LOA Holds Career Day Across Campus

On April 12, Lake Oconee Academy (LOA) hosted its annual Career Day, a vibrant event that catered to students from K4 to 12th grade. The event featured a rich diversity of over 40 speakers, spanning a wide spectrum of professions from culinary arts to medical sciences, providing students with comprehensive exposure to various career paths.

LOA believes in creating opportunities for its students to explore all possible career paths. “Our goal is to expose students to various careers and connect what they are learning in school to the world of work to jumpstart their thinking about the future,” said Dr. Bowling.

L to R: William Gay (Smokey the Bear) and his son, Everett Gay.

Students from K4 classes enjoyed meeting First Responders, including Smokey Bear from the US Forest Service, police officers, EMT workers, firefighters, and more. At the same time, the upperclassmen enjoyed hearing from professionals in nursing, pediatric cardiology, research scientists, lawyers, and photographers, to name just a few. The students had a wide array of information leaving from career day, which gave them many opportunities to consider as they contemplated their future. Smokey Bear has a special connection to LOA. He happens to be married to Mrs. Morgan Gay, an ELA teacher. He’s also the father of a proud first grader, Everett Gay, who was beaming with pride as he showed off his special dad, Smokey.

Pictured presenting to students: James Parks, MD., MS. Pediatric Cardiologist, Cardiac Intensivist and Cardiac Radiologist at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta

Mrs. Virginia Hardwick, a long-term sub for Mrs. McDaniel, shared how impressed she was with author Jess Teal, who spoke to her students about being authors. Ms. Teal asked the students if they had ever made a book. Of the students who raised their hands, a few from each group, Ms. Teal, shook their hands and called each an author. She continued by sharing a book she wrote when she was their age.

“What I liked best about career day was figuring out new things and engaging with everybody,” said one middle school student. “My favorite presentation was photography because it was very unique. I also liked the pediatric cardiologist—it was super cool, but I learned it was not for me,” said another student.

Each year, students and teachers alike look forward to this day, watching the students’ interest being sparked as they learn about all the possibilities for their future.

“We appreciate all the parents, community members, and alumni who donated their time to participate in this year’s career day. Witnessing students apply learning to real life through our speakers’ stories was engaging. Hearing from former students was particularly impactful, and we are so proud of our graduates pursuing their college and career goals,” says Mrs. Erica Seybert, lower school counselor.

LOA Senior, Ella Blythe, Commits to the University of Georgia Cheerleading Team

Looking back on her early years, Ella Blythe, a senior at Lake Oconee Academy, recalls the excitement of watching the University of Georgia (UGA) cheerleaders at football and basketball games and even gymnastics meets. Blythe has long harbored the ambition to become part of their esteemed group. To be chosen from a pool of over 100 accomplished cheerleaders who auditioned this year for the UGA cheer team is the realization of her lifelong dream, a testament to her unwavering dedication as an athlete.

Blythe’s immersion in UGA football began at the tender age of just three months. Born into a diehard Bulldog family, one could say it was in her blood. “There is a framed picture in the Blythe household that reads, ‘Georgia born, Georgia bread, and when I die, I’ll be Georgia dead.’ This statement sums it best for our family.” says Blythe’s mother, Jennifer Blythe, who is also a teacher at Lake Oconee Academy. Blythe’s parents met as students at the University of Georgia. “A bigger plan put two people in Athens at the time that both loved UGA.  We have spent our lives showing our daughters why we loved our school by attending games and events as a family since the girls were born.  Some of our fondest memories as a family include traveling across the country to the Rose Bowl in 2018 to watch UGA, visiting various SEC schools to watch our Bulldogs, and meeting great people through our UGA adventures.  To see Ella not only get into the University of Georgia but also be chosen out of over 100 candidates for a select spot on the cheer team is unreal.  As a parent, I am so excited to watch her have the time of her life and cheer on the best school in the land,” beamed Jennifer.

According to her mother, Blythe’s journey in competitive gymnastics started at age 3, when her natural talent quickly emerged. At age 9, she transitioned to Allstar Cheerleading on a level 2 team and instantly fell in love with the sport. By age 12, her family relocated her and her sister to The Stingrays Allstars in Marietta, Georgia, one of the world's premier Allstar gyms.

