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International leaders tour Covington
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Newton County leaders showed off Covington to a group of diplomats from 26 countries, praising the county’s filming and economic development successes and hoping to make future connections with more international companies.

The state’s annual three-day International VIP Tour started off Wednesday with breakfast at the Mystic Grill restaurant, where the diplomats got to hear from Hunter Hall, president of the Covington-Newton County Chamber of Commerce, and Lee Thomas, division director of the Georgia Film, Music & Digital Entertainment Office, who talked about the numerous movies and TV shows that have and are being filmed in Georgia.

Jose Alberto Flores Velasco, consul general of Argentina’s consulate in Atlanta, said he grew up watching The Dukes of Hazzard and said visiting Covington was “like being in place you grew up with.” He said it’s amazing how much revenue is produced from filming and said he’s seen a similar phenomenon in some small Argentinian towns where filming was a huge boon.

Steve Brereton, the consul general for Canada, said his first impression of Covington was fabulous because of the wonderful hospitality. He said it’s important for foreign leaders to see firsthand the tremendous assets that are here and said these tours help build partnerships, as they is a lot of filming talent in Canada working on productions.

Bob Muscat, honorary consul of Malta, said his country has developed a program that reserves money specifically for American companies to provide training to Malta film workers. He asked how a partnership could be developed with Georgia, and leaders promised to talk to him in more specific detail after the presentation.

Finally, Paul Gleeson, consul general for Ireland, said these type of visits allow he and others to be able to direct business leaders from their countries to success communities when they come to visit to Atlanta.

After talking about filming, the international leaders toured SKC, a South Korean-based company that employs 320 people at its Covington plant, which produces a variety of polyester film products, chemical products for foam insulation and film used to coat solar panels.

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