Thumbs Up! May 19, 2014

Dougherty County School System Supt. Butch Mosely made surprise visits last week to three classrooms. Game Ball Awards, a program initiated by Mosely back in February, wrapped up for this school year with the presentation of three basketballs to deserving teachers. Ethlene Kimber at Robert Cross Middle Magnet School, Miesha Atkins at Monroe Comprehensive High School and Amber Davis at International Studies Elementary Charter School were the recipients of the award. As one of a great number of teachers within the system, this trio stands out as exemplary educators. Think back over your own years of school and the names of special teachers will come to mind easily, no matter how far in the past. To all Game Ball Award winners, every teacher, bus driver, nutrition worker, and all the support staff within the system, here’s hoping you have a great summer.

Fans of the Albany State football team will miss seeing Dexter Moody, star defensive player, take to field in the fall. While Moody was passed over in the NFL draft earlier this month, his career is far from over. The first invitation to attend the Seattle Seahawks’ mini-camp was a welcomed one. It got even better though when the Baltimore Ravens offered him a contract, which he accepted, as a free agent. Moody, ASU’s Male Athlete of the Year for a second straight time, took the long and sometimes winding road to get to this point. Academically, Moody struggled, which led to a scholarship loss from the University of Georgia. The young man learned from his errors and managed to turn his education and athletic ability into the asset it was meant to be. Congratulations!

Earth Month (April) in Albany saw members of the community striving diligently to improve the appearance of the city. Fifteen volunteers trimmed tree limbs on Westover Boulevard. The Keep Albany-Dougherty Beautiful (KADB) Board of Commissioners removed litter from Newton Road. City and county employees (123 of them), along with elected officials removed litter from the downtown area. Two graffiti sites were painted over. Albany State University’s Alpha Phi Omega fraternity became KADB’s first Adopt-a-Road team. The group adopted Radium Springs Road from Oglethorpe to Moultrie Road, pledging to keep the roadsides litter-free. Participants in the Stash-the Trash and Great American Cleanup numbered 2,592. Ninety-two teams removed nearly 28 tons of debris from nearly 125 miles of roadway. Yes, it is a shame that that much garbage is carelessly tossed onto our roads, sidewalks, and such, but every person within Dougherty County can be thankful for KADB volunteers.

Starting today, the Dougherty County Public Library System has summer programming for kids of all ages. From T-shirt art to mad science to reading to a certified pet therapy dog to Bingo to storytelling, the activities are many. Check with the library nearest you to get a schedule or go online at www.docolib.org/to see what is coming up. Some events do ask for pre-registration, but all are free. In addition to the planned special activities, the library offers a cool, quiet place to encourage youngsters to keep reading, even though classes are out for the summer, a habit that has been proven to make a difference when children return to school.

It is true that Sherwood Christian Academy is known better for its Bible-based education than its athletic programs. The two came together perfectly this year, however, for the SCA girls’ soccer team. In the game that mattered most, against a team that had allowed only two goals the entire season, the Lady Eagles won 3-0. That’s right, the team scored more against their state championship foe than all others had been able to do all season. The Lady Eagles brought home the state championship, the first ever in any sport in the history of the school. The team made history and memories that will last a lifetime. Thumbs Up!