National Award Given for Cherokee Youth Basketball Program At an awards banquet held in Libertyville, Illinois, the National Association of County Park and Recreation Officials (NACPRO) presented officials from Cherokee Recreation and Parks with the 2023 NACPRO Award in the Park and Recreation Program – Class II category. The awards banquet is an annual event that recognizes and honors excellence in parks and recreation at the county, regional, and special districts levels throughout the nation. “This award recognizes a NACPRO member agency that has provided an exceptional program, activity, or event, which serves to inspire other agencies,” said Cherokee Recreation and Parks Director Jay Worley. “The Class II Award is a category based on a population size of 150,001 to 275,000. There are four population categories in all, and Cherokee Youth Basketball has been recognized as the best program in the country for our population category.” Cherokee Youth Basketball is a local recreational basketball league that is open to all eligible Cherokee County youth from kindergarten through 12th grade. Through partnerships with the Cherokee County School District, players in kindergarten through fifth grade play on teams that represent their current elementary school, while middle and high school players represent one of the county’s six local high schools in which the player is districted or is currently attending. Teams are provided a practice space and time at their local school for practices and games. Each player is given a complete uniform along with an eight-game regular season schedule beginning the first weekend in December. “In only its 11th season of operation, Cherokee Youth Basketball has grown to 556 teams with over 4,000 kids playing basketball in Cherokee County,” said Cherokee Recreation and Parks Athletic Director Shawn Schumacher. “The program provides a safe and competitive learning environment for recreational players of all abilities as well as helping them to develop character, sportsmanship, and teamwork.” Additional information and program details for Cherokee Youth Basketball can be found at PlayCherokee.org.
Cherokee’s DanceSport Team Performs at Special Olympics Summer Games In less than a year since Special Olympics DanceSport was declared an official sport in Georgia, the first Georgia Special Olympics DanceSport team from Cherokee County, the Warrior Cats, performed at the Opening Ceremonies at this year’s Special Olympics Georgia Summer Games. The Cherokee County Special Olympics Warrior Cats DanceSport athletes are Michelle Aikala, Devon Bledsoe, Cora Browning (captain), Lindsay Deane, Ryan Ellis, Nicole Fox, Caleb Guy, Shelby Hart, Meghan Kern, Kristin King, Jason Page, Jeremy Page, Jenna Pierce, Erica Revalski, Reed Rogers, Justin Swantek, and Leah Weatherby. The Warrior Cats unified partners (individuals without intellectual disabilities) who train and compete as teammates alongside Special Olympics athletes include Gigi, Stella, and Sofia Alfieri, and Nina Grace Barbaree. The coaches for the Warrior Cats are Shelly Boss-Barbaree, Mollie Guy, Katie Lockett, Head Coach Laura Mikszan, Lee Ann Revalski, Jarron Scurry, and Susan Weatherby.
