LAKE OCONEE ACADEMY WELCOMES DREW ANTHONY AS ITS FIRST HEAD FOOTBALL COACH

Greensboro, Ga. (February 10, 2021) – Lake Oconee Academy is pleased to welcome Drew Anthony to the new football and athletics staff for the upcoming school year.  Anthony will serve as the Head football coach and will oversee the development of the initial 1st-12th grade football programs at the school.  He will teach various high school Social Studies classes including Advanced Placement Government and Economics.  He brings with him 27 years of coaching experience in the Georgia High School Association as well as an extensive background in teaching Social Studies, Special Education, and Physical Education.

Anthony is relocating to the Lake Oconee area from St. Mary’s, GA where he served as assistant football coach as well as the Special Teams Coordinator and Academic Athletic Coordinator for Camden County High School, a perennial football powerhouse. Prior to that, he served as the Special Teams Coordinator and Tight Ends coach at Buford High School for 14 years.  During his time at Buford, Anthony won Assistant Coach of the Year as well as 13 Region Championships and eight State Championships.  He also coached Track and Field and produced a State Champion in shot put and discus.   Early in his career, he coached at Washington-Wilkes High School and Cedar Shoals High School, where he served as Offensive Coordinator.

“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Coach Anthony.  We had many great candidates that expressed interest in the opportunity to build a football program at LOA.  Coach Anthony was a great fit for us because of his wealth of experience in high level academic and football environments,” said LOA Athletic Director Chris Ingle. “He is a person of high character and integrity that coaches for the right reasons.  He will be an active and engaged role model in our community.  I am very confident that the young men of the new football program at LOA will be better because he coaches them. ”

Anthony and his wife Lyndi, an Oncology nurse, have three children J.T. (10), Abi (8), and Nate (6).  Coach Anthony credits his family and others for this opportunity.  “I am thrilled to have been chosen to lead the Lake Oconee Academy Football program.  I would like to thank Dr. Tucker, Mark Lipscomb, and Chris Ingle for giving me the chance to start a program from scratch.  I would also like to thank all of the coaches who helped me throughout my career including Jeff Herron, Scott Wilkins, Butch Brooks, Curtis Williams, Dexter Wood, Jess Simpson, Bob Sphire and Welton Coffey,“ said Coach Anthony.  “Most importantly, I would like to thank my wife and children for their love and support.  I could not be the person that I am without them.”

“The educational opportunities at LOA for my children are what first drew me to the school,” said Anthony. “The challenge of starting a new program, the opportunity to teach Social Studies, and the engagement with the LOA community were my motivation to accept the job as Head Football Coach. Our goal for the football  program will be to strive for excellence in everything we do - academically, socially, and athletically.  We will build the program through education-based concepts including character education, relationship building, cutting edge strength and speed development, and the fundamentals of football.”

“During our search process, Coach Anthony showed the type of commitment and enthusiasm that it takes to start a new athletic program. His experience in some of the best football programs in the state, including his success at Buford High School will be invaluable to our football team.  However, what truly set him apart was his passion for teaching and helping students achieve the highest level of academic success.  We look forward to him arriving on campus and are very pleased to have him as part of our faculty,” stated Dr. Tucker.

LAKE OCONEE ACADEMY ANNOUNCES NEXT PHASE OF CAMPUS EXPANSION

New Arts Building and Soccer/Football Facility

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Greensboro, Ga. (December 17, 2020) – The Lake Oconee Academy (LOA) Board of Governors and the Lake Oconee Academy Foundation announced today that the school will be moving forward with the construction of a new arts building and the redesign of the Tucker Park softball field into a soccer and football facility.

In a video announcement released to LOA families, students, and friends at 1:35 p.m. today, LOA CEO Dr. Tucker explained the next phase of controlled growth to further enhance the educational and extracurricular experience for LOA students.

“The LOA Board of Governors and the LOA Foundation Board have worked to ensure LOA students not only have an unsurpassed academic experience, but also have access to an array of extracurricular options,” said Dr. Tucker. “These options are diverse and help us meet the needs of each student.”

The arts facility will meet the needs of LOA’s robust arts programs and provide the additional classroom space necessary to complete the campus with four classes per grade level through grade 12.  The arts building, which will be positioned on the high school campus, is scheduled to be completed by the end of the 2021-22 school year.

The redesign of Tucker Park into a soccer and football facility will be the new home of the highly successful boys’ and girls’ soccer teams and the home of the new Lake Oconee Academy Titan football program. Construction is expected to begin this winter with completion in the late spring or early summer, in time for a portion of the spring soccer season and the start of football in the fall of 2021.

