Southwest Georgia education briefs

Norton, Potter named DWS Cannon Scholars

ALBANY — Sarah Norton and Will Potter, current students at Deerfield-Windsor School, have been named Cannon Scholars for the 2017-2018 school year.

The Cannon Family Scholarships are named in honor of Chris Cannon and his family in recognition of their generous support for Deerfield-Windsor School for many years.

Sarah, a junior, is the daughter of John and Lane Norton. Captain of the DWS dance line, she is also a member of the varsity soccer and track teams. Sarah is also president of the Spanish Club and a member of Beta Club, the math team, English Honor Society, and Student Council. Outside of school, she volunteers for the Albany Museum of Art, Camp Big Heart and Vacation Bible School

Will, a sophomore, is the son of Jason and Angie Potter. A member of the varsity football team, he is also a member of Beta Club and has been involved with stage crew for the spring musical, science club, and Key Club. Will has volunteered with Challenger League and served as youth recreational director at his church.

Cannon Scholarships are based primarily on academics. Extracurricular activities are considered in the selection process but are not the primary criterion. Students enter by completing an application and by writing an essay in a supervised setting. The DWS Board of Trustees’ Scholarship Committee decides winners of the awards.

Students who have attended Deerfield-Windsor for at least one year are eligible to apply for this half-tuition scholarship. Two non-renewable Cannon Family Scholarships are awarded each school year.

Summer program at Fort Valley State taking Dougherty applications

FORT VALLEY — Summer may seem far away, but it’s not too early for high school students to begin planning for an exciting experience. Fort Valley State University’s Cooperative Extension Program is encouraging rising high school juniors, seniors and rising college freshmen to apply to the TEAM Success Program in Dougherty County. The application deadline is April 17.

This six-week program, beginning June 5 and ending July 14, offers a $2,100 stipend and valuable work experience. Students are paired daily with county extension agents and program assistants who work throughout Georgia. They are exposed to careers related to agriculture, food and nutrition, family life and youth development.

Each student’s day could be spent visiting a local farmer or working alongside an agent to coordinate a workshop about a topic such as biodiesel production or healthy eating. In addition to being a resume builder, this program teaches students work ethics, professional skills and the importance of serving the communities in which they live.

There is only one spot for Dougherty County, so applications should be made immediately. For an application or additional information, visit ag.fvsu.edu or contact Charlie Grace, who oversees the program, at (229) 436-7216 or [email protected].

Lee County High Senior wins Path2College Scholarship

LEESBURG — Coleman Dziedzic, an 18-year-old senior at Lee County High School, was recently awarded $529 for his Path2College 529 Plan account as one of the statewide winners of the Path2College 529 Plan’s Saving for College Makes a Difference Essay Contest. Coleman’s father, Patrick, entered the contest.

In his essay, Patrick Dziedzic explains that “every parent feels the need to help their child achieve their life’s dreams and reward them for the hard work and accomplishments they have attained, and the Path2College 529 Plan will allow me to do both.”

“Winning this prize is important because it gives me that much more confidence about my son’s security in being able to afford going to college,” said Patrick Dziedzic. “Also, it allows me to reward him for all the hard work he has put into his education.”

Nine Georgia children will be awarded contributions to their Path2College 529 Plans for their original essays describing how saving for college has made, or will make, a difference in their lives, in a loved one’s life, or in their families’ lives. Essay winners were selected in the following nine regions: Albany, Atlanta, Augusta, Columbus, Macon, Savannah, Valdosta, North Georgia and South Georgia.