Education
Norcross Foundation of Excellence’s Annual Gala Furthers Mission
Published
3 years agoon
The annual gala raises funds to further student achievement, honors community contributors
Even though Gwinnett County taxes, along with state and federal funding, provide an adequate financial base for local schools, sometimes there’s not enough in the coffers to satisfy some extra needs that help make great schools exceptional.
That’s when organizations like the Norcross High School Foundation for Excellence (NHSFE) step up to help. Even though all schools have PTAs and other organizations to help fill funding gaps, NHSFE mainly focuses on bigger ticket items.
For example, NHSFE recently completed a three-year mission to ensure all Norcross High students were equipped with Chromebooks to assist with distance learning as well as in-person lessons.
“Gwinnett is such a huge school district that sometimes there’s a gap between what it can provide and the desires of the individual schools. There was a need to help ensure every student had that necessary tool and we were able to help make it happen,” said Amanda Credendino, Co-President of NHSFE.
To continue in those efforts, NHSFE will host its annual fundraising Gala on April 29 at Atlanta Tech Park. The event will run from 6:30 to 10 p.m. featuring food from Chef David and beverages from Peachtree Growler.
“How we raise a large amount of funds is through auction items,” said Credendino. “The different departments submit a request and we, as a foundation, work to deliver.”
What started as a backyard event in 2001 is now a major event that enriches student advancement. Purchasing band instruments and repurposing an old engineering room to make it usable for today’s needs are among the nonprofit’s accomplishments.
The new space has areas for large and small group presentations and collaborative working pods. There is modular furniture that is easy to move around and folds up for storage, Credendino added.
Another major component of the gala is recognizing outstanding members of the community. The NHSFE established the Hall of Fame to honor those who have made significant contributions to Norcross High School and the community. They will be inducted at the gala.
Jeff Holcombe
The son of a Navy veteran, Jeff Holcombe has lived in many places across the U.S. including Florida, Michigan and New York. He settled in Peachtree Corners in 2000 and found a home with friends, family, Peachtree Corners Baptist Church and a school he loves.
Holcombe developed a devotion for all things Norcross High School while his oldest sons Jeff Jr. and Brad attended and participated in the NHS Band and the Tennis and Swim Teams. Holcombe put that passion for NHS into action as the Blue Devil Marching Band Pit Captain for five years and the PA announcer for the band halftime performances for 16 seasons, along with announcing the Gwinnett County Marching Band Exhibition hosted by Norcross. He has also served as the part-time PA announcer for the Blue Devils Basketball teams for Showcase Events and select home dates over the last 10 seasons.
Holcombe’s biggest contribution and joy have been serving under the Friday night lights as the voice of the Norcross Blue Devils Football team for the past 15 years. During the Blue Devils’ State Championship runs, he has had the privilege of announcing The Norcross Blue Devil Marching Band at The Georgia Dome, the Georgia State Stadium and the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. In 2018, Norcross honored Holcombe as their selection for the Dave Hunter Award for outstanding community service in Gwinnett County athletics.
Tracy O’Leary
Tracy O’Leary and her husband Pat have enjoyed living in Peachtree Corners for 28 years. With their three children — Michael (30), Colin (28) and Maggie (22) — they celebrated over 20 years of “first days” in the Norcross Cluster schools. Living in a community that has given so much to her family, O’Leary has been passionate about and humbled to give back.
O’Leary began serving at Simpson Elementary School as a volunteer in the Media Center, and she served in various positions on the PTA board including Treasurer, VP and Chair for the Simpson Singers 5th grade production. She followed her children to Pinckneyville Middle School and continued to serve in executive and committee positions on the PTSA.
When her youngest started high school at Norcross, she realized that the need for parent volunteers at the high school level was much greater than in the lower schools, and she made it her goal to give as much as possible in the areas where she was needed most.
She joined the board of the Norcross High School Foundation for Excellence in 2014, serving as Treasurer (for three years), Co-President, Liaison to the After School Matters program and advisor to the Treasurer. In addition, O’Leary completes the foundation’s annual audit and required tax filings.
