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Page 1: GCPS Communique 2015 seniors

CLASS of 2015Celebrating

Gwinnett County Public Schools May 2015

Page 2: GCPS Communique 2015 seniors

Roll your cursor over the page to see links in the text.

Table of Contents

“We don’t receive wisdom; we must discover it for ourselves

after a journey that no one can take for us…

Marcel Proust

A Salute to Our Seniors 1

Celebrating the Class of 2015 2

Valedictorians and Salutatorians 6

STAR Students 8

Scholarships and Recognitions 9

Gwinnett Student Leadership Team 16

Graduation Schedule inside back cover

This publication captures a snapshot of the Class of 2015, with photos, facts, and just a few of the scholarships and awards garnered by members of this outstanding group of students. We know that many, many more of our students earned prestigious honors and scholarships that are not part of this publication. And we estimate that listing just the names of all of our graduates would take 74 pages! Congratulations to all of the members of the Class of 2015.

We are so very proud of you!

Front Cover: A Grayson senior emerges from an inflatable maze during the Senior Picnic.Back Cover: Mountain View seniors celebrate receiving their caps and gowns.

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A SAlute to our SeniorSAfter 2,340 days in the classroom— more than 15,000 hours if anyone’s counting— and all those book reports, school lunches,

weekend projects, pop quizzes, bus rides, club meetings, field trips, service hours, and concerts and sporting events, it comes to this… more than 11,000 GCPS seniors will be crossing the stage later this month. Our 21 diploma-granting high schools will hold graduation ceremonies for the Class of 2015, starting with Collins Hill High School graduates on May 20 and wrapping up with Dacula grads on May 24.

The members of Gwinnett County Public Schools’ largest-ever class have a lot going for them as they head off to college and careers. In the fall, most seniors— 83%— are headed to universities, colleges, and postsecondary schools in Georgia and around the country, with one in every five college-bound graduates offered at least one scholarship. As of April 2015, our graduates have been offered more than $154.6 million in academic, athletic, and military scholarships, the largest-ever scholarship tally for GCPS. Academic achievement earned offers of more than $84 million. What’s significant is the number and amount of scholarships that were not yet announced when senior information was compiled in April, including HOPE awards (typically, about a third of graduates), some National Merit Scholars, another $500,000 for GCPS’ 26 Broad Scholars, or the full-ride scholarships awarded to GCPS’ 13 Gates Millennium Scholars and 31 QuestBridge Scholars. Student athletes earned more than $64.6 million in athletic scholarships, also a record. (See page 9.)

Four of the nation’s military service academies— Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, and Navy —offered appointments to 15 young leaders, a total of $5.8 million in scholarships. Another 426 seniors also will serve their country through military service after graduation. About 800 students will enter the workforce after high school, many armed with credentials and certificates earned through our technical education program and sought after by local employers.

A record number of seniors are graduating with a grade percent average of 90 or better. Among our 2,523 Honor Graduates are each school’s highest-ranking students— the valedictorian (1st in class) and the salutatorian (2nd in class). (See page 6.) Nearly half of Gwinnett seniors took on the challenge and rigor of college-level Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses their last year in high school, taking a total of 12,464 AP or IB classes, another record. In addition, a record-breaking 459 seniors were dual-enrolled, earning both high school and college credit.

We’re so proud of these young people who have worked so hard to prepare for the

latest chapter in their lives. Good luck, Class of 2015!

Seniors at Brookwood High School model workplace attire on Career Day.

The North Gwinnett High School Class of 2015.

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Click here to enjoy more scenes from Senior Week celebrations around the county.Celebrating the

Class of 2015 Fun facts, figures, and photos from our graduating seniors

Meadowcreek High School has four Broad Scholars, the most of all GCPS high schools.

A Duluth grad earned both a

QuestBridge and a Gates Millennium

scholarship.

Of Mountain View grads with college plans, 86% will attend a four-year institution.

Every GSMST senior took at least one AP course and exam during senior year.Lanier— the district’s smallest regular high

school— has the smallest senior class (334 students) among traditional schools.

A South Gwinnett graduate is the district’s only Coca-Cola Scholar.

Mountain View seniors get a sneak

peak at Graduation gear.

Meadowcreek seniors picnic on the lawn.

Grayson students sign each other’s yearbooks during the Senior Picnic.

GSMST seniors celebrate at Dave and Busters.

Four graduates have attended Gwinnett Online Campus all through high school.

More than 230 students will earn a diploma through the non-traditional program at Phoenix High School.

Duluth seniors figure out

where they go next.

A Grayson grad is a U.S. Presidential Scholar, one of only three in the state.

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Members of GCPS’ largest senior class (799), Mill Creek students were offered almost $22 million in scholarship honors.

Archer had three military service academy appointments.

With a GPA of 90% or higher, 41% of North Gwinnett seniors are Honor Grads.

Ninety Brookwood seniors gained college credit and experience through dual enrollment.

