In Focus @ GWA
A news bulletin for the families of George Walton Academy
May 13, 2021
Email: info@gwa.com
Website: www.gwa.com
Phone: (678) 635-3800
Facebook: facebook.com/GeorgeWaltonAcademy/
Twitter: @georgewalton
Key Deadlines & Dates
- Spring Percussion Concert: Tonight @ 6 p.m.
- AP Exams: May 3-17
- Seniors' Last day of School: May 13
- Senior Banquet: May 18
- Yearbook Presentation: May 20
- Baccalaureate: May 21 @ 6:30 p.m.
- Graduation: May 22 @ 9 a.m.
- Jr. Class Pick Your Parking Spot: May 24
- Exam Week Grades 8-11: May 24-28
- Rising Senior Parent Meeting: May 26
- K5 Graduation: May 27 @ 7 p.m.
- 5th Grade Graduation; May 28 @ 9 a.m.
- Last Day of School: May 28 - early dismissal
Keeping Up With Athletics
As we wrap up our school year and look toward awards nights, graduation, exams, and our much-anticipated summer schedules, we would certainly be remiss if we did not first celebrate the accomplishments of all our spring athletes who represented George Walton well during their respective seasons. In addition to their many accomplishments, the dedication required to compete at a high level should also be recognized and appreciated.
This spring, our athletes competed in baseball, golf, track, lacrosse, tennis, and soccer. The boys and girls soccer, boys and girls tennis, and boys lacrosse teams all made it to the GHSA state playoffs. Several of our track athletes qualified and are preparing to compete at the state track meet this weekend. Our boys and girls golf teams, as well as our varsity baseball team, had successful seasons. Additionally, this year marked the debut of our girls lacrosse team and we look forward to the continued growth of that program.
All our middle school teams also achieved great success this spring. Our soccer, tennis, golf, and baseball teams are working hard to prepare athletes for high school-level competition. Several of our middle school track athletes placed in the state track meet, and just this past weekend our junior boys lacrosse team won the 2021 GLL Championship over Parkview. We appreciate all of the hard work and dedication from all our athletes. The future is certainly bright for our athletic programs!
Athletes and coaches are ramping up spring football practice with a great turnout at both middle school and varsity levels. Coach Beer and his staff are focused on working with players on conditioning, speed, agility, basic skills, and teambuilding as they head into summer workouts.
To all of our families with young students, you are important to the growth and continued success of our athletic programs. As you make your summer plans, please be sure to check out and register for our athletic camps happening on campus throughout the summer. Our varsity coaches and players will be on hand to coach, encourage, and mentor throughout the summer. We look forward to seeing all of our future bulldogs at our exciting camps!
Go Dawgs!
Matt Reynolds
Associate Athletic Director for Operations
Exam Week
“Eggstra” Effort
By Kellie Watts
Impulse is a concept in physics that applies to our everyday life with protective gear such as helmets and pads in contact sports and airbags in vehicles. My Honors Physics students studied impulse by designing a device to protect an egg from a 20-foot drop onto concrete. Students were challenged specifically to increase the time of impact, which increases the impulse. Students were constrained to build their devices with straws, rubber bands, one letter size piece of paper or cardboard, tape and string. They could not use any insulating or packing material to protect their eggs. To be successful students were required to have a completely safe egg; even a hairline crack was considered a failure.
Overall students were 26% successful in creating an impulse to keep their eggs 100% safe. Seniors were “eggstra” successful at creating impulse as 56% of seniors successfully protected their eggs. This was the final Physics activity for seniors before graduation. Well done!
British Invasion
Mrs. Carson’s British Literature classes dined with famous British performing artists this week during class as part of their unit on Poetry in Motion. Students dressed as their favorite singer or musician and planned a dinner party complete with invited guests (friends of the celebrity) and a table set with decorations, place cards, a menu, and the artists’ favorite foods. Elton John was easy to spot in his rhinestone glasses, we learned that Harry Styles is a vegetarian, and Ed Sheeran (two of them, actually) performed one of his hit songs. Students submitted a writing component, from the perspective of their performer, discussed how and why their character might challenge, change, or solidify specific world views. This collaborative effort was creative, convincing, and entertaining.
State-Bound Athletes
Pictured (left to right): David Lalaian (discus), Calan Fortunat (pole vault), Charlie Jesel, Sarah Kate Bailey, Payton Stone, Kierstin Henderson (4x800 team), Catherine Atkinson (high jump). Not pictured: Allie Marler (4x800).
