Education

Wesleyan Seniors Set Sights on Careers in the Armed Forces

Published

8 months ago

June 6, 2024

The Wesleyan College Advising office is pleased to announce that two seniors are pursuing careers in the Armed Forces. Mamie Pridgen was appointed as a midshipman for the United States Naval Academy Class of 2028. Pridgen received nominations from Congresswoman Lucy McBath and Senators Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock.

A member of Wesleyan’s volleyball and lacrosse teams, Pridgen has been a four-year competitor in both sports. This year, she was also the varsity girls’ basketball manager. Well-regarded by players and coaches, she has also served on Wesleyan’s Student-Athletic Leadership Team.

In addition to her athletic abilities, Pridgen served for three years on the Honor Council, culminating in being elected chaplain this year. She participated in Mock Trials, SALSA (Students Advocating Life without Substance Abuse), book clubs and a monthly missions club.

She is the editor of the yearbook and editor-in-chief of the Wesleyan Literary Magazine. Chosen by the 12th-grade chairs, she currently serves as one of the co-presidents of the senior class. She is a member of the English National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta and the National Honor Society.

Pridgen has always had immense respect for the military. Her desire to serve her country began after watching her brother, Andrew Pridgen, as he matriculated through the Army ROTC program at Furman University and graduated to become a second lieutenant currently serving in Germany.

With a single-minded focus, Pridgen set her sights on the Naval Academy, one of the country’s premier officer training programs, and participated in the summer seminar following her junior year and two candidate visit weekends during her senior year. Pridgen will report to the Naval Academy in June, where she will major in operations research.

Upon graduation from the Naval Academy, Pridgen will commission as an ensign in the United States Navy.

Nadia Desbordes was also selected to attend the United States Air Force Academy in June 2024.

Highly skilled athletically and academically, Nadia flourished during high school. In her freshman year, Nadia played junior varsity lacrosse, and she ran varsity track and placed in four events at the state track and field competition during her sophomore year.

However, her primary sport has been volleyball. A member of the Wesleyan volleyball program since sixth grade, Nadia began playing on the varsity team in her sophomore year. She was named to the First Team Region 7-AAA squad in her junior and senior years and to the Gwinnett County A-6A Second Team as a senior.

Her athletic prowess led to her being named to Wesleyan’s Student-Athlete Leadership Team as a junior and senior. Additionally, Nadia played on a national-level club team throughout her high school years. During her junior and senior years, she volunteered as a volleyball camp counselor and volunteer club coach.

In addition to her athletic accomplishments, Nadia has been deeply involved in school life. Since sophomore year, she has served on the yearbook staff culminating in serving as Senior Section Editor. As a member of the GRACE club for all four years of high school, Nadia has promoted a more diverse, welcoming, and inclusive community for students.

Nadia has also served as a Wesleyan Ambassador to prospective students and their parents since ninth grade. While involved in these activities, Nadia has also compiled an exceptional academic record. She has been named an AP Scholar with Honor, served as a math team member since ninth grade, and completed a Senior STEM Seminar project.

Graduates of the United States Air Force Academy commission as a second lieutenant into either the U. S. Air Force or U. S. Space Force. Congratulations to Mamie, Nadia, and their families for this honor, and thank you for your willingness to serve our country.

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Education

McBath Slams Proposed Tax on HOPE Scholarship

Published

16 hours ago

January 28, 2025

Peachtree Corners Magazine staff

Rep. McBath, of Georgia's 6th District, at a podium speaking to an audience. A man and woman stand behind her, along with an American flag.

Tens of thousands of Georgia families could potentially be impacted by a new national Republican proposal to tax state scholarship program.

Rep. Lucy McBath (D-GA) of Georgia’s sixth district, is slamming national Republicans for their proposal to increase taxes on students and families in Georgia.

A document circulating from the GOP outlines revenue-generating strategies, among them a new tax on scholarship dollars that would include Georgia’s hallmark HOPE and Zell Miller Scholarship programs.

“National Republicans are attempting to raise taxes on Georgia families,” said McBath. “The HOPE program is a beacon of light for young people who want to go to college and achieve their dreams.

“For decades, students in Georgia have known that if you worked hard in school and got good grades, the state would help you get through college and start a career. This new tax would threaten the financial security of Georgia’s families and undercut the hopes and dreams of thousands of students. I am horrified at this attempt — families in Georgia deserve better.”

About the HOPE Scholarship

During the 2023-2024 academic year, 187,437 students in Georgia received almost a billion dollars in scholarships and grants through the HOPE Program alone.

All of this award money, along with any other scholarships or grants that a student had earned, would now be considered taxable income if this proposal by Republicans were to become law.

The Helping Outstanding Pupils Educationally (HOPE) Program launched in 1993 and has since provided more than $15 billion to more than 2.1 million students in financial assistance for educational programs after high school.

For more information, visit mcbath.house.gov.

Education

ICAGeorgia Adds Cross Country and Track Programs

Published

2 months ago

November 25, 2024

Shawne Taylor

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.”

“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.

Doing Good

Good Samaritan Gwinnett Receives State Authorization to Launch Access Academy

Published

3 months ago

November 4, 2024

Peachtree Corners Magazine staff

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.