LAKE OCONEE ACADEMY ADVANCED PLACEMENT® EXAM SCORES TOP STATE, NATIONAL AND GLOBAL MEAN SCORES

For Immediate Release
Contact: Kerry Minster
706.454.1562
kerry.minster@lakeoconeeacademy.org

LAKE OCONEE ACADEMY ADVANCED PLACEMENT® EXAM SCORES

TOP STATE, NATIONAL AND GLOBAL MEAN SCORES

LOA Named AP Merit School for 2017

Greensboro, Ga. (September 22, 2017) - The Advanced Placement® (AP®) program at Lake Oconee Academy (LOA) has continued its trend of high achievement on AP exams resulting in scores that ranked higher than the state, national and global mean for the 2016-17 school year.

The AP program is administered by the College Board and offers college-level coursework to high school students. Colleges and universities will often grant course credit and advanced placement for qualifying scores on exams. LOA offered nine AP courses for students in grades nine through eleven in the 2016-17 school year. AP exams are scored on a scale from 1 to 5: 5 - extremely well qualified; 4 - well qualified; 3 - qualified; 2 - possibly qualified; 1 - no recommendation.

The mean scores for 2016-17 AP exams are:

LOA	Georgia	National	Global
3.13	2.86	2.84	2.86

LOA administered 139 AP exams to 73 students, with 71% of students scoring a 3 or higher. Of the 71% who scored a 3 or higher, 35% scored a 4 or 5.

LOA is pleased to have 22 students who were named AP Scholars for 2016-17. The AP Scholar Awards recognize high school students who have demonstrated college-level achievement through AP courses and exams. LOA has 11 students who earned the AP Scholar award that is granted to students who receive scores of 3 or higher on three or more AP exams. The AP Scholar with Honor, for students who received an average score of at least 3.25 on all AP exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on four more of these exams, was awarded to seven students. Finally, the AP Scholar with Distinction, granted to students who received an average score of at least 3.5 on all AP exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams, was achieved by four LOA students.

In addition, LOA was named an AP Merit School for 2017; a school with at least 20% of the population taking AP exams and at least 50 percent of all exams earning scores of 3 or higher.

"At LOA we believe that the AP program offers the most challenging options for students to prepare themselves for success in their post-secondary choices, whether that is at a technical school, in the military, or in a competitive four-year university," said Dr. Hester Vasconcelos, AP Coordinator at LOA. "AP uses a national set of curriculum standards, claims, and evidence for each AP course, and each AP course ends with a national exam. AP teachers must submit a national audit to have the course included officially as an AP course on a student's transcript. The scores students receive are an excellent way to measure their preparedness compared to other students across the country taking the same courses."

During the 2017-2018 school year, LOA is offering 16 AP courses: AP Biology, AP Calculus AB, AP Computer Science Principles, AP Microeconomics, AP English Language, AP English Literature, AP US Government, AP Human Geography, AP Spanish Language, AP Spanish Literature, AP Studio Art 2D, AP Studio Art Drawing, AP US History, AP Capstone Seminar, AP Physics 1, and AP Physics 2.

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LAKE OCONEE ACADEMY HONORS LEGACY OF FOUNDING BOARD MEMBER JAMES BROOKS WITH SCHOLARSHIP FUND

For Immediate Release
Contact: Kerry Minster
706.454.1562
kerry.minster@lakeoconeeacademy.org

LAKE OCONEE ACADEMY HONORS LEGACY OF FOUNDING BOARD MEMBER

JAMES BROOKS WITH SCHOLARSHIP FUND

Greensboro, Ga. (September 14, 2017) - A long-time member of the Lake Oconee Academy (LOA) family, Board of Governors founding member James Brooks, age 80, has passed away. Mr. Brooks joined the LOA Board of Governors in 2007, and was an avid supporter of quality education and strongly believed in the mission of LOA. He was instrumental in the passage of the initial charter to bring LOA to Greene County. Without his efforts, the vision of LOA may not have come to fruition. His friendly demeanor, generous nature and thoughtful actions will be missed by the LOA Board, faculty and students.

