LAKE OCONEE ACADEMY’S HANNAH HEINEN SELECTED TO REPRESENT GEORGIA IN THE FBI YOUTH LEADERSHIP PROGRAM

Greensboro, Ga. (May 12, 2021) – Hannah Heinen, a rising junior at Lake Oconee Academy, has been selected to attend the prestigious Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) National Academy Youth Leadership Program (YLP) in Quantico, Virginia, this summer. After an intensive application and interview process, 60 students from across the globe, representing 40 U.S. states and four countries, were chosen for this program. The program is overseen by a group of law enforcement instructors, and the training immerses the attendees in the topics of leadership, integrity, FBI operations, resiliency, and fitness.

The program is sponsored by the FBI National Academy Associates, Inc., (NAA) a non-profit law enforcement leadership network, and attendees participate at no charge to them. According to the FBI NAA, “YLP is designed to offer lifelong enrichment opportunities in support of exceptional young leaders’ drive for knowledge and their desire to make a difference in the world. The vision of YLP is to develop an influential community of socially conscious and service-minded leaders, connected through association, who positively shape the world.”

“Hannah is an excellent candidate for the FBI Youth Leadership Program,” stated Dr. Jody Worth, LOA’s Chief Academic Officer. “She will not just be another participator, but rather a true contributor. She will enrich the program with thoughtful ideas and feedback. Hannah encapsulates all of the qualities that describe the excellent student. I am excited for Hannah and the opportunity at hand.”

“I am honored to be selected to represent the state of Georgia and look forward to strengthening my leadership skills and learning how FBI agents train for their careers,” said Hannah. She is a high honors student, plays varsity basketball and soccer at LOA and is a member of the LOa Student Government Association and Beta Club.

LAKE OCONEE ACADEMY ELEMENTARY TOME STUDENT LITERACY SOCIETY TEAM PLACES THIRD IN STATE COMPETITION

Greensboro, Ga. (April 20, 2021) – The Lake Oconee Academy Tome Student Literacy Society team of fourth and fifth grade students made school history this year by placing third in the state competition on March 17, 2021.

The Lake Oconee Academy (LOA) Club Tome Society is a group of young readers who read seven novels over the course of six months and interacted with other students through collaboration, discussion, and an online competition with other fourth and fifth graders across the state. Teams competed against each other to earn points by answering questions about the details of the seven Tome Student Literacy Society "It List" books which included titles such as Caterpillar Summer by Gillian McDunn and The Storm Keeper’s Island by Catherine Doyle. LOA's team met once a week with faculty leaders Mrs. Shannon Hooks and Mrs. Allison McNutt to discuss books, collaborate, and prepare for competitions.

The team competed in three online Reading Bowl quizzes from September to February to qualify for the Tome Student Literacy Society state competition. At state, the students competed against the top-four scoring teams in the state and finished in third place. 

“These students have shown so much dedication during many uncertainties,” Library Media Specialist McNutt said. “Last year, the team finished in 6th place, and they challenged themselves to improve that this year. We are so proud of their hard work, dedication to the team, and their passion for reading.

The LOA Club Tome Society finished in third place in the Tome Student Literacy Society state competition in March. The team members are (back row, left to right) Shannon Hooks (leader), Grayson Hooks, Clay Bellefeuille, Ansley Evans, Lizzie Bowen, Nicole Wang, Carly Hall, Emi Mokan, Atina Chen, Allison McNutt (leader), (front row, left to right) Brooks Dellinger, Ellie Chupp, Jenny Limeri, Sutton Alexander, Rhys Postlmayr, Ronin Gibson, and Cole Schumacher.

LAKE OCONEE ACADEMY VARSITY GOLF TEAMS CAPTURE AREA CHAMPIONSHIP

LOA Golfers Set New Area Championship Records

The LOA golf teams captured the boys and girls Area 4-A Public Golf Championships. Back row, left to right: Willa Kent, Kelli Scheck, Georgia Bosart, Katie Scheck. Front row, left to right: Halsey Bosart, Rhett Smith, Drew Williams, Rylan Black, Colby Bennett, Tyler Urrutia.

Greensboro, Ga. (April 20, 2021) – The Lake Oconee Academy varsity boys and girls golf teams won the Area 4-A Public Golf Championships on Monday, April 19, at Double Oaks Golf Course in Commerce, Ga. Both teams will advance to the state championship tournament in May. The girls team will be seeking a third consecutive team state championship title. Senior Katie Scheck, who will play college golf at Penn State University in the fall, is a favorite to win her third straight individual state championship title.

