);
Connect with us

Education

Norcross High Cheerleader Doesn’t Let Obstacles Stand in her Way

Published

on

A Q&A with Norcross High School Cheerleader Cameron Syprett

Cameron Syprett is a senior cheerleader at Norcross High School (NHS) who has spent most of her life managing Type 1 diabetes. Peachtree Corners Magazine caught up with her about overcoming that challenge as a cheerleader and her aspirations of going to law school and becoming an attorney.

PCM: How did you get into cheerleading?
Cameron: I always really liked being on stage and stuff, so I started with competition cheerleading and switched over to sideline when I got into middle school. I was 10 when I first started.

PCM: Have you done any other sports?
Cameron: Just cheerleading at Norcross. I’ve done a little bit of soccer when I was younger.

PCM: What are some obstacles or challenges you’ve encountered since you started cheerleading?
Cameron: I’m a Type 1 diabetic. I was diagnosed with that when I was 8 years old. Cheerleading is one of those sports where you’re out there the whole time, and there was one time at a game when my blood sugar went really low and I went to sit down and I didn’t have anything on me. My friend up in the stands had to go run and find a snack and bring it to me. With cheerleading, it’s super important that I’m checking my blood sugar and getting insulin. If my blood sugar is too high, I could get delirious, and if it goes too low, I could pass out, so that’s definitely an obstacle when it comes to cheerleading. I always have insulin on me. I always have a glucose monitor and try to keep snacks on me in case my blood sugar goes low, but having that insulin on me is the most important thing.

[Cheerleading is] such a great program to get involved in. All the coaches are
amazing. It’s so amazing to be a part of
the team like that. All the girls are so
supportive, and I’ve made some of
my best friends from cheer.

Cameron Syprett

PCM: Do you have to be on a strict diet?
Cameron: It doesn’t affect it a lot. For the most part, I can eat anything I want as long as I get insulin for it.

PCM: What are the best memories you’ll take away from your time at NHS?
Cameron: Honestly, this team is so amazing. Our coach, Chandler
Williams, she was new this year, she’s one of the most amazing people and just having her as a coach was such a great experience. One of the most fun experiences we had was this year we had to travel to Lowndes for a game. It was a four-hour bus ride there and four hours back, and we lost the game, but being able to spend that time with my teammates was really fun.

PCM: What do college plans look like for you?
Cameron: I’m definitely going to a bigger Division I school. Florida is definitely a top choice, one of my favorites. I’m waiting to hear back from them, and I’ve gotten into some other places I’m definitely considering. I’m not planning on cheering in college. I’d love to be able to cheer in college, but I want to go to a DI school and that just wouldn’t be an option.

PCM: Any career fields that you’re interested in?
Cameron: I really love medicine and I really love law, so I would love to do something that combines the two, maybe doing medical malpractice law or something.

PCM: What made you interested in that field?
Cameron: Both my grandparents were lawyers, and I’ve always loved the idea of just being able to help out people. It’s just always been right in my mind, being a lawyer, something I’ve always been drawn to.

PCM: What does a typical day look like for you?
Cameron: I have four [International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme] classes at school and I do work-based learning, so after fourth period, I get to work. I work at Planet Smoothie Peachtree Corners, so during cheer season I would work till about 2:30 and then go to practice, but now I just work later or work a closing shift and then after that, it’s homework and time with family, all that stuff.

PCM: What are your favorite subjects?
Cameron: I really like math and science. I really enjoy biology and chemistry. Right now, I really like my calculus class, and I love history as well.

PCM: When you get some free time, how do you like to unwind?
Cameron: I love hanging out with my friends, watching movies with my dad — that’s how we bond; me and my mom work out together — just spending time with my family and my dog.

PCM: Any favorite movies or books?
Cameron: Right now, I’m really loving the Marvel series. I’m trying to watch them all in chronological order. Anything my dad likes to watch, I watch it with him, so a lot of action movies and stuff like that.

PCM: What are your favorite foods?
Cameron: I love Greek food. I did a mission trip there when I was a freshman. The cuisine they have there is absolutely amazing. They have the best food. I also love Italian food and sushi.

PCM: What’s something about you that most people don’t know?
Cameron: I’d say my Type 1 diabetes. I don’t talk about it a ton. Only my close friends know about it. It’s something you can’t see on the outside, so people don’t really know about it until you tell them, so a lot of people don’t understand the mental and emotional stuff that goes into it. They just think you prick your finger and get shots, but it’s a lot more than that.

