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GPTC students award national scholarships
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Five Georgia Piedmont Technical College students are among 20 students, from across the U.S., recently awarded the Clifford H. "Ted" Rees Jr. Scholarship from the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute - a national organization of industry organizations.

The following students, enrolled in GPTC's Industrial and Occupational Technologies Division programs, received AHRI scholarships:

Errol Davis Jr., $2,000; Michael Littles, $2,000; Odelia Parsell, $2,000; Camie Townes, $1,500; Adolph Youmans, $2,000.

The Institute's Clifford H. "Ted" Rees Jr. Scholarship was established to honor the legacy of Ted Rees, a former president of the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI) - a predecessor organization to AHRI -for his efforts to encourage heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration manufacturers to provide support to strengthen vocational and technical school education nationwide. The scholarship of up to $2,000 is awarded to qualified students who are enrolled in an HVACR program at an accredited institution.

"We are extremely proud of these students, who individually reflect the wide spectrum of academic achievers around the country pursuing their diplomas and degrees in technical education today," said GPTC air conditioning technology faculty member Jeryll McWhorter. "Honors bestowed upon our students by organizations such as AHRI is just another indication that technical education works."

Georgia Piedmont Tech's Division of Industrial and Occupational Technologies HVACR programs include Air Conditioning Technology, Building Automation Systems, Commercial Refrigeration, and the Green Technologies Academy.

 

Eastside High School announces Top 10 graduates for Class of 2025
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Eastside High School has announced the names of the top ten graduates of the Class of 2025. Leading the way are valedictorian, Ian White, and salutatorian, Malachi Scharf. Each of the top ten graduates have exciting prospects ahead of them as they prepare for life after high school.

Eastside High School’s 2025 Top 10 Graduates are:

• Ian White—The valedictorian, Ian plans to attend college and obtain a doctorate in chemical engineering. He selected Mr. Elijah Clark as his top teacher.

• Malachi Scharf—The salutatorian, Malachi plans to major in chemical engineering at Georgia Tech. He chose Mr. Michael Poor as his favorite teacher.

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Malachi Scharf (left) and Ian White (right) are Eastside High School’s 2025 Salutatorian and Valedictorian. - photo by Courtesy of Newton County School System

• Kaiden Blazina—Kaiden plans to attend Georgia College and State University to study biology with plans to become an anesthesiologist or a missionary. Kaiden selected Mrs. Haley Dawkins as his honored teacher.

• Abby Malcom—Abby will be attending Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in the fall to major in agribusiness. Her goal is to run a floral business. She selected Ms. Sara Beth Hammond as her top teacher.

• Shelby Moore—Shelby plans to attend Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College to pursue a degree in agricultural education. She selected Ms. Alisa Echols as her top teacher.

• Annalie Parker—Annalie will attend Georgia College & State University with plans to obtain a doctorate and pursue a career in the scientific field. She selected Dr. Catrina Pollard as her favorite teacher.

• Chandler Shurtz—Chandler plans to attend Georgia Tech to study industrial engineering. He selected Mrs. Kelly Elder as his honored teacher.

• Robby Thomas, Jr.—Robby will attend Georgia Tech to study aerospace engineering and astrophysics. His goal is to work for NASA. Robby chose Ms. Kayla Stoddard as his honored teacher.

• Anna Underwood—Anna is attending Georgia State Perimeter to study her core classes with plans to transfer to the University of Georgia. Her career goal is to become an elementary school teacher. She selected Mr. Eric Adams as her top teacher.

• Benjamin Weaver—Benjamin is attending Newberry College to play soccer and study in their pre-vet program before moving on to veterinary school. He selected Mr. Caleb Watson as his honored teacher