Mr. Brooks, a native of Greensboro and part-time Atlanta resident, spent his professional career in mechanical construction. In 2002, he successfully completed the Dartmouth College Tuck School of Business Advanced Minority Business Executive Program. In 2005, he was recognized by the Greene County chapter of the NAACP for his support of minority advancement and contributions to the greater Greensboro community. Mr. Brooks was named an accomplished alumnus of the former F. T. Corry High School for classes from 1949 to 1960. He also served on the board and budget committee of the Atlanta Old Timers, Inc., an organization that raises money for books and scholarships for students in the Atlanta area and beyond. He was active with students in the Greensboro Dreamers program and lived by the philosophy, "You are never too old to learn; the day you stop learning is the day you stop growing."

Mr. Brooks is survived by his wife Virginia, a retired elementary school teacher who spent over 40 years educating Atlanta students. Together they have truly impacted the lives of countless students.

"James believed that life is not always fair, but with great determination, you can achieve whatever it is you set out to accomplish," said Dr. Otho, Tucker, CEO of LOA.

In that spirit, LOA has started the James Brooks Scholarship Fund that will be awarded annually to a student who exemplifies the three cornerstones of LOA - citizenship, scholarship and community - and shown resilience and tenacity in their educational journey. Each year, LOA will honor a senior pursuing post-secondary educational work that embodies Mr. Brooks' outlook that with enough determination, anything is possible.

Contributions may be made to the James Brooks Scholarship Fund, c/o Lake Oconee Academy, 1021 Titan Circle, Greensboro, GA, 30642.

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Lake Oconee Academy Named Recipient of the 2016-2017 Class A Region 7 Cooperative Spirit Sportsman Award by the GHSA

For Immediate Release
Contact: Kerry Minster
706.454.1562
kerry.minster@lakeoconeeacademy.org

LAKE OCONEE ACADEMY NAMED RECIPIENT OF THE 2016-17 CLASS A REGION 7
COOPERATIVE SPIRIT SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD BY THE GEORGIA HIGH SCHOOL ASSOCIATION

Greensboro, Ga. (August 14, 2017) – Lake Oconee Academy has been announced as the recipient of the Georgia High School Association (GHSA) Class A Region 7 Cooperative Spirit Sportsmanship Award. The award honors schools that demonstrated exemplary sportsmanship during the 2016-2017 school year.

The Cooperative Sportsmanship Award recognizes student athletes, fellow students, school staff, parents and event spectators for the sportsmanship they display during competitive events. The award is not only a school honor, but a community honor as well. The GHSA region secretaries and coaches select winners based upon sportsmanship demonstrated throughout the school year.

“The mission of the LOA athletics is to develop leaders through an education-based athletics program,” said LOA Athletic Director Chris Ingle. “To accomplish that, LOA coaches are committed to academic excellence, integrity, hard work, selflessness, a winning attitude, and the spirit of ONE Titan. We are honored to be selected for the GHSA Cooperative Sportsmanship Award. This signals that our student athletes are heeding the lessons that will develop them into leaders in the athletic arena, the classroom and in their adult lives.”

Since 2006, the GHSA and Georgia’s Electric Membership Cooperatives (Georgia’s EMCs) have sponsored the Cooperative Spirit Sportsmanship Award which reinforces the GHSA philosophy: “Students, athletes, coaches, spectators and all others associated with high school activities programs should adhere to the fundamental values of respect, fairness, honesty and responsibility.”

“Congratulations to all of the region winners of the GHSA Cooperative Spirit Sportsmanship Award for 2016-2017,” says Dr. Robin Hines, GHSA Executive Director. “It is an honor for these member schools to be selected by their regions for this award. The characteristics of good sportsmanship are critical to the development of our young people as they transition into productive adults. The GHSA applauds our schools on this accomplishment and appreciates Georgia’s EMCs for their support of this outstanding recognition program.”

Cooperative Spirit Sportsmanship Awards are presented annually to the GHSA-member high schools in the 56 regions from the seven classifications by representatives from the EMCs during fall athletic events and school assemblies.