At Shiloh, 23% of seniors plan to attend a college out of state.

At Peachtree Ridge, 90% of seniors have postsecondary education plans.

Central Gwinnett seniors took more AP classes during high school than any other class in school history.

The Norcross Class of 2015 includes 60 IB Diploma students and 156 course candidate students. This is the largest group of IB Diploma students since the program began at Norcross.

Dacula’s senior class reported 10,297 service hours.

With nine, Collins Hill High has the most Georgia Scholars in Gwinnett.

Berkmar boasts the most QuestBridge Scholars (8).

Parkview seniors were offered $8.3 million in academic

scholarships.

Peachtree Ridge College DayCentral Gwinnett

seniors show off the

Class of ’15 T-shirt.

Archer’s

Valedictorian

and Salutatorian

are twins…

Parkview seniors in this AP Government class don shades and senior shirts for the class picnic.

…and so are two of their QuestBridge scholars!

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GCPS Seniors are…

not acting their age?

nerds?

characters?

competitors?

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not acting their age?

royalty!

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2015 Valedictorians and SalutatoriansArcher High School

Collins Hill High School

Brookwood High School

Duluth High School

Berkmar High School

Dacula High School

Central Gwinnett High School

Grayson High School

Mary Beth MahaffeyValedictorian

Aksal VashiValedictorian

Ryan Chen Valedictorian

Kishan ChudasamaValedictorian

Jennifer VezeauValedictorian

Shah KhanValedictorian

Sally TranValedictorian

Amelia MelasValedictorian

John MahaffeySalutatorian

Kenneth WilliamsSalutatorian

Laboni HoqueSalutatorian

Vishnu RamachandranSalutatorian

Yash ShirsathSalutatorian

Juan Eduardo MartinezSalutatorian

Rhodalene Benjamin-Addy

Salutatorian

Douglas Byron Allen StewartSalutatorian

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2015 Valedictorians and SalutatoriansGwinnett School of Mathematics,

Science, and Technology

Mountain View High School

Meadowcreek High School

North Gwinnett High School

Lanier High School

Norcross High School

Mill Creek High School

Gwinnett Online Campus

Joshua BrunnerValedictorian

Kasey BellValedictorian

Christina BuiValedictorian

Elton LossnerValedictorian

Katherine Victoria Harrison

Valedictorian

Ethan ChervonskiValedictorian

Abigail HarrisonValedictorian

Dain SongValedictorian

Grayson NoahSalutatorian

Gabrielle MarquezSalutatorian

Lilian HoangSalutatorian

Megan PaikSalutatorian

Birk EvavoldSalutatorian

Jarod SjogrenSalutatorian

Ji Hee MinSalutatorian

Matthew ChenSalutatorian

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2015 Valedictorians and Salutatorians

2015 Star StudentsEach STAR (Student-Teacher Achievement Recognition) student is the senior in the top 10% of his or her class with the highest SAT score. The STAR students from Brookwood High School, Duluth High School, and Parkview High School tied for designation as Gwinnett County’s 2015 STAR Student for having the highest SAT scores among the districtwide Class of 2015. These three students also won region honors. As part of the recognition, each STAR student selects a teacher as an educator who had a strong influence on his or her academic career. Local sponsors of the event include the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine–Georgia Campus, The University of Georgia–Gwinnett Cam-pus, Delta Community Credit Union, Georgia Power, Peach State Federal Credit Union, Delta Kappa Gamma, and Gwinnett County Public Schools Foundation Fund.

Parkview High School

Shiloh High School

Peachtree Ridge High School

South Gwinnett High School

Kexin ZhangValedictorian

Qsanet Negassi TekieValedictorian

Olivia CasimirValedictorian

Kevin Benjamin LimValedictorian

Ziyu “Julia” DingSalutatorian

Courtney Simone Blair

Salutatorian

Destiny BroadnaxSalutatorian

William BroniecSalutatorian

Mary Beth Mahaffey, Archer High SchoolJuan Eduardo Martinez, Berkmar High SchoolRyan Chen, Brookwood High SchoolAmelia Melas, Central Gwinnett High SchoolKatherine “Kitty” Moraes, Collins Hill High SchoolJessie Rankin, Dacula High SchoolVikram S. Varadarajan, Duluth High SchoolYash Shirsath, Grayson High SchoolGrayson Noah, Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and TechnologyDain Song, Lanier High School

Dana Katherine Balliet, Meadowcreek High SchoolEthan Jeffrey LoCicero, Mill Creek High School*Katherine Victoria Harrison, Mill Creek High School*Kasey Elizabeth Bell, Mountain View High SchoolXiaoyue “Michelle” Zhong, Norcross High SchoolShin JiYoon “Paul” Shin, North Gwinnett High SchoolSida Tang, Parkview High SchoolRohil Ritesh Shah, Peachtree Ridge High SchoolDebora A. Marinca, Shiloh High SchoolOlivia Casimir, South Gwinnett High School

Students in bold are county and region winners. Asterisks indicate a tie at the school.

