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Above is an artist's rendering of the new Tift Middle School to replace current facilities. The site is adjacent to Tift County High School.

NEW MIDDLE SCHOOL TO BREAK GROUND THIS FALL, SUPT. SAYS

By BONNIE SAYLES

Tifton Grapevine

Tift County Schools plans to break ground this fall on a new 7th-8th grade middle school, and it is expected to be operational by the 2027-28 school year, Superintendent Natalie Gore told the Tift County Rotary Club on Wednesday.

The site is adjacent to the high school. Gore said this will provide opportunities for middle school students who want to take high school classes to be able to go back and forth. Also, both schools could share a teacher for a class such as Spanish, rather than requiring two teachers. 

“It will be literally a three-minute walk away,” she said. “We are working on that at a very perky pace.”

The new school is expected to serve approximately 1,200 students. The school system has said the middle school will be designed to support a modern and dynamic educational environment, incorporating both collaborative and innovative learning spaces.

The Tift County Board of Education has selected Goodwyn Mills Cawood (GMC) as the architectural firm for the project. and recently approved Parrish Construction as the construction management firm.

During her talk to Rotarians, Gore also showed photos of damaged and decaying walls and ceilings of bathroom facilities at two local elementary schools, Northside and Annie Belle Clark. The latter is the system’s newest school at 21 years old.

Gore said that Northside Elementary “reeks of urine, constantly. You can’t clean it. It’s in the grout. It’s in the floor.” She said teachers are working in a school in which the odors cannot be bleached out. 

She said every school in the system has damaged areas like the ones she showed, some of them worse than others. 

“The state has established timelines for schools, related to when you should be doing what in terms of facility enhancement,” Gore said. When a facility is 10-15 years old, HVAC and exhaust fans should be replaced for air quality enhancement. At 20 years, a complete renovation should be scheduled.

The state will provide “birthday money” towards the scheduled renovations, Gore said. The funds are put in a savings account, and the funds are drawn from it as needed. 

“We have about $10 million in our savings account, which would help renovate one building,” she said. “It’s better than nothing.” However, “you get to a point where the age of your building is such that you can’t renovate it; you have to modernize it,” Gore said.

She said modernizing would mean replacing the wiring and plumbing. 

“We have four schools that need modernization,” she said. “The challenge is, modernization is extremely expensive. Is it better to modernize the 70-year-old building or just build new?”

She said that’s some of the decisions facing the Board of Education.

Annie Belle Clark Elementary is past due for a renovation, which in today’s dollars is $9.8 million. Matt Wilson Elementary is 69 years old with renovations due in 2027 at $7.1 million in today’s dollars, she said. Charles Spencer Elementary is also 69 years old with renovations due in six to nine years at $8 million-$9 million. Omega Elementary is 89 years old with renovations due in 2027 costing an estimated $9 million. J.T. Reddick Elementary would cost about $9 million.

And both G.O. Bailey and Northside elementaries need modernization. “Expensive word,” Gore said. “We’ve got to look at, right now, do we close these buildings and build one elementary school to replace them?”

She said the school system is designing the new middle school building and a new multipurpose building, about which she said she can’t say much because its scope is being decided.

Gore and schools Chief Financial Officer Klinton Guess also went into great detail on the complexities of where state and local funds come from and how they must be spent.

The Tifton Grapevine will delve into those details in a future article.

FITZGERALD HIGH STUDENTS, STAFF BEING TESTED AFTER TB DIAGNOSIS

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

Some students and staff members at Fitzgerald High School College & Career Academy are being tested for tuberculosis (TB) after a student there was diagnosed with active tuberculosis this week.

On Tuesday, Superintendent Stephen Harden of Ben Hill County Schools sent a letter to the school's parents notifying them of the TB diagnosis and said students and staff members identified as close contacts had already been made aware. 

Testing in partnership with the Georgia Department of Public Health (GDPH) and Ben Hill County Health Department has been underway this week.

"While this news may be concerning, please know that even tor those identified as contacts, the risk of infection is low," the superintendent wrote.

