In Focus

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Email: info@gwa.com
Website: www.gwa.com
Phone: (678) 635-3800

• Kindness Week: Jan. 26 - 30
• Open House: Feb. 1 at 2 p.m.
• Yearbook Deadline: Feb. 1 (see below)
• 7th Grade Trip Meeting: Feb. 2 at 6 p.m., cafeteria
• Spring Sports Photo Day: Feb. 11
• Early Dismissal: Feb.12 (LS - 11 a.m., MS/US - 12 p.m.)
• Winter Break: Feb. 13 - 16
• LS Parent/Teacher Conferences: Feb. 17 - HALF DAY for LS only

CLICK HERE to access the GWA website calendar

We will be monitoring changing weather conditions throughout the weekend. Should a decision be made to close school - all families will receive an email from GWA Communications, followed by a text message. Closing information will also be shared on our social media accounts and the GWA website. Please make sure your email address and mobile phone number are correct/updated in your FACTS account.

GWA Winter Term classes gave students the opportunity to step outside their usual routines, learn something new, and embrace the joy of creative, hands-on learning. These immersive courses also allowed teachers to share their passions and talents while encouraging students to explore new skills and ideas. Courses in this category included:

• Party Planning
• Intro to Embroidery
• Banner Making
• Mini-Quilting
• Model Making
• Creating Podcasts
• Jazz Band

In Mrs. Kate Jones’ Winter Term class, The Art of Charcuterie, students explored board design, flavor pairings, and presentation before shopping for ingredients and showcasing themed boards for staff judges. Congratulations to Maddie Maxwell and Suny Peck for being voted "Best Board" by the judges and to all our new charcuterie experts at GWA!

Many of our Winter Term course offerings focused on games, sports, strategy, physical activity and friendly competition, giving students mental and physical challenges as well as the chance to learn a new game, a new sport or sharpen skills. Classes included:

• Guerrilla Warfare in American History
• Intro to Chess
• Math Hacks for Board & Card Games
• Geopolitics & Game Theory
• Intro to Pickleball
• Advanced Basketball Skills
• Intro to Soccer & Ultimate Frisbee
• Fly Fishing

Led by teachers Josh Jameson and Jared Wilson, the Guerrilla Warfare class traded textbooks for combat gear to explore the history and strategy of unconventional warfare. Students moved beyond theory by diving into a simulated bootcamp where they learned the basics of military decorum, officer rankings, marching, and built camaraderie through teamwork exercises and physical training. A major highlight included a trip to ATL Stunts, where students experimented with wire stunts to simulate high-action combat scenarios. The course culminated in a two-day "Capture the Flag" finale. On the final day, students used Nerf guns and camo to face off against a combined force of faculty, peers, and officers from the Monroe Police Department, testing the teamwork and strategies developed throughout the term.

During Winter Term, GWA senior Anthony Pham gained an inside look at the field of neurology through his internship with Neurosurgery Answer.

"Under Dr. Gorecki, at his private neurosurgery practice, Neurosurgery Answer, I observed a wide range of CNS procedures, including Kyphoplasty, Shunt Placements, Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS), and the use of the Gamma Knife to treat brain tumors. Additionally, I shadowed Dr. Gorecki during his clinic days where I saw him interact with, diagnose, and prepare his patients for operation. This internship allowed me to gain a comprehensive understanding of medicine and about the business components of owning a private practice in healthcare. I am incredibly grateful to connect with Dr. Gorecki and receive his mentorship and guidance. This opportunity was both aspirational and educational and I am thankful to have such fulfilling experiences through George Walton!"

- Anthony Pham

Students in Mrs. Harrison's seventh-grade Life Science classes are creating 2-liter bottle ecosystems using soil, water, and grass seed to explore how plants grow and survive in a closed environment. By observing how the grass sprouts, uses water, and responds to light, students learn how plants depend on natural resources and cycle materials within an ecosystem. This simple project helps students understand how even small systems can support life when the right conditions are present.

GWA fifth graders have been diving into life during the Great Depression through an immersive, hands-on experience. Students were sent “back in time” and challenged to build cardboard homes like those found in Hoovervilles, designed to withstand the wind and dirt of dust storms. Some structures held strong - others did not - sparking meaningful conversations about hardship and resilience. Students also experienced a simulated soup kitchen, with some receiving food and others going without, helping them better understand the very real hunger faced by so many families during this era.

