Gwinnett County Public Library (GCPL) has been selected for a major national grant from the Carnegie Corporation of New York, one of the country’s oldest and most influential philanthropic institutions.

GCPL plans to use the funds to expand their English language classes, working in partnership with Gwinnett County Public Schools.

The grant will increase the number of free English classes offered and help recruit community volunteers (who pass background checks) to support English language learners. Stipends for volunteer English teachers and bus passes for program participants will also be available.

Expanding library access

Gwinnett County Public Library is one of just 11 libraries nationwide chosen through the Libraries as Pillars of Education and Democracy initiative, which aims to help public libraries expand access to adult literacy and college readiness programs.

“Fluency in the English language is essential for everyone to participate in American society, culture, politics and business,” said Charles Pace, executive director of Gwinnett County Public Library. “We are delighted that the Carnegie Corporation has recognized the importance of English language classes and libraries in general to maintain a literate and engaged citizenry.”

“Thanks to this generous award we will be able to better support the English language learner needs of the Gwinnett community than ever before.”

Carnegie’s history of philanthropy

Carnegie has been one of the largest philanthropic funders of libraries, from the early construction of almost 1,700 libraries in the U.S. to helping establish the endowment of the American Library Association, funding the nation’s first graduate library school and digitizing archival collections around the world.

“Andrew Carnegie believed libraries were ladders upon which anyone and everyone could rise, and that belief continues to guide us,” said Dame Louise Richardson, president of Carnegie.

“At a time when trust in public institutions is fraying, libraries retain public trust. We are delighted to support these grantees as they provide essential programs and community services.”

Career Online High School graduates earn diplomas

GCPL also recently awarded nine graduates their high school diplomas at a ceremony that took place on June 7 at the Norcross branch. Family and friends joined the graduates, along with guest speaker Constance Brown, chair of the Hooper-Renwick School Legacy Committee.

Gwinnett County Public Library offers qualified community members the opportunity to earn an accredited high school diploma and credentialed career certificate through Career Online High School, a program supported by community donations.

About the program

Career Online High School is specifically designed to re-engage adults in the education system and prepare them for entry into postsecondary career education or the workforce.

In the last 12 months, GCPL has graduated 24 people from the program, with 132 graduating since its 2016 launch in Gwinnett County. GCPL’s students are mostly BIPOC women. Many are new to the US or are ESL. Most of the program’s US students come in with 10th or 11th-grade level schooling with the goal of completing their diploma.

“Earning a high school diploma is a life-changing achievement,” said Executive Director, Charles Pace. “Career Online High School is a key part of our mission of inspiring our residents to learn, grow and dream.”

GCPL awards scholarships annually to qualified learners looking to earn a high school diploma and advance their careers. Once enrolled, students access a 24/7 online learning platform with board-certified instructor assistance.

Students can graduate within a year by transferring in previously earned high school credits but are given up to 18 months to complete the program.

Gwinnett County residents can learn more about Career Online High School and take an online self-assessment by visiting gwinnett.careeronlinehs.org.

About Gwinnett County Public Library

Gwinnett County Public Library is a free provider of education and information. Located in metro Atlanta, the library system has 15 branches that offer free access to computers and Wi-Fi, classes, materials, books and programming for people of all ages.

For more information about Gwinnett County Public Library programs and services, visit gwinnettpl.org.

On May 9, the Peachtree Corners Festival awarded the Debbie Mason Memorial Scholarship for Drama to an outstanding Norcross High School drama senior. The recipient was Elizabeth “Ella” Armes, a student who has been involved in the Norcross High School drama department for four years and was most recently the primary stage manager directing the high school’s performances.  

According to Terry Gabbard, director of theater at Norcross High School, Ella “was vital to the success of our program. She is an incredible young lady who will be continuing her studies in media and the arts in college.”

In fact, Ella plans to continue her education and work in theater and communications at Kennesaw State University starting this fall.

This marks the third year that the Peachtree Corners Festival has awarded the drama scholarship in the name of the late Peachtree Corners Festival co-founder, Debbie Mason.

In addition to being the first “First Lady” of the city of Peachtree Corners, Debbie and her family were long-time supporters of the drama program at Norcross High School. After her passing in 2023, the Peachtree Corners Festival established the Debbie Mason Memorial Scholarship for Drama as an appropriate way to honor her legacy.

About the Peachtree Corners Festival

The Peachtree Corners Festival is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) volunteer organization dedicated to bringing a safe, wholesome and family-friendly festival to the city of Peachtree Corners each year.

The organization’s goal is to foster community pride and civic involvement, not just through the weekend-long festival, but by giving back and supporting education and beautification initiatives within the city and recognizing deserving members of the community.

This year’s Peachtree Corners Festival will take place on the Town Green, September 20–21.

For more information, visit peachtreecornersfestival.com.

The International Charter Academy of Georgia (ICAGeorgia) recently hosted its third annual Dining with the Scholars event on April 18 — an evening filled with celebration, culture and community spirit.

Held at Canton House in Duluth, the event welcomed over 200 attendees, including students, parents, teachers, board members, local sponsors and special guest, the Consul General of Japan.

Fundraising and performances

The purpose of the event was twofold: to raise funds in support of academic programs for the school and, most importantly, to honor and showcase the outstanding talents and achievements of ICAGeorgia students.

Throughout the evening, guests enjoyed a silent auction, dinner and dessert, as well as a vibrant lineup of student performances, a magic show and live music — creating a truly festive and memorable atmosphere.

“We extend our heartfelt thanks to the many local companies and organizations whose generous sponsorship made this event possible,” said Felecia Tucker-Jones, principal of ICAGeorgia. “[The] support helps us continue to grow and enhance our academic offerings.”

By all accounts, it was a night to remember — and a wonderful reminder of the strong, supportive community that surrounds the school.

Children’s Day Festival

On May 4, students, families and community members gathered at Thrasher Park in Norcross for a vibrant celebration of Children’s Day, a beloved Japanese holiday that honors children’s happiness, growth and well-being.

The Japan’s Children’s Day Festival 2025 brought together over 1,000 attendees for a full day of music, crafts, food and cultural experiences.

Visitors of all ages enjoyed traditional Japanese activities such as origami, kingyo sukui (goldfish scooping) and kimono try-ons, while kids played in bounce houses, participated in golf and soccer games and listened to story time in the park.

The festival’s stage was alive with performances from school choirs, dance studios and even a thrilling showcase of breakdancing and karate. Local vendors offered delicious international food — from pizza, tacos and paella to boba and shaved ice — while guests explored artisan booths and even online shopping options.

Culture and community

This festival was a beautiful reflection of cultural pride and community spirit and partnerships, with ICAGeorgia, local small businesses and generous sponsors bringing the vision to life.

“We’re deeply grateful to all our sponsors, performers, volunteers and families who made the day so special,” said Jeremy Williams, president of the ICAGeorgia PTO.

As Norcross continues to grow as a hub for diverse cultural events, Japan’s Children’s Day Festival stands out as a joyful, family-focused experience with the goal of continuing for years to come.

Follow Japan’s Children’s Day Festival (@JapansChildrensDayFestival) on Instagram and Facebook, and stay tuned for next year’s exciting event.

About ICAGeorgia

The International Charter Academy of Georgia is a statewide charter school available free of charge to any K–6 student residing in Georgia.

Located in Peachtree Corners, the school offers a dual language immersion program in both English and Japanese, a rigorous standards-based curriculum, extracurricular activities and multiple opportunities throughout the year to engage in cross-cultural community.

For more about the school, visit internationalcharteracademy.org.