Henry Daily Herald

Stockbridge resident Abigail Jenkins, an honors graduate of Woodland High School is among this year’s six recipients of the 2012 Clayton State Presidential Scholarships.

The Clayton State Presidential Scholars program consists of six, four-year presidential scholarships that continue annually. With the program having started in the fall of 2010, by the start of the 2013 academic year Clayton State will have 24 honors students on presidential scholarships. The Presidential Scholars supplement the University’s long-standing Honors Program.

As Presidential Scholars for the 2012-13 Academic Year (encompassing the fall and spring semesters), each student will receive: an annual university grant, a housing and meal plan grant, and a bookstore award for a total annual value of approximately $12,000. These scholarship awards are in addition to any HOPE Scholarship funds for which the students would be eligible.

Clayton State to hold alumni dinner

The Clayton State University Alumni Association plans to host its 20th Annual Alumni Dinner at Turner Field’s 755 Club on Saturday, Sept. 22. All Clayton State alumni, faculty/staff, students and friends of the University are invited to the event.

The dinner portion of the event will begin at 7 p.m., preceded by a reception starting at 6:15 p.m. Attendees will also have the opportunity to take a special tour of Turner Field, which includes a behind-the-scenes look in the Atlanta Braves clubhouse. In conjunction with the dinner, the Alumni Association will recognize its 2012 Distinguished Alumni Award winners and hold a benefit auction.

The Alumni Association is taking nominations for its 2012 Outstanding Alumni Awards. For more, or to nominate a deserving alumnus, visit the alumni web site at www.clayton.edu/alumni/distinguishedalumniawards/nominations.

For more information about the dinner and sponsorship opportunities, contact the Clayton State Office of Alumni Relations by phone at (678) 466-4477, or by e-mail at gidrowell@clayton.edu.

Tomlinson earns Chowan honors

Chowan University in Murfreesboro, N.C., recently announced the Spring 2012 semester’s Dean’s List honorees. Among them was McDonough resident Cornelius Tomlinson, a junior in sports management at the university. Dean’s List winners have accomplished a grade point average between 3.25 and 3.79 for the semester.  

UPCOMING

Back-to-school event kicks off Saturday

Rapper Clifford “T.I.” Harris and NASCAR driver Tia Norfleet are slated to participate in a Back to School Book Bag Giveaway, to be held Saturday in Stockbridge.

Harris is known internationally for his music and appearances in film and television. Norfleet is currently the only African-American female driver in NASCAR. She is also the spokesperson for the 2012 Safeteen Georgia Driver Academy, Goodwill Ambassador to the National African American Drug Policy Coalition and promotes her literacy program called “Driven to Read” at events across the country.

“It really speaks volumes to people’s character when they take time out of their busy schedules to participate in this type of community event,” said Pastor Daniel Edwards, the program coordinator for the back-to-school event.

Edwards is the former president of the Henry County Branch of the NAACP. He founded and pastors at The Greater New Hope Christian Assembly in Stockbridge. The reverend noted he is also a candidate to serve as leader of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

“The momentum has really picked up on this back-to-school program,” he continued. “I am really impressed with the support we have for this event and want to welcome everyone in the community to come and to participate.”

The Back to School Book Bag Giveaway is free and will feature games, school supplies, family activities, haircuts, and much more. The Back to School Book Bag Giveaway is Saturday, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., and will be held at Greater New Hope Christian Assembly located at 2200 Fairview Road in Stockbridge.

For more, call Edwards at (404) 992-8834, or e-mail church@greaternewhopeca.org.

School bell schedule begins in August

Henry County Schools officials are reminding parents, students, and community members about the school district’s new bell schedule for the 2012-13 school year.

The new start and ending times are being put in place to accommodate a three-tier bus routing system that officials said would allow for the separate transportation of pupils by school levels.

According to the new schedule, elementary schools will maintain their regular bell schedule with schools starting at 7:55 a.m., and ending at 2:30 p.m. Middle schools will change their start time to 8:55 a.m., and end at 3:55 p.m. High schools will change their start time to 8:10 a.m., and end at 3:10 p.m.

Parents are asked to check their child’s school to confirm their start times, as some middle schools and high schools may have slight variations to their times.

Military notes

Navy Seaman Apprentice Gerald Roberts, son of Sheryl Morse of Stockbridge, and Gerald Roberts, of Coconut Creek, Fla., recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, Ill. Roberts is a 2010 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.