In Focus

Like us on Facebook, follow us on Instagram and X

or visit us online.

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

• Summer Camps: Register at https://www.gwa.com/campus-life/summer-camps.cfm

• AP Exams: May 5 - 16

• Senior Art Exhibit: May 8

• Yearbook Presentation: May 12

• Senior Mentor Breakfast: May 14

• Baccalaureate: May 16

• Class of 2025 Graduation: May 17

• Semester Exams for Grades 8-11: May 19 - 21
• K5 Graduation: May 21
• 5th Grade Graduation: May 22
• Exam Make Up Day: May 22
• Last Day of School: May 22 (early dismissal)

We are thrilled to share the news that one of our two accrediting bodies - GISA - has already reaccredited our school for the next five years! To paraphrase from the final sentence in the report, "after a review of GWA's current reports, documentation, academic profile and results, extensive stakeholder surveys, evidence of comprehensive strategic planning, and on-site interviews with parents, students, faculty, alumni and trustees, the GISA visiting team is pleased to unanimously recommend George Walton Academy for full re-accreditation.

A very special thanks to the literally hundreds of you parents who, since 2024, completed on-line surveys and attended in-person interviews. There is a lot to celebrate and a lot to work on. We will be sharing many more details of the report in the weeks ahead. We'd like to recognize longtime Latin teacher Cortney Pickens for her strong leadership of this extensive accreditation process.

One final snippet of the GISA report to share with you from well-respected GISA Executive Director Dr. Jeff Jackson and his visiting team of former heads of school in our great state ...

" GWA is a special place where family and values are wanted and respected. The atmosphere is welcoming; traditions are important, and academic excellence is key to the mission of the school. The strengths of GWA are rooted in the more than 55-year-old history of traditions, values, family involvement, and strong relationships. Stakeholders, especially students, are passionate and proud of the school's legacy and are eager to see it continue.

The teaching faculty is dedicated to the well-being of the students and provides a nurturing, loving environment - going above and beyond the curriculum. Students clearly love their school! The small class sizes provide opportunity for students to be truly "seen" and to flourish in the many-faceted experiences of GWA school life, where personal relationships are fundamental. It is apparent that being a "family" with "Christian values" and "longstanding traditions" define the culture and point to a very bright future. "

We will share more commendations and recommendations for school improvement in the future, as we work this summer to complete our Strategic Plan for 2029 - our 60th anniversary.

GO BULLDOGS!

George Walton Academy is pleased to announce our Class of 2025 valedictorian Moneli Shekarbakht and salutatorian Emerson Sheldon. Both Moneli and Emerson will attend Georgia Tech in the fall.

Congratulations to Moneli and Emerson for their outstanding achievements!

Moneli Shekarbakht has been chosen as Rotary Student of the Year. She has selected Melissa Page as Teacher of the Year. Moneli is our 2025 valedictorian, an AP Scholar with Distinction, has earned the UGA Certificate of Merit, and GWA Best of the Best, served as a Junior Marshal, and has made the Head of School list throughout high school. She has demonstrated leadership skills as an active member of GWA's student life. Moneli is a member of National Honor Society, Beta Club (president), Student Council (president), Gavel Club (sergeant of arms), Interact Club (co-president), and Spanish Club (president). She is a member of the varsity cross country and track teams (GIAA All-Region in both sports). Moneli serves her community through Youth Leadership Walton, F.I.S.H., and the Humane Society. She will attend Georgia Tech in the fall and plans to study biomedical engineering. Congratulations to Moneli and Mrs. Page!

Contributed by Jax Fleming, Mac Ferguson, and Caleb Bernard, 9th grade

In Ms. Benfield’s 9th grade Biology class, students had a blast diving into simulation of protein synthesis with a hands-on role-play activity that brought RNA translation to life. Working in teams of three, each student assumed the role of a different type of RNA - messenger RNA, ribosomal RNA, or transfer RNA - to simulate how genetic information is transcribed and translated into proteins. From decoding a DNA strand to form complementary mRNA, then translating codons into amino acids by collecting the right "amino acid" cups, students acted out each stage of the process. Their favorite part? The tRNA competitively scramble across the floor of the classroom to gather the right amino acids to help their team build their protein chain the fastest. Not only was the activity lively, it also gave students a deeper, more meaningful understanding of gene expression and the essential roles of RNA in protein synthesis.

Last month, the eighth grade took time to host their second cross-curricular recipe unit. Students brought in their recipes for everyone to taste, and a few even went home with a blue ribbon. This is the final product of their hard work- a recipe book of Georgia- inspired recipes (click HERE to view/print). Mr. Griffin explained it perfectly, "One of the advantages that our students have is their team of teachers. Each teacher helps give the students a wondrous experience while in eighth grade! Whether it is our Chattanooga trip, Mega Relay, or other interdisciplinary lessons, this team of teachers use creative ways to teach. A great example is our “Georgia Recipe” Project."