"TB is not spread by surface contact like the cold or flu. It Is airborne-spread. When a person with active TB coughs, sneezes, or speaks, and someone nearby breathes in the germs, not everyone infected with TB becomes sick. Some develop latent TB infection, which is not contagious and can be treated to prevent active disease. Tuberculosis Is treatable and almost always curable," Superintendent Harden said.

The DPH estimated the about 200 students and staff members may have been in contact with the infected student, who is being treated in an Atlanta hospital.

Tuberculosis is a contagious bacterial disease primarily affecting the lungs and spread through the air. It can be either latent (inactive) or active (symptomatic). Health officials say it is more difficult to contract TB than other respiratory diseases.

PINWHEELS A REMINDER OF ABUSED CHILDREN IN TIFT

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

The annual Tift County Council on Child Abuse Pinwheel Ceremony last Friday kicked off Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month.

This year, there are 582 pinwheels set up outside the Tift County Recreation Department's Special Programs Building near the swimming pool complex at Baldwin Drive and Second Street.

The pinwheels represent the 582 children that were reported as abused or neglected last year in Tift County

“We have to surround these children with a community that cares about them, and we have to show them that they can heal – and we have to be part of that healing,” Tifton Mayor Julie B. Smith said at the ceremony.

Addressing those individuals who work to help abused children and prevent child abuse, Smith said, “You make the community a better place, and you make the lives of those children better because of what you do.”

To help support its mission, the Tift County Council on Child Abuse is selling blue ribbons throughout the month of April. They may be obtained by calling 229-388-1000 or 229-396-5172.

TIFT COUNTY NAMES NEW HEAD BASKETBALL, WRESTLING COACHES

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

At the Tift County Board of Education meeting Thursday night, two new head coaches were announced for the boys basketball and wrestling teams at Tift County High School.

Charles Burkett, a high school championship coach who played professional basketball overseas, takes over the reins of Blue Devils basketball.

Britt Wilson, a TCHS graduate, who most recently was the Blue Devils varsity assistant wrestling coach and has served as head coach of the middle school football team, is the new varsity boys wrestling head coach.

Blue Devils Basketball

Charles Burkett brings more than 20 years of championship-level coaching experience and a strong record of student-athlete development to the Blue Devils. Most recently, he served as head coach at Central High School in Phenix City, Ala., where he led the Red Devils to several winning seasons, including a 28-4 finish and a Class 7A state semifinal appearance in 2024-2025.

Before that, he guided Hoover High School, Ala., to the 2015 Class 7A state basketball championship. Under his leadership, teams have consistently achieved success with multiple Final Four appearances, area titles, and deep playoff runs.

“Coach Burkett is a proven leader with a strong vision for building a winning culture both on and off the court,” said Tift County Athletic Director Chris Martin. “His experience and passion for developing student-athletes make him a perfect fit for Tift County. We’re excited to welcome him to Blue Devil Nation.”

Burkett played three standout seasons at Jacksonville State University, leading the Gamecocks to a 72-13 record, two Gulf South Conference championships, and two NCAA Elite Eight appearances. He scored more than 1,300 career points and earned Gulf South Conference Player of the Year and NCAA All-American honors during his senior season.

After college, Burkett played professionally for five years overseas in France, Belgium, Poland, Sweden, and the Dominican Republic.

Blue Devils Wrestling

Britt Wilson is a 2006 graduate of Tift County High and has 14 years of coaching experience, including seven years specializing in wrestling. He has been an integral part of Tift County’s wrestling program, serving as varsity assistant coach since 2023. Before that, he served as head coach of the middle school football team.

His accomplishments include leading multiple middle school teams to state championships. 

In addition to his wrestling coaching duties, he currently serves as an assistant coach for the Blue Devils football team. A graduate of Valdosta State University, Wilson has a specialist degree in coaching pedagogy, a master's in education, and a bachelor's degree in arts in history. He also has coaching certifications in physical education, secondary education, first aid/CPR, and concussion safety.

The school system said that throughout Wilson's career, he has demonstrated a commitment to building successful programs, fostering a positive team culture, and ensuring the growth of student-athletes.