“The arts building has been a priority since the completion of the other high school buildings because the arts touch so many students at LOA in a positive way,” said LOA Board of Governors Chairman Mark Lipscomb. “Combining a home field for the soccer teams and starting a football program will have a positive impact on school spirit and pride. The future at LOA continues to be exciting."

SENIOR LAUREN ELEY NAMED GHSA AREA 8A/AA VOLLEYBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Greensboro, Ga. (December 3, 2020) – Lake Oconee Academy senior Lauren Eley has been named the GHSA Area 8A/AA Volleyball Player of the Year for the 2020 season.

Eley has been a powerful presence for the Lady Titans since her freshman year. As an outside hitter, and in only 52 sets due to COVID-19 match cancellations, she amassed 170 kills (ranked 1st in Area), 3.3 kills per set (ranked 1st in Area), 68 service aces (2nd in Area), 12 blocks (4th in Area), and 124 digs (7th in Area). She has been nominated as an All-Area player for multiple seasons and is a two-year team captain.

"I am so very proud that Lauren was named Area Player of the Year,” said Head Coach Chris Ingle. “She is being recognized by the Area coaches not only for the outstanding year that she had but for her entire high school career. Her stats speak for themselves as she was at the top of the standings in several categories. However, the things that set her apart are her fierce competitiveness, her work ethic, and her servant leadership. She will forever be a cornerstone of the volleyball program at Lake Oconee Academy."

 Photo credits: Volleyball - Justin Hubbard, Senior Formal: Jennifer Collins

LAKE OCONEE ACADEMY CROSS COUNTRY TEAMS POST TOP-5 FINISHES IN STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

Greensboro, Ga. (November 9, 2020) – On Saturday, November 7, 2020, the Lake Oconee Academy (LOA) boys and girls varsity cross country teams traveled to Carrollton High School to compete in the Georgia High School Association (GHSA) 1A-Public State Championships. The girls team notched an overall fourth place finish and the boys team posted an overall fifth place finish.

The Titan ladies were led by standout first team all-state runner sophomore Jane Monachello who finished sixth place overall with a time of 22:44 for the 5K race. Next to finish for LOA was freshman Emma Coleman in 29th place followed closely by freshman Lea Eley in 32nd, sophomore Kensi Stevens 34th and freshman Anika Imhof 49th. There were 141 competitors in the girls race.

The Titans were led by their captain junior Ty Wood who finished 5th place overall with a time of 18:28 for the 5K race. Ty’s time earned him the title of a first team all-state runner for the second year in a row. Senior Jack Miller came in next with a 15th place finish. Additional team members junior Joshua Wilson placed 33rd, senior Dylan Stewart 35th, sophomore Sumner Coleman 69th, senior Logan Fedelem 72nd, and sophomore Justin Zahler 76th. There were 25 teams and 167 runners competing in the boys race.

“Both teams performed very well in tough, slow, muddy conditions,” said head coach Tom Imhof. “I was very proud of how they overcame adversity this season, and were flexible and patient throughout. We are looking forward to a strong season in 2021.”

Photos: The LOA varsity girls cross country team finished 4th place in the state championship meet. The team is (left to right): Assistant Coach Carina Sauter, Emma Coleman, Lea Eley, Jane Monachello, Anika Imhof, Whitley Cannon and head coach Tom Imhof. Not pictured: Kensi Stevens.

The LOA varsity boys cross country team placed fifth in the state at the championship meet. The team is (left to right) Ty Wood, Jack Miller, Joshua Wilson, Dylan Stewart, Logan Fedelem, Justin Zahler, Sumner Coleman, Mason Honea and Jefferson Amaya.

Emma Coleman & Jane Monachello

Ty Wood

LAKE OCONEE ACADEMY SENIOR LANE HERNDON RECEIVES FULL FOUR-YEAR SCHOLARSHIP TO THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO THROUGH THE 2019 QUESTBRIDGE NATIONAL COLLEGE MATCH PROGRAM

Greensboro, Ga. (December 9, 2019) – Lake Oconee Academy (LOA) is proud to announce that senior Lane Herndon has been awarded a full four-year scholarship to attend The University of Chicago through QuestBridge, a national program that connects high-achieving, low-income  high school seniors with scholarships to the nation’s leading colleges. 