PCM: How so?
Cameron: It can just be mentally draining because you’re constantly having to check your blood sugar and you’re constantly seeing these numbers that are good or bad. It can take a toll on you. With diabetes comes other symptoms that can be life threatening, so you constantly have your life in your hands and you’re having to manage it by yourself.

PCM: What advice would you give to younger girls considering cheerleading?
Cameron: I would say 100% do it, even if you don’t have any experience. It’s such a great program to get involved in. All the coaches are amazing. It’s so amazing to be a part of the team like that. All the girls are so supportive, and I’ve made some of my best friends from cheer. It goes by so fast; you just have to enjoy it.

Freelance journalist and content marketer, author and aspiring Screenwriter. Nathan has written for Savannah Morning News, The Brunswick News and the Bayonet and Saber.

Continue Reading

Education

ICAGeorgia Adds Cross Country and Track Programs

Published

on

A group of young cross country track students in blue shirts standing with their coach in front of a school building.

The 2024-2025 school year has brought exciting extracurricular additions to the International Charter Academy of Georgia (ICAGeorgia), with the launch of new cross country and track programs.

Intended for upper-elementary and middle school students in grades 4-6, the new programs were started by Coach Shawn Nix, who joined the ICAGeorgia staff this fall. She comes to the school with 17 years of teaching experience in the Gwinnett County School System and 13 years of coaching experience. She was named Gwinnett County Coach of the Year twice during her tenure there.

Nix said that her goal in creating the cross country and track programs at ICAGeorgia was to “give students an introduction to cross country, teach them the value of teamwork and cultivate the future generation of runners.”

Young cross country runner in a blue shirt running on a dirt trail in a wooded area.
photo courtesy of ICAGeorgia

“The parents are thrilled about the addition of the cross country program,” she added. “They’ve expressed their excitement to me, and they are at practice and meets supporting the athletes.” 

Cross country

Twenty-three academy students signed up for cross country this year, excited to be part of the inaugural team.

The season began on September 3 with the school’s first meet at Legacy Park in Decatur, where students competed in the one-mile dash against 210 other athletes from Atlanta area-schools.

Three of the school’s young athlete’s placed, with one sixth grader taking third in the girls division; another sixth grade student placing 24th in the boys division and one fourth grader placing 16th in the boys division.

Group of young track cross country students in blue shirts outside at an event.
photo courtesy of ICAGeorgia

They recently wrapped up the season on November 13 with a meet held at Midtown High School.

Though the season was short — most meets had already closed their entries by late August, and one meet was cancelled due to Hurricane Helene — the ICAGeorgia team was able to get in two good competitions and a lot of practice sessions.

Track season

According to Coach Nix, some students that were interested in cross country weren’t able to sign up for the team in time, but they’ve said they will be coming out for track in the spring. She’s expecting at least 20 students to join the team.

Group of young track students in red shirts, indoors in their gym space with their coach.
photo courtesy of ICAGeorgia

Track season begins in February, and the opening meet is scheduled for March 8at Lanier High School in Sugar Hill.

Upcoming track meets will feature the following events: long jump, triple jump, high jump, shot put, disc throw, 3200m, 1600m, 800m, 400m and 4×100, 400 and 800m relays.

Future plans

Following the success of the new cross country and track programs, Coach Nix shared that ICAGeorgia plans to offer more after-school sports in the near future.

Young students in a parking lot practicing for track events and doing PE.
photo courtesy of ICAGeorgia

“The sports we add will be gauged by an interest survey, keeping in mind the facilities we have,” she said. “But we would love to add basketball and soccer.”

For more about ICAGeorgia, visit them at internationalcharteracademy.org.

Continue Reading

Doing Good

Good Samaritan Gwinnett Receives State Authorization to Launch Access Academy 

Published

on

Professional woman standing in front of Good Samaritan Health Center signage

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.

Healthcare worker sterilizing dentistry instruments
photo courtesy of Good Samaritan Gwinnett

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.  

Two female healthcare workers standing at their computers
photo courtesy of Good Samaritan Gwinnett

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.   

Continue Reading

Education

Pinecrest Academy Named to 2024 AP School Honor Roll

Published

on

a school building and green lawn

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 School Honor Roll Award

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.

Continue Reading

Read the Digital Edition

Subscribe

Peachtree Corners Life

Topics and Categories

Trending

Copyright © 2024 Mighty Rockets LLC, powered by WordPress.

Get Weekly Updates!

Get Weekly Updates!

Don't miss out on the latest news, updates, and stories about Peachtree Corners.

Check out our podcasts: Peachtree Corners Life, Capitalist Sage and the Ed Hour

You have Successfully Subscribed!