Presentation of Colors
The Paulding County High School JROTC presented the colors at the March 10, 2020 Board of Education meeting.
The Paulding County High School JROTC are, from left: Cadet Sgt. Maj. Nick Harvie, Cadet Sgt. 1st Class Luke Leathers, Cadet Maj. Yannceley Armand, Cadet 1st Sgt. Jacob Magnusson
'Yes I Can!' Awards
The Yes I Can! awards celebrate the achievements of children and youth with exceptionalities, encouraging these individuals to seek their highest potential, and increasing public awareness of the abilities, aspirations, and personal qualities of those with disabilities. Tonight, we are recognizing our high school award winners from 2019.
Emily Little - North Paulding High School
During the 2018-19 school year, Emily took an active role in participating in CTAE events and finding options to help her be successful in her post-secondary plans.
Daniel Hamilton - Hiram High School
Daniel is an amazing young man. He comes into class every day with such a positive attitude and outlook on life. He never gives up and is the hardest worker I have ever met. It's not just Daniel's academics that blow me away, but his kind and gentle heart. He has shown he genuinely cares about what is going on in the lives of others.
Jeremiah Wheeler - North Paulding High School
In 2019, Jeremiah was recognized with the Yes, I Can Award for excellent growth in the area of math. His determination, attention to detail, and perseverance has been his recipe for success. He shows up for class every morning eager to learn and ready to face every challenge he is presented. He defines what it means to be a student.
Mikaila Dixon - South Paulding High School
Mikaila continuously seeks learning opportunities outside of school. She frequently researches hands on activities at home that support what she is learning and school and shares with her peers and teachers. Her enthusiasm to learn is evident in all of her classes.
This year our Yes, I Can Awards will take place on Tuesday, May 5 at 5:30p.m. at Hiram High School and we would love to have you there to help us celebrate the students accomplishments from this 2019-2020 School Year.
'Yes I Can!' Award winners Daniel Hamilton of Hiram High School, and Mikaila Dixon of South Paulding High School, show off their awards while posing with the Board of Education.
Character In Action
Each month, students are chosen by the teachers and/or administration of their schools as excellent representatives of positive character at school. This month, we will recognize students for the character trait of Tolerance - which was our character word for the month of February.
Tolerance is defined as:
1. The ability or willingness to tolerate something, in particular the existence of opinions or behavior that one does not necessarily agree with
AND
2. The capacity to endure continued subjection to something ..... without adverse reaction.
James Freeman - Baggett Elementary School
James exhibits heightened levels of tolerance, as he is required to adjust to a classroom of students with dynamic personalities that altar the environment, sometimes daily. James continues to stretch himself to become more tolerant to schedule changes, new academic goals, and even tolerating frustrations he may feel when asked to perform task outside of his comfort zone. He has shown others the importance of tolerating feelings of discomfort when facing fears and making major life changes. James is an inspiration to our class and most recently to our student body with his contributions to our morning announcements.
Zoe Duncan - Hiram Elementary School
Zoe is a 5th Grader and loves every single person in her class, her grade level and her school unconditionally. She accepts every student for who they are. Zoe is a very caring person who will reach out to any student if she thinks she can help them. She is also forgiving in that even when someone wronged her, she was mature enough to turn around and help that person when they were in need. Our entire class loves Zoe and her heart! She s well deserving of representing our school for Tolerance!
Jordyn Lawrence - Panter Elementary School
Jordyn is a 3rd grader and a great example of a student who exhibits tolerance. She has the ability to work with anyone in a group or with a partner in the assignment no matter what the circumstances are. She tolerates all personalities and behaviors in a calm and mature nature.
Lily Watson - Austin Middle School
Lily is an 8th grader and represents the idea of tolerance because she works hard inside and outside the classroom. She is a kind, friendly, dedicated student who pushes herself and others to excel. Inside the classroom, she is the student who can work in any group or with any person. She does not see color or disabilities, she sees students. In the hallways, Lily is friendly to everyone. She has a smile that can be encouraging and upbeat. I find her to have a positive attitude and a desire to complete all her work with excellence. If students around her are not working, she encourages them to focus because she wants to complete her work. I think Lily is a great example of tolerance.
