Cougar Call
Volume 3, Issue 4
Friday Night Lights Comes To An End
The Piedmont Cougar football season ended against Flint River on October 21st. After a disappointing season for the Cougars, they finished with a record of 2-9. The stats leaders offensively for the year are Mack Brady, Chris McClain, Michael Edwards, J.T. Webb, and Tyler Mills. Brady and McClain led the team in passing yards with 784 and 384, respectively. Brady led the team in rushing with 761 yards on 119 carries. Edwards, Webb, McClain, and Mills led the team in receiving with a combined 1,074 yards. Edwards had 350 yards on 33 receptions. Webb had 284 yards on 10 receptions. McClain had 242 yards on 17, and Mills had 198 on 10.
Defensively for the Cougars, Ben Smith, Logan Connor. and Wyatt Galloway led the team. Smith had 39 solo tackles, 57 assists, five tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries. Connor had 22 solo tackles, 58 assists, two FF, and one FR. Galloway had 15 solo tackles, 31 assists, and two TFL. Michael Edwards led the team in interceptions with two, and Tyler Mills had one. We appreciate the effort the football players gave and how they represented PAC. The Cougar family eagerly anticipates the next football season.
Thanksgiving
The first Thanksgiving, in 1621, was a harvest in celebration of the Mayflower’s arrival at Plymouth Rock that brought together the Pilgrims and the natives. Abraham Lincoln declared for Thanksgiving to be on the last Thursday in November in 1863, and it was sanctioned as a legal holiday in 1941. Since then, it has been celebrated every year nationwide. Thanksgiving is about more than just getting together with your family and stuffing your face with food. It is about bringing people with differences together and celebrating as one, just like the first Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is also about being thankful for what you have and the people around you. I think that you should be thankful for what you have every day, not just on Thanksgiving. Some people do not have a roof to live under, enough food to eat three meals a day, or friends and family to care for them, so you should be very thankful for what you do have because there is always going to be someone out there who does not.
By: Mallory Boyd
Brock Carter Signs to North Georgia
Message from Coach Daniel Funt:
First, I would like to congratulate Brock on a remarkable accomplishment. Congratulations to him and to his parents and his family. They have been dedicated to helping achieve this amazing accomplishment.
When we (the Piedmont coaching staff) first heard of Brock Carter, we knew he was an outstanding player at Alcovy High School , in Covington, GA. We had also heard he was an outstanding person as well. Once Brock arrived at Piedmont, we saw both a great person, and once baseball season came around, a great player. Brock is a strong student, always striving to do his best, but he is an extremely respectful young man with a deep passion for learning and baseball. During baseball season, we saw his passion come out onto the field. He is an extremely hard worker and just loved playing the game. In the 2015 season, he played second base and pitched mainly, but was one of many key contributors on that team. Personally, he earned All Region and All State honors. In 2015, he played predominantly shortstop and pitched. Again, he helped the team achieve another State Championship and also earned All Region and All State honors.
In his summers between Piedmont seasons, he was still dedicated to the sport; he loves playing on various travel teams. Congratulations to those coaches for helping make him a great player and person. I couldn’t be happier for Brock and his family. North Georgia is a beautiful campus with impeccable facilities. It is a great school, and he will be playing against some of the best NCAA Division II schools in the country in the Peach Belt Athletic Conference.
I have been blessed to be a part of his life. Congratulations, Brock Carter, and best of luck!
Daniel Funt
Robotics Wins 1st Place at Competition
The BEST Robotics competition was a huge success for Piedmont Academy. BEST stands for “Boosting Engineering, Science, and Technology.” PAC won first place and the most robust robot award. The team members include Maddie Mooneyham, Danny Ramsdell, Kevin Davis, Daniel Respess, Mallory Boyd, and Taylor Boyd. Maddie Mooneyham, Danny Ramsdell, Kevin Davis, Daniel Respess, and Mallory Boyd were the drivers of Sally, the robot. Our robotics team will now advance to the South’s BEST Regional Robotics Championship at Auburn University on December 3rd and 4th along with the second place winning team. Our robotics coach, Mr. Ralph Hickman, has been a big part of our success in robotics. Wish robotics luck at the Regional Robotics Championship in three weeks!
