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DECEMBER 2009

Lady Braves Win Tournament

December 30, 2009 - The Heard County High School girls’ basketball team won three consecutive games against schools in larger classifications to take home the championship trophy in the annual Haralson Invitational Tournament. The road to the championship was not easy, as the Lady Braves (8-1) were forced to play the host AAA Haralson County Lady Rebels (9-1) in the opening round of the tournament. Tough defense and balanced scoring from the starting five, allowed the Lady Braves to defeat the Rebelettes by a score of 56-48. Senior Laci Emory and freshman La’Rice Walker led Heard County with ten points each. Walker stayed hot as she led led the Lady Braves with seventeen points in their 42-36 second round victory over Cherokee County (Alabama) High School.

The win gave Heard County High School a spot in the championship game against AAAA Villa Rica (7-4).The Lady Wildcats had a twelve point lead with 3:48 left in the game, when Heard County made a surprising offensive push. Trailing by one with only eight seconds remaining, freshman Jasmine Cook made a layup, and the Lady Braves celebrated the 42-41 victory. During the trophy presentation ceremony, Walker was named tournament MVP. The Lady Braves will be back in action on Tuesday, January 5 in a Region 5-AA road game against Manchester High School.

Laci Emory - All Tournament Team	La'Rice Walker - Tournament MVP

Heard FBLA Attends Fall Leadership Conference

On December 4, over 2,000 Future Business Leaders of America members and advisers gathered in Athens, Georgia for exciting, informative, and inspiring sessions, workshops, and social activities! In cooperation with TRI Leadership Resources, a nationally recognized leadership services firm, Georgia FBLA members and advisers experienced a powerful leadership program.

Some highlights of the conference were workshops designed to focus on the development of personal and leadership skills needed by FBLA members, adviser best practices sharing sessions, competitive event preparation sessions, recognition of outstanding chapters and members, and the world’s largest Monopoly tournament to benefit March of Dimes.

The Heard High FBLA Chapter earned the prestigious Gold Seal Chapter award that is awarded to the top 15% of chapters in the nation. Two members, Mark Devereaux and Michael Creed won first place in Economics competition at the State Motivational Rally in Perry. In addition, each member received a free t-shirt and a Certification of Participation in the conference. Members attending the conference showed their Georgia FBLA Pride by wearing the Georgia FBLA Official Dress uniform at FLC.

The Heard High Chapter wishes to thank Mr. Sowell, Mr. Kay, Mr. Edwards, and Mr. Hyatt for their continued support of FBLA in their fundraising endeavors, conference schedule, and competitive testing.

L to R (students): Morgan Thompson, Rebekah Tatum, Timothy Person, Susan Avery, Mark Devereaux, Caitlin Thompson, Maurcus Dunson, Anna Kirkpatrick, Michael Creed

L to R (teachers): Angela Thompson, Gail Widener

Hunter Sims Named to All-State Team

December 3, 2009 - Junior Hunter Sims was named to the GHSA All-State 2nd team in softball. Sims produced a remarkable 2009 season finishing with a batting average of .448 for the Lady Braves. Sims also successfully stole 14 bases without being thrown out once. Her 16 RBI’s were a career high, and Sims finished with an unprecedented .940 fielding percentage.

NOVEMBER 2009

Rodney Kay Chosen as the
Assistant Principal of the Year

By: Cynthia O’Reilly and Lacie Warren

Rodney Kay, assistant principal at Heard County High School, has been chosen as the 2010 Assistant Principal of the Year by the Georgia Association of Secondary School Principals (GASSP). The Assistant Principal of the Year recognition program is sponsored by Horace Mann and the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP). The program recognizes assistant principals that excel in developing self and others, community service, resolving complex problems, and providing educational leadership.

Each of the four finalists chosen for the award was interviewed at the GASSP Fall Conference at the Mountain Conference Center at Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain. Kay’s contributions and sacrifices to the Heard County community and school system, exceptional work ethic, and show of leadership were important factors in his interview. “How much time and effort he [Kay] puts into making sure our students not only pass, but exceed is a bonus to Heard County. Working with him and learning what goes into the curriculum part of administration has been very beneficial for me personally,” Heath Horn, graduation coach of Heard County High School, commented.

