West Hall High School students recently participated in the Partnership in Action Walk at Atlanta's Centennial Olympic Park. The event aimed to build awareness of the global issues of poverty and hunger. While there, the students participated in the Global Village in Action event, which featured interactive exhibits and exercises that promote a deeper appreciation for what it means to be a "global citizen." The walk also addressed one of the key objectives of the International Baccalaureate curriculum, which is to develop the ability to communicate with and understand people from other countries and cultures. Students who participated were: Laila Wise, Seth Eaton, Michael Reed, Diana Cruz, Edwin Vazquez, Ana Manrique, Maribel Vazquez, Alina Nguyen, Luz Valero, Janet Fuentes, Alex Villalobos, Kim Nguyen, Alex Sharry, Vanessa Londono, Hailey Van Parys, Tiku Gebremariam, Andy Banda, Krista Banda, Danielle Bechtold, Mauricio Novelo, Neel Sharma, Carl Aquino, Mollie Burgess, Lisbeth Jimenez, Stede Granger, Laurie Ecke and Zena Wise.

Enota Multiple Intelligences Academy fifth-grader Kayla Montague was chosen by the school to be honored by the Gainesville Optimist Club as an Outstanding Student of the Year. The organization sponsors Youth Appreciation Week, and Kayla was honored along with students from other schools by attending a dinner at the Gainesville Civic Center.

In honor of Veterans Day, third-graders at Sardis Elementary School listened to veterans Lewis McDonald, father of assistant principal Lisa Saxon, and Charles Hughes, father-in-law of Principal Jan Hughes. McDonald served in the Air Force from 1951 to 1955 and Hughes served in the Navy from 1940 to 1945.