Union County Board of Education members welcomed a packed Central Office for their last regular meeting before winter break thanks to multiple accolades being handed out to students, staff and even members of the community that Dec. 18 evening.
To start things off, Athletic Director Mandy Hunter and Union County Middle School Principal Tammy Hughes introduced a portion of the Middle School Football Team and cheerleaders as they received the Mountain League Champion Award for winning the North Georgia Mountain League Football Championship.
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“They accomplished this milestone by having an undefeated season,” explained Hughes. “We are super proud of all of the hard work that our coaches, the players and our cheerleaders have put in this season.”
Next, staff member Alex Davis received the Extra Mile Award for his outstanding dedication to staff and students and bettering the school system. Hunter commended Davis for going “above and beyond” in the gym and elsewhere.
“We just really appreciate him,” Hunter said. “He never complains, and he always has a smile on his face, and we just want him to know that it doesn’t go unnoticed.”
The Blairsville Pickleball Club accepted recognition for its role in getting students interested in the sport, which provides youth participants with a healthy hobby to pursue and something that helps keep them focused.
“They have done so much for our Student Success Center; they have donated so many things, they have donated time,” detailed High School Assistant Principal Brandon Bradburn, who specially recognized club officers Wayne Tingle and Martina Gibboney.
Bradburn added that interest in pickleball has even helped with student performance, considering the rise in attendance and better grades that has followed the young athletes who say they look forward to completing their work at school so they can enjoy pickleball later in the day.
Next, Kylie Kaser, a Union County High School senior, took home the honor of being the District Christmas Card Winner. Every year, the system chooses one student-made design to adorn their Christmas cards, but this is Kaser’s second time being chosen for the award.
“She was the 2021 winner as well … and this year, (she) won a Kiwanis art competition,” said Teaching & Learning Director C.T. Hussion, sharing that the social media post the school made about Kaser’s Kiwanis victory went unexpectedly viral with more than 1.1 million views and 16,000 likes. “It really went out there. She is super talented.”
Kaser hopes to turn her talent into a profession and seeks to pursue a career in art after attending Kennesaw State University.
Finally, School Superintendent John Hill congratulated the Union County Board of Education itself for recently being recognized as an Exemplary Board by the Georgia School Boards Association.
“(It’s) quite an honor, and that didn’t happen by just chance. It’s a lot of hard work and a lot of commitment on your part, so thank you so much for all you do for our school system,” said Hill. “On behalf of all employees and students, thank you for your service very much.”
During the regular meeting, Bradburn shared a student petition for early graduation, naming off seniors who were eligible to graduate early. The board accepted the petition, and Chair Tony Hunter congratulated the graduates on their hard work.
Though construction wrapped on the new Elementary School last spring, its completion certification was accepted to great applause in appreciation of the undertaking. The document was expected to be submitted to the Georgia Department of Education as an official statement that the project is complete and all bills have been paid in full.
