Tanya Jaynes, now Boatwright, grew up in New Haven, Connecticut in the 1970s and ‘80s and loved visiting the Italian, Jewish, and Polish delis in the area, as well as different bakeries, bodegas, and markets. Each one had their own feel, with unique menu items or certain products on sale. It encouraged a love of variety, as well as a love of food. “I started cooking when I was 18 or 19 years old, but I didn’t understand the power of food until I saw it help my son after a medical issue,” Tanya said. “His nurses told me to...
A Ministry is Born
In 2013 Pat Hembree took his son Chase to Uganda on a mission trip where the two would work at 15 orphanages. One orphanage in particular gave Pat the feeling that Christ was in this place – so much so he and Chase came home ready to focus their ministry on this specific area of Uganda. Two years later, the Hembree family, including wife and mom Jennifer, returned to Uganda and immediately felt the need for a school and home for the children who were living and learning in mud huts. Still, Jennifer was led to do more. She asked...
Fine Arts Takes Center Stage
“Our name defines who we are,” says Amy Davis, director of Fine Arts K-12 at Community Christian School (CCS). That is evident in CCS’s mission statement: “Community Christian School’s mission is to introduce students to Christ, to develop Christian character through academically challenging programs, and to build the next generation of dynamic leaders who will make a difference for Christ.” Community Christian School takes their mission very seriously. “We stand behind our mission,” says Davis. Fine Arts at CCS is just one way the school is helping young minds expand. “We really get them introduced to the elements and principles...
Improving Service through Technology
A couple of big changes in recent months are expected to greatly improve Henry County Fire Rescue’s service to local residents. For several months, personnel in all ambulances and paramedic quick-response vehicles have been wearing body cameras similar to what local police officers wear in the field. Footage on the HCFR cameras is used strictly for review by officials to improve service. “They are fairly new for us and new for the state,” said Deputy Chief Billy Petite. “We were the first in the state of Georgia to implement the system. We only use this video footage for our continuing...
Expanding Programs, Growing Career Opportunities
Southern Crescent Technical College’s Henry County campus in McDonough is seeing widespread growth in a variety of fields, Students who wish to further their education at SCTC have dozens of categories to choose from. One area that is seeing increased interest is mechatronics and industrial systems technology. Students in that department learn math, inspection, safety, quality, electrical systems, automation, mechanical systems, fluid systems, rigging and welding. “Mechatronics is a combination of electrical, mechanical, electronics and electrical control, electromechanical control systems that are used heavily in industrial equipment,” said Dr. Mahmood Azhar, who heads up the department. “People who are experts...
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Scoliosis Screening
What is Scoliosis? Scoliosis is a lateral or sideways curvature of the spine greater than 10 degrees; it can make the spine look like an “s” or a “c” rather than a straight line viewed from the back. It happens to about three percent of children and can occur at any age but is often most noticeable between the ages of nine and 16, when kids are growing rapidly. What should my child expect during a school scoliosis screening? Scoliosis screenings are mandated in public schools across Georgia and will usually be conducted by a school nurse. The state mandates...
Embracing the World
Now in its third year, Creekside’s International Student Program is thriving under the dedicated leadership of Rebecca Clark, the International Student Program Director. With over 20 years of experience working with international students, Clark brings both expertise and passion to the program, ensuring its continued success. From its inception, the International Student Program at Creekside has been guided by a clear mission: to create a globally enriched environment while maintaining the core values and culture of the academy. The Great Commission serves as the guiding principle behind Creekside Christian Academy’s International Student Program. Rooted in Matthew 28:19, the program provides...
Here’s the Scoop
Before he was a city councilman or mayor pro tem, Devlin Cleveland was in the landscaping business. When he decided to seek a new career, he went to school: ice cream school. “We learned the whole business, learning how to use the machines and how to make our own ice cream. It was exciting because we learned that whatever we could imagine, we could make,” Cleveland said, adding that the Sour Cream and Onion ice cream that was made was surprisingly good. “There’s a science to it and it still may be an acquired taste.” After ice cream school, Cleveland...
Hearing the Call to Coach
Strong Rock Christian School recently brought aboard an experienced coach, doting father, and husband, who has an incredibly inspiring story. Todd Raleigh, who previously coached at several institutions, including the University of Tennessee, has joined Strong Rock as its new Assistant Baseball Coach. Throughout his entire life, Raleigh has been completely surrounded by the sport of baseball. As a child, Raleigh recalls accompanying his father to Little League games, where he coached his older brothers. Raleigh states that he “doesn’t know anything different;” baseball is an intrinsic part of who he is, and this passion runs in his blood. The...
Stockbridge Safe Driving Initiative
With the number of people injured in traffic collisions each year in Stockbridge in the hundreds, the Stockbridge Police Department hopes to continue to reduce traffic accidents. The department has launched a traffic safety campaign to target distracted driving, reckless driving, driving under the influence and speeding – the four leading causes of traffic accidents in Georgia. “Our city has grown rapidly, and with that growth, we’ve seen a significant rise in traffic accidents, particularly along Interstate 75,” said Stockbridge Police Chief Frank Trammer, who helped launch the department in July 2022. “We are committed to reducing these numbers through a...