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nAtionAl ScholArShip WinnerS

2015 Broad ScholarsBroad Prize scholarships are awarded to graduating seniors who demonstrate a record of improvement throughout high school and who have financial need. Students who enroll in four-year colleges receive $20,000 scholarships paid out over four years ($5,000 per year). Students who enroll in two-year colleges or technical programs receive $5,000 scholarships paid out over two years ($2,500 per year).

2015 Gates Millennium ScholarsThe Gates Millennium Scholarship covers college tuition for each recipient’s entire college career. Funded by a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the program promotes academic excellence for outstanding minority students with financial need.

Archer High SchoolAliyah Winfrey

Berkmar High SchoolNikolina Sandrk

Brookwood High SchoolJolee McManus

Central Gwinnett High SchoolBrian Galeano Alem Sahic

Collins Hill High SchoolJack Mason

Dacula High SchoolJacque Evangelister

Duluth High SchoolBrianna Valentine

Grayson High SchoolLilah Evans Michael Moise

Gwinnett Online CampusAbigail Harrison

Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and TechnologySimran Khoja Leslie Kumi

Meadowcreek High SchoolElisa Diaz Anthony Jimmerson Krina Patel Darisbell Valeriano

Mountain View High SchoolTiffany Leon

Parkview High SchoolMakai Greaux Ahadu Solomon

Peachtree Ridge High SchoolKyle Rouleau Huiying Su Paul Yang

Shiloh High SchoolFrancisco Velazquez

South Gwinnett High SchoolSarah Dejene Krystal Stennett

Berkmar High SchoolKadijatu Sowe— University of Georgia

Dacula High SchoolChelsey Omoerah— University of Georgia

Duluth High SchoolShi Jie (John) Li — Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)Sarah Sanneh*— Princeton University

Grayson High School

Lilah Evans— Harvard University

Meadowcreek High SchoolElena Granados-Barrón— Emory University Ifedinma (Sarah) Nwankwo— University of Georgia Bianca Peréz— Emory University

Mountain View High SchoolAdrielle Kwapong— Georgia State University

Shiloh High SchoolBiajani McEwen-Lopez— University of Southern California

South Gwinnett High SchoolCaleb Afunyah— undecided Kawther Shemsedin Berhanu— undecided Olivia Casimir— undecided

*Student selected as both a Gates Millennium Scholar and a QuestBridge Scholar.

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nAtionAl ScholArShip WinnerS

2015 QuestBridge ScholarsQuestBridge is a non-profit organization that links high-achieving, low-income students to some of the nation’s most selective colleges. The organization partners with colleges to offer generous financial aid packages that cover 100% of demonstrated financial need. This list includes QuestBridge Scholars known at press time.

Archer High SchoolKrystal Castanada— Emory UniversityTahnee Muller— University of ChicagoBrianna Osaseri— Washington and Lee UniversityBrittany Osaseri— Washington and Lee UniversityMichelle Samson— Oberlin College

Berkmar High SchoolChristy Enriquez— Davidson CollegeCaterine Guevara— Colorado CollegeBrian Hernandez— Emory UniversityDulce Medina— Emory UniversityKaren Nguyen— Emory UniversityUgushi Ogonor— University of ChicagoGerson Salmeron Rubio— Tufts UniversitySally Tran— Duke University

Brookwood High SchoolSofia Ali— Stanford University

Collins Hill High SchoolNathaniel Forrester— Rice UniversityAmethyst R. King— Columbia UniversityAndres Parra— Carleton College

*Student selected as both a Gates Millennium Scholar and a QuestBridge Scholar.

2015 Liga de Campeones ScholarsSponsored by Univision Atlanta, this $1,300 scholarship was awarded to 12 Georgia seniors, including six Gwinnett graduates.

Berkmar High SchoolEduardo Muñoz

Meadowcreek High SchoolElena Granados-Barrón

Miguel Lara

Luis Salazar

Angélica Sánchez

Yasmeen Suárez

2015 Coca-Cola ScholarThe Coca-Cola Scholars Program Scholarship is an achieve-ment-based scholarship awarded to graduating high school seniors each year. Students are recognized for their capacity to lead and serve, and their commitment to making a sig-nificant impact on their schools and communities. A total of 150 Coca-Cola Scholars are selected each year to receive this $20,000 scholarship.

