
In Focus @ GWA
A news bulletin for the families of George Walton Academy
March 4, 2021
Email: info@gwa.com
Website: www.gwa.com
Phone: (678) 635-3800
Facebook: facebook.com/GeorgeWaltonAcademy/
Twitter: @georgewalton
Key Deadlines & Dates
- Walk-in Wednesday: March 10 (see details below)
- Book Drive Donation Deadline: March 10
- March Break: March 11 & 12
- Grandparents Day (Virtual): March 19/regular school day for all
- Dawgs Unleashed 5K/Fun Run: March 20
- Dawgs Unleashed Golf Tournament: March 22
- Dawgs Unleashed Tennis Tournament: March 23
Are You Ready for Dawgs Unleashed?
Dawgs 360 is proud to support the long-standing family event – Dawgs Unleashed! We have all learned to roll with changes over the past year and we are excited to slowly get back to a sense of normalcy. One thing has remained constant: our families want to get involved and be an active part of our Bulldog community.
This year, the Dawgs Unleashed 5K/Fun Run, golf, and tennis tournaments provide an excellent opportunity for connection. Dawgs Unleashed participants are comprised of passionate people supporting student activities. Whether counting miles, birdies, or junk balls, they all share a common desire to be champions for the students in the place they call home. We are grateful to our participants, event sponsors, and volunteers for making this year's event possible!
Greg Souther has been involved with the Dawgs Unleashed tennis tournament for many years. “In the beginning, I played Dawgs Unleashed to support GWA where my daughters attended school and to have some fun. I was one of the few guys playing the event at that time. I quickly discovered that many of the women playing in the tournament were as competitive, if not more competitive, than me.” Greg encourages others to join the event and explained, “Tennis is fun regardless of your skill level. You do not have to be the hardest or most consistent hitter to play well, win a few points, or get a trophy (I have several coffee mugs on my shelf as dusty proof). You can play this sport for a long time and most importantly, make friends for life. Come join us for tennis or any of the events and have some fun!”
I hope to see you on the court, course, or finish line!
Elizabeth McDonel
Dawgs 360 has a three-fold mission; it aims to build community, ensure every student’s interests are equally valued and supported, and find meaningful ways to involve parents in the life and mission of the school.
Cooks in the Kitchen
Reading Across GWA
Our lower school students have enjoyed celebrating Read Across America Day throughout the week with Dr. Seuss themed activities and plenty of reading. They wore crazy socks and pajamas, dressed in green, ate green eggs and ham, and tomorrow some students will dress in attire that shows what they want to be when they grow up. Our teachers and students have brought many of the classic Dr. Seuss stories to life and embraced the importance and joy of reading.
Art Meets Science
Mr. Reagan's advanced art students have been working on a cross curriculum project with science. The challenge has been to craft illustrated, anatomically correct skeleton details and accurately label the parts. This project is designed to teach four skills - paint a background in the abstract style of famous German painter Gerhard Richter, utilize complimentary colors to enhance the viewer's experience, introduce the student to Photoshop type techniques, teach the importance of quality presentation by learning professional framing and installation skills. We can’t wait to see the completed works!
Congratulations to our record breaking 30 middle and high school band students, who auditioned for and advanced to the second round All-State Band audition.
These 30 Band students worked on their three audition solos for the last few months. They recorded their solos and submitted those to the state office to be judged against the other top students across the state of Georgia.
GWA Middle Schoolers:
Kade Franklin
Maddie Garrett
Wendy Menard
Isaac Osei
Julia Tanase
GWA High Schoolers:
Emma Barley
Will Bowick
Julian Brown
Alex Carrillo
Julie Cato
Brooks Dokes
Mac Geoffroy
Ren Grimsley
Barbara Hammons
Lily Jennings
Jolie Lanier
Luke Lewis
Phillip Mashburn
Michael Mealor
Keith Mims
Russel Moore
Timothy Pham
Mike Pulliam
Eli Scornik
Blakeney Sewell
Ella Smith
Madison Smith
Claire Volk
Nicole Volk
Gracie Wood
Bravo to the Band
Bulldogs Take Center Stage
On Stage, our local community theater, presents – a double feature of Alice and Wonderland and The Wizard of Oz. The cast includes, GWA seniors Makena Helms and Sara Camp, Graham Fenn ('19) as well as drama teacher Paula Gerhardt. The actors will perform a dramatic reading of an adapted script based on the Lux Radio Theatre scripts using sound effects, lighting, and multi-media images and videos. Remaining performance dates are March 5-7, 12-14. Break a leg, Bulldogs!
Pictured: Sara Camp (top left), Paula Gerhardt (top right), Graham Fenn (bottom left) and Makena Helms (bottom right).
First Win!
The GWA varsity boys lacrosse team earn their first win in program history at home last night by defeating Riverside Military 9-6! The win was led by a strong defensive effort behind goalie Ryan Denhardt with ten saves and solid offensive performances by Garrett Edwards with three goals and Joey Rockmore and Ren Grimsley each contributing two goals. Congrats, Bulldogs!
Cheer the team on this Friday at home when they face Dacula at 6 p.m.
Best Coach!
GWA for the Win!
Calling All Cheerleaders!
GWA cheer tryouts (for rising 6th-12th graders) will be March 29 - April 1 after school and run until 4:30 p.m. All participants need a current physical prior to tryouts. There will be an informative parent meeting at 6 p.m. on March 16 in the auditorium to answer any questions related to tryouts or the upcoming season's plans.
Youth cheer will have sign ups and uniform fittings on March 24 at 6 p.m. and March 31 at 3 p.m. in the Nicholson Center concession area. Please contact Grace Martin with questions.
Help Us Spread the Word
March Forth
Today is March fourth, a day celebrated by some as a chance to march forth or move forward from whatever has been holding them back. On this unofficial holiday, people make time to do something good for themselves or their community or do something they’ve been wanting to do but have not had the time. You could also make a list of all the things you want to move on from and put in the past. Then channel your inner Elsa, “let it go” into the trash, and march forth to do something fun. How will you march forth today?
Lindsey Bailey
Lower School Counselor
Special thanks to Stacy May for telling me about this therapeutic holiday.