In addition to serving on the NHSFE board, O’Leary served four years as Norcross PTSA Membership chair and four years as President and Treasurer of the PHD Running Club (NHS cross country, track, and field booster club). Tracy uses her expertise as a CPA to complete audits for a number of Norcross cluster groups including Simpson PTA, Pinckneyville PTSA, Norcross HS PTSA, Paul Duke Stem PTSA, NHSFE and booster clubs for soccer, lacrosse, volleyball, orchestra, baseball, swim and dive, and cross country/track and field.
Corey Richardson
Corey Richardson has been teaching and coaching in the Norcross cluster for over 21 years. He began his teaching career at Summerour Middle School where he served for 1.5 years before he transferred to Norcross. For the past 19 years, he has been teaching Health and coaching at Norcross. Since 2006, he has served as the Health and Physical Education Department Chair.
Richardson has been coaching football at Norcross High School for 21 seasons. In that time, he has been a part of two state championships (2012 and 2013) and six region championships (2006, 2007, 2012, 2013, 2016 and 2020). In 2012, Head Football Coach Keith Maloof promoted him to Assistant Head Football Coach. He has also coached baseball for three years and was the head Girls Golf Coach for eight years.
For tickets to the Norcross High Foundation for Excellence Gala, go to norcrosshighfoundation.org/gala/.
For more information about Norcross High Foundation for Excellence, go to norcrosshighfoundation.org/.
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Arlinda Smith Broady is part of the Boomerang Generation of Blacks that moved back to the South after their ancestors moved North. With approximately three decades of journalism experience (she doesn't look it), she's worked in tiny, minority-based newsrooms to major metropolitans. At every endeavor she brings professionalism, passion, pluck, and the desire to spread the news to the people.
Arts & Literature
Q&A with Terry Gabbard, Norcross High’s New Theatre Director
Published
4 weeks agoon
March 4, 2025The Norcross High School drama department has a reputation for presenting quality productions each year, and 2024-2025 is no exception. They staged a one-act show of “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” in October followed by “Miss Nelson is Missing” in January. Next up for NHS Theatre is Matilda the Musical, set to open in April.
Leading the department this year is NHS’ new theatre director, Terry Gabbard, who came to Norcross with degrees in educational theatre and educational leadership, as well as over 20 years of public school theatre teaching and directing experience.
An award-winning director and playwright, he received the prestigious John W. Parker Award for excellence in directing in 2015, has had numerous productions named “distinguished play” from the North Carolina Theatre Conference and has three Best Musical wins from the Blumey Awards (Charlotte, NC’s version of the Tony awards).
Gabbard has also published two plays, one of which, “Our Place,” was named one of the top ten most produced short plays in American high schools.
Additionally, in 2020, his production of “Puffs” (a clever and comedic play set in the world of Harry Potter) was selected as one of only a handful of productions in America to perform at the International Thespian Society festival.
Though busy with preparations for Matilda, Gabbard recently took the time to answer a few questions about his career, his love of theatre and what’s next for the NHS drama department.
Which productions have you worked on since joining NHS?
We started off performing The Legend of Sleepy Hollow in October, and we did a performance of Miss Nelson is Missing in January.
Where did you teach and direct before coming to Norcross?
I always explain that my wife supports my teaching habit, so we tend to move as her opportunities change.
I’ve taught mostly in high schools in Florida, North Carolina and now Georgia. I have taught in Gwinnett Public Schools before at Paul Duke STEM and in Cobb County at Campbell High School.
How did the move to NHS come about?
After leaving GCPS for a short few years, I was anxious to get back to this system and this community, and when this opportunity presented itself, I jumped at the chance.
Have you always had a love for theatre?
I started participating in theatre when I was in 9th grade and have never stopped. For me, the thing that drew me to the art form was the sense of community that theatre creates.
What led you to pursue a career teaching and directing? Was there a specific moment that you realized it was what you wanted to do?
When I was a senior in high school, my theatre director let me direct a play in his theatre [for] one class. This is when I realized how much I loved directing and coaching other actors.