South Gwinnett High SchoolKawther Shemsedin Berhanu

Duluth High School Sarah Sanneh*— Princeton University

Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and TechnologyMarcia N. Saetang— Wesleyan UniversityAaron Wubshet— Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)Samuel Zinga— Emory University

Mountain View High School Hayat H. Ramzi— Pomona College

North Gwinnett High School Anna Truong— Rice University

Parkview High School Ima Christian— Stanford UniversityIvan Duong— Dartmouth CollegeElshaddai Girma— Emory UniversityAlexzandra Kellogg— University of GeorgiaShehan Parmer— University of Southern CaliforniaBrendan J. Taliaferro— University of Pennsylvania

Peachtree Ridge High School Jasmine Kamruddin— Stanford University

Shiloh High School Bradford Grant— Davidson College

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nAtionAl ScholArShip WinnerS

2015 National Merit Semifinalists Asterisks designate scholarship winners reported for corporate- and NMSC-funded scholarships. Additional scholarships will be awarded by colleges later this month and in July to students in this list.

Archer High School Mary Beth Mahaffey

Brookwood High Robert K. ChandlerRyan Chen*Kaushik DeLaboni Hoque*Kwadwo Korang

Obeng-Marnu*Ye TianCorey Zheng

Central Gwinnett High School

Amelia Melas

Collins Hill High SchoolKatherine “Kitty” Moraes*

Duluth High SchoolAlexis L. HofmannSurya S. NarayananVikram S. Varadarajan*Michael Xu*

Grayson High SchoolChristy N. HelmsYash Shirsath

Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology

Mitesh D. Bhalani*Joshua BrunnerJoon ChoiDamon S. GriffinArtur D. Tarasenko*

Lanier High SchoolDain Song*

Mill Creek High SchoolChristian A. Braun

Norcross High SchoolMatthew Chen*Michelle FisherNolan HandaliJim Y. HuangMatthew D. HuffmanAnderson D. LeggettErica G. RabinovichStephanie L. SchnurClara Wang

North Gwinnett High School

Hyung S. KimElton G. Lossner*Yeshwant ManoharanHasib Muhammad*Megan Paik*

Parkview High SchoolAbirami S. BalajeeSania S. ChandraniZiyu “Julia” Ding*Eric N. DongAdam A. KotterKathy P. LiChristopher A. MasseyWilliam G. MoiseSida Tang

Peachtree Ridge High School

Blake T. Best*Michael G. CollinsJenny LiSimi N. Shah

2015 National Achievement SemifinalistsThe National Achievement Scholarship Program provides scholar-ships to academically promising Black American students. Aster-isks designate scholarship winners.

Archer High SchoolKynnedi J. Fye*

Brookwood High SchoolVanessa H. Boyle*Tiffany Jonia Fomby*Jordan L. HillKwadwo Korang

Obeng-Marnu*Reyanna L. Reeder

Central Gwinnett High SchoolRhodalene Benjamin-Addy*

Collins Hill High SchoolAmethyst R. King*

Duluth High SchoolJasmine M. Bouges

Grayson High SchoolLaDaria D. DuffieElihu P. IgbinadolorTaylor Alexandria Pope*

Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology

Omega T. HaileyesusAaron Wubshet

Samuel Zinga*

Mill Creek High SchoolAshley Ann Barnes*Norris L. Davis III*Darriele V. Russell

Mountain View High SchoolHayat H. Ramzi*

North Gwinnett High SchoolCory A. Brooks*Carmen E. Toomer*Marcus A. Wise

Parkview High SchoolElshaddai Girma*Amanda Nicole Mitchell*Nia M. Mitchell*

Peachtree Ridge High SchoolRudy R. Crosby*Casey A. MasonAlexis L. McKenzie*

Shiloh High SchoolMicaiah L. Palmer*Qsanet Negassi TekieJasmine A. Wilson*

Both the 2015 National Merit competition and the competition for National Achievement Scholars began with results of the 2013 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Competition Qualifying Tests, taken in the junior year. Last fall, semifinalists

were designated, based on the highest scores in the states that make up each region. A rigorous selection process determines finalists for scholarship awards. Most National Merit and National Achievement scholarships are one-time awards of $2,500.

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GcpS ScholArShip WinnerS

Other 2015 Scholarships awarded through the GCPS Foundation Fund, Inc.Annually, the Gwinnett County Public Schools Foundation Fund, Inc., awards a number of one-time scholarships to graduating seniors, funded through the generosity of local businesses and organizations and contributions from generous staff and community members. More than 50 graduating seniors earned $52,000 in district and school-specific scholarships administered through the Foundation, including those on these pages. Unless otherwise noted, all scholarships on these two pages are one-time awards. (Thanks, also, to the many other community organizations and businesses that support our students with additional awards and scholarships!)

2015 J. Alvin Wilbanks Educator Scholarship ($2,500)Sponsored by Peach State Credit Union and GCPS Founda-tion Fund— Established in 2007 in honor of CEO/Superin-tendent Wilbanks’ more than four decades of service to public education, and in recognition of his leadership in guiding the district to state and national prominence, this scholarship is awarded to two seniors pursuing a career in education.

