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PAGE 8A THE BANKS COUNTY NEWS • THE COMMERCE NEWS WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 2106 School Foothills High School holds first graduation BY ANGELA GARY Sixteen students who were given a second chance at receiv ing a high school diploma were recognized on May 24 at the first graduation ceremony for the new Foothills Education Charter High School. The evening high school is located at East Jackson Compre hensive High School and more than 200 students are registered. Classes began last August and the first graduates were recog nized at a ceremony last week. “It is such a remarkable adventure that you have embarked on and you have succeeded,” co-site director Mary Ann Hale said at the ceremony. Co-site director Rachael Parr-Bedingfield added: “For many of you, today seemed like a distance dream. Through your com mitment and the support of those around you, you have made it. You have made a life changing reality happen. We are delighted to share this moment with you. Top honor graduate Andrea Sanchez also spoke at the cer emony. “All of us came to Foothills from various places wondering what this school had to offer, if anything, from what we had already experienced,” she said. “For some of us, it was a last chance. If we didn’t make it this time, we would just give up. It was a lifeline for some of us. A lifeline rescuing us from a sea of disappointments. For others, it was a reset. A way to start over.” Sanchez also reminisced on some of the special moments for students at Foothills this first year, including “free pizza and programs from Leadership Jackson, finally mastering a math course that made you want to rip your hair out, a kind word from your mentor, a smile from your teacher or maybe throwing the football with Coach Prather.” She ended with, “Congratulations, class of 2016, let’s go create new moments and live our best lives.” The graduates are: Lainey Burnett, Skyler Erickson, Alex is Johnson, Mackenzie Rework, Austin King, Jacklynn King, Zachary Parrish, Hannah Peterson, Alexus Pressley, Andrea Sanchez, Tina Sparks, Alexis Stark, Amanda Stockett, Mar’Quise Thomas-Forsythe, Tyler Totherow and Jeremy Williams. The ceremony included a musical prelude by Warren Tolbert, a video of photos from the school year and the presentation of scholarships. Those on the program were: Tyler Totherow, pledge; Alexis Johnson, welcome; Lainey Burnett, introduction of guests; Andrea Sanchez, top honor graduate; and Austin King and Han nah Peterson, turning of the tassels. A reception hosted by Leadership Jackson was held after the ceremony. it > ’ \ i W — . , As [y\ n w JTfW \ ml lm ^ p i V 1 K 1 1 v ■ 11 l 1 L/i! l I f i ■ [ i I i L i ■ ■ I t 1 v > V ■ AY ' ■ IJt c If V 1 L The Foothills Education Charter High School Class of 2016 Foothills Education Charter High School held its first-ever graduation ceremony on May 24. Shown are members of the first graduating class of the new school, which is located at East Jackson Comprehensive High School with classes held in the evenings. Photos by Wesleigh Sagon The tossing of the caps Foothills Education Charter High School held its first-ever graduation ceremony on May 24. Shown are the first graduating class of the new school, which is located at East Jackson Comprehensive High School with classes held in the evenings. Top honor graduate Andrea Sanchez, top honor graduate, addressed the crowd during the Foothills Education Charter High School graduation. Locals recognized at Piedmont College The following students from Banks County have been awarded academic honors for the recently com pleted spring semester at Piedmont College. Students named as Dean’s Scholars finished the semes ter with a perfect 4.0 GPA. They include Brian Edwards of Gillsville; and from Homer, CLASSIFIED ADS SIX NEWSPAPERS $K/ WEEK 706-367-5233 SAVES 5 ONLINE AT mainstreetnews.com Cammie Bagley and India Taylor. Students named to the Dean’s List finished the semester with a GPA of 3.55 to 3.99. They include, from Homer: Lacey Jarrell; from Lula: Griffin Olson, Jacob Passmore, and Sean Thomas; and from Maysville: Rebecca Bramblett, and Pearl Oppenheimer. I would like to thank everyone who supported and prayed for me during my candidacy for Banks County Commissioner District 2. Even though the outcome was not in my favor, I was honored to have the opportunity to seek public office. Thank you, ecCcUe Elaine Burnett is shown with friends and family after graduation Tuesday evening. INVITATION TO BID Banks County will be receiving sealed bids to provide Banks County EMA / E-911 with a Mass Notification System. This invitation is advertised May 31,2016 and will be published in the Banks County News and in Access North Georgia as well as posted on the County website at www.co.banks.ga.us. The complete bid package may be downloaded from www.co.banks.ga.us or by emailing dmoore@co.banks.ga.us or by calling the EMA / E-911 Director 706-677-3163 to have a copy mailed or emailed to you. All parties interested in bidding that may have questions about the bid must submit all questions in writing via email to dmoore@co.banks.ga.us so that all parties bidding may be copied on those questions and answers. All interested parties must RSVP for a mandatory Pre-Bid Meeting. RSVP due by June 6,2016. Mandatory Pre-Bid at Banks County Annex, located at 150 Hudson Ridge on June 8,2016 at 10a for those that RSVP. Sealed bids due on or before 10:00a.m.; July 11,2016. They should be submitted to the Banks County Commissioner’s Office located at 150 Hudson Ridge, Suite 1, Homer, Georgia 30547. Dates are subject to change should unforeseen events arise. Any changes in dates will be posted on the Banks County website at www.co.banks.ga.us. Advertised: May 31, 2016 Mandatory Pre-Bid: June 8,2016 @ 10am Sealed Bids Due: July 11,2016 @ 10am Potential Bid Award: July, 2016
