Earlier this month, Team RoboBibb advanced to the world championships for the Lego FIRST Robotics Competition. There, the team made it all the way to the quarterfinals against teams from across the globe.

The team is made up of students from Central, Howard, Northeast, Rutland and Westside High Schools and the Academy for Classical Education (ACE). Lead Advisor Carole Myers said that it was "absolutely huge" for her team to get to the highest level of the robotics competition.

"For them to come together and to put a robot out like they've put, it's really an awesome accomplishment," she said.

The team won the state championship to qualify for the world event. Using a robot controlled by a video game controller, the team became known for its speed on offense.

"It means a lot that we can come together and work on something so special," said Team Captain Hunter Fleenor.

On April 24, Cox Communications hosted its third annual Cox Inspirational Heroes Awards and Recognition Ceremony in Macon. The awards serve to recognize "students who have overcome adversity and are living meaningful and productive lives."

The following Bibb County students were honored at the ceremony: Malia Tarver, Avariyus Solomon, DeAnthony Burns, Travis Fuller Jr., Kai Robello, Michael Kates, Jordan Bourgeois, Kaleb Tayler, Bhavik Dave, Kamori Norwood, Merlin Ramirez-Perez, Xavianna Syphrett, Sergio Torres-Guzman, Ariel Fortson, Michael Penniman, Madison Hulett, DeAngelo Beck, Daniel Stanley, Ashton Young, Mya Martinez, Danielle Jordan and Micah Harris.

We'd like to thank Cox for the company's commitment to our students, and these students for their demonstration of strength of character and determination to succeed!

Each year, The Telegraph honors top seniors from its coverage area with Golden Eagle awards in a variety of academic disciplines. The following District students were recognized with Golden Eagle awards this year: Central's Elijah Rutland (art honorable mention), Central's Breanna Ivey (athletics winner), Westside's William McKay (citizenship winner), Central's Aniya Hammonds (drama honorable mention), Central's Afnan Khan (foreign language honorable mention) and Westside's Sophia Franklin (industrial/vocational winner).

Also, Central teacher Michael Scott and Howard teacher Dinah Redding were presented with Education Together Teacher Awards, which came with $1,000 to be used for classroom materials. Congratulations to all our honorees!

Porter Elementary Pre-K student Molly Kate Goggans became a "millionaire" recently after reading her one millionth word. Her mother, Melinda Goggans, teaches first grade at Porter, and her farther, Joseph, is a member of the school council. Principal Cami Hamlin said Molly Kate was her earliest "millionaire."

"I have been doing the Millionaire Club for 20 years, and this is the first Pre-K student to earn this accomplishment," Hamlin said. "We are Porter proud!"

The Peyton Anderson Foundation recently announced the Teach to Inspire Project, an innovative, teacher-based grant program providing creative resources for Bibb County public schools. Through the Teach to Inspire Project (TIP), the Foundation seeks to inspire education in Macon-Bibb by contributing additional funds to support extraordinary efforts. Up to $500,000 in funding is available for teachers’ best ideas for their classrooms, with grants awards ranging from $250-$10,000.

The Foundation is seeking proposals from local educators for micro-grants that will directly benefit the students of Macon-Bibb. Successful grant ideas will:

· Demonstrate innovative, unique and efficient ideas to meet the needs of educating Macon-Bibb students within the approved curriculum;

· Contribute to more meaningful educational experiences;

· Have a lasting impact;

· And benefit the most students.

Teachers are encouraged to bring their best ideas forward. Funded projects will go beyond the basic needs of the classroom and take learning to a level that inspires educators and their students long after the school year is over.

Teachers will apply for the micro-grants for the upcoming 2017-2018 school year by completing an online application available at www.PeytonAnderson.org. They must be full-time educators employed by a Macon-Bibb County public school or charter school. They cannot be a principal, administrator, staff developer, substitute, volunteer or student teacher.

Additional guidelines, the list of eligible schools and limitations can be found at www.PeytonAnderson.org/Teach. The deadline for Teach to Inspire grant applications is June 11, 2017.

Vineville Academy of the Arts recently cut the ribbon on a new playground as part of a district-wide effort. All the elementary schools have been provided with new playground equipment through ESPLOST funding, with just a few schools waiting on shade covers or benches.

Several District high schools scheduled College Decision Days to recognize graduating seniors as the school year comes to a close. The idea behind these events is to recognize students who are going to college the way an athlete signing a scholarship would be recognized.

"It kind of sheds light onto them that their efforts are appreciated," said Rutland High School GEAR UP Graduation Advisor Willie Batts.

The event at Rutland included inspirational messages as well as gifts for the graduates, who were all called up by college to cross the stage. Rutland students are headed to local colleges like Wesleyan College and Middle Georgia State University, as well as others like the University of Florida.

Drondra McCoy is headed to Middle Georgia State and said the ceremony was a nice gesture.

"I feel like it's a great experience for us to be recognized," McCoy said. "It makes the students feel appreciated."

Teams from several district schools, including Central, Howard, Westside, Northeast, Southwest and the Academy for Classical Education, competed alongside teams from the Mentors Project and Communities in Schools in the annual Magnolia Soap Box Derby in downtown Macon. The team from ACE came in second place in the competition. Congratulations to the Gryphons and all our participants!