LAX Champs
By Coach Scott Jackson
The GWA junior lacrosse team composed of 6th & 7th grade boys won the Gwinnett County Lacrosse League Junior Championship in dominant fashion over Parkview 8 - 3. A strong defensive effort behind goaltenders Gabe Brookins and Jonathan Terpstra and defensemen Ty Burce, Zy Burce, Kingston Guertin, and Michael Gyorgyi, kept the Parkview offense stifled and uncomfortable.
Dominant efforts at the face-off X by Kaleb Chasse and AJ Dillard gave the Bulldogs a large advantage in possessions, which the offense took full advantage of. Dillard led all scorers with 4 goals. Parker Anderson, Kaleb Chasse, Tyler Mendenhall, and Rodney Starks all contributed one goal. Way to go, Bulldogs!
All-Region Soccer
Girls 8A All-Region soccer team:
- Sara Bryan
- Emily Music
Girls Honorable Mention - Allie Marler, Karrigan Malcom, and Julie Cato
Boys 8A All-Region soccer team:
- Robby McGoldrick
- Sully Croker
- Nico Eberhart
Boys Honorable Mention - Parks Harris, Ryan Jani, and Trae Adkins
Any rising middle school girls interested in playing MS Softball, please fill out the following form. Forms must be submitted by May 16. Any questions can be directed to Coach Tara Walker at twalker@gwa.com.
Final Curtain
The HS Drama Dawgs completed their run of Little Women, a play based on the classic novel by Louisa May Alcott. It is the last GWA performance for seniors Sara Camp, Makena Helms and Alicia Shaw. Congratulations on a great show, Drama Dawgs!
Click link below for the progrom:
https://issuu.com/georgewaltonacademy/docs/littlewomendigital
Far Out Show
Congratulations to Genie Wiggins and her GWA dance troupes on last week’s outstanding performances in their show “Out of This World! Dancing Through Space.” Bravo, Bulldogs!
Click below for show program.
https://issuu.com/georgewaltonacademy/docs/dancespacedigital
If you are a middle or high school student who has performed exceptionally this year and would like to share your musical talents with a larger crowd, consider joining us for our Concert in the Courtyard on May 25 and May 27. Contact Mrs. Noll at cnoll@gwa.com for more information.
Middle School Art Show
Be sure to check out the Walton County Middle School Art Show at the Monroe Walton Center for the Arts. GWA Middle School Art students have a lot of work on display. The show runs now through the closing reception on May 20 from 6-7:30 p.m.
Monroe-Walton Center for the Arts
205 S Broad St, Monroe, GA 30655
Gallery hours:
Tuesday 11 - 4, Wednesday 11 - 6, Thursday 11 - 4; Friday & Saturday 10 - 5, Sunday 1 - 5
Committed to the Environment
The George Walton Recycling Club (GWARC) awarded three seniors - Isaiah Strong, Sarah Kirk, and Chip Piercy, with the Environmental Commitment Award that the club gives to all students who have acquired 100 hours of community service with GWARC. The club was founded by senior Sarah Kirk in 2017 with the goal of raising awareness of environmental issues among students and faculty. The group meets every week to collect recyclable materials around school, so they can be removed and processed by a recycling company. GWARC is now 4 years old and thanks to our students’ efforts 8,000 cubic feet of materials have been recycled from our school every year.
Thank YOU!
Thank you to the parents, grandparents, alumni and friends who have made their contribution this year to the 2020-2021 Annual Loyalty Fund Campaign. Your investment has helped make possible:
- Professional development
- Increased STEM offerings
- Exceptional fine and performing arts programs
- Robotics
- Technology support such as audio-visual equipment, Chrome Books, and iPads
- Academic coaching through The PARC, Writing Center, and Math Lab
- Strong counseling department
- Expanded curriculum
- Digital subscriptions such as See Saw, Razz Kids
- Athletic equipment and competition space
- Buses and drivers
- Attractive facilities and grounds
- Clinic staff and supplies
- Campus security
If you haven’t made your gift yet, it isn’t too late! Deadline for the 2021-2022 Annual Loyalty Fund is June 30, 2021. Click HERE if you would like to make a gift online.
Sign Up for Summer Camps!
We are thrilled to offer summer camps for kids of all ages and all interests! Our summer camps are open to the community, so bring a friend and spread the word about summer fun at GWA.
Please see camp listings below and click HERE for complete camp descriptions and the registration links. Happy camping!