
In Focus @ GWA
A news bulletin for the families of George Walton Academy

February 9, 2023
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Email: info@gwa.com
Website: www.gwa.com
Phone: (678) 635-3800
Key Deadlines & Dates
- Valentine's Day Parties: Feb. 14
- Spring Sports Photos: Feb. 15 & 22, 23 (see email)
- Admissions Testing: Feb. 16 (no school for The Hill ONLY)
- Winter Break: Feb. 17 - 20
- Lucky Dawg Gala & Benefit Auction: March 11
- Jr./Sr. Prom: March 17 (no school for grades 9-12)
- Grandparents' Day: March 17
- Book Fair: Mar. 20 - 24
Sharing Black History
This month’s lessons about Black History extend to lower school specials including technology and P.E. Mr. Gasaway read "Mae Among the Stars," by Roda Ahmed, a story inspired by Mae Jemison, to his K5 technology students. Jemison is an American engineer, physician and former NASA astronaut and she became the first African American woman to travel into space as a member of the Space Shuttle Endeavour team. In lower school P.E., Coach Martin and Coach Sperin will be sharing stories about African American athletes who were the first to compete in their sport, including tennis star Arthur Ashe, PGA golfer Charles Sifford, LPGA golfer and professional tennis player Althea Gibson, and professional soccer player Brianna Scurry.
Better with Practice
Mrs. Bellah’s K5 students practice their creative writing skills three days a week as a part of their writing curriculum. With a writing prompt shown on the whiteboard, students complete the sentence and add a drawing to illustrate their writing. Mrs. Bellah has seen a significant improvement in her students’ creativity, handwriting, sentence structure, and ease of completing the task as the year has progressed.
Speaking From Experience
On Wednesday morning, former Gwinnett County Sheriff Assistant Chief and current Monroe City Marshal, Jon Spear, spoke to Mr. Wilson’s A.P. U.S. Government Class. A 35-year veteran of law enforcement, Marshal Spear addressed the process of policing, and how individual liberties are weighed against community needs. In particular, he addressed the right to privacy and police searches and seizures—including the process of obtaining and executing a search warrant.
Moneli Shekarbakht
"My experience in Barcelona, Spain was beyond phenomenal as I got to experience both the European and Spanish lifestyle and learn a lot about their culture and delicious cuisine with my closest friends. The views and famous architecture that Barcelona offered were one of a kind as the day-to-day weather was priceless. Most importantly, I was able to create life-long bonds with the exchange students along with the students at St. Paul's School, as my friends and I were able to step out of our comfort zones to be more socially involved and to adapt to the unique culture."
Emerson Sheldon
"My time in France taught me to appreciate the small things more as I started to pay attention to little details about my life there. I got to spend a month practicing and perfecting my French. I visited multiple castles, towns, and ate lots of delicious bread. The whole country is gorgeous and very different from the U.S. Additionally, I gained a new family and tons of friends that made my stay feel like home. My exchange student, Samuelle, is like a sister to me, and by the end of the month, I didn't want to leave France at all."
Enter to Win!
Each year at our Gala, we randomly select a lucky winner who receives their choice of any of our four amazing trip packages offered as part of this year's raffle. Each raffle entry is $100 and no more than 200 tickets will be sold.
Scan the QR code above, or click HERE to purchase your entries!
Always Learning
George Walton Academy PARC academic coaches, Angela Williams, High School and Angie McElveen, Middle School, attended the SAIS 2023 Academic Support Conference in Franklin, TN. This event offers an opportunity for professional development for those serving in academic support roles within independent schools.
Angie McElveen said of her time at the conference, “What an awesome gateway to further our knowledge of all learners! The biggest takeaway I received was so many of the movement and brain strategies that were given to us as educators and to spread JOY! The networking and small group component of the conference were very beneficial.”
Our GWA staff had the opportunity to collaborate with other schools from across the Southeast. Angela Williams said, “We met with other learning specialists from Charlotte, San Antonio, and a large group from a school in Smyrna.”
Angela Williams added, “Networking with 366 educators from all over the country about the latest innovations in teaching methodology has been impactful. Several teachers were impressed with the academic support and other great programs that GWA offers our students.”
The PARC is continuously searching for ways to better support not only students but teachers as well. “Everyone has something to offer and coming together in one room with hundreds of private schools is a priceless experience for our coaches,” said PARC Director Doretta Power.
Bringing Home the Hardware
George Walton Academy swimmers wrapped up the GIAA Swimming State Championship with trips to the podium! GWA finished 4th overall (out of 21 teams) and middle school also finished 4th (out of 26 teams). Congratulations to our Swim Dawgs and coaches on an outstanding season and congrats to the following medal winners:
Morgan Davis (freshman) – 1st in 50 Freestyle
Girls Relay Team (Bella Weimer, Sarah Digby, McKenna Rutledge, and Morgan Davis) – 3rd in Medley Relay and Freestyle Relay
Boys Relay Team (Jake Stout, Anthony Pham, Timothy Pham, and Baylor Lingner) – 2nd in Medley Relay and Freestyle Relay
Bethany Pham (5th grader) – 2nd in 50 Backstroke
Wrestling Championships
Five GWA wrestlers competed at the GIAA State Tournament last weekend at Georgia Southwestern State University in Americus. David Eberly placed sixth in the 165 lb. weight class. Sophomore Adam Denhardt placed second in the 126 lb. weight class at sectionals on Friday to advance to the championship bracket. He defeated his Friday night opponent from Piedmont Academy on Saturday to win the State Championship.
Senior Belle Rabe became the first-ever female wrestling State Champion in GWA history, following her win on Saturday. Congratulations to our State Champs, Adam and Belle!
Cheer on our varsity wrestlers this Saturday in the Nicholson Center when GWA hosts the GIAA Wrestling Duals State Championships. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for students (first grade and up) and may be purchased at the link below. Dawgs 360 membership does not apply. Go Bulldogs!
We are grateful for our dedicated GWA counselors who provide support for students across all three levels. Thank you to Jon Terrell, Amber Thomason, Erica Webb and Laura Nabors.
Middle School Musicians
This past weekend, three of our hardworking and talented young Middle School Band musicians participated in this year's Middle School GMEA District Honor Band. They represented George Walton well and played an amazing concert with only two days to learn the music and then perform. Congratulations to:
Jonathan Terpstra-Tuba
Gibson Brady-Euphonium
Olivia Page-Clarinet
Jon and Gibson were both 1st chair of their instrument type in the entire district!
We're very proud of their hard work and great accomplishments in this year's event!
Today's In Focus is proudly sponsored Stripling's General Store (striplings.com). Interested in advertising through our Corporate Partnership program? Contact Mike Elmankabady melmankabady@gwa.com or call 678-635-3812.