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LAKE OCONEE ACADEMY MUSIC TEACHER AMY REBER ANNOUNCED AS A QUARTERFINALIST

For Immediate Release
Contact: Kerry Minster
706.454.1562
kerry.minster@lakeoconeeacademy.org

LAKE OCONEE ACADEMY MUSIC TEACHER AMY REBER ANNOUNCED AS A QUARTERFINALIST

FOR THE 2018 MUSIC EDUCATOR AWARD™ PRESENTED BY THE RECORDING ACADEMY® AND THE GRAMMY MUSEUM®

Greensboro, Ga. (June 19, 2017) - A total of 197 music teachers from 187 cities across 45 states plus Washington, D.C., have been announced as quarterfinalists for the Music Educator Award™ presented by the Recording Academy® and the GRAMMY Museum®. Lake Oconee Academy (LOA) music teacher Amy Reber was named as one of the quarterfinalists from among 2,300 initial nominations from all 50 states.

The Music Educator Award was established to recognize current educators (kindergarten through college in public and private schools) who have made a significant and lasting contribution to the field of music education and who demonstrate a commitment to the broader cause of maintaining music education in the schools. The recipient will be recognized during GRAMMY® Week 2018.

Reber, originally from Castle Rock, Colorado, has been a music instructor at LOA since 2007. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance and a Master of Music in Piano Performance and Piano Pedagogy from Baylor University.

Reber has enriched the lives of LOA students across all grade levels, from Pre-Kindergarten to seniors, with her passion for music and music education. Reber shares her love of music with elementary, middle and high school students in general music, piano and musical theatre. She will lead piano instruction for approximately 160 students this school year. As a concert pianist, she supports many organizations in the community through music as an accompanist for Christ Our King Catholic Church, Reynolds Lake Oconee Chorus, Lake Oconee Presbyterian Church (also serves as choir director), and Oconee Performing Arts Society (OPAS). She hosts Kindermusik camps for children ages 2-6 each summer. Reber is an active member of the American College of Musicians in the Piano Guild. She works tirelessly supporting students outside of the school day with private piano and voice lessons. Reber is a parent of five children with her husband Jay.

"I am truly honored to represent my family, my school, and my community with this nomination for the Music Educator Award," said Reber. "There are a lot of people who have poured countless hours, time, and resources into my musical training. I am where I am today because of their sacrifices. I want to provide the children of Greene County and LOA the same opportunity I was given. It is so exciting and rewarding to see the joy that music brings to their lives. I always tell my students, 'I don't have a job. I have a joy.'"

Each year, one recipient is selected from 10 finalists and recognized for their remarkable impact on students' lives. The fifth annual honoree will be flown to New York to attend the 60th Annual GRAMMY Awards and a range of GRAMMY Week events. The nine additional finalists will receive a $1,000 honorarium, and the schools of all 10 finalists will receive matching grants.

Fifteen semifinalists will receive a $500 honorarium with matching school grants. The matching grants provided to the schools are made possible by the generosity and support of the GRAMMY Museum's Education Champions Converse, Disney Performing Arts, Ford Motor Company Fund, and Journeys. In addition, the American Choral Directors Association, National Association for Music Education, NAMM Foundation, and National Education Association support this program through outreach to their constituencies.

Photo: LOA music instructor Amy Reber has been named a quarterfinalist for the Music Educator Award™ presented by the Recording Academy® and the GRAMMY Museum®.

David Mapp Joins Lake Oconee Academy Board Of Governors

For Immediate Release
Contact: Kerry Minster
706.454.1562
kerry.minster@lakeoconeeacademy.org

DAVID MAPP JOINS LAKE OCONEE ACADEMY BOARD OF GOVERNORS

Greensboro, Ga. (May 1, 2017) - Local attorney and Greene County native David Mapp has joined the Lake Oconee Academy Board of Governors, the public charter school's governing body. Mapp is currently a law associate at the Law Office of Russell W. Wall, LLC in downtown Greensboro.

"The LOA Board of Governors is the guiding force behind the success of LOA," said Dr. Otho Tucker, CEO of LOA. "We are very fortunate to have a person with David's longtime ties to the community, and his professional and educational experiences serve our school and county. He will be an asset to the board in fulfilling the vision and mission of LOA."

Mapp is an honor graduate of the University of Georgia with a B.A. in in Political Science and earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Georgia School of Law. As a law student, he served at the Fulton County District Attorney's Office, the Public Defender's Office of the Western Judicial Circuit in Athens, the Law Office of Russell Wall, and the Greene County District Attorney's Office. He was active in many organizations on campus including the Georgia Trial lawyers Association, Dean's Ambassadors, and the Black Law Students Association.