BY: Mallory Boyd
One Act Places 2nd at Region
Piedmont Academy’s One-Act-Play cast and crew earned the Georgia Independent School Association Region AA One Act Play first runner-up honor at competition held at Augusta Preparatory Day School in Augusta, Georgia on November 7, 2016. The group received two second place rankings and one first place ranking from the three judges. This gave Piedmont the first runner-up honors behind Thomas Jefferson Academy who received two first place ranking and one second place ranking edging out Piedmont by only one ranking point. Other entrants included Briarwood Academy, Brentwood Academy, and Monsignor Donovan Catholic High School.
Piedmont performed “CHECK PLEASE: TAKE 3” by Johnathan Rand, and produced with permission from Playscripts, Inc. The play was a hilarious look at horrible blind dates. Earning the region first runner-up advances the cast and crew to the GISA AA State competition which will be held at Southern Technical College in Vidalia, Georgia later this month.
The judges praised the cast and crew for their talent and hard work as well as their being connected to the material and one another. The pacing of the performance was also admired with the set design and appearance. Several actors were flattered on the individual characterizations remarks of their roles. One judge, in particular, said he had judged this play on many occasions and remarked, “Piedmont’s production was the best he had ever seen.”
Piedmont was the only school to be awarded two of five “Outstanding Performance” awards given at the regional level. Senior Will Tillman earned an “Outstanding Performance” award for his portrayal of the male lead, “Guy.” First time actress, Grace Roberts, also received an “Outstanding Performance” award for her role as the female lead, “GIRL.” Danny Ramsdell was given tributes for his portrayal of four distinctly different characters.
Maddie Mooneyham did a wonderful job in the multiple roles of her characters, “Celeste” and “Sarah” as did Nick Maynard as server, “Garrett” and “Eddy.” Bringing laughter to the audience as supporting actresses were MaKennah Holifield, playing “Annie” and Gracie Hunt as the Italian Brooke. Ryn Smith rounded out the cast as server three. Madison Suttles and Martina Coleman were invaluable as the backstage crew handling make-up, costumes, props and sets. Technical crew members included Chris McClain, who ran the sound board for the production, and JT Hardin who ran stage lighting.
The judge’s remarks were very complimentary and sincerely appreciated by the play’s director Mrs. Mary Ramsdell, who is looking forward to another opportunity to compete at the state level. Mrs. Ramsdell would like to thank the cast and crew for all their hard work as well as all those who have supported them in their efforts.
BY: Judy Nelson
“Be still, and know than I am God.” Psalm 46:10
I’ve heard the verse, Psalm 46:10, many times; however, it has never had as big of a meaning to me until the end of October. I was on a devotion website, and I read something entitled with that verse, and the devotion made a big impact on my life. Lately, I have tried to control everything that happens in my life, but the truth is that I am not control of my life, no matter how often I try to be. God wants to be in control your life because His ways are higher than our ways. His thoughts are always going to be higher than our thoughts. He does not want us to gather our weapons and fight a battle that is not ours. No matter how tough or scary things get, God is still above everything; He’s still perfect and all things good, and He still loves and cares for you.
At the end of the devotion, a woman used a quote that put a lot of things into perspective for me. “Only when we stop moving and stop striving can we recognize the truth about God: He is in control.” Every day we all try to control our lives, and we try to control our plan. God has it all figured out, even though sometimes that is hard to realize. This is where our faith comes in; we have to trust God even when we are scared, anxious, or stressed. Matthew 6:27 says, “Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” This is a very reasonable question; the answer is no because worrying is in no way helpful or a good use of time. Today, stop worrying and realize the Creator of everything is in control. Be still.
By: Kelsey Leach
Grandparents Bazaar
The Grandparents bazaar was a success; everyone had fun, and sold a lot of cool items. The Grandparents Bazaar proudly raised over 20,000 dollars. The money will go towards the Grandparents Club. The Grandparents also raffle off money towards school payments. The winners for this year are 1st place Eli Waits 9th 2nd place Aiden Bramlett 3rd third place Cody Vaughn 8th.