Christian Dudley - Dobbins Middle School
Christian is a 8th grader and is very patient with other students. He has an easygoing attitude with his peers and classmates. He does not judge nor put down other students for their differences.
Kennedy Crosling - Hiram High School
Kennedy is a 10th grader and is described by her teachers as kind and gentle. When she is in a classroom setting with students of different learning levels, she is patient and understanding of everyone around her. She stays on task in class and is considerate of her classmates. She is dedicated to kindness, and always willing to share a warm smile with anyone around.
Character Award winners for showing Tolerance, from left: Jordyn Lawrence of Panter Elementary School, Lily Watson of Austin Middle School, and Zoe Duncan of Hiram Elementary School pose with the Board of Education.
Fine Arts - 2020 All State Chorus and Band
ALL STATE CHORUS
Gracie Ward - Austin Middle School
Gracie is an 8th Grader and sings Soprano
The Director of Choral Activities is Ms. Shelley Patrick
Waly Coulibaly - Dobbins Middle School
Waly is a 7th Grader and is a Tenor
The Director of Choral Activities is Ms. Sandy Adams
Morgan Mann - Moses Middle School
Morgan is a 7th Grader and is a Soprano
Dorothy Dennard - Moses Middle School
Dorothy is an 8th Grader and is an Alto.
Taegan Lanham - Moses Middle School
Taegan is an 8th Grader and is a Soprano
The Director of Choral Activities for Moses Middle is Ms. Kelley Townsend
Tiffanie Warnock - South Paulding Middle School
Tiffanie is in the 8th Grade and is a Soprano
The Director of Choral Activities for South Paulding Middle is Ms. Amelia Kuhlken
Connor Hamilton - East Paulding High School
Connor is an 11th Grader and is a Tenor
The Director of Choral Activities at EPHS is Ms. Michelle Lokhorst
Miah Jordan - Hiram High School
Miah is an 11th Grader and is an Alto
Luke Moser - Hiram High School
Luke is a 12th Grader and is a Tenor
Ethan Orridge - Hiram High School
Ethan is a 12th Grader and is a Bass
Kalab Quinn - Hiram High School
Kalab is a 12th Grader and is a Tenor
Zephaniah Wages - Hiram High School
Zephaniah is a 12th Grader and is a Tenor
The Director of Choral Activities at Hiram High School is Ms. Ashley Poole
Sydney Godfrey - South Paulding High School
Sydney is a Senior and is an Alto
The director of Choral activities is Cindy Richardson
ALL-STATE BAND
Evan Weaver - East Paulding High School
Evan is a 10th Grader and plays the oboe
The Director of Bands at East Paulding High School is Mr. Michael Thomas and the Assistant Band Director is Mr. Josh Robichaux
Carlos Sanchez - Hiram High School
Carlos is a 10th Grader and plays the French Horn
The Director of Bands for Hiram High School is Dr. Adrian Gibson and the Assistant Band Director is Mr. Mitchell Roberts
Madison Clevenger - North Paulding High School
Madison is a 12th grader and plays the Clarinet
The Director of Bands for North Paulding High School is Mr. Teddy Mack and the Assistant Band Director is Mr. Joseph Stephens
Mikal Martin - South Paulding High School
Mikal is an 11th Grader and plays the Tuba
Macie Henson - South Paulding High School
Macie is an 11th Grader and plays the Clarinet
Nate Baker - South Paulding High School
Nate is a 10th Grader and plays the Trombone
Nate is the 1st Chair Trombone for the All-State Band
The Director of Bands for South Paulding High School is Mr. DJ McConnell and the Assistant Band Director is Ms. Bethany Greene
Posing with the Board of Education are: Hiram High School Band Assistant Mitchell Roberts (blue shirt left), Carlos Sanchez of Hiram High School, Macie Henson of South Paulding High School, Nate Baker of South Paulding High School, Mikal Martin of South Paulding High School, and South Paulding High School Band Director, D.J. McConnell (brown jacket on right front)
Posing with the Board of Education are: Moses Middle School instructor Kelley Townsend (left), Austin Middle School instructor Shelley Patrick, Dorothy Dennard of Moses Middle School (back row with certificate), Gracie Ward of Austin Middle School, Morgan Mann of Moses Middle School, Miah Jordan of Hiram High School, Ethan Orridge of Hiram High School (back row with certificate), Stephanie Godfrey of South Paulding High School, Wally Coulibaly of Dobbins Middle School, and Hiram High School instructor Ashley Poole, (back row right).
