OCHS

Cory Tillman, who will be a senior at Oglethorpe County High School in the fall, wins the Maxeys Model Mile 5K on Saturday. He finished with a time of 19 minutes, 40 seconds. (Photo/Emma Greene)

Cory Tillman, who will be a senior at Oglethorpe County High School in the fall, wins the Maxeys Model Mile 5K on Saturday. He finished with a time of 19 minutes, 40 seconds. (Photo/Emma Greene)

Tillman goes from OCHS track to win Maxeys 5K

Emma Greene
Wednesday, May 21, 2025
Cory Tillman, fresh off running for the Oglethorpe County track and field team, won the seventh annual Maxeys Model Mile 5K on Saturday. Tillman, who will be a senior at OCHS in the fall, finished with a time of 19 minutes, 40 seconds.
OCHS junior Callie Bridges and sophomore Jake Huff are two of three students who will represent Rayle EMC at the Washington Youth Tour in June. “It’s a huge honor because there aren’t many people that are selected for this,” Huff said. (Photo/Anna Izquierdo)

OCHS junior Callie Bridges and sophomore Jake Huff are two of three students who will represent Rayle EMC at the Washington Youth Tour in June. “It’s a huge honor because there aren’t many people that are selected for this,” Huff said. (Photo/Anna Izquierdo)

OCHS students part of EMC group heading to DC

Anna Izquierdo
Wednesday, May 21, 2025
Jake Huff and his family have been members of Rayle EMC for as long as Huff can remember, leading to his decision to apply for the cooperative’s Washington Youth Tour in June.
Andy Alvarez (left) and Bryce Frankel sign with the inaugural apprenticeship program between OCHS and the Mechanical Trades Institute at the school on May 15. Alvarez and Frankel will begin work with contractor Batchelor & Kimball in September. (Photo/Anna Izquierdo)

Andy Alvarez (left) and Bryce Frankel sign with the inaugural apprenticeship program between OCHS and the Mechanical Trades Institute at the school on May 15. Alvarez and Frankel will begin work with contractor Batchelor & Kimball in September. (Photo/Anna Izquierdo)

First two apprentices provide spark to school’s new welding program

Anna Izquierdo
Wednesday, May 21, 2025
After taking a welding class with Travis Sertich, Bryce Frankel was encouraged to apply for the inaugural apprenticeship program between the Mechanical Trades Institute and Oglethorpe County High School.
Growing up in Oglethorpe County shaped how OCHS grads Shane Watson (clockwise from top left), Jayda Jones, Ben Beasley, Macie McDaniel, Nick Orlowsky and Mathew Soto approach life. They look back with fondness of their time in the county and in the school system. (Submitted Photos)

Growing up in Oglethorpe County shaped how OCHS grads Shane Watson (clockwise from top left), Jayda Jones, Ben Beasley, Macie McDaniel, Nick Orlowsky and Mathew Soto approach life. They look back with fondness of their time in the county and in the school system. (Submitted Photos)

Where are they now: Former grads forge their paths beyond OCHS

Lucy Grey Shields
Wednesday, May 21, 2025
A high school diploma was just the starting point for these Oglethorpe County graduates.  From college to internships to early career experiences, they’re finding their footing beyond OCHS and the county.

Oglethorpe girls finish ninth at state track

News Staff
Wednesday, May 14, 2025
The Oglethorpe County girls finished tied for ninth at the Class A Division I state track and field meet in Rome last weekend. The Patriots, the defending state champions, tied with Social Circle with 30 points. Vidalia won with 70 points.
Oglethorpe County golf coach Gary Hughes takes the driver’s seat on the activity bus to drive the boys team to its tournament in Lincolnton. He’s certified to drive the school’s activity bus. (Photo/Kayda Hammock)

Oglethorpe County golf coach Gary Hughes takes the driver’s seat on the activity bus to drive the boys team to its tournament in Lincolnton. He’s certified to drive the school’s activity bus. (Photo/Kayda Hammock)

Teachers go beyond classrooms to drive student success

Kayda Hammock
Wednesday, May 14, 2025
Steve Irwin and Gary Hughes are educators who do more than teach and coach. They can often be found behind the wheel, driving teams to games, meets and tournaments.
Mother-daughter duo Kelli Kitchen (left) and Vicky Matthews have spent their lives in education and their teaching legacy may continue on through Kitchen’s daughter, Allison. “She has her mind set on going into education as well,” Kitchen said. (Photo/Felix Scheyer)

Mother-daughter duo Kelli Kitchen (left) and Vicky Matthews have spent their lives in education and their teaching legacy may continue on through Kitchen’s daughter, Allison. “She has her mind set on going into education as well,” Kitchen said. (Photo/Felix Scheyer)

Family ties run deep

Julianna Duennes Russ
Wednesday, May 14, 2025
There was a knock at the door of longtime educator Brian Lance’s office at Oglethorpe County High School. Jennifer Yauck, another teacher, poked her head in and smiled. “Here’s another one,” Lance said. He had been listing coworkers at OCHS that grew up in the school system and came back.
Abby Horton and Nancy Coleman Hart hold a check signifying that Horton was awarded the inaugural $5,000 Dr. Nancy Coleman Hart scholarship that honors Hart, a former OCES principal and curriculum director, and the late Bob Hart, her husband who died in February. (Photo/Anna Izquierdo)

Abby Horton and Nancy Coleman Hart hold a check signifying that Horton was awarded the inaugural $5,000 Dr. Nancy Coleman Hart scholarship that honors Hart, a former OCES principal and curriculum director, and the late Bob Hart, her husband who died in February. (Photo/Anna Izquierdo)

Horton is valedictorian of 2025 class

Anna Izquierdo
Wednesday, May 14, 2025
Abby Horton was recognized as valedictorian of Oglethorpe County High School’s graduating class at Senior Honors Night held in the cafeteria on Tuesday.
Kenzie Henderson tied for the top high jump at the Class A Division I sectional on Monday to advance to the state meet. She’s won three straight high jump state titles. (Photo/Wade Cheek)

Kenzie Henderson tied for the top high jump at the Class A Division I sectional on Monday to advance to the state meet. She’s won three straight high jump state titles. (Photo/Wade Cheek)

Prep Roundup: Track athletes advance to Class A Div. I meet

News Staff
Thursday, May 8, 2025
Oglethorpe County will send 22 athletes — 11 boys and 11 girls — to the Class A Division I state track and field meet at Rome on Friday and Saturday. The OCHS girls will try to defend their 2024 title, which was their third in four years.