In 2019, approximately 15,000 high school seniors applied for the QuestBridge National College Match Scholarship and 5,842 students were selected as finalists. Of these finalists, 1,127 outstanding students were selected as scholarship recipients. QuestBridge applicants can choose to list up to a dozen colleges with which to obtain a possible match. Out of the finalists, about 19% match to a school from their list. Lane carefully researched her schools and was selected for her first choice school, an incredible accomplishment. This rigorous selection process allows the best and brightest to attend one of 40 highly prestigious research universities and liberal arts colleges in the United States, regardless of a family’s financial background. The 40 partner schools include Ivy League schools such as Yale, Princeton, Brown, Dartmouth, and equally impressive schools such as Stanford, Emory, Rice, Vanderbilt and Duke, to name a few.  

Lane intends to study Creative Writing at the University of Chicago which has one of the top creative writing programs in the country. As a QuestBridge Match/Odyssey Scholar, her scholarship covers the full cost of attendance, including tuition, room and board, books and supplies, and travel expenses. The University of Chicago is a highly-selective private university in the Hyde Park area of Chicago with approximately 6,300 undergraduate students. It ranks among the world’s most well-respected institutions of higher education.  

 Lane has been a consistently stellar student at LOA and will be graduating near the top of her class. Her work ethic, focus and determination have been evident throughout her high school years.  She is a leader, and was instrumental in the startup of the new literary magazine at LOA, The Archetype, which features poetry, prose and art. She is the Editor and was involved with the publishing as well.  Lane was selected as a Governor’s Honors Program participant in Visual Arts last summer, a program she credits with helping her find her voice and self-confidence.  She has received numerous accolades and honors during her time at LOA.  She is a member of National Honor Society, Beta Club, and Student Government Association and is recognized as an AP® Scholar with Distinction.  

“Lane's acceptance and scholarship to UChicago stands as a highlight of my career,” said Caroline St. John, Lane’s longtime English and Creative Writing teacher.  “It could not happen to a more worthy student.  Watching her blossom as a writer these last few years ranks as one of my life's highest honors. I expect to see her work on a bookstore shelf one day. She has the makings of greatness.”

“Lane has achieved so much in her high school years because she is intellectually curious and eager to learn,” said Cheryl Lenenski, LOA’s College and Career Counselor. “She continually challenges herself and that is the mark of a true scholar. While her impact here at Lake Oconee Academy has been great, she will continue to do important work as she takes the next steps toward her future, one that is incredibly bright.”

LOA senior Lane Herndon receives a full four-year scholarship to the University of Chicago through the QuestBridge National College Match Scholarship program.

LAKE OCONEE ACADEMY HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE TROUPE BRINGS HOME 2020 GHSA ONE-ACT PLAY STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE

Greensboro, Ga. (November 4, 2019) – The Lake Oconee Academy (LOA) high school theatre troupe qualified for the GHSA State One-Act Play Competition for the second year in a row. On November 2, 2019, the troupe took their musical Quilters to compete against seven other schools for the state championship title: Irwin County, Echols County, Seminole County, Furlow Charter School, ACE Charter School, Rainey-McCullers School of Performing Arts, and Georgia Military College Prep. For the first time in LOA’s history, the troupe captured the state championship trophy with its riveting portrayal of the lives of pioneer women in the American West.

All three judges ranked the production in 1st place, giving scores of 97, 97, and 100. One judge left the troupe a heartfelt comment on his score sheet. He stated, “My grandmother was a big quilter and I miss her every day. Thank you for sparking the thousands of memories I had of her.”

In addition to winning the championship, “All-Star Cast Awards” were given to Rylie McDonald (junior) and Elisa Garcia-Carreras (freshman). The “Best Actress” award for the entire competition went to senior Helen Garcia-Carreras for her portrayal of Sarah McKendree Bonner, a pioneer woman who endures the harsh realities and abiding rewards of life on the frontier.

Following their state win, the troupe was invited to perform at the 2020 Georgia Thespian Conference (ThesCon) which takes place in Columbus, GA in February. To prepare for their trip to ThesCon, they will hold one last community performance of Quilters at Lake Oconee Academy on Tuesday, February 4, at 7:00 p.m. Discounted tickets will be available at the door for $5.

