By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Good news
0601goodnews
Six students recently graduated from the Ava White Academy in Gainesville. Front row from left are Katelyn Smith and Micaela England; back row from left are Ben Nedza, Jacob Chapman and Joshua Kilby. Not pictured is Lydia Gallup.

The Ava White Academy recently honored students completing the school year with a dessert reception at Brenau University. The six students were commended on their success and growth, academically, socially and emotionally. Graduate Katelyn Smith is the daughter of Marcia and Kevin Smith of Gillsville; Micaela England is the daughter of Tonya and Matt England of Gainesville; Lydia Gallup is the daughter of Jenny Gallup of Monroe; Ben Nedza is the son of Jennie Nedza and Chris Nedza of Gainesville; Jacob Chapman is the son of Dena Chapman of Lula; and Joshua Kilby is the son of Karon and Keith Kilby of Oakwood.

Fletcher Law received a Doctorate of Ministry on May 6 from Beeson Divinity School at Samford University in Birmingham, Ala. Law is the full-time chaplain at Riverside Military Academy in Gainesville and is a member of Riverbend Baptist Church in Gainesville.

Kathleen R. Ragan of Cleveland and Mercy Changwesha of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, have each been awarded a Phi Kappa Phi Study Abroad Grant for 2008. Ragan attends Georgia College and State University and will study abroad in Belize. She is the daughter of Jeff and Holly Hunt and Hal Ragan. Changwesha attends Brenau University and will study abroad in China. She is the daughter of Emergin Lynn Moyo.

Air Force Airman Jordan J. Long has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio. He is the son of Diana Long of La Verne, Calif., and brother of Bernedette Money of Dawsonville.

Air Force Airman Kyle Carper has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio. He is the son of Josephine Trikones of Gainesville.

Army Spec. Joel R. Palmer is currently deployed as a member of Task Force Marne, one of more than 20,000 soldiers from the Fort Stewart-based 3rd Infantry Division and elements of the 101st Airborne Division from Fort Campbell, Ky. He is serving a 15-month tour. In addition, Palmer has been decorated with the Army Commendation Medal. Palmer is a signal support systems specialist with the 3rd Signal Company, Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division. He has served in the military for two years. He is the son of Helen Palmer of Flowery Branch.

Brad Bailey and John Holliday, professors in the department of mathematics and computer science at North Georgia College & State University, received a grant for $19,850 from the Center for Undergraduate Research in Mathematics at Brigham Young University. As a part of the award, Bailey and Holliday will attend a training workshop in August on how to guide undergraduate students involved in research. Bailey and Holliday selected four students to participate in the research projects: Dusti Nisbet, Lauren Prill, Amanda Peck and Joshua Crunkleton. The students will travel to BYU in March to present their findings at the Spring Research Conference.

The National Federation of Music Clubs has awarded gold cups to 38 area piano, voice and strings students who participated in the annual North Gainesville Music Festival held recently at Brenau University.

  • The highest awards went to three students who received 45-point Gold Cups. They are Parrish Brown, student of Beth Lawrence; John Aaron Jovaag, student of Danielle Aikens; and Abigail Chetta, student of Keith Jefcoat.
  • Students receiving 30-point gold cups in piano solo were: Logan Brown, student of Beth Lawrence; Michael DiIorio, Sally Justus, Riley Monaghan, Anna Swick and Josh Taylor, students of Keith Jefcoat; Addie Grace Coe, student of Priscilla Jefcoat; Blair Buffington and Erin Camp, students of Donna Kirkindoll; and Joahua Snead, student of Sharon Collins.
  • The following students received 15-point gold cups. Piano students, Carlee Cosper, student of Josephine Cosper; Cooper Lewis, student of Beth Lawrence; Isabella Robbins, student of Danielle Aikens; Noah Ziegenfuss, student of Sherry Franklin; Jacob Gottfried, Elle Hefner, Jonathan Hughes, Patty Lawson, Ellie Peterson and Jonathan Smith, students of Keith Jefcoat; Matthew Deremer and Marcelle Zavala, students of Donna Kirkindoll; Jordy Bearden and Nick Boleman, students of Jeff Shaw; Sydney Massey, April Surrell and Laura Waldron, students of Sara Harris; Katie Van Wambeke, student of Martha Carroll. Voice students, Kira Brock, Becall Johns, Ama Trear and Becca Zimler, students of Jimmy Cutrell. Cello student, Davade Dean, student of Mary Alice Swope.