OCMS

Compton, Mckie spark wrestlers to third place

News Staff
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
Walker Compton, a freshman, and Tanner Mckie, a senior, led the Oglethorpe County wrestling team to a third-place finish at the Campbell Spartan Duals on Saturday.  Compton and Mckie were both undefeated as the Patriots defeated Blessed Trinity 56-11, Wheeler 66-0 and Johns Creek 33-29.
(Graphic/Anna Izquierdo)

(Graphic/Anna Izquierdo)

Cellphone ban won’t change much for schools

Anna Izquierdo
Thursday, August 21, 2025
The Oglethorpe County Middle School will not see “too much of a change” in regard to cellphone and personal electronic device policies next school year.  “(The school doesn’t) allow (cellphones) and they never have,” Superintendent Beverley Levine said.
Various Community Day activities — like Salem Baptist Church’s bounce house slide — were held outside at Oglethorpe County Middle School last summer, but tables and vendors were set up inside. The annual event will return to OCMS on Saturday. (Photo/Torin Smith)

Various Community Day activities — like Salem Baptist Church’s bounce house slide — were held outside at Oglethorpe County Middle School last summer, but tables and vendors were set up inside. The annual event will return to OCMS on Saturday. (Photo/Torin Smith)

Community Day at OCMS returns for second year

Jennifer Xia
Thursday, July 31, 2025
Oglethorpe County’s annual Community Day is set to return to Oglethorpe County Middle School on Saturday, Aug. 2. The event will be held from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the school cafeteria, offering school supplies, family fun and local resources for residents and others.
Courtney Corbin moved into her role as the school resource officer for Oglethorpe County Elementary School and Oglethorpe County Middle School in March, prioritizing safety of the students and staff. “My main motivation was a desire to work with the kids,” she said. (Submitted Photo)

Courtney Corbin moved into her role as the school resource officer for Oglethorpe County Elementary School and Oglethorpe County Middle School in March, prioritizing safety of the students and staff. “My main motivation was a desire to work with the kids,” she said. (Submitted Photo)

New SRO prioritizes safety, relationships

Anna Izquierdo
Thursday, July 17, 2025
Courtney Corbin prioritizes safety in the Oglethorpe County School System and hopes to be a positive influence in students’ lives.  “My goal is to be seen more as a trusted partner instead of just someone in a law enforcement uniform,” Corbin said.
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.
Guillermo Camacho, assistant superintendent Kanya Cornish, BOE Chair Becky Soto and Susan Robinson meet to discuss Sara Hughes’ work-based learning program on Tuesday. Several students were in attendance. (Photo/Anna Izquierdo)

Guillermo Camacho, assistant superintendent Kanya Cornish, BOE Chair Becky Soto and Susan Robinson meet to discuss Sara Hughes’ work-based learning program on Tuesday. Several students were in attendance. (Photo/Anna Izquierdo)

BOE recognizes work-based learning program

Anna Izquierdo
Thursday, May 8, 2025
The Oglethorpe County Board of Education recognized Sara Hughes’ work-based learning program during its monthly meeting Tuesday night.  Hughes’ program provides high school students the opportunity to receive credit while working in an environment related to their career pathway.
Eighth-grader Cole Cutsail waits on a pitch during the Oglethorpe County Middle School baseball team’s game at Bethlehem Christian Academy on March 18. Cutsail is one of five eighth-graders on the team. (Photo/ Kayda Hammock)

Eighth-grader Cole Cutsail waits on a pitch during the Oglethorpe County Middle School baseball team’s game at Bethlehem Christian Academy on March 18. Cutsail is one of five eighth-graders on the team. (Photo/ Kayda Hammock)

Building tomorrow's stars, growth remains Irwin’s focus at OCMS

Kayda Hammock
Wednesday, March 26, 2025
Coach Steve Irwin teaches middle school connections in addition to being the head baseball and football coach at Oglethorpe County Middle School.  Coaching middle school students brings its own set of challenges, especially with athletes at different stages of physical and athletic development.

Reading plan works well at OCMS

Thomas Ehlers
Thursday, December 9, 2021
Remedial reading techniques have increased in more than 50 students at Oglethorpe County Middle School.   Fifty-three OCMS students completed 3,539 lessons in the remedial reading plan powered by Reading Plus, with the average student improving reading levels by 2.
Oglethorpe County Middle School eighth-grade students Lyla Bryant, Ellen Hgay, Ermon Lewis, Devyn Patrick and Madison Rader are the recipients of the REACH scholarship. The REACH program provides a $10,000 scholarship for each selected student. (Photo/Sarah White)

Oglethorpe County Middle School eighth-grade students Lyla Bryant, Ellen Hgay, Ermon Lewis, Devyn Patrick and Madison Rader are the recipients of the REACH scholarship. The REACH program provides a $10,000 scholarship for each selected student. (Photo/Sarah White)

OCMS recognizes REACH scholars

Thomas Ehlers
Thursday, November 25, 2021
Ermon Lewis said he wants to become an entrepreneur and start his own business. He’s still about 4½ years from graduating high school, but thanks to a scholarship opportunity, he’s closer to achieving his goals.