Natalie Tontillo of North Gwinnett High SchoolDemi Pfeffer of Mill Creek High School

2015 Louise Radloff Scholarship ($2,500)Sponsored by Peach State Credit Union and GCPS Foundation Fund— This scholarship recognizes two Gwinnett County seniors who have overcome a significant personal challenge in order to graduate. This fund was estab-lished in 2004 in honor of four decades of service by Gwinnett County Board of Education member Louise Radloff.

Antonio Bailey of Norcross High SchoolLinh Bui of Meadowcreek High School

2015 Georgia United Credit Union Women on Board Scholarship ($2,000)Sponsored by GCPS Foundation Fund—  Established in 2014, this scholarship is for an outstanding young woman from Gwinnett who is a change agent and leader in her community.

Simran Rajput of Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology  

Reid Mullins ScholarshipSponsored by GCPS Foundation Fund— This award is pre-sented to one or more deserving seniors in honor of Reid Mul-lins for his many years of service to Snellville Middle School and as Gwinnett’s first middle school principal.

Perrin Clavijo of Archer High School ($3,000)Bethany Bogan of South Gwinnett High School ($1,000)

2015 Alton C. Crews Educator Scholarship ($1,000)Sponsored by GCPS Foundation Fund— Since 2002, dona-tions made in memory of Dr. Crews (GCPS superintendent, 1977–89) have funded this scholarship, awarded to GCPS seniors pursuing a teaching career.

Evelyn Fairchild Jones of Brookwood High SchoolDuncan Whitehead of Archer High School

2015 GCPS Foundation STEM Scholarship ($1,000)Sponsored by GCPS Foundation Fund— Established in 2013, this scholarship is awarded to one or more GCPS graduating seniors who plan to enroll in a college course of study in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics.

Zachary Adams of Peachtree Ridge High SchoolVictor Barr of Duluth High School

2015 Jim Maran Scholarship for STEM Studies ($1,000)Sponsored by GCPS Foundation Fund— Established in 2013 and named in honor of the longtime Gwinnett Chamber president, this award is for a senior who plans to pursue studies in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics.

Holly Gunder of Brookwood High SchoolChristina Kim To of Grayson High School

2015 Robbie Susan Moore Scholarship ($1,000)Sponsored by United Ebony Society of Gwinnett and GCPS Foundation Fund— Founded in 2011 to honor the commu-nity service of Robbie Susan Moore, this scholarship recogniz-es college-bound seniors dedicated to serving the community.

Tejah Coffey of Shiloh High SchoolTaylor Brooke Rudolph of Grayson High School

2015 GCPS Foundation Mathematics Scholarship ($1,000)Sponsored by GCPS Foundation Fund— Established in 2013, the scholarship is awarded to one or more GCPS seniors with plans to enroll in an undergraduate course of study in or related to mathematics.

David Agyeman of Mill Creek High SchoolArchana Premkumar of Gwinnett School of Mathematics,

Science, and Technology

FOUNDATIONGwinnett County Public Schools

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2015 Dr. Barbara Reed Science Scholarship ($1,000)Sponsored by GCPS Foundation Fund— Named in honor of a longtime Gwinnett educator who also served as the district’s director of science, this award gives special consideration to ap-plicants interested in science education.

Taylor Head of Grayson High School

2015 Beth Rihm Global Language Scholarship ($1,000)Sponsored by GCPS Foundation Fund— Established in 2015 by Rachel B. Mehravari, a Brookwood High School alumna and a former Beth Rihm memorial scholarship recipient. Ms. Mehravari credits a Rihm scholarship with helping her achieve her goal of becoming a member of the Foreign Service in the Diplomatic Service of the United States of America. Recipients have demonstrated a proficiency in a spoken foreign language and plan to deepen fluency through cultural immersion or extracurricular study.

Chelsea Dinh of Brookwood High School Kishan Chudasama of Duluth High School  

2015 John A. Raghu Music Scholarship ($1,000)Sponsored by GCPS Foundation Fund— Established in 2012 by the Raghu family in recognition of the outstanding GCPS education received by their son, John A. Raghu. This scholar-ship is awarded to an orchestra member, with preference to bassist, who participates in community service and has a weighted GPA of 3.0 or better.  

Kevin Shelton of Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology    

2015 Susan D. Headley Scholarship ($1,000)Sponsored by GCPS Foundation Fund— This scholarship is awarded to an Archer student who exhibits good character, a love of learning, a desire to further his or her education, and is eligible for postsecondary education.

Rachel Leigh Duffy of Archer High School

Hope McKenzie Scholarship ($1,000)Sponsored by GCPS Foundation Fund— This scholarship is awarded to two Grayson students excelling in the arts, presented by the McKenzie family in memory of Hope McKenzie.

Anna Sherlock of Grayson High SchoolHannah Patillo of Grayson High School

J. Floyd and Eunice Brannan Scholarships – Final Funding Year ($1,000)This $1,000 award is renewable for up to four years, subject to satisfactory performance and progress. Preference is given to Central Gwinnett High School students who will attend a four-year college or university, have a 3.0 GPA or better, have financial need, and have engaged in significant community service activities throughout high school.