During the area championship, Katie Scheck won the girls individual low medalist with a score of 68 (-4), set a women's course record, and set the new area championship record.

Other girls scores included:

Kelli Scheck: 70 (-2)

Georgia Bosart: 77 (+5)

Willa Kent: 84 (+12)

The girls area championship team total of six under 138 (top two scores) gave them an 18-stroke win over the runner-up team Commerce High School.

Junior Rylan Black’s round of 65 (-7) earned him the boys individual low medalist title, set the high school boys and juniors course record, and set the new area championship record. Rylan’s amazing round also included a hole-in-one on the 16th hole with an 8-iron from 160 yards into the wind. This is the first hole-in-one for any Lake Oconee Academy (LOA) golfer during a competition.

Other boys scores included:

Colby Bennett: 66 (-6)

Drew Williams: 71 (-1)

Rhett Smith: 74 (+2)

Halsey Bosart: 75 (+3)

Tyler Urrutia: 77 (+5)

The boys area championship team total of twelve under 276 (top four scores) resulted in a 15-stroke victory over Social Circle High School.

"It was truly a great day for our very talented LOA boys and girls golf teams,” said Head Coach Ricardo Patton. “What is special about our team are the other team members that pushed and challenged the area tournament participants to play their best. Thank you to Jacy Singleton, Rylee Oyler, Sydney Pattison, Sienna Wojciechowicz, Maddox Cantrell, Caleb Worth, and Tyler Ashurst for your hard work and dedication to this team. Coach Josh Martz and I are honored to coach this amazing group, and look forward to helping both teams realize high expectations over the next few weeks."

LOA junior Rylan Black recorded a hole-in-one during his round of seven-under 65 at the 2021 Area 4-A Public Golf Championships.

LAKE OCONEE ACADEMY STUDENTS EARN AP SCHOLAR AWARDS FOR COLLEGE-LEVEL ACHIEVEMENT

Forty-Six Students Achieved AP Scholar Status

Greensboro, Ga. (April 19, 2021) – In addition to being named an AP Honor School for 2021, Lake Oconee Academy is pleased to have 46 students awarded 51 designations in the AP Scholar categories for 2019-20. The AP Scholar Awards recognize high school students who have demonstrated college-level achievement through AP courses and exams.

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. 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.

Among those 46 students, 16 students earned the AP Scholar award that is granted to students who receive scores of 3 or higher on three or more AP exams:

Ally Blythe, Sophia Bradley, Chloe Cosby*, Helen Garcia-Carreras*, Gabrielle Gruszynski, Anna Claire Hong*, Lauren Johnson*, Marissa Malone, Rylie McDonald, Daryn Minster*, Addy Rentz, Charlee Scheller, JP Sheehan, Conner Strickland*, Zach Tolleson*, Christian Williams*.

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 five students:

Will Jackson*, Jack Miller, Lucas Minton, Grace Stephens*, Tyler Urrutia.

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 25 LOA students:

Natalie Ansley*, Landon Beall*, Hannah Bell, Katie Ciavola, Madison Courter*, Ella Darby, Lauren Ellison*, Idil Erturk, Logan Fedelem, Lauren Harris, Lily Hartrich, Lane Herndon*, Cory Kimbrough*, Olivia Lee*, Paola Marquez-Mejia*, Jackson Millwood, Wilson Morris*, Jessica Patino*, Jackson Perry, Mason Reddick, Kelli Stevens*, Braden Strickland, Bhumi Sukha, Kurtis Tran, Reese Williams*.

Finally, five students reached National AP Scholar status with an average score of at least 4 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 4 or higher on eight or more of these exams:

Katie Ciavola, Logan Fedelem, Lane Herndon*, Jessica Patino*, Reese Williams*.

“To have so many LOA students recognized by the College Board is not just an honor for each of those students and the school, but for all of our AP instructors and for every teacher at LOA, across all grade levels and subject areas, all of whom have contributed over the years to our students’ learning and growth,” LOA Chief Operating Officer Dr. Chris Harth stated. “We could not be more proud or excited for them all.”

“I'm so proud of the class of 2020 for their continued accomplishments, and extremely pleased to see that Georgia's students maintained their strong performance on AP exams even given the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in their final year," State School Superintendent Richard Woods said. “In a challenging time for schools and students, this is good news as we continue our work to expand advanced learning opportunities to all students.”