What was it like to win the John W. Parker award in 2015? And to be recognized with so many other honors?
I have been blessed to have been recognized several times by my peers and the organizations I’ve partnered with. It’s always nice to have these recognitions, but I have come to believe that any high school theatre production is a miracle in and of itself.
Producing theatre in high schools is always a challenge and getting to opening night is always a huge accomplishment.
Will you continue playwriting in addition to your work as NHS theatre director?
I haven’t written any plays in some time, but I’m definitely starting to get the itch. All of my plays have premiered at the schools where I was teaching. I imagine a world premier will happen at Norcross pretty soon.
What can you share about the school’s upcoming Matilda the Musical production? Is it one that you’ve directed in the past?
I have never directed Matilda, and I am extremely excited for the challenge. The music is incredible, and the characters are big and over the top.
What plans do you have for the NHS theatre program for the remainder of this year and next year?
After Matilda, things wrap up for us. I haven’t yet decided what shows to tackle next year. I know that I want to find plays that have a different tone than the pieces we did this year. The shows have been comedic this year. Something more dramatic is definitely in our future.
The NHS production of Matilda the Musical opens in April.
Dates and show times are:
- Thursday, April 24 at 7 p.m.
- Friday, April 25 at 7 p.m.
- Saturday, April 26 at 7 p.m.
- Sunday, April 27 at 2 p.m.
For more information, visit nhs-drama.com.
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Education
Greater Atlanta Christian School Announces $30M Campus Investment
Published
1 month agoon
February 21, 2025The investment will transform the campus and elevate student experiences
Greater Atlanta Christian School (GAC) has announced an investment of over $30 million in facilities and program improvements at GAC, made possible through the Light the Way Campaign, a visionary initiative designed to elevate the educational experience for generations of students.
This transformative campaign will fund a dozen renovation and building projects that reflect GAC’s commitment to preparing students for success in an ever-changing world while deepening the school’s strong Christian foundation. The school recently shared details about some of the program’s key projects.
The Tidwell Commons
At the heart of the campaign is the Jim & Julie Tidwell Commons, a dynamic hub for middle and high school students to gather, collaborate and innovate.
The Tidwell Commons will feature a new student-run coffee shop and bistro, the new Business Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program, a creative media production studio and modern academic spaces, including an enhanced library and academic support areas. The space will also be home to Christian Life and Missions, providing a cornerstone for nurturing faith and spiritual growth within the GAC community.
“The Tidwell Commons will be more than a facility; it will serve as a hub where ideas come to life, equipping students with real-world skills in business, innovation and creativity,” said Dr. Paul Cable, GAC’s high school principal.
The Combee Elementary Complex
The Jim & Becky Combee Elementary Complex will undergo a complete redesign to better support the needs of today’s students. Renovations will include flexible, modern classrooms, enhanced STEM and outdoor learning spaces and a state-of-the-art engineering, science and design lab.
“This renovation will not only modernize the Combee Elementary Complex but will also create an inspiring and secure environment where our younger learners can thrive and grow, reflecting our commitment to excellence in education and student well-being,” said Rhonda Helms, lower school principal.
Athletic improvements
The campaign also includes a new Athletic Field House to support GAC’s soccer, tennis, baseball, softball and girls flag football programs. Featuring locker rooms, training and meeting spaces and upgraded amenities, it will serve as a modern space for game-day operations and practices.
“This is a premier facility that will allow our athletes to compete at the highest level,” shared Athletic Director Tim Hardy.
In addition to the Field House, GAC is renovating and doubling the space in the Naik Athletic Training Center, further strengthening one of the top performance training programs in the state.
“Our performance training program is among the best in Georgia, and these upgrades will align our facilities with the excellence of our programming,” Hardy said.
The expanded training center will feature state-of-the-art performance training equipment, a dedicated speed and agility area and a new recovery suite.
“This space will give our athletes the tools they need to recover efficiently and perform at their peak,” he added.
Wood Family Treehouse
Additionally, the new Wood Family Treehouse and Canopy Walk, which was completed last month, will inspire and elevate students’ outdoor learning experiences for years to come.