Kyle Cowdrick of Central Gwinnett High School Samantha Healy of Central Gwinnett High School Sarah Ann Jestel of Central Gwinnett High SchoolJimmy Fang Jiang of Central Gwinnett High School Nhi Vu of Central Gwinnett High School

The Brenden M. Elbaz Scholarship ($750)Sponsored by GCPS Foundation Fund— Created in Brenden’s memory, this yearly scholarship is awarded to a graduating senior at Lanier High School.

William Marvel of Lanier High School

Dr. Linda Williams Educational Scholarship ($500)Sponsored by GCPS Foundation Fund— This award is presented to a graduating senior from Grayson, Maxwell, or Meadowcreek high schools.

Rachel Alisa Lott of Grayson High School

2015 Award for Excellence in Academics Scholarship ($300)Sponsored by Drs. Meena and J. J. Shah— This scholarship is awarded to GCPS’ 20 valedictorians. The Shah family, found-ers of Gwinnett Clinic, have awarded the scholarship to Gwin-nett valedictorians since 2006.

GcpS ScholArShip WinnerS

Donors make a difference! A gift to the GCPS Foundation Fund is the best way to ensure that current and future students are afforded the very best in educational opportunities. Gifts may be directed to dedicated scholarship funds, districtwide needs, or to a specific cluster or initiative. Please make your gift online today!

At left, some of the GCPS Foundation Scholarship recipi-ents were recognized by the Gwinnett Board of Education at the April 2015 meeting.

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other SpeciAl honorS

2015 Georgia ScholarsThe Georgia Scholar Program is a recognition program by the Georgia Department of Education honoring high school seniors who have achieved excellence in school and community life.

Brookwood High School Renie GeorgeOrdain Ravula

Collins Hill High School Nathaniel ForresterJenny KimCody LumChristina MathewClaire RogersJoseph SchneiderJesse SelphJessica ThornberryKenneth Williams

Dacula High SchoolHaley BeachJessie Rankin

Grayson High SchoolReid ClyburnJosh GeorgeShah KhanThuy-An PhanJosh PhilliberYash ShirsathSara Thompson

Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology

Janel GaleJeet PatelArchana PremkumarSamuel Zinga

Lanier High SchoolCollin Rusch

Mill Creek High SchoolLauren BalotinAshley BarnesEthan Jeffrey LoCiceroAustin Smith

Norcross High SchoolElizabeth DohertyMichelle FisherPowell Harris

Parkview High SchoolZiya “Julia” DingJack FontanaMatthew RollinsBrendan TaliaferroSida Tang

2015 Service Academy AppointmentsThe U.S. Service Academies are four-year postsecondary in-stitutions that combine educational excellence with military officer training. Students accepted to the academies receive a free, four-year education in return for a commitment to serve in the active-duty military after graduation. In order to be admitted, students must receive a congressional nomination from either their U.S. Representative or Senator and must meet the highly competitive educational and extracurricular standards that are set by the individual academies as well as standards for physical aptitude and medical fitness.

Archer High SchoolRobbierre E. Armstrong— U.S. Naval Academy

Dillon M. Bliss— U.S. Military Academy at West Point

Elliott C. Lee— U.S. Air Force Academy

Brookwood High SchoolAustin A. Kelley— U.S. Naval Academy

Central Gwinnett High SchoolChristopher D. Shelling— U.S. Military Academy at

West Point

Collins Hill High SchoolPyung O. Choi— U.S. Naval Academy

Duluth High SchoolAlexander P. Broomfield— U.S. Coast Guard Academy

Lanier High SchoolAvery C. Evans— U.S. Naval Academy

Mill Creek High SchoolBenjamin T. Harris— U.S. Air Force Academy

Mountain View High SchoolKendal A. Wright— U.S. Naval Academy

Norcross High SchoolAbram J. Alexander— U.S. Air Force Academy

Hadiyah A. Underwood— U.S. Military Academy at West Point

Parkview High SchoolCally L. Troung— U.S. Naval Academy

Peachtree Ridge High SchoolTyler A. Campbell— U.S. Military Academy at West Point

Shiloh High SchoolAulden C. Eatmon— U.S. Naval Academy

2015 U.S. Presidential ScholarThe U.S. Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964, by executive order of the President, to recognize and honor some of our nation’s most distinguished graduating high school seniors. Each year, up to 141 students are named as Presidential Scholars, one of the nation’s highest honors for high school students. Among the 15 GCPS students name as candidates, the following were honored:

U.S. Presidential Scholar

Yash Shirsath of Grayson High School (one of three in Georgia)

SemifinalistsRyan Chen of Brookwood High SchoolDain Song of Lanier High School Megan Paik of North Gwinnett High SchoolSida Tang of Parkview High School

