Eight Coweta County high school seniors were announced as Georgia Scholars this week.
The eight students – including five Newnan High School students and three Northgate High students – were among 183 graduating seniors from schools across Georgia recognized as 2015 Georgia Scholars by the Georgia Department of Education on Wednesday.
The Georgia Scholar program identifies and honors graduating high school seniors who have achieved excellence in school and community life, according to a rigorous criteria of high school coursework, grade point average, academic and extracurricular performance. Each Georgia Scholar receives a seal for his or her diploma.
Newnan High School seniors recognized were Rebecca Barron, Maycee Dukes, Anna Haydon, Caleb Schenck and Hannah Thomas.
Northgate High School seniors recognized were Haley Alain, Erica Anstey and Molly McCoy.
“These students serve as great examples for all of us,” said Coweta Superintendent Steve Barker. “They have applied themselves for excellence in academic achievement, while recognizing the importance of community involvement and extracurricular participation. Leadership requires an individual to be well-rounded. These students are certain to be leaders of tomorrow.”
Newnan and Northgate high schools were among 23 Georgia public and private high schools with three or more students honored as 2015 Georgia Scholars.
“All five of our students are fantastic examples of the Newnan High School spirit,” said Newnan High Principal Chase Puckett. “They are scholars, athletes and leaders at school and in their community.”
“We are extremely proud of these students and their accomplishments in so many areas,” said Northgate High Principal Bill Harrison.
According to the Georgia Department of Education, students eligible for Georgia Scholar recognition are high school seniors who exhibit excellence in all phases of school life, in community activities, and in the home.
Georgia Scholars are students who have carried exemplary course loads during four years of high school; who performed excellently in all courses (with a minimum unweighted grade point average of 3.75); who achieved a minimum score of 1360 on the SAT or 31 on the ACT at one sitting; who successfully participated in interscholastic events at their schools and in their communities; and who have assumed active roles in leadership and extracurricular activities sponsored by their schools.
“I want to congratulate our 2015 Georgia Scholars,” State School Superintendent Richard Woods said. “In addition to academic success, I believe we have to teach our students about life and the importance of soft skills. These students have shown that they possess both, and I am confident we will be hearing much more about these students’ accomplishments in the near future.”
