LAKE OCONEE ACADEMY NAMES 2018 VALEDICTORIAN AND SALUTATORIAN

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

LAKE OCONEE ACADEMY NAMES 2018 VALEDICTORIAN AND SALUTATORIAN

Greensboro, Ga. (May 21, 2018)– Lake Oconee Academy held its Senior Honors Ceremony on Friday, May 18, 2018, to honor LOA’s first graduating class. The faculty and staff were pleased to announce Anna Harris as Salutatorian and Kunj Sukha as Valedictorian of the Class of 2018 in recognition of their outstanding academic achievements.

Anna has been a leader both in and out of the classroom. Her rigorous academic course load allowed her to qualify for graduation from LOA in just three years. Anna completed 11 AP® courses during high school and was named an AP® Scholar by the College Board. She is a member of the National Honor Society and the Senior Beta Club. She also earned the Georgia Bi-literacy Seal, International Skills Diploma Seal, and an International Spanish Academy diploma. Anna served for two years as the race coordinator for the Shoes of Service 5K to benefit the Surgeons of Service, a partnership with local doctors fostered by Anna to provide funds and donated shoes for children and families in need in the Dominican Republic. Anna will be attending the University of Georgia in the fall.

Sukha, who achieved the highest academic ranking of the senior class, will deliver the Valedictorian address during LOA’s Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 26, 2018. Kunj completed 18 AP® courses in high school to earn an AP® Scholar designation from the College Board. He is a member of the National Honor Society and the Senior Beta Club, and also earned the International Skills Diploma Seal and an International Spanish Academy diploma. Kunj was active with the broadcast team coordinating camera operations, lighting, and live streaming of various school events. He was also named a Titan Tri-Athlete all four years of high school for competing in a sport each season during the school year – cross country, basketball and baseball. Kunj will study Aerospace Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology.

Photo: Anna Harris and Kunj Sukha were honored as the Class of 2018’s Salutatorian and Valedictorian at the Senior Honors Ceremony on May 18, 2018, for their outstanding academic achievements.

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LAKE OCONEE ACADEMY SEVENTH GRADER HAILEY HEINEN TO COMPETE IN SCRIPPS NATIONAL SPELLING BEE

LAKE OCONEE ACADEMY SEVENTH GRADER HAILEY HEINEN TO COMPETE IN SCRIPPS NATIONAL SPELLING BEE

Greensboro, Ga. (May 14, 2018) – Hailey Heinen, a seventh grade Lake Oconee Academy (LOA) student, is heading to the 2018 Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington D.C. from May 29-31, 2018. She will join spellers from all over the world as they compete during “Bee Week,” with portions of the Bee to be televised on ESPN.

Hailey has won every class spelling bee since first grade, and she has been the winner of every schoolwide spelling bee since fourth grade. She has moved on to win the Greene County spelling bee three times and has also competed in the Georgia Regional Spelling Bee three times.

Hailey is a high honors student in school. She enjoys piano, musical theater, reading, serving as a student government representative, and competition cheerleading. Finding time to study for the Bee can be challenging, especially when spellers are told that the most inclusive study tool for the National Bee is the Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Champion spellers also study etymology (the history of words and their origins) to give them the best chance of spelling difficult words that are unfamiliar to most people.

“Going to the National Spelling Bee has been a goal of mine since 1st grade,” said Hailey. “I love the competitive atmosphere, and I am excited to meet new friends from around the world.” Hailey would like to thank LOA faculty Lindsay Lipscomb, Caroline St. John, and Katie Cobb who continue to help her study in the early mornings before and after school, and Greene County teacher Tara Burdette who helped her prepare for the Greene County Bee and Regional Bee.

Photo: LOA seventh grader Hailey Heinen will compete in the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C. May 29-31, 2018.

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LAKE OCONEE ACADEMY NAMED 2018 AP HONOR SCHOOL

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

LAKE OCONEE ACADEMY NAMED 2018 AP HONOR SCHOOL

Greensboro, Ga. (April 23, 2018) - Lake Oconee Academy (LOA) has been named a 2018 Advanced Placement® (AP®) Honor School by State School Superintendent Richard Woods. Based on 2017 AP courses and exams, LOA earned the Honor School designation in the following categories: AP Challenge School, AP Merit School and AP Humanities School.

The AP program is administered by the College Board, which also administers the SAT, 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.

"Now that LOA has expanded to a complete high school with grades 9-12 for the 2017-18 school year, our AP program has really grown," said LOA CEO Dr. Otho Tucker. "Last year we were named an AP Merit School, so to achieve the additional designations this year is a good indication that our students are taking advantage of the opportunity to enroll in the most rigorous classes and earn college credit during their high school careers. They are truly preparing themselves for post-secondary education."

The AP Honor School categories achieved by LOA are defined as follows:

AP Challenge Schools (56 named in 2018) are schools with enrollments of 900 or fewer students and students testing in four of the core areas (English, math, science and social studies).

AP Merit Schools (67 named in 2018) are schools with at least 20% of the total student population taking AP exams and at least 50 percent of all exams earning scores of 3 or higher.