Skilled Professions Signing Day Celebration Be Pro Be Proud Georgia and the Cherokee Workforce Collaborative, an initiative of the Cherokee Office of Economic Development that includes Cherokee County School District (CCSD), local businesses, and industries and colleges, recently presented the annual Skilled Professions Signing Day event. During the event, 36 graduating CCSD seniors with plans to pursue skilled professions careers signed those plans with employers or colleges and were celebrated by family, friends, teachers, and community leaders. “Congratulations to each of these students on making the choice to build a better future for our community through skilled professions,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower said. “We’re proud of these students and grateful for our Career Pathways educators who have prepared them for this next step. Thank you to Be Pro Be Proud Georgia and the Cherokee Workforce Collaborative for your partnership and support of our students.” The school district offers a wide catalog of Career Pathway programs at every high school, which provide CCSD students opportunities to not only master specific job skills as well as soft skills helpful to all careers, but also to earn industry certifications. For more information, visit Cherokeek12net.finalsite.com. Congratulations to the following students: Cherokee HS Henry Alcon – Construction, Alcon Remodeling Jacob Anderson – Welding Blake Byess – Welding, Georgia Trade School Christian Cagle – Welding, Northwest Mississippi Community College Lucas Juan Cristobal – Welding, Georgia Trade School Kahseim Fisher – Audio & Video Technology & Film Carter Goodrow – Welding, Raydeo Braden Iovino – Welding Keaton Kimball – Welding Ethan Mann – Welding Kyarah Maxey – Nursing, Reinhardt University Joseph O’Kon – Welding, Chattahoochee Technical College Michael Pugachow – Welding Edi Ramirez – Construction, heavy equipment Ismael Carrillo Raymundo – Welding Bryan Sanchez – Welding, Tulsa Welding School Skyler Woodward – Welding, Chattahoochee Technical College Creekview HS Kevin Abarca – Machinery/line press, Universal Alloy Corporation Norman Alexander Ball – Welding, Georgia Trade School Connor Billish – Electrician, International Electrotechnical Commission Noah Brooks – Welding, Chattahoochee Technical College and Mr. Clean Drain Plumbing Co. Hayden Eberhardt-Salinas – Welding, Universal Alloy Corporation Cesar Garcia – Electrician, H&H Electrical Brody Jones – Plumbing, Chattahoochee Technical College Gabriel Peterman – Welding Emma Sailors – Cosmetology, Gwinnett Technical College Jarrett McArthur – Diesel tech training (advanced manufacturing), Chattahoochee Technical College Milon Lee McCleskey – Welding, Chattahoochee Technical College Etowah HS Amy Carol Castro – Health care, Chattahoochee Technical College Alondra Porcayo – Health care, Chattahoochee Technical College Sarah Vanvoorhis – Health care, Chattahoochee Technical College River Ridge HS Ethan Barrentine – Welding, Chattahoochee Technical College Billy Culberg – Wrecker driver/recovery specialist, Ryder Towing & Transport Sequoyah HS Will Scott – Electrical line worker, North Georgia Technical College Woodstock HS Kristian Colina – HVACR (heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration), Chattahoochee Technical College Laila Hutchinson – Health care, Chattahoochee Technical College
Take the Woodstock Public Art Survey Your Input Is Needed The City of Woodstock is developing a Public Art Plan, which will help guide the city as it seeks to enhance economic health and quality of life through public art. Your input is crucial in helping to develop the plan. What is the Timeline for the Plan? Information gathering and research, project planning, and stakeholder engagement took place March-June 2023. • Now-August 2023: Community Engagement • August-October 2023: Public Art Plan Writing • October 2023: Community Review of Recommendations • December 2023: Community Presentation of Final Public Art Plan Anyone who lives, works, or invests in Woodstock is encouraged to be involved in shaping the Public Art Plan. Visit PublicArtWoodstock.com for more information and to take the survey.
Congrats to Cherokee County School District’s 2023 Valedictorians and Salutatorians! Cherokee • Valedictorian Braden Reece Flournoy will attend Georgia Tech to study computer science and plans to work in computer devices and artificial intelligence. • Salutatorian Riley Oliver will attend Georgia Tech to study computer science and plans to work in programming or hardware development. Creekview • Valedictorian Kylie Buchanan will attend the University of Alabama to study science and business. • Salutatorian Carson Heath will attend Georgia Tech to study mechanical engineering and plans to work as a biomechanical engineer focused on designing prosthetics. Etowah • Valedictorian Gracye Lamb will attend Georgia Tech to study aerospace engineering. • Salutatorian Ty Phillips will attend the University of Georgia to study biology and then plans to apply to medical school. i-Grad Virtual Academy • Valedictorian Jackson Wesley Deas plans to enter the workforce. • Salutatorian Elijah J. Jordan will attend Chattahoochee Technical College to study electrical engineering. River Ridge • Co-Valedictorian Sofia Guadalupe de Lira will attend Notre Dame University to study political science and prelaw. • Co-Valedictorian Emily Anna Paulson will attend the University of Georgia to study economics. • Salutatorian Karla Monserrat Cortes will attend Yale University to study ethics, politics, and economics. Sequoyah • Valedictorian Julia Allene Sick will attend the University of Alabama to study accounting. • Salutatorian Paige Lee Falcomata will attend the University of Alabama to study accounting and statistics. Woodstock • Valedictorian Casen Stiber will spend a gap year teaching in El Salvador, after which he will attend the University of Georgia to study pure mathematics and philosophy. After college, he plans to serve in the Peace Corps and then teach and conduct math research. • Salutatorian Salman Aziz will attend Georgia Tech to study neuroscience and then plans to apply to medical school.