The Grandparents bazaar goes on every year. Every year Mrs. Gail Marsh takes on the task of dealing with all the arranging and setting up the bazaar. The secretary Mrs. Harris has to keep up with the total of all the money they earn from the Grandparents Bazaar. The Grandparents club would also like to thank Ms. Ashley Cook. The rest of the Grandparents and all the students that helped are also given a big Thank You for helping with the bazaar.
The Grandparents bazaar was a total success. The grandparents Club is very happy with the total they got. The 20,000 dollars is going to help a lot towards the Grandparents Club. Next year I’m sure the Grandparents bazaar is going to do even better. The Grandparents bazaar rolls around every year so don’t miss it!
by Savannah Stanton and Savannah Mote
Thanksgiving Riddles and Jokes
By Kensie Johnston
1. What comes at the end of Thanksgiving?
Answer: the letter “g”.
2. What key won’t open any door?
Answer: a tur-key!
3. Why did the turkey cross the road?
Answer: it was the chicken’s day off.
4. What happened when the turkey got into a fight?
Answer: he got the stuffing knocked out of him!
5. What smells the best at the Thanksgiving dinner?
Answer: Your nose!
6. Where do you find a turkey with no legs?
Answer: exactly where you left it.
7. Why did the police men arrest the turkey?
Answer: they suspected foul play.
8. If fruit comes from a fruit tree, where does turkey come from?
Answer: a poul-tree!
9.What is the most musical part of the turkey?
Answer: the drumsticks.
10. Which side of the turkey has the most feathers?
Answer: the outside!
Chapel
On the first and third Thursday of every month, Piedmont Academy has been having a chapel service. At the end of September, Reggie Dabbs came and spoke to the student body about his experience as a foster child. His foster parents were there for him through his anxious and suicidal experiences. They showed him love and happiness through Jesus Christ. At the beginning of October, Justin Long talked about living right and acting like Jesus. He shared stories from his life about getting out of difficult situations. Justin wrecked his car while his daughters were in it. Although unfortunate, it related directly to his lesson. Justin taught that if you do not move forward, you will eventually roll backwards.
At the end of October, Justin Long came and spoke again to the Piedmont student body. Justin talked about staying pure and remembering God’s love and grace. Finally, Justin came again on Thursday, November 3rd. He spoke to the student body about getting “stuck” in the things of this world. He ended the first chapel service of November with the story of Jesus’ last days on Earth. Justin told of how much Jesus really does love us by the sacrifice he made.
Justin Long invited the students of Piedmont to have a very special opportunity. He wants them to have the chance to help with chapel. The students were invited to take part in the singing, worship, and making fun games and skits. Fortunately, the chapel services have helped a lot of kids in their personal walk with Jesus. He has helped students realize what to do in trying times and how to handle certain situations.
By: Kelsey Leach
Paws At A Glance
December 1: MS Basketball @ St. George 3:30
Varsity Basketball @ St. George 6:30
December 2: GISA State Shotgun at Forest City Gun Club
Varsity Basketball vs. JMA 6:00
Middle School Basketball @ JMA
6th Grade field trip to Monastery
December 3: GISA State Shotgun Shoot
JV Basketball vs. Creekside
Varsity Basketball vs. Creekside
December 5: K4 and K5 to Yule Forest
December 6: Varsity Basketball vs Covenant 6:00
JV Basketball vs Covenant 4:30
PTO Meeting @ 3:30
December 7: Secret Santa Shopping 8:30
December 8: Varsity Basketball vs LaGrange 5:00
December 9: Chick fil a biscuits for sale
Middle School Basketball vs. Thomas Jefferson 3:45
Varsity Basketball vs. TJ 6:00
December 10: Middle School Basketball @ FRA 12:00
Varsity Basketball @ FRA 1:00
December 12: Middle School Basketball @ Creekside 4:00
December 13: Elementary Christmas Program
December 14- 16: Exams release at 12:30
December 16: JV Basketball @ Creekside 4:00
Varsity Basketball @ Creekside 6:00
December 19- January 3: Christmas Holiday