AP Humanities Schools (134 named in 2018) are schools with students testing in the following courses: at least one ELA course, two social science courses, one fine arts course and one world language course.

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Photo: LOA student Cydney Bish works on an AP Studio Design project in class. LOA was named a 2018 AP Honor School, including a designation as an AP Humanities School to include students taking ELA, social science, fine arts and world language courses.

LAKE OCONEE ACADEMY SENIOR KJ HARRIS SIGNS FIRST ATHLETIC SCHOLARSHIP IN SCHOOL HISTORY

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

LAKE OCONEE ACADEMY SENIOR KJ HARRIS SIGNS FIRST ATHLETIC SCHOLARSHIP IN SCHOOL HISTORY
Harris Earns Basketball Scholarship at Brewton-Parker College

Greensboro, Ga. (April 17, 2018) – Lake Oconee Academy senior Ka’Jarius “KJ” Harris becomes the first student-athlete in LOA history to sign an athletics scholarship. Harris will attend Brewton-Parker College in the fall on a basketball scholarship. Brewton-Parker Men’s Basketball Head Coach Gavin Chapman visited the LOA campus on Friday, April 13, 2018, for Harris’s official signing.

KJ started attending LOA his freshman year in high school and was a member of the initial JV boys basketball team in the 2014-15 school year.

“KJ is determined, and he wanted to play basketball in college so he went after it with everything he had,” said LOA Athletic Director Chris Ingle. “KJ is always a pleasure to spend time with; he speaks from his heart and has been a bridge builder in our community. This is just the beginning for him and we will be here to support him from here on out.”

“KJ was a leader, the engine, so to speak, laying the foundation for the LOA basketball program going forward,” said LOA Boys Basketball Head Coach Michael Brooker. “Playing at the next level is a very exciting opportunity, and we are extremely excited to watch him grow and extend his playing career beyond LOA.”

The signing ceremony was attended by KJ’s varsity basketball teammates, his parents Freda and Jarrod Harris, LOA teachers, and friends. Speakers included teammates John Fowler, Hunter Lovelace and Ashton Evans who spoke about their friendship and admiration for KJ as a player and a person, and KJ’s father Jarrod.

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Photo: KJ Harris signs the first athletic scholarship in school history alongside his new coach, Brewton-Parker College Men’s basketball Head Coach Gavin Chapman.

LOA Senior Robert Hatfield Accepts Appointment to the US Naval Academy

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

LAKE OCONEE ACADEMY SENIOR ROBERT HATFIELD
ACCEPTS APPOINTMENT TO THE UNITED STATES NAVAL ACADEMY

Greensboro, Ga. (April 9, 2018) - Lake Oconee Academy senior Robert E. "Bobby" Hatfield III, a member of LOA's first graduating class, has received and accepted an offer of appointment from the U.S. Naval Academy. Congressman Jody Hice (GA-10) visited the LOA campus on Tuesday, April 3, 2018, to conduct an official signing ceremony with Bobby. Students, faculty, friends, and family were on hand to celebrate Bobby's outstanding accomplishment.

Bobby's goal since he was a young child has been to serve his country. "I want to be where I can become the very best version of myself; my country deserves nothing less," Hatfield expressed in an essay written his senior year. "My generation will soon be charged with the awesome responsibility of passing the liberty we inherited to the next generation, and we will not let our country down."

"One of the greatest thrills I have as a member of Congress is getting to be a part of days like this," said Congressman Hice. "It does my heart so much good to see the quality of the men and women that are appointed to service academies to lead our military and country. To earn an appointment, you have to excel scholastically, physically and in leadership roles. This is an incredible honor. I want to thank Bobby for his willingness to serve our country."

Caroline St. John, Bobby's English Literature teacher, spoke about her first interaction with Bobby through Youth Leadership Greene, a group of sophomores from all the high schools in Greene County.

"I had the pleasure of having Bobby in the first Youth Leadership Greene group, and it was important because it was our first group where all the student leaders would come together for the first time as a team," said St. John. "On that first day together, Bobby was the one who walked across the group and shook hands with all the kids from the other schools. He was the one that we followed. I knew at the moment that we would be following Bobby for the rest of his life."

After additional comments from LOA CEO Dr. Otho Tucker, Bobby's grandmother Brenda Pickett, classmate Eli Ramsey, and LOA Upper School Director Jody Worth, Congressman Hice presented Bobby with the certificate of appointment. The certificate, signed by Bobby to heartfelt applause from the large crowd gathered in Community Hall, reads, "With personal strength and upstanding character, I will serve my nation with honor."

Bobby will report to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., on June 28, 2018, where he will swear in as a midshipman in the United States Navy.