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other SpeciAl honorS

Bryant Alexander Amaya Aleman Steven Kyle Andrews*Fidah Arman Bendy Addae BuabengAmber Catherine CorbettBrenda Cosme LopezHayer Steven EcheverryK’yndia Monay Evans*Michael Edward Fluker, Jr.Jessica GarciaMelissa Garcia

Omar Fitzgerald Gray Monique Lanae HarklessJaelin Kennard Helm Nene JallowChristian Lee LindseyFabiola Fernanda Menendez-MejiaErik Anthony MolinaTaylor Ariana Nalls Emanuel Jassiel Nunez-FriasNathan Amponsa Opoku*Christopher Pavon

Pablo Ismael PerezCrystal Francisca RodriguezTristian Tyler Stockton Bryce Nicholas Thompson Jordan Nicole ThompsonGriselda Areli UriasGuadalupe Valdes Hernandez Claudia Stefany VidesJaDarrius Darnell WarnerD’Andrea Michelle Wingate

Winner: Nisaa Maragh, Archer High School, $1,000 scholarship

1st runner-up: Victor Barr, Duluth High School, $750 scholarship

2nd runner-up: Ye Tian, Brookwood High School, $500 scholarship

2015 GCPS Career and Technical Education Student of the Year

2015 Outstanding Senior AthletesThe Outstanding Senior Athlete Award is presented to a male and female student at each high school who has shown excellence in athletics, academics, and leadership roles in the school and community service. These students are not necessarily the best athletes in their Senior class, but have shown to be outstanding in a variety of areas. The Activities Director at each high school works with the coaching staff to select the students who will represent their school. Students listed in red are the top senior student-athletes of 2015.

STEP Academy Graduates Earn High School DiplomasThis year, the inaugural class of the GCPS STEP Academy will graduate from Berkmar High School. These 32 seniors, who were not on track for on-time graduation, completed 8th and 9th grade coursework in one year, and started a STEM-related career pathway while attending the STEP Academy at Sweetwater Middle School. Rejoining their peers in 10th grade, these students completed all requirements to earn their high school diploma.

High School Male Athlete Female Athlete

Archer Austin Lyons Mary Beth Mahaffey

Berkmar Jose Acosta Raven Mathews

Brookwood Bailey Ivemeyer Shivanee Persaud

Central Gwinnett Adonis Thomas Alex Frazier

Collins Hill Cody Bekemeyer Bola Hambolu

Dacula Jacque Evangelister Caroline Hinton

Duluth Rodney Jones Rebecca Graham

Grayson Jordan Hayes Brittney Bennett

Lanier Christopher Tromp Molly Kunkle

Meadowcreek Miguel Lara Guadalupe Ruelas

High School Male Athlete Female Athlete

Mill Creek Kaleb Kim Argy Kosmakos

Mountain View Adam Flatt Gabrielle Marquez

Norcross Ethan Chervonski Bailey Tardy

North Gwinnett Jeramey Hampton Jessica Cathcart

Parkview David Draper Victoria Harris

Peachtree Ridge Blake T. Best Haley McInerny

Shiloh Zachary Olivar Elizabeth Humes

South Gwinnett Chad Smith Ayana Daniels

Gwinnett HEAT* Tyler Farmer

* Gwinnett HEAT is Gwinnett County’s Adapted Sports Program, which fields teams in several sports. All participants must compete in a wheelchair.

*Student is graduating from another high school.

District winners were selected from among local school Career and Techni-cal Education Students of the Year for outstanding work in the classroom and leadership in technical education student organizations. Scholarships are funded through the Gwinnett County Public Schools Foundation Fund, Inc., with contributions from the Georgia Department of Labor Employer Committee and the Atlanta Electrical Contractors Association.

Page 18: GCPS Communique 2015 seniors

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GWinnett Student leAderShip teAm

2015 GSLT SeniorsThe Gwinnett Student Leadership Team, Inc., (GSLT) is a two-year student leadership program that provides opportunities for high school juniors and seniors in Gwinnett County Public Schools and Buford City Schools to develop personal and organizational leadership skills and an awareness of community issues. GSLT develops a cadre of student leaders who facilitate leadership development among peers in their own schools and leave a legacy of leadership that promotes student involvement and overall excellence. The program is a cooperative effort sponsored by Gwinnett County Public Schools and the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce in partnership with other community agencies, institutions, and business leaders.

