December 9, 2022

Lions Capture Flag Football State Title

Lithia Springs High School’s flag football team capped off an undefeated season Thursday by capturing the Class 5A-6A State Championship over Central (Carroll) High School with a dominant 14-0 performance.

“I’m so proud of this team and all the work they’ve put in this year,” said Pleasants following the victory. “We’ve worked really hard to get here, and this is the perfect end to this season.”

The Lions' effort in the state championship gave a small glimpse of their season, as they rode a dominant defensive effort to the victory. Both teams started slowly on offense, but LSHS broke through midway through the first half to take the lead.

On their first scoring drive, the LSHS converted a key fourth down in CHS territory to keep their drive alive. And later, Nevaeh Shedrick used her legs to find the end zone on another fourth down play to give LSHS a 7-0 lead.

Near the end of the half, CHS put together a long drive, but the Lion defense held strong as it has done all season to force a turnover on downs right before halftime.

After the half, both defenses dug in once again until LSHS’ Rashiya Minnex found Jayden Graham for a touchdown pass that gave the Lions a 14-0 lead and put the game out of reach and secure the state title.

Throughout the season, LSHS’ calling card was its defense, as the unit only surrendered one touchdown to opponents in 19 games. When asked about the unit, Pleasants said that the group’s focus is always on fundamentals and discipline.

“We stayed disciplined, and that’s been our motto all year long,” Pleasants said. “We’ve wanted to take it one game at a time and focus on playing good defense in every one.”

It’s the Most Wonderful Art of the Year

The Cultural Arts Center of Douglasville - Douglas County (CAC) was ablaze with excitement and talent from students throughout Douglas County, last week. Douglas County School System art teachers held in school contests among their students and submitted their top “Winter Wonderland” themed artwork into the gallery to be hung on the walls with care – and not a spot has been left empty.

The community can come view the exhibit through December 15, and see every holiday treasure from snow globes and gingerbread to elves, sleighs, wintery cabins, and polar bears.

In the CAC’s Wintery Wonderland, four award recipients were chosen from four categories: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12. The awards are sponsored by The Red Cockerill Gallery in Austell.

Lithia Springs Elementary, 1st grade, Mateo Roman Valladeras

Annette Winn Elementary, 3rd grade, Dwayne Romans

Chapel Hill Middle, 8th grade, Layla Palmer

New Manchester High School, 12th grade, Jordyn Sykes

Alexander High JROTC Raider Team Wins Second in State

The Alexander Raiders are celebrating a second-place win at state competition. With lead cadet Commander Camden Porter and Co-commander Lucas Chamberlain, the Alexander Raider team achieved second place in the state competition at Spalding high school.

Each meet has athletic events requiring speed, strength, and teamwork. Typical meets begin with a 5K team run or relay to get everyone warmed up and ready for challenging events. Following the run, the Alexander team showed physical strength and agility by participating in Cross Country Rescue, Tire Flip, Team run, Raider Fitness Challenge, and Rope Bridge. After competing against 35 schools, the Alexander male team placed second overall. This achievement marks the fourth year in a row the Alexander High School Raider team has brought home a State win in the top two placings.

Raiders is the most physically demanding extracurricular activity in JROTC. When speaking about the team’s efforts, LTC Sharon Collier says she is immensely proud of the Raiders’ hard work in every competition. “The competition's goal is to encourage students to perform to the best of their ability,” she explains. “Not only are they building self-confidence and self-esteem, but they are also learning valuable lessons about discipline and confidence.”

Grace Padron is a shining star at North Douglas Elementary School who shines in this week’s Student’s Spotlight. Not only is Grace an anchor on the NDES morning news, but she also sings in the NDES Chorus and is on the TOME Society team. Grace is also on the honor roll and is always helpful and kind to fellow students and teachers. Principal Pamela Wooley says Grace is always willing to go above and beyond. Her teachers agree, adding that Grace is incredibly bright and an incredible asset to North Douglas Elementary. Congratulations, Grace!

CHHS Basketball Preview

Lady Panthers Hungry for Success in New Region

Entering the 2022-23 season, Chapel Hill High School’s Lady Panthers have a mix of veteran leadership and youth that head coach Lauren Revesz hopes can help the team find more success this season.

“This is my second season and head coach, and we’re very excited to get this season underway,” Revesz said. “We’ve got a lot of new girls and a lot of young girls that are very hungry. We’re playing in a new region this year, and we’re expecting a lot of big things this year.”