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LAKE OCONEE ACADEMY MIDDLE SCHOOL SPORTS HAVE SUCCESSFUL SPRING SEASON

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

LAKE OCONEE ACADEMY MIDDLE SCHOOL SPORTS HAVE SUCCESSFUL SPRING SEASON
Boys Soccer Wins Third Consecutive CSRA Championship

Greensboro, Ga. (April 9, 2018) – The spring sports season has come and gone for the Middle School programs at Lake Oconee Academy (LOA), but not without some excellent results. LOA’s middle school student-athletes and coaches have produced teams that are both exciting to watch and very competitive within the CSRA Athletic League.

The MS Baseball Titans, led by Coaches Paul Schofield and Tim Stephens, finished the season with an 8-2 record in the league. They came up short in the league semi-finals to a very strong team from Washington County.

The MS Lady Titan soccer team, led by coaches Kris Stevens and Crishandra Perkins, improved throughout the season and earned a spot in the League Championship finals. The team ultimately finished as the league runner-up to Jefferson County.

The MS Titan boys soccer team, led by coaches Evan Minster and Kevin Urrutia, finished the season with a record of 5-3 in the league. After earning a spot in the league championship game, the boys team pulled off a hat trick by winning its third consecutive CSRA League Championship 2-1 over Jefferson County.

“It was very exciting to win the championship three years in a row,” said eighth grader Kyle Beasley. “Several strong players moved up to varsity this year so it was great to see the team work together and continue to play with confidence.”

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Photo: The LOA Middle School boys soccer team wins the 2018 CSRA Championship for the third year in a row. Pictured left to right (front row) Leo Perez, Zach Stephens, Max Jackson, (back row) Coach Kevin Urrutia, Jarod Batson, Tyler Urrutia, Ryan McClendon, Fernando Patino, Tanner Larkin, Jay Beeker, Gavin Minster, Kyle Beasley, Jackson Millwood, Joshua Wilson, Lucas Minton, Kurtis Tran, Coach Evan Minster, Trace Wood.

LAKE OCONEE ACADEMY STUDENTS ORGANIZE FUNDRAISER

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

LAKE OCONEE ACADEMY STUDENTS ORGANIZE FUNDRAISER FOR MARJORY STONEMAN DOUGLAS HIGH SCHOOL VICTIMS' FUND

Greensboro, Ga. (March 19, 2018) - The Lake Oconee Academy (LOA) high school Entrepreneurship class coordinated a Jeans Day on Friday, March 16, 2018, to benefit the official Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School fund to provide relief and financial assistance to the victims and families of the tragic school shooting. Participants received a green "MSD Strong" button in honor of mental health awareness and in support of the students and families in Parkland, Florida.

The Entrepreneurship class was pleased to announce they would be making a $3,000 donation to the MSD Victims' Fund directed by the Broward Education Foundation in conjunction with Broward County Public Schools on behalf of the students and faculty of LOA. Thank you to all of the students, teachers and families for their donations.

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Photo: Members of the LOA Entrepreneurship class announce the total donation of the fundraiser to benefit the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Victims' Fund at $3,000.

LAKE OCONEE ACADEMY STUDENTS RECORD STRONG PERFORMANCES AT GHSA LITERARY MEET

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

LAKE OCONEE ACADEMY STUDENTS RECORD STRONG PERFORMANCES AT GHSA LITERARY MEET
Pearson Becomes Back-to-Back State Champion

Greensboro, Ga. (March 19, 2018) - Lake Oconee Academy students displayed strong performances at the Georgia High School Association (GHSA) Literary Meet on Saturday, March 17, 2018, at Georgia Military College in Milledgeville, Ga. After finishing in first place in their region competitions, senior Bobby Hatfield, junior Chandler Pearson and freshman Stu Baker notched a first place win and two second place finishes in the GHSA Region A-Public, Area 5 state competition. The GHSA supports education-based interscholastic sports and activities, facilitating the development of fine arts and critical thinking and speaking skills.

Baker placed second in Boys Solo with his performance of "Santa Fe" from the Broadway musical Newsies and "Alma del core" from Caldara's opera entitled La constanza. Hatfield placed second in Extemporaneous Speaking - International by addressing the question, "How did the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea affect the tensions in the Korean Peninsula?"
Pearson followed up her 2017 state championship title with another first place win in Extemporaneous Speaking - Domestic. This year her speech addressed the question, "Can members of Congress lay politics aside and do what they believe is the right thing for the American people?"

Extemporaneous Speaking is a public speaking contest in which contestants are provided a selection of topics dealing with current national or international 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.

"Congratulations to Stu, Bobby and our back-to-back champion Chandler for their hard work and dedication to the GHSA Literary Meet," said Dr. Otho Tucker, CEO of LOA. "These experiences will benefit their overall academic performance as well as their preparation for life skills outside of the classroom. A heartfelt thank you to the faculty sponsors, Mrs. Colleen Ham and Mrs. Juli Malcom, for inspiring and preparing students to take on these challenges."

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Photo A (left to right): Stu Baker, Chandler Pearson and Bobby Hatfield celebrate their performances at the GHSA Literary Meet on March 17, 2018.
Photo B: Chandler Pearson is the winner of back-to-back state titles at the GHSA Literary Meet in the category of Extemporaneous Speaking - Domestic.