Education
Pinckneyville Middle School Kids Headed for the Odyssey of the Mind World Championship
This time last year a determined team of creative problem-solvers from Simpson Elementary School represented our city and state on the international scene at the Odyssey of the Mind World Finals hosted at Iowa State University where they finished first in the world and brought home an enormous trophy and memories that will last a lifetime. This May, five members of that winning team plus two new members will be heading back to the World Finals to represent Pinckneyville Middle School, and they need your support.
What is Odyssey of the Mind?
Odyssey of the Mind (OotM) is an international program that allows teams of students to solve problems in a creative manner. Each year, the teams are given long-term problems that they will solve with certain criteria included in the solution.
Also included is a “spontaneous problem” wherein teams are asked to perform random tasks on the spot without prior preparation. For example, a team will be asked to create a bridge made of unique materials that can support a certain amount of weight. To solve these types of problems, teamwork and good communication are required, along with creativity. Plus, they have to think under pressure. This makes the program challenging and fun at the same time.
Overall, the OotM is a program that combines science, technology, engineering, and math with arts (STEAM)! They allow the students to bring out their knowledge and ideas in an exciting and productive environment.
Why the Odyssey of the Mind is Good for the Kids
Children can gain a lot of benefits by joining the Odyssey of the Mind. For one, healthy competitions, such as the OotM, inspire kids to do their best not only in the competition but in everything they do in life, especially in their studies. But, that’s not all. This program enables the participants to build their self-confidence, create new friendships, and develop their life skills. It also allows them to explore and recognize their true potentials. Overall, this program allows the students to learn while having fun.
Meet the Team
This year’s team from Pinckneyville Middle School is composed of seven students (six sixth-graders and one fourth-grader), namely Addie, Claire, Elisa, Emma, Kylie, Molly, and Sophia. They have been working very hard since September to prepare for this year’s competition. They’ve created an original play, including writing the script and making the costumes, sets, props, and make-up. They’ve done all these things without help from adults and with a budget of only $125 – because those are the rules!
Addie Claire 
Elisa Emma Kylie Molly Sophia 
Their hard work was rewarded when they won First Place at both the regional competition last February and the Georgia State Finals held earlier this month. They’ve achieved this despite being one of the youngest competitors in the middle school division. But their journey is not yet over. They are now qualified for the World Finals, and they have to defend their title as World Champs this May in Michigan.
Who’s the Competition?
Odyssey of the Mind started under the name of the “Olympics of the Mind.” It has programs for kids starting in kindergarten to college. This year, these talented and skillful students will be contending against teams from the United States as well as Australia, Argentina, Canada, China, Mexico, the UK, and many more. It is exciting and inspiring to see our students compete on a global stage.
Show Your Support
The students of the Pinckneyville Middle School (Addie, Claire, Elisa, Emma, Kylie, Molly, and Sophia) have definitely done an amazing job reaching the World Finals for the Odyssey of the mind. But they are hoping that you can help them raise some money for their registration fees, meals, lodging, transportation, and other necessities.
The competition will take place from May 22-25, and the team would like to have the donations in by May 17th.
As these students write, “It is an honor once again to be one of the teams from all over the world that will be competing at the World Finals and to represent Peachtree Corners, Gwinnett County Public Schools, and the state of Georgia! We sincerely appreciate any assistance, large or small, that you can provide as we prepare to make the long trek from Georgia to Michigan! Thank you!”
You can visit their GoFundMe page at https://www.gofundme.com/pinckneyville-odyssey-of-the-mind
With that, let’s encourage and support them as they represent Gwinnett County on an international scale!
Good Samaritan Health Centers of Gwinnett (Good Samaritan Gwinnett) has received state authorization from the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission (GNPEC) to officially launch Access Academy, a private, certificate-granting, low-cost postsecondary education program targeting students of low-income and/or minority households who aspire to pursue careers in healthcare but may lack the financial means to attend traditional college programs.
Access Academy is designed to meet the needs of students from underserved communities, providing healthcare-specific training at a fraction of the cost, thanks to charitable donations and volunteer-based faculty support.
Access Academy will initially offer a five-month medical assistant certification program. Graduates of the program will be able to enter the workforce without the burden of student loans, directly benefiting their household income and financial well-being.
“We are thrilled to launch Access Academy and open the doors of opportunity for those who need it most,” said Shameka Allen, CEO of Good Samaritan Gwinnett. “Our mission has always been to support underserved communities, and now, with Access Academy, we can extend that impact by helping students earn their medical assistant certificates and get their start in healthcare.”
A history of mentoring and education
Good Samaritan Gwinnett has a rich history of educating undergraduate and graduate students in health sciences. Since 2012, the organization has mentored nearly 450 graduate students pursuing medical and dental professional degrees. The cost of precepting just one midlevel student for an average of 168 hours amounts to $10,038, reflecting the organization’s dedication to training and education.
Greg Lang, chief financial officer of Good Samaritan Gwinnett, spearheaded the efforts to secure state authorization and launch Access Academy.
“It’s incredibly rewarding to see Access Academy come to life after months of planning and preparation,” Lang said. “Access Academy is not just providing training — it’s offering hope, opportunity and the support needed to turn dreams into reality.”
An ongoing mission
The launch of Access Academy is part of Good Samaritan Gwinnett’s ongoing mission to expand its reach and make healthcare more accessible, both by providing direct patient care and by equipping future healthcare professionals with the skills they need to succeed. Since Good Samaritan Gwinnett’s inception in 2005, more than 52,300 patients have entered the clinic more than 300,000 times.
For more information about Access Academy, visit them at goodsamgwinnett.org/access-academy or email Greg Lang at Greg.Lang@goodsamgwinnett.org.
Pinecrest Academy, a private preK3–12 Catholic school serving north metro Atlanta, has once again been named to the College Board’s Advanced Placement® Program (AP®) School Honor Roll, earning Platinum distinction.
The AP® School Honor Roll recognizes schools whose AP programs are delivering results for students while also broadening access. Schools can earn this recognition annually based on criteria that reflect a commitment to increasing college-going culture, providing opportunities for students to earn college credit and maximizing college readiness.
“We are so honored to have received this AP Honor Roll Award, as we strive each year to provide every student with a college preparatory experience, which includes the successful completion of challenging AP courses,” commented Amy Bowman, Pinecrest Academy high school principal. “The Platinum designation from AP speaks to the excellence that our faculty strives for in delivering challenging content that prepares our students for college.”
The numbers
During the 2023-2024 school year, Pinecrest had 89% of seniors taking at least one AP exam during high school, 82% of seniors scoring a three or higher on at least one AP exam and 58% who took five or more AP exams. Twenty-one AP courses were offered, representing 30 sections taught by 12 high school teachers at the school.
“Our Class of 2024 earned a 100% acceptance into the college/university of their choice,” Bowman said. “Since the school’s first graduating class of 2007, Pinecrest’s high school has maintained a 100% graduation rate every year.”
AP Access Award
Pinecrest Academy was also awarded the AP Access Award this year. Schools on the AP School Honor Roll may earn the AP Access Award, which recognizes schools that demonstrate a clear and effective commitment to equitable access to advanced coursework.
“AP represents an opportunity for students to stand out to colleges, earn college credit and placement and potentially boost their grade point averages,” said Trevor Packer, head of the AP program. “The schools have shown that they can expand access to these college-level courses and still drive high performance — they represent the best of our AP program.”
For more information, visit pinecrestacademy.org.
For more about the Advanced Placement® Program, visit ap.collegeboard.org.
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