Oglethorpe County High School

A student talks to someone from WorkSource Atlanta at the Career and Connections Fair at the OCHS gym on Tuesday. Students are allowed to visit a variety of job booths that showcase possible future employment opportunities. (Photo/Ronnie Boggs)

A student talks to someone from WorkSource Atlanta at the Career and Connections Fair at the OCHS gym on Tuesday. Students are allowed to visit a variety of job booths that showcase possible future employment opportunities. (Photo/Ronnie Boggs)

Career fair brings jobs to focus

Emilie Sullivan
Thursday, April 23, 2026
Oglethorpe County is growing, which means the need for workers and jobs is growing, too. Businesses and other organizations had the opportunity to meet with students and others at a Career and Connections Fair on Tuesday, an event sponsored by the Oglethorpe County Chamber of Commerce.
Some may see a lot of work however coach Adams saw this land and a vision was born to grow the sport of running in the county. (Submitted Photo)

Some may see a lot of work however coach Adams saw this land and a vision was born to grow the sport of running in the county. (Submitted Photo)

New cross country course provides training ground

Grant Turnage
Thursday, April 23, 2026
The Oglethorpe County cross country program has not been able to host a 5K race for years. High-traffic roads intersect potential routes at the schools, which was a major operational obstacle.  That changed this spring with a new all-grass cross country course at Oglethorpe Middle School.
Guillermo Camacho (left), Tim Poole, Elaine Kitchens, Jake Willcox, Novalie Hokanson, Becky Soto, Venus LaParr, Beverley Levine, Madeline Holtzleiter, Susan Robinson, Tha Kho Min Ga Yah, Lauren Carlson, Penny Miller, Isabella Southall, Janet High, Deshonda Wolfe, Michelle Krolikowski and Mack Baldwin pose for a photo. The Young Georgia Authors winners were recognized for their achievement at the BOE meeting April 14, 2026. (Photo/Jasmine Milbourne)

Guillermo Camacho (left), Tim Poole, Elaine Kitchens, Jake Willcox, Novalie Hokanson, Becky Soto, Venus LaParr, Beverley Levine, Madeline Holtzleiter, Susan Robinson, Tha Kho Min Ga Yah, Lauren Carlson, Penny Miller, Isabella Southall, Janet High, Deshonda Wolfe, Michelle Krolikowski and Mack Baldwin pose for a photo. The Young Georgia Authors winners were recognized for their achievement at the BOE meeting April 14, 2026. (Photo/Jasmine Milbourne)

OCHS renovations set to begin this summer

Jasmine Milbourne
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
The Oglethorpe County Board of Education discussed plans for summer renovations at Oglethorpe County High School during its Tuesday meeting.  The work would include painting hallways and classrooms, retiling certain sections of the school, removing lockers and installing window tint for safety.
Cousins and OCHS athletes Tripp White and Elizabeth Cook show their college colors during White’s signing day on April 9. White, a pitcher, will play for Andrew College and Cook, a volleyball player, has signed to play at Truett McConnell. (Submitted Photo)

Cousins and OCHS athletes Tripp White and Elizabeth Cook show their college colors during White’s signing day on April 9. White, a pitcher, will play for Andrew College and Cook, a volleyball player, has signed to play at Truett McConnell. (Submitted Photo)

Athletics a family affair for White, Cook

Nicholas Eriksen
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
Tripp White signed to play baseball for Andrew College last week, following in a family line that has produced five collegiate athletes.  “It was very exciting,” he said. “It kept me busy for a very long time, but it was good.
Macie McDaniel received a certificate for being named Oglethorpe County High’s STAR student at a Rotary Club meeting in February 2024. She was honored with 2024 STAR teacher Eric Schmidt (from left), Christan McDaniel and Phillip McDaniel, her mom and dad. (JIM BASS/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Macie McDaniel received a certificate for being named Oglethorpe County High’s STAR student at a Rotary Club meeting in February 2024. She was honored with 2024 STAR teacher Eric Schmidt (from left), Christan McDaniel and Phillip McDaniel, her mom and dad. (JIM BASS/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

McDaniel overcomes brain surgery on her way to UGA

Sean King
Friday, April 10, 2026
Trumpets and horns sound throughout the Oglethorpe County Middle School band room. Notes blend and provide a harmonious sound.  For one student, though, it wasn’t pleasant. Macie McDaniel, a 2024 OCHS alum from Lexington, said she had migraines almost every day in band class.
The Oglethorpe County volleyball team rushes the court after defeating Bremen to clinch the Class A state title on Oct. 29. It was the first volleyball state title in school history. (Photo/Drew Bearden)

The Oglethorpe County volleyball team rushes the court after defeating Bremen to clinch the Class A state title on Oct. 29. It was the first volleyball state title in school history. (Photo/Drew Bearden)

OCHS gold: Players, coaches reflect on state titles

Grant Turnage and Nicholas Eriksen
Wednesday, April 8, 2026
CORRECTION: Information was incorrect about the status of Leanna Newton in OCHS volleyball game against Armuchee in the April 9, 2026 print edition of The Oglethorpe Echo. The correct information is in the story below. Recent success OCHS has won six state titles since 2019.
Students lift weights under the support and supervision of former teacher Steve Mason. Mason recently took a job at Commerce High School. (Submitted Photo)

Students lift weights under the support and supervision of former teacher Steve Mason. Mason recently took a job at Commerce High School. (Submitted Photo)

OCHS weightlifting classes benefit more than wrestlers

Nicholas Eriksen
Wednesday, March 25, 2026
Steve Mason’s weightlifting classes have had an impact on Oglethorpe County High School athletes. Junior Luke Holbrooks, a wrestler, could bench only 185 pounds at the beginning of the class. Since then, he has increased his bench to 225 pounds, while squatting 300 pounds.
Victor Ross works repairing the keyboard on a school laptop during his internship in the Oglethorpe County High School's IT department after school on Feb. 12, 2026. He usually works during his seventh period, and this internship has helped him see himself in a computer science-related career. (Photo/Eva Saraf)

Victor Ross works repairing the keyboard on a school laptop during his internship in the Oglethorpe County High School's IT department after school on Feb. 12, 2026. He usually works during his seventh period, and this internship has helped him see himself in a computer science-related career. (Photo/Eva Saraf)

Steps in the right direction

Eva Saraf
Thursday, March 19, 2026
Even as a junior, Victor Ross said he knows exactly where he is headed. The Oglethorpe County High School work-based learning program gave him that clarity.  “This has made me relook at some of the hardware aspects of computers instead of just straight programming and computer science,” Ross said.
Miles Mason stands with his dad, Steve Mason, after a wrestling match. Steve coached Miles for five years of his career. (Submitted photo)

Miles Mason stands with his dad, Steve Mason, after a wrestling match. Steve coached Miles for five years of his career. (Submitted photo)

A tough goodbye as Mason leaves for Commerce job

Grant Turnage and Nicholas Eriksen
Thursday, March 19, 2026
Steve Mason’s Oglethorpe County legacy won’t be sitting in a trophy case. It was at his final wrestling banquet as the OCHS wrestling coach.   “Twenty-six of our 28 men showed up. Two had to work,” he said. “They were all dressed nice. They were all respectful.