The first thing you notice about 17-year-old Aida Mokube is that her smile lights up the room. Aida wants to become a dentist and she's got a perfect record for getting started. Accomplishments: Aida Mokube is a rising senior at West Forsyth High School. When her report card arrived last week, she realized all the hard work throughout her junior year paid off with straight A's. With a cumulative grade point average of 4.0 and a class ranking percentile of 96.58, Aida has put herself in the driver's seat to do just about anything she wants. But Aida's record goes beyond academic excellence. …
When you look at Ryan Matthews, you see a student, a tough lacrosse player, an ice hockey player and an all-around regular kind of guy--(Okay, except for his undeniable good looks and striking blue eyes). He works two jobs, makes good grades and volunteers at vacation bible school. (If you've ever seen a teenage guy managing a group of first graders at vacation bible school, then you have seen the true definition of volunteer work!) But there's more than meets the eye to this junior who attends South Forsyth High School. Ryan Matthews takes more than 30 pills a day to maintain the health of …
He's laid back, but his storage of ambition is filled to the brim and it's anything but passive. Nick Davis has earned every merit badge available to him as an Eagle Scout and he's taking his determination to the classroom at UGA in the fall. Accomplishments: Nick Davis has recently been accepted to the University of Georgia and it's easy to see why. The 18-year-old senior at Forsyth Central High School has been the recipient of two scholarships including one from Sawnee EMC for $3,500 and $1,000 dollar Clarice Bagwell Eagle Scholarship. Nick is a top student in his class at Forsyth Central …
There's only one thing better than being a rising senior in college. How about a $30,000 thousand dollar scholarship to round out your academic experience? Brenau University awards its Baxter-Bryan Scholarship to Cumming's own Ashley Tolland. Accomplishments: Ashley Tolland was selected from the top five contenders at Brenau University as the recipient of the school's most sought-after scholarship. The scholarship includes tuition, books, fees and room and board, for Ashley's entire senior year. Ashley is an occupational therapy major who has maintained a 4.0 grade point average throughout …
He's 12-years-old and he's on a roll at the pitcher's mound. Jacob has been playing baseball for seven years and has continually led his team in strike-outs every year, but this season, he's taking it to the next level. Accomplishments: Jacob Grinstead's strike-out streak has zipped through 18 batters with no hits and no walks. Of course, it didn't just happen overnight. Jacob has been building his reputation on the mound in increments. In seasons past, it all started when he pitched a one one-hitter, then came the no-hitter, and this year, he's pitched a perfect game. However, Jacob will be…
Kayla Brown is ready to roll. This all-American girl has gone global with a keen awareness that her window to the world goes way beyond her front door. The West Forsyth senior has plans that stretch from America all the way to West Asia where she will work as a Crisis, Stabilization and Governance Officer for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Kayla was accepted early to the University of Georgia where she'll prepare for her future with studies in International Business, Marketing, and International Affairs with an emphasis in Middle Eastern studies. With an …
Accomplishments: Drew Ridings definitely knows how to roll with the changes, especially when it comes to playing golf. The Vickery Creek Middle School 7th grader is currently in the number one spot on his school's team. He's been playing golf since he was 9- years-old, and spends 20 to 30 hours a week on the golf course. Drew is the 2008 champion at the Polo Golf and Country Club and the Regional Optimist International Competition. He holds 13 medals ranging from first to third place in golf. Being ranked in the Top Five in east and west Georgia is also a bonus, but for Drew Ridings, the most…
Talking to Madison Sales, you'd never guess she's only in the 2nd grade. She's the kind of kid you could have over for lemonade and shoot the breeze, except she's usually too busy reading and writing or whizzing by on her scooter. Accomplishments: Madison reads one book a day, but not because she has to. The Vickery Creek Elementary 2nd-grader reads because she simply loves books. It has led her to write and illustrate her own stories as she's found it's her favorite way to release her creative energy. Instilled with a love for reading from her parents, Madison reads well above her grade …
Accomplishments Kidist Daniel, a South Forsyth High School sophomore, was recently chosen as one of 15 finalists in McDonalds Operator's Association's singing competition known as, "The Gift." The competition finds and showcases inspirational solo and group artists between the ages of 9 to 15 from all over Georgia. Kidist will go on to compete in the finals on April 3 at the Rialto Center for the Arts where the winner receives $2,500 dollars in education funds and $5,000 dollars in cash. Kidist counts her trust in God as one of her most important accomplishments leading her to the finalist …
Accomplishments: At Studio West Productions, Matt Salvatore can step into anyone's shoes. The West Forsyth High School junior has played major roles in several productions including A Year With Frog and Toad, Beauty and the Beast and Sweeney Todd. It was Matt's role as Lumiere in Beauty and the Beast that won him a nomination for the 2010 Shuler Hensley Award for Excellence in High School Musical Theatre. Matt was also a state runner-up in Georgia's One Act Play competition. At 6 foot, 1 inch with red hair and crystal blue eyes, Matt's presence on the stage is hard to miss, and his tenor …
Achievements: Scoring a 4 or 5 on seven AP exams during his high school career caught the attention of the admissions department at Georgia Technical Institute when Ryan Simpon's application came across the desk. However, test scores and a grade point average of 4.71 at the height of swim team season aren't the only factors that impressed Tech with Ryan's abilities. Ryan has also completed a substantial Eagle Project at John's Creek Presbyterian Church where he constructed softball-field dugouts totaling $4,726.81 dollars in material expenses and 290 man-hours to complete construction. …
Owen Smith feels right at home with the Off Broadway Kids Musical Theatre Troupe. What started with the role of Amaryllis (Music Man) with the Off Broadway Dance Theatre when she was just seven-years-old, has led to multiple theater awards and a home away from home on center stage. Accomplishments Owen, now a 6th grader at Vickery Creek Middle School won “Outstanding Performance by an Actor” for her role as The Sour Kangaroo in Seussical in 2010. She won again this past February for her role as the Genie in Aladdin. While theatre troupe training requires a great deal of work and dedication, …
Meet Olivia Wood. She's a 7-year-old who knows what it means to stay in shape. Accomplishment Olivia played the Goldfish Team Xtreme Game every day for a year, logging her fitness goals and making a commitment to stay active. Her dedication led to being chosen as a finalist in the competition and her prize included a six-day trip to Los Angeles for the NBA All-Star Weekend. Olivia got to "hang out" with team members of the Miami Heat like Dwyane Wade, who has partnered with the Team Xtreme program to support America's youth in their efforts to stay active. Olivia has also earned a yellow belt…
Meet this week's Cumming Patch Whiz Kid. Accomplishment The sky is the limit for Haley Jones. The West Forsyth High School senior accepted an early appointment to the United States Air Force Academy where she plans to become an officer in the US Air Force and fly an A-10. Jones was also presented with two other options: early acceptance to GA Tech and Auburn University where she was offered (without applying) a four year scholarship covering all miscellaneous fees and 2/3 of her tuition. "Mainly, I found what I wanted to do in life early, which is to become an officer in the US Air Force and …
