ensemble and GWA Symphonic Winds on their outstanding performances at Tuesday night’s Spring Band Concert. Best wishes to all of our accomplished GWA band seniors as they finish their final year and look towards graduation.

Please join us as the GWA fifth grade chorus presents High School Musical on Wednesday, May 8 at 1:45 p.m. and Thursday, May 9 at 8:00 a.m. in the lower gym!

For the first time in George Walton history the varsity boys soccer team competed in the state playoffs! Their season was one for the record books and will never be forgotten by those who were a part of this remarkable season. They finished their season 10-5. In addition, Cody Carnes, Griffin Whitmire, Tommy long and Matthew Mcmain made the all region team.

The varsity girls soccer team ended the year with a 5-9 record and kept pace with last year’s improvements and placing fourth in our area. Morgan Butler was the leading goal scorer with Annabelle Jerman and Julie Cato leading the defense from the back. The team earned their first region wins in many seasons by defeating Athens Christian both at home and away. To top the season off, all five seniors scored a goal on senior night, and for some defenders like Sarah Sykes it was their first goal in their high school career. Although the team is graduating five key seniors such as the captains Morgan Butler and Lydia Akin, the team will gain at least six eighth graders who have already made valuable contributions on the JV team this year. With those girls and another coach added to the team, it seems the girls are primed for their best season yet next year.

The boys lacrosse Team compiled a record of 1-2-1 in their inaugural season. They tied their first game vs Grayson 17-17, and won against Brookwood with a final score of 10-8. Sophomore attackman Edward Downey led the team in scoring, while fellow sophomore goalie Ryan Denhardt anchored the defense and showed great promise in the goal. The team and coaching staff would like to thank seniors Darius Barnum and Jason Rockmore for their leadership this season. The team looks forward to competing at the varsity level next year.

Varsity girls tennis finished their season with a 12-2 record, winning the Region!

Individual accomplishments include: Reagan Peppers and Melissa Gish finished their season undefeated as number 2 and 3 singles. Varsity tennis boys finished their season 3-6.

Track and field state qualifiers were recognized during Monday’s Region Finals meet for running events. Congrats and good luck to Graham Lucas, Caroline Hart, Kendall Garrett, Brelan Holston, Brody Lindsey, J. Paul Ivey and Michael Chick as they prepare for the GHSA Track & Field State Championship, May 9-11.

The Varsity baseball team ended the season 16-13. Their first Team All Region Players were

Omar Daniels, Koby Dunn and Noah Coleman. Their second Team All Region Players were Jake Gray and Jake Whitten. Two of our Bulldogs signed to play at the next level. Omar Daniels – Georgia Highlands and Noah Coleman- East Georgia.

Interested in joining the GWA volleyball team? Come try out for the JV and varsity volleyball teams May 7-9 from 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. in the Nicholson Center.

Congratulations to Izzy Ott ’18 on her recent accomplishment of making The University of Alabama’s Color Guard team! Way to go Izzy!

We are in the process of inviting businesses to join us as a Corporate Partner for the 2019-2020 year. A new feature for our program next year is the ability to run sales fliers in a digital newsletter that we will send out bi-weekly. Contact Jeanie Beach at jbeach@gwa.com or call 678-635-3812 if you would like more information.