Archer High SchoolAdriana Amyette

Austin Lyons

Linzi Nicole Prpich

Berkmar High SchoolEduardo Muñoz

Randall Priest

Sally Tran

Brookwood High SchoolEthan Prather Goodwin

Holly Gunder

Cindy Khanh Nguyen

Central Gwinnett High SchoolNikola Stojkic

Daniel Valdes

Collins Hill High SchoolCory Benson

Audra Crabbe

Reid Hansen

Dacula High SchoolRobert Cason Calhoun

Caroline Hinton

Nathaniel Hinton

Duluth High SchoolAshima Gauba

Rebecca Jane Graham

Kaitlyn Richards-Lynn

Grayson High SchoolChristian Brook

Christy Helms

Sarah Elizabeth Henning

Gwinnett Online CampusHalle NewmanJarod Sjogren

Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and TechnologyKarima Alkhalid

Marcia N. Saetang

Lanier High SchoolAvery Evans

Ji Hee Min

Christopher Tromp

Meadowcreek High SchoolBianca Peŕez

Luis Salazar

Lisa Thi Tran

Mill Creek High SchoolNancy Burkett

Ellie Kesler

Austin Mead

Mountain View High SchoolNoah W. Barnes

Amy Lee

Neel Pathak

Norcross High SchoolGriffin Barker

Amanda Anne Valentini

Lauren Chandler Watts

North Gwinnett High SchoolKarri Jo Hardaway

Jack Thomas

Parkview High SchoolKaizeen Badshah

Harshal Choksi

Niki Ozburn

Peachtree Ridge High SchoolLoren Cobb

Samuel Rosa

Smriti Singh

Phoenix High SchoolBritney Dobson

Sean D. Edwards

Shiloh High SchoolCourtney S. Blair

Jeremiah T. Edwards

Kiva A. Thompson

South Gwinnett High SchoolKawther Shemsedin Berhanu

Bethany Joyce Bogan

Destiny Broadnax

“The power of positive thinking becomes positive doing. Leadership is not

telling someone what to do or how to do it; it is leading others in the right direction.”

~GSLT senior

GSLT … by the Numbers 58… Number of graduating GSLT seniors

from GCPS in 2015

768… Total number of GSLT graduates

since program began in 2005–06

17,682… Number of volunteer service hours by the GSLT Class of 2015 during their junior and senior years

822… Number of leadership development sessions designed and led by GSLT students and administrators during 2014–15

179,239… Number of students who attended leadership development sessions in Gwinnett County in 2014–15

15… Number of GSLT events each year

Page 19: GCPS Communique 2015 seniors

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437 Old Peachtree Rd., NW • Suwanee, GA 30024-2978 • (678) 301-6000www.gwinnett.k12.ga.us

2015 Gwinnett County Board of Education Dr. Mary Kay Murphy, Chairman– District III • Dr. Robert McClure, Vice Chairman– District IV

Carole Boyce– District I • Louise Radloff– District V • Daniel Seckinger– District II

J. Alvin Wilbanks, CEO/Superintendent

It is the policy of Gwinnett County Public Schools not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, or disability in any employment practice, educational program, or any other program, activity, or service.

2015 GcpS GrAduAtion ScheduleSchool Day Date Time Location

Archer High School Saturday May 23 8 a.m. Gwinnett Center Arena

Berkmar High School Thursday May 21 4 p.m. Gwinnett Center Arena

Brookwood High School Thursday May 21 8 p.m. Brookwood Stadium

Central Gwinnett High School Thursday May 21 7 p.m. Central Gwinnett Stadium

Collins Hill High School Wednesday May 20 4 p.m. Gwinnett Center Arena

Dacula High School Sunday May 24 6 p.m. Gwinnett Center Arena

Duluth High School Saturday May 23 4 p.m. Gwinnett Center Arena

Grayson High School Thursday May 21 8 p.m. Gwinnett Center Arena

Gwinnett Online Campus Wednesday May 20 7 p.m. Gwinnett Online Campus Auditorium

Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology

Thursday May 21 5 p.m. Gwinnett Center Exhibit Hall

Lanier High School Friday May 22 Noon Gwinnett Center Arena

Meadowcreek High School Saturday May 23 8 p.m. Gwinnett Center Arena

Mill Creek High School Thursday May 21 8 p.m. Markham Field at Mill Creek

Mountain View High School Friday May 22 8 a.m. Gwinnett Center Arena

Norcross High School Friday May 22 8 p.m. Gwinnett Center Arena

North Gwinnett High School Friday May 22 4 p.m. Gwinnett Center Arena

Parkview High School Thursday May 21 8 p.m. Parkview Community Stadium

Peachtree Ridge High School Wednesday May 20 8 p.m. Gwinnett Center Arena

Phoenix High School Wednesday May 20 7 p.m. Gwinnett Grand Ballroom

Shiloh High School Saturday May 23 Noon Gwinnett Center Arena

South Gwinnett High School Sunday May 24 2 p.m. Gwinnett Center Arena

Page 20: GCPS Communique 2015 seniors

Mountain View seniors celebrate!

Congratulations to the Class of 2015! Communiqué is produced by Gwinnett County Public Schools’ Department of Communications and Media Relations. Thanks to the staff and administrators who helped us honor our seniors in this issue. Special thanks to Lisa Hopper, Jessica Quinones, and Kondria Woods for many of the photographs.