Pennies For Paulding
Pennies for Paulding is a fund raiser to raise money for Hope for Christmas (an organization which provides food, toys, and clothing for over 2,000 economically disadvantaged families in Paulding County). There is a middle school and a high school category and then we split our elementary schools into 4 categories depending on student population. Then, there is an overall winner for the entire county, regardless of level.
Our very own Ms. Cathy Hamilton, counselor from Shelton Elementary organizes the fund raiser through our Paulding Schools and assists in getting all the funds from the schools to the community host for the Hope for Christmas location in our county. Ms. Hamilton, if you will stand and let us thank you for all of your work with the program.
Now, for this year’s winners:
Elementary Category # 1 Middle School Winner
Poole Elementary McClure Middle School
Rachael Tate Jaynath Hayes
Paul Chaffee
Elementary Category # 2
Roberts Elementary High School Winner
Paul Wilder Paulding County HS
Giselle Neil Tim Plumley
Elementary Category # 3
Dugan Elementary School
DeAnna Byers
Amy Ellison Over All County Winner
Shelton Elementary School
Elementary Category # 4 Jeff Robinson
Burnt Hickory Elementary School Cathy Hamilton
Joy Viness
Tia Smith
Winter Athletes of the Year
Girls Basketball
Taylor Cullinan — North Paulding High School
Coach - Scott Green
Taylor Cullinan 6’-3” Guard/Forward – Class of 2021
Taylor helped lead the Lady Wolfpack to a record setting season with 19 wins and a sweet 16 appearance in the state tournament for the first time in school history. Taylor was named all region as a sophomore and Junior in one of the toughest regions in the state. She averaged 11 points and 9 rebounds a game for the season. Taylor averaged 15 points per game in county games vs Hiram and East Paulding. Taylor currently has 8 division 1 offers for basketball.
Taylor’s Coach, Mr. Scott Green was voted as district coah of the year by his peers!
Taylor Cullinan of North Paulding High School (with plaque), the 2020 Paulding County Girls Basketball Player of the Year, poses with her coach, District Coach of the Year Scott Green (blue shirt), and the Board of Education
Boys Basketball
Deandra Brown - Hiram High School
Coach - Keyon Boyd
Deandre Brown is a basketball senior at Hiram High. He has done well on and off the court in leading our basketball team with his leadership. He has earned 1st team award for class 5A region 7 this year and runner up for player of the year as well. Deandre averaged 19points per game, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals per game. He has been a joy to coach and he will do well on the next level wherever he goes.
Deandra’s coach, Keyon Boyd was voted as district coach of the year!
Deandre Brown of Hiram High School (with plaque), the 2020 Paulding County Boys Basketball Player of the Year, poses with his coach, District Coach of the Year Keyon Boyd, and the Board of Education
Boys Wrestling
Jacob Seymour - South Paulding High School
Freshman 120 lbs
Coach - Aaron Huff
Jacob Seymour was nominated for the Winter POY for his outstanding performance during the 2019-2020 Wrestling Season as well as his accomplishments at the 2020 GHSA State Wrestling Championships. Jacob went 4-0 at the State Tournament as he defeated former state champion, to earn his 2nd State Championship at 120lbs. Jacob also completed THE FIRST EVER undefeated wrestling season for a South Paulding Spartan with a perfect record of 35-0! This State title accompanies his first which he earned as a freshman last season at the 113lbs weight class. Jacob’s career record is now 99-3 as a sophomore!
