By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Guinevere Grant named as member of New York Times Corps
guinevere grant

On Sept. 12, Guinevere Grant was named as one of 20 students from across the United States who were selected as part of The New York Times Corps.

The Corps is a talent-mentorship program for undergraduate students who are looking to pursue a career in journalism. Grant will be paired with Sapna Maheshwari, a business reporter for The Times.

Grant – originally from Rockdale County – is currently a correspondent at The Covington News, primarily covering education and government. She is a junior at the University of Georgia in Athens where she is studying journalism and criminal justice.

Grant is also an education reporter for the student newspaper The Red and Black.

“It meant the world to me to receive such a prestigious honor from The New York Times,” Grant said. “As a first-generation student, being able to get career guidance and develop relationships with Times journalists is something I could have never dreamed of being able to do. The program's effort to give guidance to those of underrepresented backgrounds is meaningful to me as someone who grew up socio-economically disadvantaged.”

Managing editor of The Covington News Evan Newton shared his thoughts on the recent announcement.

“Guinevere has done a fantastic job since joining The News as a correspondent and is more than deserving of this wonderful accomplishment,” Newton said. “I’m proud of how far Guinevere has come and am excited to see how far she’ll go in this new endeavor.”

Grant said that this opportunity is special to her, and one that she does not take lightly.

“I hope that the experience will not only allow me to connect with highly experienced journalists in the field but also allow me to show that despite not having the same opportunities, people coming from low-income backgrounds can achieve success as well,” Grant said.  “I have been met with so much kindness from everyone since getting accepted, and I look forward to what's ahead. All I can say is that it's a dream come true.”


Eastside High School announces Top 10 graduates for Class of 2025
eastside top 10

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.

ehs val and sal
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