The Northeast Georgia Writers recently were hosts to Jean Mahavier who spoke at their February meeting. Mahavier is chairwoman of the Poetry in Schools project that is sponsored by the Georgia Poetry Society.
Marine Corps Pfc. Zhantonio T. Phosai, son of Boualiphanh Rajvong of Cornelia, recently completed the Marine Corps Enlisted Warehouse Basic Course. Army Reserve Pvt. Kristy J. Higginbotham has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C. She is the daughter of Ellie Higginbotham of Alto.The Hall County 4-H Club held County Project Achievement on Jan. 29 at Riverbend Elementary School. The event was attended by 71 students and more than 250 parents and family members. The County Project Achievement is an annual speech and performance contest for Hall County fifth- and sixth-graders. All contestants are eligible to compete at the district contest to be held on March 29 in Union County.
Chestnut Mountain Elementary competitors: Harmoni Bright placed second in Dog Care & Training, Rushir Parikh placed first in International, Caroline Davis placed first in Health, Estie Toth placed first in Performing Arts Instrumental and Paxton Davis placed third in Sports.
Flowery Branch Elementary: Katie Kirkland tied for second place in Dogs and Summer Boone placed first in Companion Animals.
Friendship Elementary: Gabby Harden placed first in Horse Project, Jordan Purser placed first in Outdoor Recreation, Liz Adolf placed second in Companion Animals, Kathryn Bramlett placed second in Performing Arts Instrumental, Breanna Rowand placed first in Human Development, Kennedy Inman placed second in Clothing & Textiles and Allison Walls placed first in General Science.
Lanier Elementary: Lucy Watson placed second in Performing Arts, Instrumental.
Lula Elementary: Courtney Woodard placed first in Veterinary Science and Ashley Scogin placed second in Human Development.
Martin Elementary: Melinda Smith placed first in Dogs and Jonathan Shubert placed second in History.
Myers Elementary: Kia Shields placed third in General Recreation.
Oakwood Elementary: Robbie Sheppard placed third in General Science.
Riverbend Elementary: Luis Reyes placed third in Dogs Care, Hunter Romero placed first in General Recreation, Nancy Flores placed first Plants, Soils, Fertilizers.
Sardis Elementary : Mitch Shull placed second in General Recreation.
Spout Springs Elementary: Gabby Nelms placed first in Sports.
Tadmore Elementary: Vanessa Juarez placed second in Health.
Wauka Mountain Elementary: Lydia Welch placed third in History.
White Sulphur Elementary: April Flowers placed first in Rabbits, Monica Dominquez placed second in Wildlife, Rebecca Chamblee placed third in Dog Care & Training, Caleb Cape placed second in Sports, Anna Trusty placed third in Human Development, Danielle Richey placed second in General Science, Philip Tapp placed third in Health, Spencer Jorgensen placed third in Companion Animals, Amber Miller placed third in Wildlife and Jacob Mahaffey placed first in Agriculture Awareness.
North Hall Middle School: Bethany Green placed first in History, Kathryn Waldron placed first in Clothing and Textiles, Leah Holbrooks placed first in Wildlife, Jordan Lee placed first in Performing Arts, Vocal.
South Hall Middle School: Anna Minor placed first in Fruits, Vegetables and Nuts, Savannah Ledford placed first in Beef, Joshua Butler placed first in Public Speaking.
East Hall Middle School: Juan Mendoza placed third in General Science.
Chestatee Middle School: Samantha Lynn placed first in Food for Fitness, Robert Shotwell placed first in Arts, Nigel Brooks placed first in Geology.