Paulding County Wrestler of the Year Jacob Seymour of South Paulding High School (with plaque), poses with his coach, Aaron Huff, and the Board of Education.
Girls Wrestling
Heaven Byrd - Hiram High School
Senior 164 Lbs.
Coach - Ben Mount
Ms. Heaven Byrd is a senior at Hiram High School. She is a two-time GHSA State Champion winning the 162-pound weight class this year. Heaven is currently ranked number 14 at 164-pounds in the country. She will be continuing her academic and athletic career at Emmanuel College where she will wrestle for the Lions. Heaven finished the year with a record of 25-3 and pinned her way through the GHSA State Tournament this year.
Girls Wrestler of the Year Heaven Byrd of Hiram High School (with plaque), poses with her coach, Ben Mount, and the Board of Education.
Kyleigh Haney - Hiram High School
Senior 225 Lbs.
Coach - Ben Mount
Ms. Kyleigh Haney is a senior at Hiram High School. She is a three- sport athlete for the Hornets. KJ was Player of the Year for Paulding County in softball and is now a member of the Hornet’s baseball team. Ms. Haney is a two-time GHSA State Champion wrestler at the 225-pound weight class. Kyleigh is currently the number 2 ranked wrestler in the country at the 225-pound weight class. She plans to continue her academic and athletic career at the University of Alabama where she will play softball for the Crimson Tide. KJ finished the season with a 30-8 record. All eight losses were against boys in varsity matches
Girls Wrestler of the Year Kyleigh Haney of Hiram High School (with plaque), poses with her coach, Ben Mount, and the Board of Education.
Boys Swimming
Logan Peak - North Paulding High School
Head Coach - Kaitlin Woods
- Only Paulding County High School male Swimmer to advance to state finals- he is NOT a year-round swimmer, which is a huge feat.
- 15th in the state in the 100 free (entered prelims as 41st)
- 31st-50 Free-1st alternate
- Swam on two state final relays-200 Medley-17th in the state and 400 Free Relay-17th in the state.
- Qualified 4th out of 8 individual events for state, and swam on two state relays
- Coaches Award for 12th grade for NPHS swimming
- Top point scorer for NPHS swimming
- Wolfpack Award-voted on by the swimmers, received the past 3 years
- County Record Holder-50 Free, 100 Free, 200 Medley Relay, 200 Free Relay and 400 Free Relay
Logan was a senior captain this year, he was the lead point between myself (head coach) and the captains and the team. He was willing to help all different levels of swimmers. He helped lead lanes and was a huge supporter pool side. Logan has a natural gift for swimming, these days you do not see swimmers make it to finals if they are not a year round swimmer but Logan made it back in his 100 free and was on the cusp of making it for the 50 free. He was voted wolfpack player of the year each year he swam for NPHS. This is a huge honor and voted on by his teammates alone. Logan is planning on swimming in college.
Boys Swimmer of the Year Logan Peak of North Paulding High School (with plaque), poses with his coach, Kaitlin Woods, and the Board of Education.
Girls Swimming
Gracie Anne Byerly - North Paulding High School
Head Coach - Kaitlin Woods
- Only Paulding County High School, female Swimmer to advance to state finals and swim in prelims in an individual event.
- 12th in the state in the 100 fly
- 19th in the state for the 100 back
- Qualified 6th out of 8 individual events for state, and swam on two state relays
- Rookie of the year for NPHS swimming
- Top point scorer for NPHS swimming
On top of being an amazing swimmer Gracie Anne is the true definition of a team player. She is willing to help anyone and cheer everyone on as well as giving tips/tricks to help swimmers pick up speed. Gracie Anne is a huge member of the team and has an amazing future ahead of her. While she is only a freshman, she is a standout in Paulding County Swimming, I predict by her senior year she will hold many Paulding County Swim records.
Girls Swimmer of the Year Gracie Anne Byerly of North Paulding High School (with plaque), poses with her coach, Kaitlin Woods, and the Board of Education.