At age 13, Blythe juggled commitments, competing on Stingray's level 3 and 4 teams while also representing LOA's middle school team. Her dedication led her to join the renowned level 4 Stingray's Platinum team by 9th grade, where she and her team were Grand Champions at The Summit, the highest competition level. Progressing further, she joined Stingray's Cobalt World's Level 6 team while continuing with LOA's competition team.

As a sophomore, Blythe balanced cheering for LOA's competition and football sideline teams while earning a spot on the prestigious all-girl Stingrays Orange team. Her accomplishments on Orange include winning the Worlds Championship. For the past three seasons, Blythe has remained with Stingrays Orange, currently competing for one last shot at the coveted Worlds Championship.

“For over 8 years, cheer has been her love. She has sacrificed her time, body, energy, and dedication to the sport,” says Jennifer. As for Ella, she says, “It is truly a surreal moment to see 17 years of wishing and dreaming come true.  I am still pinching myself that I will be on the sidelines cheering for the best college in the country.”

Lake Oconee Academy celebrated with Blythe in this exciting new chapter by hosting a signing ceremony on April 19th.

Three LOA Students Have Received Honorable Mentions for the Laws of Life Essay Contest

Left to Right, Sydney Pattison (12th), Jessica White (9th), and Riley Carr (10th)

We are thrilled to announce that three LOA students have received Honorable Mentions for the Laws of Life Essay Contest. Congratulations to the following students: Jessica White (9th grade), Riley Carr (10th grade), and Sydney Pattison (12th grade). 

Thanks to the Rotary Club of Greene & Putnam County for their sponsorship of the program at our school. For the 2023-2024 contest, a total of 33,686 students wrote essays, and 60 Rotary clubs participated in Georgia.

Rotary clubs across Georgia conduct the Laws of Life Essay Contest through the nonprofit Georgia Rotary Districts Character Education Program, Inc.  Rotary Club members volunteer to read and judge essays, serve on the contest’s Board of Directors, and volunteer their professional expertise to help build character and ethical literacy among students. “The essay contest is an opportunity for Rotary clubs to share their Service Above Self motto with local students and schools,” said Carol Gray Walker, Executive Director for Georgia Laws of Life.

The Georgia Laws of Life Essay Contest is made possible through the support of a grant from the John Templeton Foundation. Additional support comes from Rotary Clubs, corporations, and individual donors throughout Georgia.

Assistance Opportunities Offered by Action, Inc.

Action Incorporated is a local, non-profit organization that assists with summer camp opportunities, employment assistance, and more. Please view the flyers attached and use the contact information at the bottom of the flyers if you have any additional questions.

A Note From Nurse Jessica - April Wellness Update

LOA Families and Staff~

I can't believe we have less than 6 weeks left in our school year!!  With warmer weather heading our way it's the perfect time of year to get outdoors. 

Getting outdoors may include hiking, walking, playing sports, and/or riding a bike.  Below you will find some helpful tips for Bike Safety from Safe Kids Georgia. 

Bike Safety: "Use your head, wear a helmet"

There are so many great reasons to ride your bike: It offers fun, freedom and exercise, and it’s good for the environment. We want kids and families to ride their bikes as much as possible.

Properly-fitted helmets can reduce the risk of head injuries by at least 45 percent – yet less than half of children 14 and under usually wear a bike helmet.

Top Tips

1. Wear a properly-fitted helmet. It is the best way to prevent head injuries and death.

2. Ride on the sidewalk when you can. If not, ride in the same direction as traffic as far on the right-hand side as possible.  

3. Use hand signals and follow the rules of the road. Ride in a straight line and don’t swerve between cars.    

4. Wear bright colors and use lights, especially when riding at night and in the morning. Reflectors on your clothes and bike will help you be seen.

5. Ride with your children. Stick together until you are comfortable that your kids are ready to ride on their own. 

Bike Helmet Fit Check: 

I hope that everyone stays well for the remainder of the year!!

We are planning a sports physical clinic. Be on the lookout for more information in an email to come.  Sports physicals are good for a year, so this will be a great time to grab an updated form for next school year. 

HEALTHY KIDS = BETTER LEARNERS

Kind regards, 

Jessica Tolbert, RN

LOA Symphonic Band Receives Superior Rating at State Evaluations

The Lake Oconee Academy Symphonic Band recently traveled to Burke County High School in Waynesboro, GA for the annual state evaluations.

The symphonic band is comprised of high school students in 9th to 12th grade, alongside advanced middle school students in 7th and 8th grade. Led by Band Director Courtney Pilgrim, these students have been diligently preparing for evaluations since January 2024.