All four teachers were involved in the process of leading this unit: Mr. Lowe and Mrs. Deckard helped with the ingredients and measurement conversions. Mrs. Byrd help the students write out their recipes in a succinct manner. Mr. Griffin had the students learn about the natural resources in Georgia, as each recipe had to include two ingredients from our state. Students were encouraged to consider family recipes and to talk to the chefs in their family. Any food that was a “family tradition” was the ultimate choice!

Of course, the culmination of the project was the “Sampler Luncheon” in which the students brought in their food creation and shared it with others in the grade. Mrs. Byrd commented, "Our hope is to share these recipes with the team so that each student can remember back to that day when we all had “Georgia On Our Minds” and enjoyed the fruits of our labor."

This past weekend, Mr. Yoder and Ms. Marier took several students to Washington D.C. to compete in the 2025 Varsity National Championships for History Bowl. There, Hayden Byers led the team of Ella Minicozzi, Constance Trinh and Caleb Bernard in answering trivia questions against teams from across the nation. After battling it out on the buzzers, the team had the chance to explore the monuments and museums of D.C.

Parents, faculty and students are invited to the 2025 yearbook presentation on May 12 at 1 p.m. in the Nicholson Center. Don't miss the big reveal of the yearbook, the yearbook dedication, the presentation of the Brain Cole Award for Innovation in Education and watch the end of the year recap video.

Extra yearbooks available! We received 23 additional copies and we only have 4 left — get yours before they’re gone! To reserve a copy:

• Send a check for $95 (payable to GWA)
• Include your child’s name and grade on the check
• Drop it off at the front office by tomorrow morning, May 9!
• First come, first served — don’t wait!
• Books must be reserved by the deadline to ensure proper distribution.

A big congratulations to our GWA band students – including the Jr. Bulldog Band, Concert Ensemble, Symphonic Winds and Percussion Theater on their excellent performances at the Spring Band Concert! This annual event directed by Mr. Christian Smith and Mr. Ian Cornelius is a wonderful showcase for our talented musicians who have worked hard throughout the year.

Our girls and boys varsity lacrosse teams make their third appearance to the GIAA State Championship - both looking for a third state title! Good luck, GWA lacrosse!

Our GWA track and field athletes had a great showing at the GIAA State Meet over the weekend, finishing Top 8 in 18 events with three State Champions! Athletes put up 11 personal best marks and times over the weekend and a handful of season best times. The girls team placed second overall behind Stratford with a total of 87 points. Azalea Snell was 4th place in high points for AAA girls, scoring 21 points. Congrats to all!

State Champions:

McKenna Rutledge - Pole Vault

Morgan Davis - 100

Azalea Snell - 800

Top 8 Finishers:

1st - McKenna Rutledge - pole vault

1st - Morgan Davis - 100

1st - Azalea Snell - 800

2nd - Kayden Owens - discus

2nd - Jackson Wells - triple jump

2nd - Roland Crutchfield - shot put

3rd - Ashley Hill - discus

3rd - Morgan Davis - 200

4th - 4x100 – McKenna Rutledge, Leila Mathis, Demere Gray, Morgan Davis

4th - Moneli Shekarbakht - 1600

4th - Kayden Owens - shot put

4th - Girls 4x800 – Moneli Shekarbakht, Isabel Choe, Emma Konik, Azalea Snell

5th - Azalea Snell - 1600

5th - Azalea Snell - 3200

5th - Jackson Wells - 300H

5th - 4x400 – Demere Gray, Azalea Snell, Morgan Davis, Leila Mathis

6th - McKenna Rutledge - shot put

7th - Moneli Shekarbakht - 800

Prospective families are invited to attend an upcoming Grayson admissions event to explore our programs and meet our wonderful community. Our Prospective Parent Mixers—hosted in the homes of current families—offer a relaxed, informal way to connect with our Head of School, faculty, and parents. These gatherings take place in various locations and are open to all prospective parents (and children are invited too!), no matter where they live.

Please go to gwa.com or the link below to RSVP and feel free to contact Director of Admissions Lamonique Pierre at lpierre@gwa.com with any questions.

RSVP HERE

GWA activities don’t stop when the school year ends! Our 2025 camps begin June 2 and run through July 31. Register at the link provided or visit gwa.com.

https://www.gwa.com/campus-life/summer-camps.cfm.

GWA Summer Camps are open to all - campers do not need to be enrolled in the school. Please contact Ashley Kirkpatrick with any questions.

Tomorrow we will host our 2nd annual Middle School Shadow Day. This is an opportunity for our current fifth-grade students to shadow a sixth grader through the core sixth-grade classes, meet the sixth-grade teachers, tour electives, attend their first middle school break and huddle, and overall get a feeling for what middle school will be like next year. This is a great way to help prepare our students for middle school. If you have any questions, please reach out to athomason@gwa.com.