The Peachtree Corners Business Association (PCBA) has announced its 2023 Scholarship winners: Zoe Hanson of Norcross High School and Sasha Tarassenko of Paul Duke STEM High School.  

Hanson was awarded $1,000 at PCBA’s April 27 Business After Hours event. Tarassenko will receive the $1,000 award at the organization’s May 18 Business After Hours Event. 

Zoe Hanson has been accepted to the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) and will be studying Fashion Business Management. 

“Pursuing the things I love has been a driving force throughout my life, one in which I intend on maintaining by following my dream of having a successful career in the fashion industry,” Hanson said. She shared that “it is important to be adaptive when faced with new difficult situations,” and stated that she is looking forward to seeing what the future will be. 

Sasha Tarassenko plans to major in Sociology and Flute Performance with hopes of continuing her research on under representation in classical music education and industry, sparked by the AP Capstone program at the Paul Duke STEM High School and her interest in the performing arts.

“The PCBA Scholarship program is an integral part of our PCBA Community Outreach program,” said Lisa Proctor, PCBA President. “We are so fortunate to be able to continue to invest in our future. The PCBA has awarded 17 scholarships over the last 10 years, and I continue to be so impressed with these outstanding scholarship winners.”

How do you reward a team with a seven-year consecutive championship streak? Pinckneyville Middle School’s answer is to construct a new soccer field. Well, not really. Although the girls’ soccer team has been undefeated for seven years in a row, the soccer field is to benefit everyone at the school as well as the community.

Financial backing from Peachtree Corners and support from Gwinnett County Public Schools made this possible. On Friday, May 5, school district administrators and city, county, and state elected officials celebrated the new grounds with a ribbon cutting.

The Pinckneyville Middle School PTA added a crowning touch by donating $17,000 for a scoreboard to be added to the soccer field.

The full feature story will be online soon and in our next issue of Peachtree Corners Magazine.

Photos by Tracey Rice

The Southwest Gwinnett Chamber (SWGC) recently held its April 2023 First Friday breakfast at the Hilton in Peachtree Corners, the organization’s signature monthly networking event drawing local business professionals.

SWGC Board Member William Corbin presented this year’s final Character Award to Paul Duke STEM High School’s Rohan Pai. The award was created to recognize outstanding students whose attitudes and actions embody the organization’s mission, passion and commitment to excellence and community action.

“Over the last four years, Rohan has demonstrated tremendous character, responsibility, dedication and respect at Paul Duke STEM High,” said Paul Duke STEM High School Principal Jonathon Wetherington. “It has been an honor to serve as his principal, and an even greater honor to observe his growth and commitment to excellence over his years at Paul Duke STEM.”

It was noted that Pai is an active member of several academic and service organizations at the high school. In his leadership roles, Pai demonstrates a passion for helping his fellow students excel.

During the presentation, Pai was joined by his parents, Jagdish and Mansai Pai, and Principal Wetherington.