Oglethorpe County High School

News Roundup: Troop 97 Boy Scout earns Eagle

News Staff
Thursday, February 1, 2024
Hayden Simpson of Troop 97 in Crawford will be awarded Eagle Scout in a ceremony at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Crawford Depot.   He’ll be the first Eagle Scout awarded in this troop since it was revived three years ago, said Scoutmaster Jeff Simpson, Hayden’s father.
Jimmyka Gresham (front row, from left), Damarcuse Harper, Gloria Hgay, Jeffrey Molina and Zachary Wilson, eighth-graders at Oglethorpe County Middle School, are the newest class of REACH scholars. They must abide by the contract to receive a $10,000 scholarship when they graduate high school. Behind them are principals of Oglethorpe Schools: Katie Baldwin (from left), primary and elementary schools; Mack Baldwin, middle school; Bill Sampson, high school. (Caleb Baldwin/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Jimmyka Gresham (front row, from left), Damarcuse Harper, Gloria Hgay, Jeffrey Molina and Zachary Wilson, eighth-graders at Oglethorpe County Middle School, are the newest class of REACH scholars. They must abide by the contract to receive a $10,000 scholarship when they graduate high school. Behind them are principals of Oglethorpe Schools: Katie Baldwin (from left), primary and elementary schools; Mack Baldwin, middle school; Bill Sampson, high school. (Caleb Baldwin/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Class of 2028 REACH scholars sign contract

Caleb Baldwin
Thursday, November 16, 2023
The lives of five Oglethorpe County Middle School students were changed on Friday morning when they signed the REACH Georgia Scholarship Program contract, which will alter their next four years.
The 2023-2024 teachers of the year (from left): Shonda Cronic, OCPS kindergarten; Lindsay Gregory, OCES gifted third-fifth grade teacher; Janet High, OCMS English teacher; Lee Jones, OCHS band director.

The 2023-2024 teachers of the year (from left): Shonda Cronic, OCPS kindergarten; Lindsay Gregory, OCES gifted third-fifth grade teacher; Janet High, OCMS English teacher; Lee Jones, OCHS band director.

Teachers of the year inspired by students, community

Caleb Baldwin
Thursday, October 12, 2023
The Oglethorpe County School System teachers of the year were honored by the Board of Education at its meeting last week. The teachers shared their motivation and inspiration with The Oglethorpe Echo. Comments have been edited for length and clarity.
OC new teachers

OC new teachers

New teachers look forward to opportunity

Caleb Baldwin
Thursday, September 7, 2023
Oglethorpe County schools introduced 26 new teachers and staff members this year. Four of them discussed their strategies and personal goals for this year with The Oglethorpe Echo.   These answers have been edited for content and clarity.
Members of the OCHS senior class rejoice on the football field after graduating on Friday at Patriot Stadium. (LANDEN TODD/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Members of the OCHS senior class rejoice on the football field after graduating on Friday at Patriot Stadium. (LANDEN TODD/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Exclusive Subscriber Content

OCHS Graduation

News Staff
Wednesday, May 31, 2023
Eric Schmidt (center) stands with four students from his first year of teaching last week. All four (from left): Wanda Colquitt, Brenda McCormack, Schmidt, Tim Poole and Andrea Ash work with Oglethorpe County Schools. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

Eric Schmidt (center) stands with four students from his first year of teaching last week. All four (from left): Wanda Colquitt, Brenda McCormack, Schmidt, Tim Poole and Andrea Ash work with Oglethorpe County Schools. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Schmidt retires after 38 years of teaching

McCain Bracewell
Wednesday, May 31, 2023
When Eric Schmidt’s father-in-law asked him years ago when he was going to be promoted to administration, Schmidt responded that he loved teaching and the classroom and could never give it up.   When Schmidt hit the 30-year retirement mark, he said he still wasn’t ready to leave the classroom.
Blane McFarland (third from left) signed to play baseball at Thomas University in Thomasville last week. McFarland was Oglethorpe County’s team MVP this spring when he led the Patriots with 67 strikeouts in 51 innings pitched and sever- al offensive categories, including average (.355), home runs (five), RBIs (23) and tied for the team lead with 23 runs. He was first-team all-region DH, as voted by the region’s baseball coaches. Also pictured (from left), assistant coach Brice Bonner, head coach Kris Patel.

Blane McFarland (third from left) signed to play baseball at Thomas University in Thomasville last week. McFarland was Oglethorpe County’s team MVP this spring when he led the Patriots with 67 strikeouts in 51 innings pitched and sever- al offensive categories, including average (.355), home runs (five), RBIs (23) and tied for the team lead with 23 runs. He was first-team all-region DH, as voted by the region’s baseball coaches. Also pictured (from left), assistant coach Brice Bonner, head coach Kris Patel.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Defense shines in spring game

Owen Warden
Wednesday, May 24, 2023
Oglethorpe County football showcased its new 3-4 defense by shutting out Chestatee in a spring game matchup that finished scoreless on May 18.   The game, which was the team’s final spring event, featured an untraditional format in the first half.
Susie Johnson is retiring after eight years as the principal of Oglethorpe County High School, during which time the school’s graduation rate increased from a percentage in the mid-70s to 94.2%. (MCCAIN BRACEWELL/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Susie Johnson is retiring after eight years as the principal of Oglethorpe County High School, during which time the school’s graduation rate increased from a percentage in the mid-70s to 94.2%. (MCCAIN BRACEWELL/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

A fond farewell

McCain Bracewell
Wednesday, May 24, 2023
Susie Johnson has a trip planned to Costa Rica in June with church members and friends.    She wants to one day return to Paris, which she visited in 2019. In addition, she hopes to further explore her love for interior design and continue her work with her sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha.

Camera, laser system ready for school zones

Avni Trivedi
Wednesday, May 24, 2023
Cameras and laser speed detectors have been installed in Oglethorpe County’s school zones and should be ready to help enforce the speed by the start of the next school year, Sheriff David Gabriel said.