City of Woodstock Receives Livable Centers Initiative Grant The Atlanta Regional Commission recently awarded the City of Woodstock a $176,000 grant for the Highway 92 Development Standards Study that seeks to create a new set of development standards along Highway 92. The goal is to pave the way for future economic growth through intuitive and user-friendly standards, intentional architectural design, incorporation of affordable/diverse housing options, and improved walkability. This study will also include a Housing Rehabilitation Program Strategy to retain legacy residents and preserve affordable housing resources. Upon completion of the study, the City of Woodstock will be eligible to apply for federal transportation funding for projects like corridor improvements and pedestrian infrastructure to bring the vision to life.
Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services Announcements Award Named for Longtime Fire Safety Pioneer At this year’s Georgia Fire Safety Symposium, the Georgia Public Safety Educators Association (GPSEA) named their Educator of the Year award after longtime Cherokee County firefighter and fire safety educator, Captain Ann Segers. Segers began working for the fire department on August 22, 1988, and was also one of the original Oak Grove Volunteer Fire Department members when they started in the early 70s. She was the first person in Georgia to obtain the credentials as an NPQ Fire Safety Educator and received her Basic Firefighting Certification in 1990. After retiring from CCFES in 2005, she continued to volunteer with the department at prevention and education events until her passing in May of 2022. The first Ann Segers Educator of the Year Award will be awarded at the 2024 Georgia Fire Safety Symposium. For more information about the GPSEA or the Georgia Safety Educators Association, visit GPSEACRR.com. EMS Wing Dedicated to Retired Medical Director For more than 20 years, Dr. Jill Mabley has dedicated her time to the growth and success of emergency services for Cherokee County. Her name will forever live on at the Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services (CCFES) Training Center, since the EMS Wing has been dedicated as the Jill Ann Mabley, M.D., FACEP EMS Wing. Dr. Mabley joined Cherokee County in 2000, a time when the fire department was continuing its transition from a volunteer model to a career organization, and when ambulance transports were handled by a third-party vendor. An invitation to join a safety committee turned into more than two decades of training personnel, developing policy, building programs, and being a source for well-researched advice for those who needed it. In her years as medical director for CCFES, Dr. Mabley, at 57 years old, became the first (and only at the time) medical director to earn firefighter certification in Georgia. “She earned a National Professional Qualification as a firefighter, and she earned state certification as a firefighter in the state of Georgia,” Chief Eddie Robinson said, adding that she also was responsible for implementing the Narcan program with law enforcement, allowing public safety to better combat the opioid epidemic and save lives. Earlier this year, Dr. Mabley was honored with the Dr. Paul Nassour Lifetime Achievement Award at the Northwest Georgia – Region 1 EMS Awards Banquet. Fire Station 7 Dedicated to Retired Fire Chief For more than 40 years, Ret. Fire Chief and District 2 Commissioner Raymond Gunnin has served the public with integrity, honesty, and a desire to improve the lives of Cherokee County citizens. His legacy will forever be remembered, as Fire Station 7 has been dedicated in his honor. In December 2020, a resolution and proclamation were signed by Cherokee County Board of Commissioners Chairman Harry Johnston, recognizing Chief Gunnin’s dedication by naming Cherokee County Fire Station 7 in his honor. Now, a plaque memorializing this honor has been unveiled at the station. Gunnin joined Cherokee County as a volunteer firefighter in 1977 and became a full-time firefighter in 1980. Working his way through the ranks, he became fire chief in 2005 and continued to serve in that role until his retirement in 2011.