Designed as a versatile hub for group learning, hands-on activities and after-school programs, the Treehouse is an exciting space for educational growth, exploration and team-building. It’s a place where students can connect with nature, develop new skills and deepen their love for the outdoors.
An investment in the future
This investment campaign is about more than just buildings though; each project focuses on today’s students as well as future generations, ensuring that GAC remains a beacon of excellence with a foundation of faith for years to come.
Through the Light the Way Campaign, students will benefit from improvements in academics, athletics, the arts, community and Christian faith.
About Greater Atlanta Christian School
Greater Atlanta Christian (GAC) is one of Atlanta’s largest Christian schools, serving over 1,800 PK-12 students. The walkable 90-acre campus is located in Norcross, just off of I-85 and Indian Trail Road.
GAC provides an array of in-person, online and hybrid options with over 65 STEM courses, 30 Advanced Placement (AP) courses, dual college credit courses and personalized and project-based learning.
In addition to forward thinking innovation, GAC students benefit from caring, responsive teaching and small class sizes.
GAC is a faith-infused, academically rich community, ranking at the top of the state for teaching quality, arts and athletics.
For more information, visit greateratlantachristian.org.
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Since the opening of the International Charter Academy of Georgia (ICAGeorgia) in 2018, their students have been immersed in Japanese language and culture, including starting each new year (osho-gatsu) — Japan’s most important holiday — with two traditional rituals: Kakizome (New Year Japanese calligraphy) and Mochitsuki (New Year rice pounding).
This year, the students at the K-6 dual-language school in Peachtree Corners, gathered in the gym to practice and demonstrate their growing calligraphy skills and again outdoors a couple of weeks later for the physical fun of mochitsuki.
Kakizome
Literally translated as “first writing,” kakizome is a form of artistic calligraphy of the Japanese language that’s done at the start of each year to express hopes and positive wishes for the year ahead. Using traditional calligraphy brushes and ink, and often expressed through poetry, New Year’s resolutions or an auspicious word, kakizome is a special time to clear your mind and focus on the brush strokes.
According to a press release from the school, for ICAGeorgia’s kakizome event, each student, including the youngest kindergartners, used a traditional brush (ふで) and ink (すみ) to write a Japanese word of their choice — for example, “新年 (new year)” “元日 (New Years Day)” or “もち (mochi).”And, because 2025 is the Year of the Snake in the lunar calendar, 巳 (snake) was included in the word selection.
Mochitsuki
“In Japan, people make ‘mochi’ or pounded rice to celebrate the New Year,” shared Junko Jones, CFO of ICAGeorgia. “Mochi is sticky, so people eat it to help them ‘stick’ with their goals for the year — and they do it with family, friends and people in the community who they would like to ‘stick’ together [with]. Mochi can also be used as a decoration for New Year’s celebrations.”
Pounding the sticky rice into mochi with a wooden mallet is hard work, but the celebration is also one of Japan’s most fun (and popular) traditions.
For the school’s mochitsuki event, each student had an opportunity to pound and taste the mochi rice. All of the ingredients were donated by ICAGeorgia parents, and the mochi rice was cooked by ICAGeorgia parent volunteers on the day of the event — making it true school community celebration.
After pounding the rice, students, staff and volunteers enjoyed delicious rice cakes (omochi) together, welcoming the new year and looking forward to a happy and successful 2025.
About ICAGeorgia
The International Charter Academy of Georgia offers a dual language immersion program in English and Japanese, allowing students to learn both languages through a variety of subjects, including math, science, social studies, art, music and physical education. Japanese instruction is based on the Japanese Ministry of Education curriculum, and teachers collaborate across departments.
The school’s mission is “to broaden the horizons of students in Georgia so that they may become global citizens who promote peace throughout the world.” This is achieved not only through language learning, but also through cultural activities. But the best way to promote peace and understanding is through interactions among the students themselves, who make up an extremely diverse community.
For more information, visit internationalcharteracademy.org.
Photos courtesy of ICAGeorgia.
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