Eight outdoorsy student travelers headed down to the southern side of Earth's Equator, first exploring some key sites in Ecuador's high altitude capital city Quito, then traveling to two of the larger islands in the Galapagos Islands archipelago off Ecuador's west coast. Chaperoned by Dr. Dibble and Ms. Benfield, the students first focused on the ecology and natural history of the long-lived Galapagos giant tortoises, observing the morphological differences between different species, comparing two different breeding and reintroduction programs, and discussing the effects of human interaction over time on the tortoises' habitat and behavior. The travelers also spent a lot of time in and on the water, swimming, kayaking, and snorkeling around coastlines lined with jagged volcanic rock and rugged mangrove trees. Some special wildlife sightings included the Galapagos sea lions, green sea turtles, whitetip reef sharks, a multitude of varieties of reef fish, manta rays, and blue-footed boobies. Ninth-grader Andrew Harkins recounted his experience:

"My trip to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands was very exciting and interesting. I learned about many different species of animals. Our tour guide told of about several different kinds of finches, a kind of bird, such as the Ground Finch and the Darwin Finch. We got to visit a Giant Tortoise ranch where we saw a ton of Giant Tortoises. The ranch was one of the best parts of the trip because it was so cool getting to see an animal I have never seen before. Snorkeling was also one of the best parts of the trip because we saw so many different types of fish as well as Sea Turtles and Sea Lions up close. Overall, it was a fantastic experience."

From geothermal wonders and Māori traditions to mountain hikes, ocean adventures, and unforgettable wildlife encounters, GWA students experienced New Zealand in a way few classrooms could ever capture. During Winter Term, students explored both the North and South Islands, immersing themselves in the country’s rich culture, breathtaking landscapes, and welcoming communities. From early-morning sunrises and alpine trains to cultural evenings and once-in-a-lifetime excursions, the trip offered meaningful moments of discovery, connection, and perspective that will stay with students long after the journey home. Below, students share their own reflections and highlights from this unforgettable experience in their own words.

"The trip to New Zealand was an amazing experience. We started on the North Island where we visited geothermal pools and explored the nearby town called Rotorua. We attended a Māori cultural evening where we enjoyed cultural games, dances, and a delicious meal. When we made it to the Southern Island, the scenery was amazing and breathtaking. We went to two cities on the island, Christchurch and Wellington. My favorite part of the trip was when we took a train into the mountains and hiked up a trail leading to a beautiful waterfall called the Devil's Punchbowl. However, it was not the scenery that surprised me the most, but the kindness the locals showed to each of us. This trip enriched us all as we took in a different and vibrant culture."

- Ella Minicozzi

"My favorite part of New Zealand was Rotorua, which was on a huge lake. It had a lakeside trail we took in the morning, which made it impossible not to enjoy. The people in New Zealand were welcoming and friendly. I'm grateful I had the opportunity to go on this trip."

- Landon Shannahan

"Throughout our time in New Zealand, we did multiple activities and cultural experiences. In the three cities we went to, we had some favorite activities. In Rotorua, the luge ride down the mountain and the sky swing along with the Māori cultural evening brought an appreciation for their customs and traditions in early warfare and architecture. In Wellington, hiking up Mount Victoria at five in the morning to watch the sunrise and jumping off a platform into the ocean. The Antarctic center in Christ Church had blue penguins and many simulations: the haggland and the Antarctic summer storm. My favorite thing in Christchurch was going on the train seeing all the scenery and then going to ride the jet boats. Finally, some of our favorite excursions were going whale watching in Kaikora and seeing a killer whale, a sperm whale, and sea lions. Overall, the trip was beautiful and a once in a lifetime experience."

- Wyatt Akin and Isabel Choe

Join us for an evening of fun, fellowship and fundraising in support of GWA! Tickets are on sale and selling fast! There are a limited number of tickets available, and they have sold out quickly each year — so go ahead and secure yours while you can.