“We are excited to have Coach Wilson take the reins of our wrestling program,” said Tift County Athletic Director Chris Martin. “His dedication to our athletes, experience in building championship-caliber teams, and strong leadership qualities make him the perfect fit to continue the tradition of excellence in Tift County wrestling.”

BLUE DEVILS TENNIS WIN THIRD STRAIGHT REGION TITLE

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

The Tift County High boys varsity tennis team has secured a "three-peat" in Region 1-6A – winning three straight region championships.

The Blue Devils on Tuesday defeated Colquitt 3-0 and then faced Richmond Hill in the region championship, claiming another 3-0 victory that day to win three straight region championships.

When the first round of state playoffs are set, Tift County is expected to have a home court advantage.

Brynna Burke, TCHS 2025 valedictorian, and Rylan Pearman, class salutatorian, pose with Principal, Jennifer Johnson.

TCHS NAMES CLASS OF 2025 VALEDICTORIAN, SALUTATORIAN

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Tift County High School has announced the top academic honors for the Class of 2025. Brynna Burke has been named class valedictorian, and Rylan Pearman has been named salutatorian.

Both students have demonstrated exceptional academic achievement, leadership, and dedication throughout their high school careers; their hard work, perseverance, and commitment to excellence have set them apart as leaders among their peers, the high school said.

“These two students represent the very best of Tift County High School,” said Principal Jennifer Johnson. “Brynna and Rylan have not only excelled in the classroom, but they have also been active contributors to our school community. We are incredibly proud of their accomplishments and look forward to seeing the bright futures ahead of them.”

Brynna has been a student in Tift County Schools since the fifth grade, and Rylan joined the district in the eighth grade. Both have made lasting impacts during their time at Tift County High School through their academic success and involvement in school activities.

Graduation for the Class of 2025 will be held May 22 at Brodie Field.

TIFTON WOMANS CLUB AWARDS STUDENT FOR PAINTING, WHICH ALSO WINS DISTRICT HONOR

By BONNIE SAYLES

Tifton Grapevine

The Tifton Woman’s Club has awarded Tift County High senior Antron Johnson the first place in an arts competition for his painting “Nothing Even Matters,” and the painting was named second place at a recent meeting of the South West District of Women’s Clubs.

Johnson told club members Tuesday that his inspiration for the painting came from listening to music and thinking of what the artists were saying.

“We live in a world that is temporary,” he said was the message behind the title. He said most of his works include white and black lines sweeping through the images, signifying that “everything is energy; everything is connected.”

The artists depicted in his work are Lauryn Hill, Rod Wave, and Sza, and the fourth image represents himself. His work will advance to a statewide competition. Johnson said he plans to continue to study art in college and possibly science as well.

(In the accompanying photo, Tifton Woman's Club President Debbie Thompson presents an award certificate to Johnson, who is showing his award-winning painting.)

The Tifton Woman’s Club also was the recipient of several awards in its membership category (16-35 members) at the South West District Spring Meeting on March 15. The awards are given based on the club’s reports of activities for the previous year.

The club was awarded first place in Arts and Culture, Civic Engagement and Outreach, Education and Libraries, and Environment.

Tifton was awarded silver trays in three categories: Best Overall Club in activities benefitting Education and Libraries; activities in Domestic & Sexual Violence Awareness & Prevention; and for activities benefitting Tallulah Falls School.

The Tifton Junior Women’s Club swept first place in all the community service program categories among junior women’s clubs in the district: Arts & Culture; Civic Engagement & Outreach; Education & Libraries; Environment; and Health & Wellness.

Betty Morgan Cooksey of the Tifton JWC won Junior Clubwoman of the Year for the South West District. And, the Tifton Junior Women’s Club achieved the Membership Award among all the clubs, junior and general.

TRMC EMERGENCY DEPT. NURSE HONORED WITH DAISY AWARD

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Harley Paulk, a registered nurse at Tift Regional Medical Center, was recently honored with The Daisy Team Award for Extraordinary Nurses. The award is part of the Daisy Foundation's program to recognize the exceptional efforts nurses perform daily. 