"I believe that serving on the LOA Board of Governors has given me an opportunity to give back to my community in a unique way," said Mapp. "As a product of the Greene County School System, I have always been told that there is no opportunity for growth or advancement here. That misguided belief does not encourage our graduates to remain in the county to work, or to return after graduating college, serving in the military, etc.

"What would encourage many students to continue calling Greene County home is if there are more jobs, more cultural activities, and more opportunities for advancement. Having quality schools attracts and encourages those things, while also improving the quality of life for all Greene County citizens. "

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Photo: David Mapp, law associate at the Law Office of Russell W. Wall, is a new member of the Lake Oconee Academy Board of Governors.

Lake Oconee Academy Sophomore Captures State Champion Title in GHSA Literary Meet

For Immediate Release
Contact: Kerry Minster
706.454.1562
kerry.minster@lakeoconeeacademy.org

LAKE OCONEE ACADEMY SOPHOMORE CAPTURES STATE CHAMPION TITLE IN GHSA LITERARY MEET

Greensboro, Ga. (March 21, 2017) - Lake Oconee Academy entered its first high school state champion in the record books with sophomore Chandler Pearson's performance at the Georgia High School Association (GHSA) Literary Meet on Saturday, March 18, 2017. Pearson earned state champion honors in Domestic Extemporaneous Speaking in the GHSA Region 7 Area 8.

After placing first in the regional competition, Pearson earned a position at the state level competition among eight contestants from five area high schools. Domestic Extemporaneous Speaking is a public speaking contest in which contestants are provided a selection of topics dealing with current national issues that have been discussed in periodicals since September 1 of the current year. Each contestant draws three topics and must select one of the three to address in competition. A contestant is then allotted 30 minutes to plan and organize his/her speech and seven minutes to deliver the speech. The criteria for judging the competition includes: (a) analysis of topic (b) organizational skills (c) logical support (d) language skills and (e) delivery skills. Pearson's speech addressed the question, "Did Hillary Clinton's WikiLeaks controversy hurt her chances to be elected President?" Pearson earned an average score of 98.5 out of 100 from the judges.

"Congratulations to Chandler as LOA's first state champion," said Dr. Otho Tucker, CEO of LOA. "It is very rewarding to watch high school students excel and make a mark in LOA's first entry into these various competitions. Chandler has a bright future and we are proud to have her as part of Team Titan."

Local Kidney Foundation Founder Recognized by Good Morning America

For Immediate Release
Contact: Kerry Minster
706.454.1562
kerry.minster@lakeoconeeacademy.org

LOCAL KIDNEY FOUNDATION FOUNDER RECOGNIZED BY GOOD MORNING AMERICA

Greensboro, Ga. (March 20, 2017) - A team from Good Morning America and ABC News surprised Kristi Callaway at Lake Oconee Academy (LOA) in Greensboro, Georgia, on February 3, to recognize her for her hard work matching kidney donors and recipients.

Good Morning America chose to honor Kristi Callaway as part of its "We are GMA: 50 Hearts in 50 States" campaign. Her extraordinary efforts have saved over 20 lives since Kristi launched her kidney donor and recipients network. Her dedication to this cause stems from a situation that hits close to home.

Kristi's husband Raleigh suffered from Chronic Kidney Disease, and in 2014 his kidney function had declined to the point that he was in dire need of a kidney transplant. After a Facebook post with a photo of Raleigh, Kristi and their two daughters holding a sign that read "Our Daddy Needs a Kidney" went viral, Raleigh found a kidney donor match in just 10 weeks.

Kristi felt compelled to pay it forward and help those searching for a kidney donor. Kristi and her husband then started a kidney foundation designed to raise awareness about Chronic Kidney Disease and connect kidney donors to people in need.

When Good Morning America reached out to Kristi's family about wanting to do the segment in Greensboro, the entire community was asked to keep quiet. Kristi was invited to come to Lake Oconee Academy to read to her daughter's first grade class, but little did she know, she was in for a huge surprise.

