Officers of the local chapter of the Georgia Retired Educators Association recently accepted a proclamation for Retired Educators Day from Gainesville Mayor Myrtle Figueras. Gov. Sonny Perdue recently proclaimed this past Sunday as Retired Educators Day. 

Tasha Williamson of Buford was recently awarded with a $1,000 scholarship from Chick-fil-A. Williamson works at the Chick-fil-A in Gainesville operated by Bobby Shoemaker. Williamson is studying early childhood education at Gainesville State College.

Kory Bays of Flowery Branch recently earned a master of sports science degree in sports coaching from the United States Sports Academy in Daphne, Ala.

The Gainesville High School marching band recently competed in the annual Lake Lanier Tournament of Bands. The band won the following awards: Superior Drum Major, Superior Dance Team, Superior Drumline, Superior Band and Excellent Color Guard. The drum major and dance team won first place in their class, band and percussion won second place in their class and the guard won third place in their class. The majorettes and dance team were the highest-scoring groups of the day.

Chanel Bess, a third-grade teacher at Fair Street International Baccalaureate World School, recently won the Make a Day Better award from Office Max. She received $1,000 worth of materials for her classroom, including a digital camera, office chair and color printer.