Paulk works in the Emergency Department and was nominated for her extraordinary actions while caring for a pediatric patient in critical condition.

“Despite the chaotic environment that surrounds pediatric emergencies, Harley immediately established a calm and reassuring presence. She explained procedures clearly and patiently addressed the parent’s anxieties,” the nomination read.

“She recognized the need of the patient and family at the time. Her actions directly contributed to a positive outcome for the patient, demonstrating exceptional communications skills and genuine empathy.”

Bryon Ross, Emergency Department director, said, “Harley embodies everything the Daisy Award stands for — compassion, excellence, and heart. Her ability to anticipate needs, advocate for others, and lead with empathy is something we all admire. We’re incredibly proud to have her on our team."

The Daisy Award for Extraordinary Nurses, sponsored by the nonprofit Daisy Foundation in California, has been adopted by healthcare facilities around the world to celebrate nurses for their extraordinary care and compassion.

TIFTON-TIFT COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE RIBBON CUTTING

LifeSouth Community Blood Centers

1920 U.S. Highway 82 W., Suite 1904, Tifton

April 10

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YOUR GUIDE

TO ACTIVITIES

THIS WEEKEND

IN THE GREATER TIFTAREA

Sunday, April 13, is Palm Sunday, an important day in the history of Christianity. At its basic, Palm Sunday marks Jesus’ victorious entry into Jerusalem, riding a donkey and being welcomed with people using palm fronds. There is also symbolism involved in Palm Sunday, since palms are considered signs of peace and victory. Palm Sunday begins Holy Week culminating in Easter.

FRIDAY, APRIL 11

• R&B Night, with DJ Phun, 7 p.m., Tift Theatre for the Performing Arts, Downtown Tifton

SATURDAY, APRIL 12

• Tift Avenue Church Yard Sale, benefiting Teen Talent youth, 7 a.m.-11 a.m, Tift Avenue Church, 2220 Tift Ave., Tifton

• National Grits Festival, 7:30 a.m., Grits Festival breakfast; 9:45 a.m., opening ceremonies; 10 a.m. parade; 11:30 a.m. Grits Eating Contest; Noon, Grits Toss; live entertainment, vendors until 4 p.m., Downtown Warwick

• Tifton Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-noon, Tifton Gardens, Downtown Tifton

• Egg Drop & Wellness Hop, 9 a.m.-Noon, Tift County Recreation Department, Victory Drive, Tifton

• Hop & Shop Second Saturday, pictures with Easter Bunny, 10 a.m.-noon; store-wide sales, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Downtown Tifton

• Kids Studio Saturday, 10 a.m.-noon, Syd Blackmarr Arts Center, Tifton

• Easter Eggstravaganza & Makers Market, egg hunt, pictures with Easter Bunny, local goods, handcrafted items, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Nashville Train Depot, Nashville

• "Day in the Woods," hands-on activities & interactive demonstrations, 1-5 p.m., Gaskins Forest Education Center, 3359 Moore Sawmill Road, Alapaha

• Tifton Fire Department's Easter Egg Hunt, food, games, photos with Easter Bunny, 2-4 p.m., Fulwood Park, Tifton

SUNDAY, APRIL 13

• 29th Annual Miss Georgia Pine Pageant, 2 p.m, Tift Theatre for the Performing Arts, Tifton

• Kraken Pro-Wrestling, 4 p.m., Leroy Rogers Center, Tifton

YOUR RESIDENTIAL

YARD SALE HERE

To Advertise Your Home Yard Sale, Contact:

IHeardIt@tiftongrapevine.com 

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"Tito" is a good-looking happy guy – you can see it from his big smile to his tan eyebrows and "Dorito" ears. He will make someone a great pet. Come visit Tito and see other pets available for adoption at the Tift County Animal Shelter on Highway 125 South, open between 1-6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. For additional information, call 229-382-PETS (7387).

Tifton Grapevine

e-published every Tuesday and Friday

Frank Sayles Jr.

Editor & Publisher

Bonnie Sayles

Managing Editor