The Good Morning America team invited several kidney donor/recipient families to Lake Oconee Academy to surprise Kristi. Upon Kristi's arrival she was directed to view a video of Raleigh's journey to receiving his kidney. As she was viewing the video, the donor and recipient families emerged from behind a group of Lake Oconee Academy students and greeted her with hugs and tears. Over 150 students then formed a super-size heart on the baseball field to symbolize GMA's "50 Hearts" campaign.

Kristi's husband and mother had been in contact with Good Morning America for weeks to pull off this surprise to recognize Kristi's hard work and kindness. In addition to this surprise, Retail Me Not made a donation of $10,000 in Kristi's name to the National Kidney Foundation.

"This entire experience has been incredible and heart-warming," said Kristi. "Words do not seem to express the amount of love and appreciation I feel for all who were involved in making this happen. The opportunity to be able to meet the people I have worked so closely with but only by phone and computer is one I will treasure always. Kidney disease and the desperate need for living donors does not receive nearly the coverage it should, and I am forever grateful to have been a part of representing the need on the national stage. Thank you to my family, friends, community, ABC, GMA, and LOA for allowing this once in a lifetime experience to come to fruition. It is my hope and prayer that media coverage of one of the most special moments of my life will inspire someone to become a living donor and give hope to those waiting for the call that their kidney gift has arrived."

On March 17, Kristi and her family travelled to New York City to be a part of the GMA live show. While there, Kristi and Raleigh met with representatives at the corporate headquarters of the National Kidney Foundation to learn how they can collaborate on efforts to increase transplant education awareness.

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Photo
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Rob Marciano and Pat Daniel present Kristi and Raleigh with a $10,000 donation to the National Kidney Foundation in Kristi's name on behalf of Retail Me Not. Pat is the wife of Randy Daniel, who has been featured on Kristi's Facebook page and is still in search of his donor. Pat contacted GMA to share Kristi's story and nominate her to be featured by GMA.

Lake Oconee Academy Foundation Launches Capital Campaign

For Immediate Release
Contact: Valerie Duvall
706.454.1562
valerie.duvall@lakeoconeeacademy.org

LAKE OCONEE ACADEMY FOUNDATION LAUNCHES CAPITAL CAMPAIGN

FOR HIGH SCHOOL EXPANSION

Greensboro, Ga. (February 21, 2017) - The Lake Oconee Academy Foundation hosted another successful Denim and Diamonds fundraiser event on February 18, 2017, at The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee. The annual community event was a celebration of the 10-year anniversary of Lake Oconee Academy (LOA) and an opportunity to announce exciting news regarding the expansion of the LOA high school campus.

LOA's story began in 2007 when eleven kindergarteners and their families walked into a local church to embark on an educational journey that no one knew for sure where it would lead. They had big ideas about what could be accomplished, but probably did not realize success would come so quickly. Those first pioneering Titans opened the doors for the over 800 students who now call this award-winning school home.

However, with such demand for the educational program, LOA has quickly outgrown its four permanent buildings and three large modular units. Present facilities do not have adequate classroom space for the 2018 senior class which will also mark the first graduating class in the history of LOA. With these needs in mind, the LOA Foundation has launched a $2 million capital campaign to provide philanthropic support for the expansion of the LOA high school. The expansion project includes two new buildings that will include seventeen classrooms with two science labs, and a student life center with a cafeteria and a gymnasium. The capital campaign will fund needed items such as advanced technologies, furnishings, safety measures, equipment, and green space for high school students.

The expansion project is funded by the per student state and local allotment and private donations. As stated in the charter renewal contract approved by the Greene County Board of Education (BOE) in 2016, this project will not utilize capital construction funds from the BOE to fund the high school expansion. Supporting the additional needs of the high school through fundraising will make it possible to expand and deliver an outstanding education to children of all abilities, and will leave a legacy that will impact Greene County for generations.

In the coming months, community members will be sharing the story of LOA in support of the school and the capital campaign. The first group presentation of the capital campaign was to the teachers and staff at LOA. The teachers demonstrated their unwavering belief in the educational program of LOA and the school's expansion with 100% participation in the campaign.

LOA hosts monthly tours on the first Monday of every month at 11:00 a.m. Please contact Valerie Duvall to schedule a tour or if you are interested in making a tax-deductible gift to support the expansion of LOA. She can be reached at Valerie.duvall@lakeoconeeacademy.org or by calling the school at 706.454.1562.

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