The cast, crew, and directors are listed below:

Cast: Natalie Ansley, Hannah Bell, Shelby Davis, Elisa Garcia-Carreras, Helen Garcia-Carreras, Gabby Gruszynski, Lauren Harris, Rylie McDonald, Amelia Moon, and Ashley Moss

Crew: Elizabeth Brosman, Belle Cawley, Elisha Copeland, Brenes Evans, Lillian Garcia-Carreras, Evan Gibson, Isabelle Hodges, Sarah Grace Ingle, and Lucas Minton

Director, Choreographer: Lora Garcia-Carreras

Assistant Director, Vocals: Kelly Ingle Accompanist, Vocals: Amy Reber

Theatre Tech: Kimberly Fleming

Lighting Consult: Vickie Spivey

Photo: The LOA theatre troupe captured the GHSA One-Act Play state championship title with its performance of Quilters. Cast members pictured are (front row, left to right) Gabby Gruszynski, Elisa Garcia-Carreras, Shelby Davis, Amelia Moon, (back row, left to right) Helen Garcia-Carreras, Rylie McDonald, Ashley Moss, Hannah Bell, Natalie Ansley, Lauren Harris.

LAKE OCONEE ACADEMY OFFICIALLY OPENS NEW HIGH SCHOOL CAMPUS

Greensboro, Ga. (October 22, 2019) – Lake Oconee Academy (LOA) officially opened the new high school campus expansion on the afternoon of Friday, October 18, 2019, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and the annual Titan Bash festivities.

Students, families, faculty, and community guests gathered to celebrate the completion of the new 17-classroom academic building, the Titan Center, which includes a gymnasium, cafeteria and weight room, and the baseball field. The 2017 Capital Campaign on behalf of the Lake Oconee Academy Foundation was instrumental in providing additional funds to further enhance the features of the new buildings which house over 250 high school students. Parents and community members were given guided tours of the buildings and baseball field by LOA Student Government Association senior class members.

The evening concluded with the Titan Bash which was hosted by LOA Parent Teacher Committee volunteers. The Titan Bash is a night of fun and fellowship for the Titan family that includes face painting, carnival games, bounce houses, dance party, and a cook-out dinner.

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Photo: Dr. Jody Worth, LOA Upper School Director, cuts the ribbon to mark the official opening of the new high school campus with the assistance of LOA Student Government Association senior representatives (left to right) Anna Claire Hong, Mahnoor Sultan, Elizabeth Holt, Daryn Minster and Helen Garcia-Carreras. Other school representatives included (back row left to right) LOA CEO Dr. Tucker, Athletic Director Chris Ingle, LOA Board of Governors Chairman Mark Lipscomb, and LOA Foundation Chairman Tommy Jeffords.

LAKE OCONEE ACADEMY MIDDLE SCHOOL BOOK STUDY LEADS TO CHARITABLE DONATION TO AFRICAN ORPHANAGE

Greensboro, Ga. (September 9, 2019) – The Lake Oconee Academy sixth through eighth grade middle school students took their summer reading assignment and turned it into a team fundraising effort to support Jonathan’s House, an African orphanage, school and medical center, in the Central African Republic. On Tuesday, August 27, 2019, the students and faculty presented a check for almost $10,000 via video conference to the children and the orphanage director.

After receiving a book recommendation from an 8th grade student, the middle school teachers selected I Will Always Write Back for the summer reading assignment. The autobiography is about pen pals—one from Africa and one from America—that change each other’s lives. Caitlin, the 12-year-old American girl, sends Martin, a 14-year-old-boy from Zimbabwe, the $20 she earned babysitting after he finally admits to her that he cannot afford to keep writing letters – paper is too expensive and his last note to her is written on a discarded ice cream wrapper. Caitlin’s gift allows Martin to return to school. He eventually comes to the United States to attend college through the tireless efforts of Caitlin’s family.

Inspired by the true story of the pen pals, LOA students connected with Jonathan’s House to support children in the war-torn country to attend school. The average yearly cost for a child at Jonathan’s House to attend school is $34. With that information, the LOA middle school students went to work over the summer—they washed cars, took babysitting jobs, mowed lawns, walked dogs, held bake sales, sold lemonade, and grew and sold fresh produce.  

“The students far exceeded my expectations,” said LOA middle school teacher Dr. Beverly Montgomery. “The lengths each went to give to those less fortunate than themselves is a testament to the spirit of giving. We were hoping to raise about $2,000—just enough money to buy each of the 450 students at Jonathan’s House their own school books. With a donation this size, they will be able to provide much more support for these children.” 

LOA students were thrilled to connect with the orphanage on a video conference to present a check and meet each other “in person.” The children at Jonathan’s House sang “Amazing Grace” for the LOA students and teachers which was a beautiful finish to a very meaningful and impactful summer assignment. 

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Photo 1: LOA students speak to the children at Jonathan’s House, an orphanage in Africa.

Photo 2: LOA students prepare to present the check for their donation to Jonathan’s House.

Photo 3: The 2019 LOA Middle School students and faculty.