Cheer on Cherokee's Semipro Football Team! On Saturday, July 8, at 7:00pm, the Cherokee County Bruins Semipro Football organization will kick off its inaugural season at Veteran’s Park in Canton. Admission is free. The team is owned by John Little of Woodstock, Randy Fowler of Canton, and Patrick Kellaher of Dothan, Alabama. This group is excited to bring action-packed football to Cherokee County and hopes to be a resource for local youth, middle school, and high school football players to gain knowledge and skills as well as a platform for former high school and college athletes to pursue their playing careers in an impactful way. In addition to playing games, the Bruins also hold youth camps. More than 50 children attended the team’s first camp, which was held in May. The Bruins plan to continue making meaningful contributions to the community while growing its fan base and gaining local support throughout its inaugural season and beyond, as they seek to put a championship caliber team on the field to represent Cherokee County. To view their game schedule or for additional information about the Cherokee County Bruins, please follow them on Facebook or visit CherokeeBruins.com.
Top 10 in 10 Young Professionals The Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce is honored to announce the 2023 Cherokee County Top 10 in 10 Young Professionals to Watch. This recognition program focuses on Cherokee County residents under age 40 who are considered to be the area’s up and coming leaders over the next 10 years. Judging criteria include past professional achievements and awards, five- to 10-year professional goals, and the nominee’s volunteer and community activities. Besides being recognized during the Chamber’s June Good Morning Cherokee breakfast meeting, the recipients will also be featured in the July/August issue of Enjoy Cherokee Magazine. The honorees who will be under the age of 40 on October 1 have also been nominated for the prestigious GeorgiaTrend Magazine 40 Under 40 recognition. Cherokee County’s next generation of community leaders include Madison Beaulieu, economic development operations manager, City of Woodstock; Ashley Witcher, county extension coordinator/4-H and youth agent, University of Georgia Extension-Cherokee County; Kristin Norton Green, theatre events and facilities director, City of Canton; Ashley Polito, principal, Holly Springs ES STEM Academy; Lindsay Harris, intelligence unit manager, Multi-Agency Criminal Intelligence Unit, Cherokee Sheriff’s Office. Thomas Trawick, zoning division manager, Cherokee County; Michael Sims, lieutenant, Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services; Joshua Cole, lead district executive, Atlanta Area Council - Boy Scouts of America; Zack Bobo, owner, Zack Bobo Real Estate; Justin Lamb, director of metallurgy and R&D, Universal Alloy Corporation.
New District Attorney Sworn In On June 1, 2023, Governor Brian P. Kemp swore in Susan K. Treadaway as district attorney for the Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit, Cherokee County. Treadaway fills the role vacated by former District Attorney Shannon Wallace, who became Superior Court judge for the Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit in February 2023. Treadaway has served as acting district attorney since April 10, 2023, when she was appointed to the role by Gov. Kemp. She was previously Cherokee County’s chief assistant district attorney. For nearly 20 years, Treadaway has served the citizens of Georgia as a felony prosecutor. She began her career as an assistant district attorney for Cherokee County in 2004. She then worked as a prosecutor for 11 years in Cobb County, ultimately serving as the chief assistant district attorney of the Cobb Judicial Circuit before her return to Cherokee County in 2019, where she held the same title. “I am humbled and honored to have the opportunity to serve this community as its next district attorney,” said District Attorney Treadaway. “My mission is to pursue justice, work collaboratively with our law enforcement partners, and ensure that Cherokee County remains a safe place to live, work, and raise a family.”