The Southwest High School Chess Team won First Place in the Rex Demers Memorial Chess Tournament in Atlanta. Vaughn Owens won a trophy for his individual score of 2.5 out of 4. Kenterious Goolsby, Savon Davis, Javar Ellington and Tyrese Rochester all won points for the team as well.

Heard Elementary raised $2,212.65 on April 7 during the school's annual Walk and Roll for a Cure Road Rally to benefit Relay for Life. There was no charge to participate, but donations rolled in to support this worthy cause.

At Taylor Elementary, students raised $1,133 in one week. The winning classes, each of whom raised more than $150, got a pizza party donated by Marco's Pizza.

In preparation for the Georgia Milestones assessments, Alexander II Magnet School held a pep rally earlier this month. Power 107.1 led the event, which included a motivational speaker, test-taking tips and games. Our thanks go out to all involved, and we know our students did well on the tests!

First Lady of Georgia Sandra Deal visited various schools in Bibb County last month and read to students. She read at Bernd, Skyview and Burdell-Hunt elementary schools and heard about the "Leader in Me" efforts at Burdell-Hunt.

Thank you for your interest in our schools!

Three District employees took home awards at the state level and beyond recently. Nutrition Director Dr. Cleta Long was named the Georgia School Nutrition Association Director of the Year as well as the Southeast Regional Director of the Year. She will be retiring at the end of this year but will also be up for the National Director of the Year, to be announced in July.

Rutland High School counselor Lisa Brown was named the College Board Counselor of the Year for the Southern region, which encompasses 10 states. Brown works with the Hurricanes' juniors and seniors primarily.

Westside High School business teacher Valeria Drummond was also named New Teacher of the Year by the Georgia Marketing Education Association. Congrats to all of these employees for being a big part of our "Victory in Progress!"

Vineville Academy of the Arts fifth-graders had the honor of a “Doughnuts with David” breakfast celebration with Sen. David Perdue. According to Principal Kristy Graham, the students had the chance for "selfies, questions, answers, real talk and laughter" with Sen. Perdue. What a great experience!

In conjunction with the Cherry Blossom Festival, several Howard High School students had haikus chosen for the front page of The Telegraph. These students were Zach Ferguson, Cassidy Hall, Betsy LaPish and Caden Pace. Way to go!

Bernd Elementary School recognized the following students as Students of the Month for March: Leroy Salas, Andricus Stephens, Joseph Reynolds, Ashlyn Curry, Tucker Dunbar, Aden Blackshear, Azalea Wilson, Miracle Maldonado, Maliyah Little, Marqavious Eason, Sidney Dudley, Tennille Wilburn, Mikayla Arnold, Jabreea Gibson, Jayvyn Thomas, Amari Edmond, Zhanayah Knight, Markeya Smith, Derek Pemberton and Jordan Johnson. We're always proud of our Raiders!

The Compass Rose Café at Hutchings College and Career Academy was host to the Georgia Department of Education Nutrition Program’s “Shake It Up” Student Chef Competition on Wednesday. The competition included student chefs from around the state sending in applications and culminated in the top teams making entrée and side recipes.

“Each recipe had to have two Georgia locally-grown products in there,” said Sarah Combs, the program’s compliance specialist.

Nutrition program managers from other districts judged the competition.

The Compass Rose Café is open for lunch every Friday through May 19 from 12:30 to 2 p.m. The food is prepared by students in Hutchings’ culinary arts pathway and served by students in the hospitality and tourism pathway. For reservations, email Shannon Bryan at Shannon.bryan@bcsdk12.net.

GEAR UP and Northeast High School partnered to sponsor this year’s College and Career Fair, giving students an opportunity to explore their options. With over 45 colleges and organizations participating, students and their parents were able to interact with representatives from all over the state of Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina and Alabama. Representatives discussed majors, registration process, entrance requirements, athletics, scholarships and extracurricular activities. More than 40 on-the-spot acceptances were awarded to eligible students.

A Gordon State College representative visited Westside High School last month to share information with students as well as accept applications from those students who were interested. During the visit, students who met the admissions requirements were accepted on the spot.

Veterans Elementary School fifth grade student Brandon Pizana won first place in the "Bibb PBIS in Pink" poster contest. He won a $100 Walmart gift card courtesy of Kids Yule Love, a community-donated prize pack, a pizza and popcorn party courtesy of Amerigroup, and D.J. Tex James of 97.9 WIBB provided music for the entire fifth grade class. Our community prize pack sponsors: Skyzone, Chick-Fil-A, Pin Strikes, Macon Mayhem, Mercer University and Cherry Blossom Festival. Special thanks to all of our sponsors!

Hartley Elementary School was recognized at the Cherry Blossom Parade Festival over the Spring Break. There were about 15 students, along with school counselor Kendall Griffin who were in attendance for this Perfect Attendance celebration.

L.H Williams Elementary School hosted a Career Fest last month, and the students came prepared with plenty of questions. Businesses and organizations from across the area also came out to give the students a healthy sampling of all the career options available. Thanks to all involved!

The District's Career, Technical and Agricultural Education (CTAE) Department recently honored its top students from each school. These students were: JaiQuia Wright, Central High School; Hunter Fleenor, Howard High School; Leyla Slappy, Northeast High School (not pictured); Landon Wright, Rutland High School; Janice Jackson, Southwest High School; Dexter Walker, Westside High School; and Jason Smith, Hutchings College and Career Academy.

The District winners were Fleenor in first place, Jackson in second place and Slappy in third places. All seven students received scholarships.