Education
Local Students Conquer Competition at International Problem Solving Contest
Back at it again, seven girls from Peachtree Corners recently participated in the 2023 Odyssey of the Mind World Finals held at Michigan State University, competing against teams from across the globe.
After winning at the state level, these girls represented Peachtree Corners as shining examples of the innovative and creative young minds that Peachtree Corners has to offer.
The Paul Duke STEM High School (PDS HS) Odyssey of the Mind team includes Elisa Banks, Emma Betteridge, Addie Ebert and Claire Ott, all sophomores at Paul Duke HS, as well as Kylie Dommert and Molly Ellner, sophomores at Norcross High School (HS), and Sophia Dommert, an 8th grader at Pinckneyville Middle School.
Molly Ellner, a team member who has competed in the Odyssey of the Mind team for the past five years, said she has learned how to apply creative thinking and teamwork skills through Odyssey of the Mind.
“I love seeing how the best version of each team member’s ideas works together to create our unique solution,” said Ellner.
Sharpening minds
Odyssey of the Mind is an organization that encourages originality and ingenuity among its participating students. Founded over 40 years ago by Dr. C. Samuel Micklus, it has become a leading force in creative education, fostering learning internationally for the past 30 years.
The organization’s mission, as expressed by its founder, is to promote creative problem-solving in a fun environment that tasks students to solve challenging problems with the highest levels of innovation. Participants in the program learn how to think and express themselves through teamwork without the fear of criticism.
Every year, students showcase their problem-solving skills during the State and World Finals. Students choose from five problems to solve, and each team is evaluated based on long-term problem-solving, style and spontaneous problem-solving.
This year, the group continued to grow their skills. “We approached our problem with group brainstorming and research,” said Ellner. “As a team, we compiled our favorite ideas and almost fit them together like a puzzle to draft our final solution.”
This year’s World Finals at Michigan State University hosted 749 teams from across the globe, including teams from China, Korea, Hong Kong, France, Germany, Switzerland, Mexico, Thailand, Singapore and Japan, as well as teams from across the United States.
Another successful year
The seven girls, representing NHS and PDS HS under the sponsor school of Paul Duke, competed in Division Three and tackled “Problem #5 The Most Dramatic Problem Ever!!!” coached by Lisa Dommert.
One of Dommert’s favorite parts of being their coach is seeing how the girls create an outstanding performance, “something magical,” from a simple prompt.
“Each year I think they can’t outdo the year before, and each year they do,” said Dommert. “They are an amazing group of girls, and it has been an honor to coach them.”
The girls’ efforts paid off when they were awarded first place in a tie with William A. Hough HS from Cornelius, NC, during the Awards Ceremony on May 27.
This success is not a one-time occurrence for team members Kylie, Sophia, Claire, Elisa, Molly, Addie and Emma. They have continuously placed first in Georgia and have won several first-place wins in the World Finals.
Learn more about the Paul Duke STEM High School Odyssey of the Mind team at performance-pc.info/PeachtreeCorners.
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.
Metro Atlanta Redevelopment Visionaries Honored at 2024 MARS Summit
From Our Table to Yours: Five Cozy Dishes for Winter in Peachtree Corners
Opsys Collaborates with Curiosity Lab and City of Peachtree Corners to Launch Solid-State LiDAR Technology
City of Peachtree Corners Awarded Health Wellness Grant
AVID Products, Growing World of Esports Audio and DreamHack
Center for Puppetry Arts Shares Global Holiday Traditions Through Puppetry
Peachtree Corners and Curiosity Lab Receive ITS Georgia 2024 Outside the Construction Box Award
Holiday Glow Event Offers Chance to Give Back While Celebrating the Season
Holiday Glow Event Offers Chance to Give Back While Celebrating the Season
Center for Puppetry Arts Shares Global Holiday Traditions Through Puppetry
AVID Products, Growing World of Esports Audio and DreamHack
Peachtree Corners and Curiosity Lab Receive ITS Georgia 2024 Outside the Construction Box Award
From Our Table to Yours: Five Cozy Dishes for Winter in Peachtree Corners
Opsys Collaborates with Curiosity Lab and City of Peachtree Corners to Launch Solid-State LiDAR Technology
Metro Atlanta Redevelopment Visionaries Honored at 2024 MARS Summit
City of Peachtree Corners Awarded Health Wellness Grant
Light up the Corners [Video]
Capitalist Sage: Business Leadership in Your Community [Podcast]
Cliff Bramble: A Culinary Adventure through Italy
Top 10 Brunch Places in Gwinnett County
A Hunger for Hospitality
THE CORNERS EPISODE 3 – BLAXICAN PART 1
Top 10 Indoor Things To Do This Winter
The ED Hour: What it takes to Remove Barriers from Education
-
Food & Drink1 week agoFrom Our Table to Yours: Five Cozy Dishes for Winter in Peachtree Corners
-
Smart City and Innovations1 week ago
Opsys Collaborates with Curiosity Lab and City of Peachtree Corners to Launch Solid-State LiDAR Technology
-
Podcast6 days ago
AVID Products, Growing World of Esports Audio and DreamHack
-
Around Atlanta6 days ago
Center for Puppetry Arts Shares Global Holiday Traditions Through Puppetry
