Southwest Georgia education briefs

Westover raises more than $2,300 for Harvey victims

ALBANY — Westover High School recently conducted a fundraiser for the victims of Hurricane Harvey, asking every able faculty and staff member to donate $5 and every able Westover student to donate $1. The faculty and staff donated $1,615, and the students donated $713 for a total of $2,328.

Each student that made a donation had a chance to win a special prize. Two Westover students, Joshua Breasette and Johnuell Hicks, both won Westover throws. Ronald Dees’ first-period class also won a pizza party for collecting the most funds. Every student in Dees’ first-period class donated $1 for a total of $32.

A check will be sent to the American Red Cross in the name of Westover Comprehensive High School for Hurricane Harvey victims.

Fletcher Henderson Jazz Festival returns to Cuthbert

CUTHBERT — The city of Cuthbert is encouraging jazz aficionados to bring their lawn chairs, friends, family and dancing shoes to the 18th annual Fletcher Henderson Jazz Festival, which this year promises an outstanding musical lineup. The festival is planned for Oct. 7 at Iris Gardens. Food vendors, T-shirts and fun are promised for attendees.

Henderson is arguably the single most important contributor to the development of big band jazz in America. His expertise as an arranger and composer is well-documented, and he greatly influenced the development of other bands of his era and beyond.

Henderson was born in Cuthbert and lived at 338 Andrew Street, which is in the process of being renovated. The home will be open for tours on the day of the festival from 1 p.m.-5 p.m.

GSW to dedicate Carter Presidential Plaza Friday

AMERICUS — Georgia Southwestern State University lists three of the most notable U.S. national figures as alumni: the late former U.S. Attorney General Griffin Bell, former First Lady Rosalynn Carter and former President Jimmy Carter, who attended GSW in 1941-42.

In a special ceremony on Friday at 11 a.m., the university will recognize President Carter. The event will take place on the Wheatley Administration Building Lawn, where GSW will dedicate its new signature landmark, the “Presidential Plaza,” located at the main entrance to the campus. The project was completed in late April 2017.

Andrew College announces homecoming parade details

CUTHBERT — Andrew College has announced that former professors Annette and Julian Nichols will serve as grand marshals of the 2017 Andrew College Homecoming Parade. The parade will be held beginning at 10 a.m. on Sept. 30.

The parade will begin in front of Patterson Hall on the Andrew College campus, continue south onto Highland Avenue, then turn east (left) onto College Street, proceeding past the front of Andrew College to the downtown Cuthbert square. The parade route takes participants around the square.

Then the parade will continue back to College Street headed west, turn north (right) onto McDonald Avenue, west (left) onto Randolph Street, and south (left) onto Highland Avenue. The parade will end where it began, back at Patterson Hall.