About The champion newspaper. (Decatur, GA) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 15, 2024)
LOCAL THE CHAMPION, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15 -21. 2024 • PAGE 7 Dunwoody student wins Congressional Award BY JAY PHILLIPS JAY@DEKALBCHAMP.COM Dunwoody High School student Annie Peng is the only recipient of a Congressional Award in 2024 in Georgia's 4th Congressional District. Congressman Hank Johnson—representative for the congressional district—presented Peng with the Congressional Award bronze and silver medals at the North DeKalb school in January. Peng is a senior at Dunwoody High, and a news release states that she earned the recognition by achieving personal goals focused on volunteer- ism, character development, and fitness. "I believe the Congressional Award is partic ularly important because it encourages commit ment to public service in our young people," said Johnson. "Generation Z has spent a better part of their adolescent and young adult years engaging politically to ensure that all people have a right to Dunwoody High senior Annie Peng (middle) was awarded for her voluntary public service and other achievements with a Congressional Award. Photo provided life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. I stand with our young people as they work to make this country more open and inclusive to everyone. I encourage all young leaders to participate in this opportunity by visiting CongressionalAward.org." Peng's awards indicate that she had at least 200 hours in 12 months of voluntary public ser vice, 100 hours of personal development, 100 hours of physical fitness, and a three-day, two- night exploration trip. The program is open to all youth in the US be tween the ages of 14 and 24 regardless of ability, according to the award's website. The Congressional Award was established in 1979 by the United States Congress as the high est honor for young Americans. A news release states that the award recognizes determination, public service, and character development. Recipients can receive a bronze, silver, or gold Congressional Award certificate or medal after achieving goals in four areas: voluntary public service, personal development, physical fitness, and expedition or exploration. Agnes Scott College wins grant to teach children financial literacy through theater Agnes Scott College has been awarded one of 20 National Endowment for the Arts’ (NEA) research grants. Photo courtesy of Agnes Scott College BY CHRISTINE FONVILLE CHRISTINE@DEKALBCHAMP.COM Can music and theater help chil dren better understand money and fi nances? That's the question members of the Department of Creative Arts at Agnes Scott College in Decatur hope to answer through a new study. Agnes Scott College has been awarded one of 20 National Endow ment for the Arts' (NEA) research grants and officials said they will use the funds to study the effects of a musical theater production on the financial literacy of elementary school children. Agnes Scott Theater Professor Toby Emert said he first had the idea to write and direct the mon ey-centered musical after listening to Million Bazillion, a podcast produced by American Public Media's Market place, which focuses on "raising the economic intelligence of the country," according to the podcast's website. "I wanted to develop a show for young audiences that used theater to help them understand important ideas, but I hadn't considered work- SEE THEATER ON PAGE 8 mm, Decatur Valentine's Day shooter convicted of murder BY CHRISTINE FONVILLE CHRISTINE@DEKALBCHAMP.COM An Atlanta man who shot and killed another man in Decatur on Val entine's Day in 2021 has been found guilty of murder. DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston recently announced a conviction by jury trial in the case against 39-year-old Jamaar Bracey on charges of malice murder, two counts of felony murder, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm by a convict ed felon, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony stemming from an incident that oc curred on Feb. 14 three years ago. According to investigators, on the day of the shooting, the DeKalb Coun ty Police Department and the DeKalb County Fire Rescue Department re sponded to a call about an overturned car along Warriors Path in unincorpo rated Decatur. After rescuers removed the driver, 31-year-old Rodney Evans, from the vehicle, they discovered he had a single gunshot wound to the head. Paramedics transported Evans to Atlanta Medical Center where he un derwent treatment, but he later suc cumbed to his injuries on June 3, 2021. Investigators said found four bullet casings and shattered glass in the road were found at the scene. Evans'white Chrysler Sebring had three of its four windows broken and a bullet hole was found on the front driver's side of the car, stated officials. Through interviews, detectives SEE SHOOTER ON PAGE 8 An Atlanta man has been found guilty of murder after a shooting that occurred on Valentine’s Day in 2021. File photo
