Education
Local Youth, Alexander Hernandez, Recognized with Character Award
Southwest Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce recognizes senior from GIVE Center West High School
Applause was heard as Alexander Hernandez approached the stage in Peachtree Corners’ Atlanta Tech Park. The accomplished senior from GIVE Center West High School was a special guest for the Southwest Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce First Friday breakfast, the organization’s signature monthly networking event drawing local business leaders. A record crowd was in attendance for keynote speaker, Dr. Calvin Watts, Superintendant of Gwinnett County Public Schools.
After a timely and inspiring message from Dr. Watts, the reminder that today’s youth are tomorrow’s leaders were prevalent- the perfect segue to recognize a student making a difference in his community. Not as much because of what he does, but because of who he is.
Alexander Hernandex 
Alexander Hernandez with school principals, family and Chamber board members
Hernandez was presented the Chamber’s first Character Award, created to recognize outstanding students whose attitude and actions embody the organization’s mission, passion, and commitment to excellence and community action. Dr. Donna Bishop, principal of GIVE Center West High School, recommended Alexander Hernandez because of his leadership- consistently displaying a strong work ethic, desire to learn, care and compassion for others, personal accountability and integrity. “Alexander models citizenship, fairness, trustworthiness and an incredibly positive attitude. He goes above and beyond to help his peers and his sense of responsibility guides his actions. He has a bright future ahead of him,” explains Bishop.
Hernandez serves as a peer leader, works after school with his mom and enjoys tweaking his computer and gaming in his free time. He aspires to own his own business that helps those in need and positively contributes to the community. Dr. Charles Hawk, Give West Assistant Principal, praises Alexander for his belief that your upbringing or circumstances are less important than your will and determination to achieve.
The Southwest Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce champions the local area as the preferred place for economic opportunity and diverse talent, generating a robust quality of life. The organization fosters collaboration amongst business leaders to connect, engage and make a difference in the community. Each month of the school year, the Chamber will recognize a selected student based on the characteristics of: respect, citizenship, caring, trustworthiness, justice/fairness and responsibility, displayed at home and in the community. Applications for consideration are available and can be submitted to SWG Chamber of Commerce board member, Mary Beth Bender, at mbender@norcrossga.net.
With thanks to the Southwest Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce for sharing this story.
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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