Henry Daily Herald

Several Henry County residents recently were recognized for their academic performance during the Summer 2012 Semester at Gordon State College in Barnesville.

The college’s Dean’s List honored Azadeh Aarabi-Taft, Kortnee Roe, Jocelyn Tobias, Samantha Curns, Tiffany Hunter, Emily LucasLeigh Kidd, Jeremy Lewis, Michael Wright, Rachel Frazier, Ampaivan Ou and Jennifer Shelby. Valerie Henry, Danielle Baggett and Jennifer Sherman were acknowledged on the college’s Merit List.

The college has also announced it’s offering online employee training courses.

Gordon State College Community Education has partnered with ed2go to offer hundreds of online, instructor-facilitated employee training courses.

The courses are designed to help employers train their employees. They can be accessed 24 hours a day, and last six weeks with two new lessons released weekly, for a total of 12, according to Gordon officials.

Officials said the courses are entirely Web-based with comprehensive lessons, quizzes, and assignments. A dedicated professional instructor facilitates every course, pacing learners, answering questions, giving feedback, and facilitating discussions.

To learn more, call Gordon State College Community Education at (678) 359-5123, or visit online at www.gdn.edu/commed.

Applications available for youth leadership program

Youth Leadership Henry is accepting applications for its Class of 2012-13.

It’s a countywide leadership program for high school sophomores, who meet periodically during the school year to take part in enrichment sessions. It is designed to develop leadership potential and to acquaint participants with community needs, problems and resources through interaction with local leaders and decision makers.

The program is open to all public and private high school students in Henry County. Program organizers said home-schooled students also may apply for the program as long as they live in Henry County.

“Last year, we had over 140 applications for 40 spots, so it is highly competitive,” said Nan Jenkins, a Youth Leadership Henry board member.

The $100 fee to participate in the program helps defray expenses, including lunches, graduation dinner and transportation and is due immediately upon receipt of acceptance to the class, according to program organizers. Applications are due by Aug. 30.

For more, visit www.leadershiphenry.com/youth.html

Georgia SHAPE launches “Stay in SHAPE” contest

The Georgia SHAPE (Student Health and Physical Education) Program has launched the “Stay in SHAPE” contest, in which Georgia students share how they move and try to stay in shape. The contest is part of the Gov. Nathan Deal’s SHAPE initiative, a statewide program merging governmental, philanthropic, academic and business communities to address childhood obesity.

“We know that encouraging competition among our youth is a wonderful way to stimulate beneficial physical activity,” said Brenda Fitzgerald, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Health.

The contest is designed to get youngsters thinking about ways to be physically active in order to maintain and improve their physical fitness and health.

Winners of the contest will join the governor on the field before the Atlanta Falcons’ game on Sept. 30 against the Carolina Panthers, and will receive two tickets to the game along with a Polar Active fitness watch.

Students who participate in the Stay in SHAPE contest should demonstrate Georgia SHAPE, through video, sound, or in the written word. Officials said it can be done by making a video, performing an original song, or snapping an action photograph.

The contest is open to any Georgia student from kindergarten to the 12th grade. To enter, students must send an e-mail describing the way they or their friends Stay in SHAPE to contest@GeorgiaSHAPE.org, and include an attachment or a link of their project. The contest ends on Sept. 10. For contest rules and restrictions, visit www.GeorgiaSHAPE.org/contest.

Military notes

Army Pfc. Danielle Chitwood and Pvt. Zari Walker have graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson in Columbia, S.C. Chitwood, the daughter of Jessica Chitwood of Jonesboro, is a 2010 graduate of Eagle’s Landing High School. Walker, the daughter of Drina Shofner of Morrow, is a 2010 graduate of Lovejoy High School.

Air Force Airman Christopher McCullers graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. McCullers is the son of Lisheena McCullers, and nephew of Sharonica Goodman, both of Morrow. He is a 2011 graduate of Luella High School.

Marine Corps Pvt. Tany’Sha Williams and Pfc. Caleb Lyon also have completed recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot at Parris Island, S.C. Williams is the daughter of Wendie Sharpe-Williams of Stockbridge, and Terry Williams, of Stockbridge. She is a 2007 graduate of Stockbridge High School. Lyon is the son of Lynn and Mark Lyon of Stockbridge. He is a 2007 graduate of Union Grove High School.

School Notebook publishes on Wednesdays. Make submissions to Johnny Jackson via e-mail at jjackson@henryherald.com, or call (770) 957-9161.