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS

The George Walton Academy Casino Night & Benefit Auction this year will take place on:

Saturday, March 14, 2026

Beginning at 6 p.m.

at the Towers at Snows Mill

Monroe, GA

Whether you plan to attend the Casino Night event or not, we host a public Silent Auction for our entire GWA community during the two weeks prior, culminating on the night of the event. As we finalize all of the items, experiences, and packages to be included, we're asking: do you have something special you'd be generously willing to donate for our silent auction?

Whether you own a business, have a personal talent or have items you'd be willing to include, all donations are appreciated — in fact, we love creative and unique ideas.

Our soft deadline for silent auction donations is Friday, Feb. 13.

Email Amanda Jackson to donate to our Silent Auction! Questions? Contact Matt Reynolds at mreynolds@gwa.com

Our Red Cross Blood Drive this Friday, January 23. To make an appointment please visit redcrossblood.org or use the Red Cross Donor App and enter sponsor code: GWA

*EAT iron rich foods, DRINK plenty of water and SLEEP well before donating.

*Photo ID Required

*Please plan for about 30–45 minutes for the donation process. If you’ve never donated blood before, this is an awesome time to start — the Red Cross staff makes it easy and comfortable.

Don’t forget, a George Walton Senior receives a scholarship based on the total number of pints donated, so your participation directly supports our students in a meaningful way.

The GWA varsity Swim Dawgs traveled to Tallulah Falls this past weekend to compete in the Light in the Mountains Meet. The boys finished fourth overall with 135 points and girls landed in third place overall with 179 points! The boys’ high point scorer was Anthony Pham, bringing in 55 total points. Morgan Davis was the girls’ high point scorer with a total of 50.5 points!

Anthony Pham had a remarkable performance in his events. He landed first place in the 50 freestyle with a best time of 21.64 seconds and in the 500 freestyle with an outstanding time of 4:53.08. These amazing times broke the pool records in each of those events!

Morgan Davis also secured a first-place win in 50 freestyle with a time of 25.09 seconds.

Bella Weimer, Maci Gray, and Gabbie Zaleski were not only able to put points on the board for the team but were able to drop time from their preliminary events to their final events. This is an extremely impressive accomplishment, as these events were back-to-back in the same day. Bella dropped an outstanding 13.09 seconds, Maci shaved off an impressive 7.20 seconds, and Gabbie cut a total of 3.24 seconds!

Shout-out to the following swimmers for helping their team secure points:

• Jett Davis - 41 total points
• Drake Ferguson - 15 total points
• Amber Fields - 12 total points
• Maci Gray - 44.5 total points
• Bella Weimer - 44.5 total points
• Blake Weimer - 27 total points
• Gabbie Zaleski - 27.5 total points

Congratulations to all varsity swimmers on these amazing accomplishments. We look forward to seeing them succeed yet again at the State Championship Meet on January 31 at Georgia Tech. Good luck, Swim Dawgs!

Due to the threat of winter weather and unsafe road conditions- GIAA has decided to postpone Saturday’s State Duals event. The make-up date is TBD. We will share any updates.

The GWA Soccer Fan Shop is open until Jan. 29. Adult and youth sizes are available. By purchasing soccer spirit wear, you are supporting our soccer program and items can be worn on Fridays as spirit or at soccer games while cheering on your Bulldogs!

Spring Sports Photo Day is Feb. 11 for student participating in a GWA spring sport. We will be sharing the schedule soon. Please contact your coach about what to wear and details. You will need to have full uniforms (head to toe) and sports equipment for your photos.

As our yearbook sales come to a close for the year, I wanted to let you all know that we have a new way to sell yearbooks to make things super convenient for all of you!

If you'd like to be billed for your child's yearbook (or a faculty/staff yearbook) through your FACTS account, simply fill out this short form below for each book you'd like to purchase - https://forms.gle/1ZNSXi7MAF7wiWcV6

There is a sales list linked at the top of the form that includes everyone who has purchased a 2026 yearbook so far - PLEASE CHECK IT TO SEE IF YOU'VE BOUGHT A YEARBOOK!

Senior names have not been entered yet - each senior will receive one yearbook.

The list is not updated live (if you fill out a form, it will not update the sales list automatically). I will try to enter new sales every few days until sales close on FEBRUARY 1!