About The Sylvester local news. (Sylvester, Ga.) 1984-current | View Entire Issue (April 3, 2013)
PAGE 2 The Sylvester Local News Wednesday, April 3, 2013 \ l Photo submitted by Karen Rackley For 46 years, more than 2,900 economic developers have taken their first career steps at Georgia Tech. The Basic Economic Development Course (BEDC), presented by the Georgia Tech Enterprise Innovation Institute and accredited by the International Economic Development Council, began in 1967 as the first course of its kind in the country. This year’s course was held on March 12-15, 2013 at Georgia Tech’s Global Learning and Conference Center. Karen M. Rackley (pictured front row fourth from left), Executive Director of the Worth County Economic Development Authority attended the 46th Annual Georgia Tech Basic Development Course and received her certificate of completion along with over 60 participants from throughout the state of Georgia. Thompson Signs Cheer Scholarship with Mercer Ca/e Colby info@thesyvlesterlocal.com Worth County High School senior Bristal Thompson signed a cheerleading scholarship with Mercer University on Thurs., Mar. 21. In her senior year alone, Bristal made the All State team for cheerleading and ranked among the top 16 cheerleaders in the state. Additionally, she was awarded the DAR Good Citizen Award, and with a per fect 4.0 GPA, the WCHS senior was also named Star Student and Valedictorian among her class. Beyond her recent cheer leading scholarship, Thompson was also awarded the Presi dential Scholarship at Mercer (which covers full tuition), and she was guaranteed acceptance into Mercer’s Medical School. The Worth cheerleader says she is really excited be cause Mercer is beginning a new football program this year. The school has not had a foot ball team in 60 years. In addi tion to football, Thompson will cheer for basketball, some soc cer and volleyball, and a Na tional Championship Competi tion in Daytona in April. As an undergrad student, Bristal says she will be on a pre-med track- with a major in Bio-chemistry and Molecular Biology. After graduating from medical school in the years to come, the 2013 Worth County grad says she would like to work in a family practice. She says it’s very likely she would consider returning to Sylvester and work as a family physician after becoming a doctor. According to Thompson, “I know it’s down the road, but if I had the opportunity to come back to Sylvester, that would be my first choice.” While most high school se niors are barely concerned with what they will do after gradu ation, the current valedictorian says she has always held high expectations for herself. How ever, in the tenth grade, Thomp son says she started praying be cause she had no idea what she wanted to do. “I knew that I had a big fu ture ahead of me, and I knew that I was capable of doing great things, but I didn’t know what. I just started praying and eventually the Lord revealed to me that this is what I was meant to do. I was called to tend his sheep, and to take care of the people that I love and the people that have loved me for so long.” Still, she says she cannot LITE CHA$iNG bF?ir?3 y@uf? best FRier?p aw j®ir? m the Fur? Jeffords Park - Sylvester April 6, 2013 • 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. $10 for 1st run / $5 each additional run proceeds benefit Best Friends Humane Society refreshments will be available for purchase in the hut All dogs must have current Rabies vaccination and be leashed when not running; no aggressive animals permitted. p®m mi% the so-so Photo submitted by Heather Greene WCHS senior Bristal Thompson signed a scholarship with Mercer University last Thursday morning. Pictured left to right are Bristal’s grandfather Philip Duke, grandmother Brenda Harrell, father Ricky Thompson, Bristal Thompson, mother Dawn Thompson, grandmother Carol Thompson, WCHS Cheer Coach Sue Youngblood, sister Jaiden Thompson, and cousin Cody Ragan. describe how thankful she is for this opportunity. Though there will still be financial ob ligations, the chance to study at Mercer would have been “totally impossible” if not for the scholarships she has re ceived. Again, Bristal says God stepped in and rewarded her for her faith. “And, I would just like to thank everyone who has been there for me and supported me throughout high school,” the Worth senior says. “My teach ers, my coaches, and my team mates: I wouldn’t be where I am without their support.” 1 FEED & SEED - WORTH 306 S. Main Street, Sylvester • 776-4449 Wrangler 12%AII-Stock Pellets , $ 9.50 I Equine Sr *19.95 12% Sweet Feed s 11.50 Chick Starter / Grower 25#.... s 9.95 FERTILIZER 10-10-10/50# $ 14.50 5-10-15/50# *13.95 Ferti-LomeWeed&Seedw/Atrazine *19.95 f Potting Soil w/Fertilizer 50# *9.95 GARDEN SEED & BONNIE PLANTS (Large Variety) BoE Swaps Coaches and Principals At Recent Meetings Cale Colby info@thesylvesterlocal.com So far this year, the Worth County Board of Education has held three regularly scheduled meetings in the months of January, February, and March, and the board has held one called meeting on Mon., Feb. 25. In their first meeting of the year, on Thurs., Jan. 10, the board heard from three concerned citizens on the football program and its coaching staff. First, Mr. John Evans spoke to address a rumor that the coaching staff would be replaced this year. Evans, who is a board member of the WCHS Academic Booster Club, vice president of the WC Football Club, and president of the Track Club stated the coaches were valuable and they did not have the support that surrounding counties offer their staff. Next, Phil Burrell spoke to ask who determines the region in which our athletes compete. Burrell said other teams in our region come from larger schools, and our teams need additional funding. And finally, Beth Holland voiced concerns for the Honors Program and Guidance Department at WCHS before stating that morale among coaches was at an all-time low. After approving a number of housekeeping measures to begin the year, the board went into executive session. Upon returning to open session over two hours later at approximately 10:35 p.m., board members voted to terminate Scotty Ward as Worth County’s head football coach. Then on Thurs., Feb 14, the board re-convened for their second meeting of the year. At this seconc gathering, Superintendem Babs Thomas recognizee spelling bee winners including Zion Akporido (first place), Talin Mason (second place) and Ethan Swilley (thirc place). Thomas also presented certificates to DAR winners Bristal Thompson anc Madison Burger. At the end of the February meeting, the board recognizee the resignation of Scotty Ward, as well as the retirement of fourth grade teacher Lynn Cromer and counselor Mona Beth Parkman. New Rams Head Football Coach Jason Tone was also recommended at this meeting. Before the meeting adjourned, the BoE voted to hold a called meeting on Mon., Feb. 25, to award See BOE on page 3 At Your Service I Appliance Re P air A listing of helpful services in our community. To add your business card as an exclusive listing to our bulletin board for only $42 per month, call 776-3991 or email kellie@thesylvesterlocal.com Computer Repair The Sylvester Come visit us at our new location: 502 W. Franklin St 229-234-2317 _ Friendly Service! Computer Guy Affordable Prices! www.sylvestercomputerguy.com BOZEMAN BARGAINS Sales Sc Service Eric Bozeman 239-881-1785 OwurBR Poulan, Georgia orivenience Store Handy Andy TOUCH FREE CAR WASH Gas • Groceries • Drinks 776-3546 107 E. Franklin Street Auto Service HWY 82 WEST • 776.3473 ‘Like” us onfacebook.com/langdalechevrolet for Sales & Service Specials Dry Cleaner “We Treat Yours Like Ours” Quality dry cleaning & laundry • Expert Alterations Convenient Hours • Laundromat open 7 days a week Laundry Hours - 7am - 10:45pm • 24-hour security 636 E. Franklin Street • 776-9733 Monday - Friday: 7am - 6pm