Kay is in charge of all standardized testing from End-Of-Course Tests to Graduation Tests. He utilizes the Georgia High School Writing Test (GHSWT) predictor test to help improve scheduling and tutoring for sophomores. Writing scores soared from a seventy-nine percent passing rate to the highest ever achieved at the school, a ninety-four percent passing rate. Kay also implemented the “Cram and Slam,” which offers one last cram session for the juniors before the graduation tests. Students rotate from different classrooms to be given last bits of helpful instructions to ensure success on the graduation test. The “Cram and Slam” also resulted in improvement in the passing rate for participants last year.

Winning the Assistant Principal of the Year by GASSP allows Kay to compete nationally at the NASSP for Assistant Principal of the Year for the United States. This national convention will be held in Phoenix, Arizona in the month of March. Three finalists will be chosen from the fifty states represented. In April, every state winner will travel to Washington D.C. where the national winner will be selected. With this possible recognition, “a bright light has been focused on Mr. Kay and attention has been brought to Heard High’s students’ accomplishments,” Principal Rusty Sowell beams. “It is a tremendous honor to be selected and it speaks for itself with the things he [Kay] has done and helped us achieve.”

Kay has been a noteworthy addition to Heard County High School staff and deservingly rewarded. His optimism and attitude are plainly reflected throughout the school each and every day. “I am very excited about winning and the opportunities it will provide for me to meet with other assistant principals and talk about the best policies for high schools. This is affirmation that we’re doing the right things at Heard High,” Kay reflects. Although the school has accomplished much during his administration here, Kay is “troubled” over the noticeable lack of confidence the students have in themselves. “We sometimes perceive ourselves as inferior to other big schools,” Kay admits. Kay wholeheartedly believes that this mentality has got to change. “We are somebody and we are being recognized and we should be proud.” Kay’s infectious, positive attitude and determined work ethic inspire others to reach their full potential; not only in the students, but the entire Braves community.

OCTOBER 2009

Homecoming Court Winners

Laci Emory was crowned Queen. Runners-up were Brooke Jackson and Hannah Burson.

Santez Emory was crowned King. Runners-up were Kevin Welch and Brandon Buchanan.

Homecoming Tonight -
HHS Braves vs. Jordan Red Jackets

(October 16, 2009) It is Homecoming tonight at HHS! Game begins at 7:30pm vs. the Jordan Red Jackets. The theme this year is Friday Night Lights. Homecoming court for the girls includes: Blake Alford, McKenzie Benefield, Hannah Burson, Laci Emory, Brooke Jackson, and Caitlin Thompson. Homecoming court for the boys includes: Brandon Buchannan, Adam Cannon, Bryan Dunson, Santez Emory, Jeremiah Hill, and Kevin Welch. Underclassmen representatives are freshmen Jasmine Cook and Tyler Turner, sophomores Breanna Davis and Zack Battles, and juniors Erica Studdard and Brandon Cofield.

Homecoming T-shirts on Sale Now

PRICES

If you are interested in ordering, see Chef Tillman in Room 252.

AUGUST 2009

Classes Begin in New School

Click here for Photo Gallery of the new facilities

Media Center Newsletter

Click here for the August newsletter from the Media Center

2009 Fall Sports Schedules Announced

Click here for 2009 Cross Country Schedule

Click here for 2009 Football Schedule

Click here for 2009 Softball Schedule

Click here for 2009 Volleyball Schedule

New School Open House

July 2009 - The new home of Heard County High School has been completed and is being prepared for the students, who will return to school on Thursday, August 6. The new facility will be open to the public from 4:00-8:00 on Tuesday, August 4. Parents, students, and members of the community are invited to tour the new campus and see firsthand the beautiful new flagship of the Heard County School System.

Click here for Photo Gallery of the new facilities