Oglethorpe County High School

KB Bonds, former Oglethorpe County High School football player, is about to start his junior season at Shorter University. Bonds plays on the defensive line as  No. 92 for the Hawks. He's also hosting a football camp for kids on June 28 at OCHS. (Submitted Photo)

KB Bonds, former Oglethorpe County High School football player, is about to start his junior season at Shorter University. Bonds plays on the defensive line as No. 92 for the Hawks. He's also hosting a football camp for kids on June 28 at OCHS. (Submitted Photo)

KB Bonds to host OCHS football camp

KB Bonds, defensive lineman for Shorter University and former Oglethorpe County High School football player, said he wants to help his community and allow kids to grow their knowledge of the game. To that end, Bonds is hosting a free youth football camp June 28 at OCHS.
Graduates adorned in blue caps and gowns sit in chairs on the field last Friday before the OCHS graduation ceremony began. Principal Bill Sampson gave the opening speech, reminding students to be kind. (Photo/Anna Izquierdo)

Graduates adorned in blue caps and gowns sit in chairs on the field last Friday before the OCHS graduation ceremony began. Principal Bill Sampson gave the opening speech, reminding students to be kind. (Photo/Anna Izquierdo)

Members of the Oglethorpe County High School class of 2025 toss their caps in the air after receiving their diplomas last Friday at Patriot Stadium. This year’s class included 150 graduates. (Photo/Anna Izquierdo)

Members of the Oglethorpe County High School class of 2025 toss their caps in the air after receiving their diplomas last Friday at Patriot Stadium. This year’s class included 150 graduates. (Photo/Anna Izquierdo)

Grads in the spotlight

Valedictorian Abby Horton left her classmates with a reminder to remember the present and not to “chase success the way the world defines it” at Oglethorpe County High School graduation last Friday.
Mya Jewell and Maggie Barnes talk before the 2025 Oglethorpe County High School Prom at Historic Smithonia Farm in Colbert, Georgia on Saturday, April 12, 2025. Jewell and Barnes are both sophomores who helped plan and set up prom. (Photo/Libby Hobbs)

Mya Jewell and Maggie Barnes talk before the 2025 Oglethorpe County High School Prom at Historic Smithonia Farm in Colbert, Georgia on Saturday, April 12, 2025. Jewell and Barnes are both sophomores who helped plan and set up prom. (Photo/Libby Hobbs)

PHOTOS: OCHS Prom returns to Historic Smithonia Farm

The 2025 Oglethorpe County High School Prom returned to Historic Smithonia Farm on Saturday, April 12, 2025. Su Moo was crowned Prom Queen, and Aidan Carlan was crowned Prom King.
A school speed zone sign designates the start of the school zone on Comer Road, near the elementary and middle schools. HB 225, introduced this year, would ban cameras in school zones. (Photo/Frankie Hennessy)

A school speed zone sign designates the start of the school zone on Comer Road, near the elementary and middle schools. HB 225, introduced this year, would ban cameras in school zones. (Photo/Frankie Hennessy)

Bill would ban school zone cameras

After his constituents began to complain about school zone traffic cameras, like those at the schools in Oglethorpe County, State Rep. Dale Washburn (R-Macon) said he had to do something.
SARAH COYNE/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO Abby Horton, Oglethorpe County’s 2025 STAR student, started Oglethorpe Gives Back last year. The nonprofit is dedicated to recognizing unsung workers throughout Oglethorpe County.

SARAH COYNE/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO Abby Horton, Oglethorpe County’s 2025 STAR student, started Oglethorpe Gives Back last year. The nonprofit is dedicated to recognizing unsung workers throughout Oglethorpe County.

Horton claims mindset as her biggest point of pride

Abby Horton credits her academic success to hard work and keeping an open mind.  Named the Oglethorpe County High School 2025 STAR Student on Feb. 14, Horton said her willingness to embrace new perspectives and challenges has helped her grow. “The award itself is not what I'm proud of,” Horton said.
OCHS boys soccer coach Josh Austin talks to his players before the Patriots’ opener against Monroe Area on Feb. 18. Austin is in his first season as head coach. (Photo/ Kayda Hammock)

OCHS boys soccer coach Josh Austin talks to his players before the Patriots’ opener against Monroe Area on Feb. 18. Austin is in his first season as head coach. (Photo/ Kayda Hammock)

Growth key for boys team under Austin

The jump from assistant coach to head coach of the Oglethorpe County boys soccer team has been an adjustment for Josh Austin.“It was more just about the pure soccer last year, and this year, there’s the administrative stuff,” he said. “It’s kind of been a change for me, but we’ve handled it well.
Jennifer Yauck smiled after her kiss with Boo. Celebrating her birthday, the hundreds of students in the cafeteria sang in unison. Paige Clarke/The Oglethorpe Echo

Jennifer Yauck smiled after her kiss with Boo. Celebrating her birthday, the hundreds of students in the cafeteria sang in unison. Paige Clarke/The Oglethorpe Echo

Teacher kisses goat to mark FFA week

Jennifer Yauck kissed Boo, a 7-year-old Nigerian dwarf goat, in the Oglethorpe County High School cafeteria Friday afternoon while hundreds of students cheered her on. Friday also happened to be Yauck’s birthday, creating a one-of-a-kind birthday celebration.
Emily Forschler lines up for a penalty kick during Oglethorpe Counties girls soccer team's practice on Thursday, Feb. 1. Forschler, alongside her sister Madeline, will be coached by their father for the first time of their high school careers. (Photo/Owen Warden)

Emily Forschler lines up for a penalty kick during Oglethorpe Counties girls soccer team's practice on Thursday, Feb. 1. Forschler, alongside her sister Madeline, will be coached by their father for the first time of their high school careers. (Photo/Owen Warden)

Forschler takes on expanded role by coaching girls team

Oglethorpe County girls soccer is under new management, but for juniors Madeline and Emily Forschler, it’s a familiar face.   Boys coach Erich Forschler, the father of Madeline and Emily, also will coach the girls team, as he pulls double duty.   “It’s been good,” Forschler said.