*class of 2020 graduate

Photo: LOA teacher Mrs. Caroline St. John works with senior and AP Scholar Rylie McDonald in the AP Seminar class.

LAKE OCONEE ACADEMY LITERARY TEAM WINS REGION 8A PUBLIC CHAMPIONSHIP

Greensboro, Ga. (April 19, 2021) –The Lake Oconee Academy Literary team captured the Georgia High School Association State Literary Region 8A Public Championship title on Saturday, April 17, 2021.  Lake Oconee Academy (LOA) students competed at Region against students from Commerce High School, Social Circle High School, and Barrow Arts & Sciences Academy. 

All first-place individual event winners advance to the GHSA State Literary Championship on Saturday, April 24, 2021, at Georgia Military College in Milledgeville, Ga.

Essay (Argumentative): 1st place, Thomas Chillemi

Essay (Rhetorical): 1st place, Bhumi Sukha 

Oral Presentation (Duo): 1st place, Elisha Copeland, Elisa Garcia

Boys Quartet: 1st place, Walker Cannon, Lucas Minton, Jacob Moore, Braden Strickland

Essay (Personal): 2nd place, Ella Darby

Extemporaneous Speaking (Domestic): 2nd place, Halsey Bosart

Extemporaneous Speaking (International): 2nd place, Bailey Carr

Oral Presentation (Humorous): 2nd place, Julia Kate Dixon

Girls Solo: 2nd place, Rylie McDonald

Boys Solo: 3rd place, Lucas Minton

Girls Trio: 2nd place, Remi Baker, Elisa Garcia, Sarah Grace Ingle

Many thanks to LOA educators Amy Reber, Lora Garcia, Kelly Ingle, Caroline St. John, and Colleen Ham for their hard work and dedication to prepare these students for competition.

Photo: The LOA Literary team celebrates eleven top-5 finishes and a win at the 8A Region Championship.

LAKE OCONEE ACADEMY NAMED AP® HONOR SCHOOL FOR 2021

Greensboro, Ga. (April 9, 2021) – The Advanced Placement® (AP®) program is an integral part of the rigorous academic offerings in high school at Lake Oconee Academy, and the school has been recognized as an AP Honor School for the fourth consecutive 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. 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.

During the 2019-2020 school year, LOA offered 18 AP courses: English Language, English Literature, Seminar, Statistics, Calculus AB, Computer Science Principles, US History, Human Geography, Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, American Government, Comparative Government, Psychology, World History, Biology, Chemistry, Spanish Language, Studio Art 2D, and Studio Art Drawing.

Based on 2020 AP courses and exams, LOA earned the 2021 AP Honor School designation in the following categories:

AP Challenge Schools - Schools with enrollments of 900 or fewer students and students testing in English, math, science, and social studies

AP Schools of Distinction - Schools with at least 20 percent of the total student population taking AP exams and at least 50 percent of all AP exams earning scores of 3 or higher

AP Expansion Schools - AP schools with 25 percent growth in AP student participation from May 2019 to May 2020 and a minimum of 25 students testing in May 2019

AP Humanities Schools – Schools with a minimum of five students testing in each of the following AP categories: one ELA course, two history/social science courses, one fine arts course, and one world language course

AP STEM Schools - Schools with a minimum of five students testing in at least four AP STEM courses (AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, AP Statistics, AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Environmental Science, AP Physics 1, AP Physics 2, AP Physics C, AP Computer Science A, AP Computer Science Principles)

AP STEM Achievement Schools - AP STEM schools (see above definition) with at least 50 percent of all AP STEM exams earning scores of 3 or higher

“We truly believe that all of our teachers are AP teachers,” LOA CEO Dr. Otho Tucker said. “Quality instruction to prepare students for college-level coursework begins in Pre-Kindergarten. I commend every elementary, middle, and high school teacher, along with our outstanding AP teachers, for their continued commitment to motivate and inspire students to achieve at the highest level.”

LAKE OCONEE ACADEMY ANNOUNCES THE RETURN OF RICARDO PATTON AS DIRECTOR OF BASKETBALL AND VARSITY BOYS HEAD BASKETBALL COACH

Greensboro, Ga. (March 22, 2021) – Lake Oconee Academy is pleased to welcome back Ricardo Patton to the basketball program for the upcoming school year. Patton will return to the court as the Varsity Boys Basketball Head Coach and Director of Basketball. He brings with him more than 30 years of coaching experience at the middle school, high school and college level, including 11 years as the Head Men’s Basketball Coach at the University of Colorado from 1996-2007. He currently serves as the High School Golf Coach and Behavior Coach at Lake Oconee Academy.

