Gainesville High School's special education department recently was recognized with two awards from the Georgia Department of Education. The Highest Achiever award was given for reducing the number of students with disabilities who drop out of school, and also for transitioning the students to the work environment or to college or a technical school. The Meeting State Target award was presented for having the highest number of students meeting target goals.

Rebecca Howard of Buford recently was named to the dean's list for the fall 2008 semester at Benedictine College in Atchinson, Kan. To achieve this honor, students must carry a minimum of 12 credit hours and have a 4.0 grade-point average.

The North Hall High School Speech and Debate Team recently competed at Henry W. Grady High School in Atlanta in the National Forensic League State Debate Tournament.

Competing were Frema Awuku, Rob Brooksher, Rachel Glazer, Tyler Johnson, Eli Locicero and Ty McCormack.

Brooksher, Glazer, Johnson, LoCicero and McCormack advanced to semi-finals and Glazer and McCormack advanced to final rounds.

Glazer finished fourth in Original Oratory, making her second runner up and an alternate for the national tournament this summer in Birmingham, Ala. She finished fifth in Humorous Interpretation and is an alternate in that as well.

McCormack took sixth in International Extemporaneous Speaking and is an alternate to nationals, Johnson took 11th in International Extemporaneous Speaking, Brooksher took 10th in Domestic Extemporaneous Speaking, LoCicero placed 11th in US Extemporaneous Speaking and Awuku placed 13th in International Extemporaneous Speaking.

This is only the second year the North Hall High School team has been active in competitions.