CARROLLTON, GA – Carrollton High School captured the region literary championship, accumulating points through top finishes in various performing, writing, and speaking categories. The Trojans secured first-place titles in 10 events.

In the performing arts categories, Joy Zimmer won Literary Interpretation Humorous Solo, and the team of Norah Pace and Keniyah Wells brought home first place in the Literary Interpretation Duo. Abigail McCoy earned second in Literary Interpretation Dramatic Solo. Caden Clifton (Boys Solo), Chyanne Cammon (Girls Solo), Molly Wallis, Bethany Miles, and Amelia Beasley (Trio), and Abel Akin, Caden Clifton, Damian Ruiz-Schelp, and Landen Jordan (Quartet) also earned first-place honors. The performing arts groups are under the direction of Mr. Tommy Cox, and Ms. Julie Lowry directs the chorus. 

The Trojans excelled in writing and speaking as well. Juliet Browning (Argumentative) and Blythe Browning (Literary Analysis) each won their respective essay categories. Samantha Berg placed second in Personal Essay. In Extemporaneous Speaking, Presley McLaren won Domestic, and Marian Roenigk won International. Mr. Richard Bracknell and Ms. Alison Hibbard lead the Speech and Debate program at Carrollton High School, preparing students for this competition.

The CHS literary team will compete for the state championship Saturday, March 14, at Buford High School.
 

Carrollton High School literary region champions are pictured from left (back row) Caden Clifton, Abel Akin, Landen Jordan, (sixth row) Samantha Berg, Norah Pace, (fifth row) Keniyah Wells, Damian Ruiz-Schelp, Marian Roenigk (fourth row) Amelia Beasley, Joy Zimmer, Bethany Miles, (third row) Molly Wallis, Presley McLaren, (second row) Blythe Browning, Chyanne Cammon, Juliet Browning, (front row) CHS Speech and Debate Teacher Richard Bracknell, CHS Assistant Speech and Debate Teacher Alison Hibbard, CHS Performing Arts Teacher Tommy Cox, and CHS Principal Dr. Ian Lyle. Not pictured: CHS Chorus Teacher Julie Lowry and performing arts student Abigail McCoy.

Carrollton High School students secured eight first-place wins at the West Georgia Technology Competition: Carly Blakemore (9-10 3D Modeling), August Ochoa (9-10 Animantion), Tanya Aggarwal (9-10 Digital Photo Production), Richard Ashlock and Allan Lopez Chanax (11-12 Physical Computing), Venkata Koppireddy (11-12 Programming), Brylan Webb and Sam Duncan (11-12 Robotics), and Lucy Slappey and Alaina Dhople (11-12 Web and Mobile Apps). All top finishers qualify for the state competition, which will be held March 14 in Henry County, Ga. Hudson Hooten won second place in 9-10 Graphic Design, and the team of Xavi Escarcega-Rodriguez and Lomar Noel placed second in 11-12 Video Production. 
 

Carrollton High School competitors in the West Georgia Technology Competition are pictured from left: (back row) Allan Lopez Chanax, Brylan Webb, Sam Duncan; (third row) Lucy Slappey, Carly Blakemore, Xavi Escarcega-Rodriguez; (second row) Juliet Browning, Venkata Koppireddy, Omar DeJesus; (front row) CHS computer science teacher Robby Blakemore, Aaron Ashlock, Alaina Dhople, and CHS Assistant Principal Austin Williams. 
 

CARROLLTON, GA – All four schools within the Carrollton City district were honored with the Ready Georgia Seal of Preparedness from the Georgia Department of Education, recognizing schools with exceptional school emergency preparedness and continued safety efforts. Of the districts in Georgia, only 27 received a seal, with only eight of those districts having all of their schools as recipients. 

Schools must demonstrate a commitment to emergency operations planning, drills and exercises, training, security interventions, safety technology, and data analysis. Carrollton Elementary, Carrollton Upper Elementary, Carrollton Middle, and Carrollton High School all received this prestigious recognition.

Carrollton City Schools continually looks for opportunities to enhance safety protocols. With five on-campus school resource officers, the implementation of the LifeSpot application for active intruder situations, and door cameras at each school for added security, the district has worked to anticipate concerns and implement solutions, reinforcing the district’s ongoing commitment to maintaining a safe and secure environment for all students and staff.

“Emergency management requires rigorous planning,” said CCS Assistant Superintendent Craig George. “This award is a testament to our district’s dedication to being proactive, rather than reactive, about school safety.”

The Georgia Department of Education, in collaboration with the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS), recognizes schools for going above and beyond to increase school safety and minimize risk factors. Schools honored must meet specific safety criteria, including rigorous training expectations and behavioral threat management procedures.

“We are committed to refining our safety measures at every opportunity,” said CCS Superintendent Dr. Mark Albertus. “The safety of our students and staff is our top priority.”
 

Aerial view of Carrollton City Schools. Courtesy of Brian Carmichael Photography.