Patton has lived in Greensboro since 2015 when he began coaching basketball at LOA. Prior to that, he served as a Basketball Advisor to the Men’s Basketball Team at Vanderbilt University,  Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach at The University of Denver,  Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach at the University of Maryland Eastern Shores, the Head Men’s Basketball Coach at Northern Illinois University and Head Men’s Basketball Coach at the University of Colorado. Patton is the second winningest coach in University of Colorado history with 184 career wins, two NCAA Men’s Basketball appearances, and four NIT appearances.

Chris Ingle, LOA’s Director of Athletics and Activities said, “Coach Patton’s extensive background at the highest levels of coaching basketball make him uniquely qualified to coach in the high school environment. His passion for the sport is evident whether it is in the classroom, at practice, or in big games. I look forward to working with him again as the leader of our boys basketball program. He is an outstanding coach and an even better person.”

Patton and his wife Jennifer have had ties to the area since 2002 and were regular visitors until they decided to make Lake Oconee their permanent home in 2015.  After a chance meeting with LOA CEO Dr. Otho Tucker in 2014, Coach Patton kept up with the progress and growth of LOA. Then, he had the opportunity to coach at the school. He was the head basketball and golf coach for one year before being called back to the college ranks. Rodney Billups, the brother of Chauncey Billups, who was one of Coach Patton’s former players at the University of Denver called to ask for his support.

“The Billups brothers are like my family,” said Patton. “I had a wonderful year at LOA in 2015-16, but I just could not say no to him. However, I am thrilled to have the opportunity to coach the Titans again. Since I have been away, the facilities have grown tremendously. The Titan Center Gym and the new weight room are second to none in Class A- Public schools in the state of Georgia. With the addition of our new baseball stadium and upcoming football and soccer complex, it is an exciting time to be a part of LOA Athletics. I cannot wait to get to work with our young men who want to play basketball for LOA. We will have opportunities for them throughout their 12 years on our campus.”

“Coach Patton and his wife, Jennifer are assets to Lake Oconee Academy and the entire community,” stated Dr. Tucker. “Her work as a counselor at LOA and his work as a coach and mentor are invaluable.  We are excited that they are a part of our faculty, and I am glad that he will again lead our boys basketball program.” 

LAKE OCONEE ACADEMY HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS EARN TOP REGIONAL HONORS IN THE PRESTIGIOUS SCHOLASTIC ART & WRITING AWARDS COMPETITION

Greensboro, Ga. (March 16, 2021) – Lake Oconee Academy high school students won top regional honors in the prestigious Scholastic Art & Writing Awards Competition. The students competed against thousands across the country in the century-old competition. 

This contest is the "nation's longest running, most prestigious recognition program for creative teens." Past student winners include Sylvia Plath, Andy Warhol, John Updike, Joyce Carol Oates, Stephen King, Ken Burns, Lena Dunham, Truman Capote, John Lithgow, Zac Posen, and Amanda Gorman.

The awards celebrate students locally and nationally, with awards, exhibitions, publications, and scholarships. Judges look for works that embody the Awards’ core values: originality, technical skill, and the emergence of personal voice or vision.  All entries are considered for Gold Key, Silver Key, Honorable Mention, American Visions Nominee, and American Voices Nominee Awards.  Gold Key entries are automatically considered for national awards that honor hundreds of students and their educators with a star-studded ceremony in New York City. 

Gabrielle Gruszynski, the Gold Key winner, qualified for the national competition with her award-winning essay.  Last year, Lane Herndon, a graduate of LOA and current freshman at the University of Chicago, received a writing National Gold Key. 

Honorable Mentions in Art: Katie Ciavola, Art Portfolio; Logan Fedelem, Mixed Media; Gemin Manto, Comic Art

Honorable Mentions in Writing: Gemin Manto, Poetry

Silver Keys in Writing: Lauren Harris, Poetry; Rylie McDonald, Science Fiction & Fantasy

Gold Key in Writing: Gabrielle Gruszynski, Critical Essay

Photo: Scholastic Art & Writing Award winners from Lake Oconee Academy are (back row, left to right) Katie Ciavola, Gemin Manto, Logan Fedelem, (front row, left to right) Gabrielle Gruszynski, Lauren Harris and Rylie McDonald.