During the evaluation, instructors receive a selection of music from the state, covering various musical styles. The evaluation consists of three pieces: a march, featuring "Gallant Marines" by Karl Kind, a ballad, showcasing "By Dawn’s Early Light" by David Shaffer, and the finale, referred to as the “kitchen sink,” which incorporates fast-paced and rhythmic melodies for an exhilarating conclusion. For this piece, they've chosen "Prelude and Firestorm" by Roland Barrett.

Performing on stage in front of three judges and an audience, the musicians are judged on several aspects for each of their scores. The first being technical accuracy which includes articulation, correct notes, note volume and rhythm. Second is flexibility, which is the balance of sound, tone, and response to the director. Then their musical effect, which is their confidence, fluency, intonation, and tone. Lastly, they are judged on their overall musical content.

While Mrs. Pilgrim says both parts of the evaluation are challenging, she believes that the sight-reading portion really showcases what the students have learned and demonstrates their overall musical knowledge. Students are given 6 minutes to silently study the music and then perform it one time for judging.

After much hard work and dedication, the Lake Oconee Academy Symphonic Band brought home the distinction of receiving superior ratings in both the stage performance and in their Sight-Reading room. This is the highest level that can be received at the state level. “I couldn’t be more proud of this group of students. They really pushed their musical maturity and ability with this performance. They truly knocked it out of the park,” says Mrs. Pilgrim.

9th Grade LOA Art II Student Wins Georgia Farm Bureau County Art Contest

The Georgia Farm Bureau annually hosts an art contest centered on Georgia agriculture, showcasing the creativity and talent of local students. This year's standout among county entrants is Lexi Sangum, a dedicated 9th-grade student from Lake Oconee Academy Art II.

Lexi's exceptional artwork earned her the title of county winner and secured her a coveted cash prize of $50. The competition, open to 9th through 12th-grade students from public, private, or homeschooling backgrounds, encourages participants to express their artistic vision on 8.5 x 11-inch white paper, utilizing a grayscale black, white, and gray palette.

Contestants are encouraged to explore various mediums suitable for reproduction, such as graphite, charcoal, pastel, chalk, colored pencils, pen and ink, or mixed media. Lexi's Art II teacher, Mrs. Debbie Vogel, lauded Lexi's dedication and talent, describing her as a hardworking freshman with immense potential.

Lexi's victory at the county level propels her artwork to the District stage and potentially to the statewide competition. Her achievement highlights her artistic prowess and underscores the importance of the farming industry in Georgia.

According to the UGA College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences, Georgia's agriculture sector contributed a substantial $73.2 billion to the state's economy in 2021, showcasing the vital role of farming in sustaining economic growth and employment opportunities within the state.

Lake Oconee Academy Announced as AP Honor School for 2024

On February 27, 2024, State School Superintendent Richard Woods announced Lake Oconee Academy as one of 276 Advanced Placement (AP) Honor Schools from 99 school districts in Georgia for 2024.

“I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the 2024 AP Honor Schools,” said Superintendent Woods, “I commend them for their hard work to build strong Advanced Placement programs and, as a result, provide high-quality opportunities for Georgia students. Additionally, I am thrilled that the number of AP Honor Schools and school districts continue to rise each year - a testament to the commitment of Georgia public education to expand opportunities for all Georgia students.”

The College Board administers AP exams and the SAT. AP courses are one of several ways Georgia students can access college-level learning at the high school level; students who receive a 3, 4, or 5 on the exam may receive college credit.

The 2024 AP Honor Schools are named in eight categories based on the results of AP courses and exams from 2023. Lake Oconee Academy was honored in the following categories: AP Challenge Schools (1 of 43), AP Humanities Schools, AP Humanities Achievement Schools, and AP Schools of Distinction. For a school to be named an AP School of Distinction, it must have at least 20% of the total student population taking AP exams and at least 50% of all AP exams earning scores of 3 or higher.

Upon receiving the news of being awarded AP Honor School, Executive Director Dr. Brad Bowling enthusiastically stated,  “We are truly honored to be once again named an AP Honor School. This award is a testament to the dedication to excellence of our students, faculty, and staff. The recognition reaffirms our commitment to providing rigorous academic opportunities and preparing our students for success in college and beyond.”

Lake Oconee Academy offers, on average, around 25 AP courses each year. For the 2022-2023 school year, LOA had 86% of students score a three or higher on AP exams.