In Focus @ GWA

Like us on Facebook, follow us on Instagram and Twitter

or visit us online.

Email: info@gwa.com
Website: www.gwa.com
Phone: (678) 635-3800

• Senior Art Exhibit: May 11, 6 p.m.
• Seniors' Last Day: May 12
• Happy Mother's Day: May 14
• Baccalaureate: May 15, 7 p.m.
• Senior Mentor Breakfast: May 16, 9:15 a.m.
• Senior Banquet: May 16, 6 p.m.
• Yearbook Presentation: May 17, 1:30 p.m.
• Middle School Awards: May 17, 6:30 p.m.
• Upper School Awards: May 18, 6:30 p.m.
• Graduation: May 20, 9 a.m.
• Rising Senior Parent Meeting: May 24, 6 p.m.
• K5 Graduation: May 24, 7 p.m.
• Fifth Grade Graduation: May 25, 9 a.m.
• Last Day of School: May 25 (early dismissal for all grades)
• Summer Camps: May 30 - July 27
• Order Lower School Supplies by June 8

George Walton Academy is pleased to announce our Class of 2023 valedictorian Timothy Pham and salutatorian Alex Zahradnik. Timothy will attend Augusta University and Alex will attend the University of Georgia. Congratulations to Timothy and Alex on their outstanding achievements!

Congratulations to Megan Sims and her video production students for earning first place in the Walton County Chamber of Commerce "Why I Love My School" art contest. The videos were produced by our middle school and upper school video production classes; both videos highlighted the wonderful people and programs that make GWA so special. They were selected for top honors by a panel of judges who sorted through hundreds of submissions from schools throughout Walton County. Way to go, Bulldogs!

Click HERE to view the upper school video.

Each year, fourth graders wrap up their measurement unit with a real-world project. Students were given full-length pieces of lumber to measure with accuracy using practical tools such as measuring tapes and speed squares. Next, students had to assist Mrs. Griggs' father with cutting their boards and they assembled their projects using drills with different bits and coordinating screws. Lastly, students had to calculate the perimeter and area of their projects to the nearest half inch. In addition to this project becoming a tradition, Mrs. Griggs said, "Real-world skills are invaluable to young students and connecting math concepts to different situations brings math to life while preparing them for the future."

Students in Coach Beer's Business and Marketing class are busy creating their own business plans and they benefited from the knowledge of local business (LR Burger, Strange Taco) owner Chris Collin. He spoke with students about business plans and the strategies he uses in his business every day. Mr. Collin discussed the reality of owning your own business, the pros and cons, customer buying behavior, profit margins, and much more. Coach Beer said, “It was exciting for the students to hear about business and marketing principles from someone who is very successful in the local community.”

Graphic Design students presented their portfolio presentations for some special faculty and staff members today during their class. All of the design work was created throughout the year using Adobe products – specifically InDesign, Illustrator and PhotoShop. The projects were then compiled into a presentation using Canva templates. Not only were the presentations a fun way to look back at the work created over the year, but they are impressive portfolios that showcase the graphic design skills they have developed.

Join us this evening for the The Senior Art Exhibition exit show from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the Fine Arts building! It is showcasing the works of 13 seniors, displaying a retrospective of their best works from high school and is open to all students, staff, and families. A wide variety of styles and mediums of work including photography, paintings, illustrations, and sculptures from our brilliantly talented seniors will be on display.

Sixth graders, Roen Jimenez, Evan Weke, Carter Delp, Alex Gervais, Braxton Perkins, and Landon Spencer, from our Jr. Bulldog Band represented GWA at this year’s Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA) First-Year Honor Band.

After working hard and being chosen for this event, Mr. Smith and our students traveled to East Hall High School in Gainesville, to join 200 of the top sixth-grade band students from Northeast Georgia. They divided into two Honor Bands and learned a brand-new concert, with special guest conductors, and with new music and students they had never performed with before.

They performed all their music before a large audience of over 700. What an awesome experience for our young musicians! They made us proud!

Mrs. Carver’s third-grade art students have been studying photography, including early photography methods, and the use of different perspectives. They discussed bird’s eye view and the opposite perspective of worm’s eye view. With their Chromebooks in hand, students headed to the playground to capture their worm’s eye view images.

Our varsity lacrosse teams both won their respective State Championship for the Inaugural GIAA Season last Friday night at Strong Rock in Locust Grove. The girls' team defeated Pinecrest Academy 11-7 and the boys won over Strong Rock with a final score of 14-4. Congrats to all players and coaches on an outstanding season!

The GWA boys’ offense had contributions from Trey Kirkpatrick (2 goals, 3 assists), Tiedrell Ansley (3 goals, 1 assist), William Ferguson (3 goals), River Morrow (2 goals, 1 assist), Mason Kirkpatrick (2 goals, 1 assist), AJ Dillard (2 goals), and Evan Conklin (1 assist). Defensively Marcus Porter had 8 saves, Ayden Concepcion had 3 take aways, Nate Lovett and David Eberly each had 2 take aways.

The girls' game highlights include: Ady Odell had 10 saves and 4-50 yard clears, McNair Shannahan contributed 6 goals, leading the goals for team, Adrianna DiCicco had 4 goals and led in draw control possession, Alexis Hendrix had 2 goals and 3 assists, took control of possession for time.

Six players were named GIAA All-State. Congratulations to the following players:

Girls- McNair Shannahan, Ady Odell and Adrianna DiCicco

Boys- Tiedrell Ansley, River Morrow, and Trey Kirkpatrick

GWA senior Carter Payne has been named 2023 National High School Strength & Conditioning Association (NHSSCA) All-Amercian Athlete.

This award is given to the high school athlete who has demonstrated outstanding achievement on and off the field/court regarding strength and conditioning, athletic performance, academics, and leadership.

Congratulations to Carter on all of his achievements!

Dear Parents and Grandparents,

I wanted to take a moment to express my gratitude for your amazing support during our recent Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week. From the delicious snacks and breakfast items to the delectable desserts that you baked for us, and the grand finale, the VIP gift day, we felt so appreciated and valued.

We know that it takes a lot of effort and time to put together such thoughtful gestures, and we are truly grateful for your generosity and kindness. Without your support, we would not have been able to make this event such a success.

Your support has made us feel like stars on the red carpet, and we couldn't have done it without you!

Elizabeth McDonel

Dawgs 360

Today's In Focus is proudly sponsored by Georgia Insulation (www.gainsulators.com). Interested in advertising through our Corporate Partnership program? Contact Mike Elmankabady melmankabady@gwa.com or call 678-635-3812.