Entering the season, the Lady Panthers will need to replace production from Nadia Barbary, who was a Second-Team All-Region performer last season. However, the team will have several girls capable of carrying the load, as they will rely on players like Naya Miller, Shelbie Hutto, Emahni Chambliss, Teleah Dunbar and Maleah Rice to carry the load.

With their sites set on the state tournament, the Lady Panthers will compete in a new Region 5-5A. The nine-team region features in-county opponent Lithia Springs High School, along with several other schools from Atlanta and Fulton County that qualified for the state tournament last year.

CHHS began the new season on November 14 with a win over Paideia, and they will step into region play on December 6 against Tri-Cities.

Panthers Eyeing Another Deep Playoff Run

In his first season at the helm of the Chapel Hill High School boys basketball program, Mike Artis returns a lot of talent from a team that made the Elite Eight last season and took eventual state champion Tri-Cities to the wire before dropping their final game.

“I’m looking forward to leading this group of young men. They’ve done a really good job of making the Elite Eight last year and the Final Four the year before that, so I’ve got some big shoes to fill,” Artis said. “I have some good upperclassmen who have been there before and been through some things and seen some battles with a good group of juniors and sophomores who we’ll rely on to help lead the way.]”

This season, CHHS finds itself on a collision course with Tri-Cities once again, as the two share a region in the new Region 5-5A, but the Panthers are excited for the challenge of having to see the reigning state champions twice this season.

To get past the Bulldogs and the rest of their region competition, CHHS will need to replace reigning Region 6-5A Player of the Year and All-State selection Chi Shannon.

To do this, they will lean on a group of experienced contributors from last year’s team led by Kelvin Hunter, who earned Second-Team All-Region honors last year. Along with Hunter, guards Rod Payne, Khirus Doucet and Oray Towns III will be counted on to be key contributors on both ends for the Panthers.

“As always our goal is to win the region championship and be in the region championship conversation,” Artis said. “Beyond that, we want to get into the state tournament and see where the chips may fall. I’m looking forward to it, and I’m blessed to have this group of guys for this season.”

CHHS began its season on November 12, and they will begin their pursuit of a region title on December 6 against Tri-Cities at home.

Families of eleventh graders,

The State of Georgia requires that all children 16 years of age and older, who have entered the eleventh grade, must receive one booster dose of the Meningitis vaccine.

In order to keep our students safe, healthy and in school, the vaccine will be offered on Saturday, December 10th from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. at the Douglas County Health Department , 6770 Selman Drive, Douglasville, GA 30134.

Vaccines may also be administered by your primary care physicians.

If your child does not have the vaccine by Wednesday, January 4th, they will be withdrawn from school.

Eighth graders and parents:

It's time to learn about the magnet programs at all five high schools in Douglas County and determine the best fit for you!

Magnet Timeline and Application Links

You will also find the contact information for the coordinator at each school in the timeline. Be sure to complete both sections of the application.

The deadline to apply is Monday, December 12, 2022.

Come celebrate with the Atlanta Falcons for Freddie’s New Year Day Bash!

As a special thank you for your hard work, join the Atlanta Falcons as they bring in the New Year for the January 1^st game vs Arizona Cardinals.

Receive a savings of up to 50% on select seating areas. Inventory is limited and will sell out in the coming days.

Secure your seats below using the PROMO CODE: TEACHER to unlock the discount

Purchase Tickets >>: Freddie’s New Year Bash

Each ticket purchased will come with a bag of fun 2023 New Year accessories, such as, glasses, glow sticks, and more!

The first 5 counties that reach 150 tickets purchased will win a visit from Freddie Falcon this school year, so be sure to select Douglas County before checkout!

To purchase more than 10 tickets or if you have any questions, please reach out to Group Sales at [email protected]

Night to Shine – Now Registering Guests and Volunteers

Night to Shine sponsored by Tim Tebow Foundation is a prom experience especially for people with special needs ages 14 and up. The prom will be held in person on Friday, February 10, 2023, for the first time since 2020.

Every guest of Night to Shine enters this complimentary event on a red carpet complete with a warm welcome from a friendly crowd and paparazzi. Once inside, guests receive the royal treatment, including hair and makeup stations, shoe shining areas, limousine rides, corsages and boutonnieres, a catered dinner, karaoke, prom favors, a dance floor… all leading up to the moment when each guest is crowned king or queen of the prom.

While we have a distribution list of guests who have attended in the past, we want to reach out to potential participants who might not otherwise hear about it. In addition, this event requires the help of hundreds of people; and we've found that high school students (age 16 and up) and educators/system employees make great volunteers.

Click on the flyer below for more information: