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NMC volunteer Betty Ware retires
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Betty Ware has arrived at a new chapter in her life. After volunteering at Newton Medical Center for the last 33 years, Betty is retiring and moving to South Carolina to a retirement facility near family.

The announcement came as a surprise for many attendees at Tuesday’s Hospital Auxiliary General Meeting held at the First Baptist Church in Covington.

"Our hospital has been a much better facility because we had Betty Ware as a member of our Auxiliary and especially because of her service on our patient care units," said guest speaker, James Weadick, CEO and Hospital Administrator. "We all will miss her very much."

Over 200 of Betty’s colleagues, friends, and well-wishers applauded and cheered her long service to the hospital and her dedication to the community. Filled with mixed emotions, Betty declared, "I will be closer to my family but I will insist that if I get sick, they have to bring me back to Newton Medical Center."

According to Martha Taylor, Volunteer Services Director, Betty joined the Auxiliary in 1976 and served 5,530 hours in a number of areas. Betty helped with registration for blood drives twice a year, missing only two drives in the last 30+ years. "She was always the first volunteer called when blood drive dates were announced," said Taylor.

Betty served on the Auxiliary board in the 80s and 90s and could be found every Saturday on the Medical Floor providing assistance to staff and patients. She has trained numerous volunteers to serve on patient floors on weekends.

In December 2006, Betty received the Lifetime Achievement Award issued from the Office of the President of the United States for serving over 4,000 hours at Newton Medical Center.

"We appreciate all the years and hours of service Betty has given and wish her well as she leaves us for a well-deserved retirement," Taylor said.

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