In Focus @ GWA
A news bulletin for the families of George Walton Academy
May 4, 2017
Email: info@gwa.com
Website: www.gwa.com
Phone: (770) 267-7578
Facebook: facebook.com/GeorgeWaltonAcademy/
Twitter: @georgewalton
Director of Development Jeanie Beach Introduces GWA's Corporate Partnership Program
Dear GWA Families—
As we work to streamline our development efforts to better serve George Walton Academy families and students, we’re proud to introduce our new corporate partnership program. These corporate partnerships will allow GWA to establish and grow lasting relationships with our business community that better connect people to their interests, build a stronger community and help us plan for success together.
Be on the lookout for a brochure that’s coming to your mailbox soon. In this brochure you’ll find the only “ask” for advertisements and sponsorships from GWA for the coming year. That’s right – only ONE ASK for the entire year!
As part of the corporate partnership program, expect to see several exciting new additions and opportunities. For example, we’re now producing athletic programs to celebrate fall, winter and springs athletics. We’re providing new opportunities to advertise through performing and fine arts playbills and programs. We’ll also increase visibility for our partners with corporate partnership boards in high-traffic locations on campus.
All of these changes mean more exposure and recognition for your business. With six partnership levels available, your business is sure to find an option to fit your budget and help you meet your advertising objectives. As part of our flexible payment options, you can choose to pay up front or receive a monthly or quarterly invoice. Be sure to submit your contract to the development office by June 15 if you'd like to become a GWA Corporate Partner for the 2017-2018 school year.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions after receiving your brochure. Your support allows us to further invest in GWA’s mission of preparing students to become contributing citizens and leaders in a global society. Thank you!
Sincerely,
Jeanie Beach
Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week: GWA Thanks Our Families!
Kate Hester Named Youth of the Year
She described the award as surprising and amazing. "I never would have expected it in my wildest dreams." said Kate. "I feel so honored."
Congratulations to Kate on this prestigious and well-deserved award!
Grace Pulliam Named Rotary Student of the Month for April
Senior Grace Pulliam has been selected as GWA’s Rotary Student of the Month for April! Grace is a member of the National Honor Society and Beta Club. She’s also a member of the GWA band and competes on the school’s track and swim teams. Not only was Grace chosen as a member of the U.S. Army All-American Band last fall, but she has also has made the Georgia All-State Band for the past six years. She plans on attending UGA’s Hugh Hodgson School of Music in the fall.
Grace selected Mrs. Karen Barrett as the April Teacher of the Month. Congratulations to Grace and Mrs. Barrett!
A Dinner to Remember: AP Literature Students Pose As Notable Literary Figures
This past Sunday over 100 guests gathered at the Monroe Community Center to meet famous literary figures – both living and deceased – at the annual AP Literature Dinner Party. As the culminating project of a year-long independent study under the tutelage of teacher Jo Taylor, the dinner allowed 20 students to pose in period dress as they discussed their chosen author’s life and works.
Students not only came prepared to lead their table guests through a detailed overview of novelists, poets and playwrights, but they also made extensive decorations, including tablecloths and centerpieces. Like the interactive activities that required guest participation, these decorations communicated the authors’ themes and symbols while enhancing the guests’ learning.
This year’s dinner “hosts” included authors W. H. Auden, William Butler Yeats and Toni Morrison – among others. The AP Literature Dinner Party is a student favorite, and six of Mrs. Taylor’s former AP Literature students joined the guest list this year. Students past and present often cite the dinner as an experience that pushed them outside their comfort zone and helped them grow in confidence.
“I had a wonderful time,” said student Grace Pulliam, who posed as poet Ted Hughes. “I was nervous at first, but I’ll always remember this as an enriching experience. I loved it!”
GWA Art Students Impress at Local Exhibitions
Following a month-long exhibition at the Monroe-Walton Center for the Arts, several GWA art students received recognition and awards for their impressive works. Representatives from the Savannah College of Art and Design were on hand to judge the displayed work and award scholarships for both summer/fall and spring submissions.
Sarah Hanson was named Best in Show and received a $14,000 scholarship from SCAD for her works exhibited in last summer's show. The spring Best in Show award went to Camille Engelbracht along with a $14,000 scholarship, and Rae Maddox received Best Overall in printmaking and a $1,500 scholarship.
SCAD representatives were very complimentary of Walton County’s level of artistic talent. “It was our pleasure to jury the show of student work at the [Monroe-Walton Art Center] this month. The work of your students stood out in terms of technical and conceptual excellence,” said Robert Brown, chair of printmaking at SCAD Atlanta.
GWA art students also shined recently at the Dermatology Associates of Georgia Art Show in Monroe. Bulldogs swept the show, winning the top three awards; first-place winner Callie Houck even received $500 for her work. Congratulations to these gifted artists!
Time to Fly: K4 Students Release Butterflies After Study of Insect Life Cycle
These students had watched Fuzzy, Lizard, Bugsy, Cookie and Summer grow from tiny caterpillars to large ones and finally form their chrysalises on the lid of their habitat. After hatching, the newly formed butterflies were ready for their release.
'Organ Attack': Anatomy Students Finish Year With Fun and Mischievous Games
When you’ve finished up a year-long study of how human bodies work, what could be more fun than destroying your classmates’ organs with diseases, disorders and other maladies? Students in Debra Cooks anatomy classes have been doing just that – hypothetically, of course – with Organ Attack, a card game in which the goal is to give your opponents’ organs diseases while trying to save your own.
“Students started off being nice, and then the competitiveness began,” said Dr. Cook. “You hear things like ‘You need to have a heart attack,’ or ‘I will give your spleen a hepatosplenomegaly!’ And then comes the final blow: ‘I have no more organs.’ We all had a great time and wish the game had arrived earlier in the year.”
Bulldog Baseball Advances in State Playoffs
Way to go, Bulldogs! The GWA varsity baseball team beat Brookstone School in the first round of state playoffs last weekend, winning the series 2-1. The Bulldogs dominated early in game one, blowing out the Cougars 12-2. GWA took a quick lead in game two but faltered in the final innings to give Brookstone a 7-4 win. A tie-breaking third game on Saturday resulted in a decisive victory with an 8-1 win for GWA.
The Bulldogs advance to the second round of the state playoffs and will play Tattnall Square Academy in Macon on Friday, May 5. The double-header will start at 4:30 p.m. with an “if needed” third game at 4 p.m. on Saturday.
Bulldog Runners Qualify for State Championship Meet
Last Saturday several GWA runners raced their way to state meet qualification at the Class A sectional track and field meet at Landmark Christian School. Cedric Robertson qualified in the 110m hurdles while Lexi Coleman, Spring Rawl, Caroline Hart and Kendall Garrett qualified in the 4x100m relay. Additionally, Lexi Coleman qualified in the individual 400m. These athletes will compete in the GHSA Track and Field State Championships on May 13 at Berry College in Rome. Congratulations and good luck, Bulldogs!