Coach Tanner Nation puts his team through free-throw practice at the Oglethorpe County Recreation Department. They have to make a set number of shots to cut down on their running after practice. (MAGGIE RULAND/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)
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Jason Lewis demonstrates packing a wound for staff members of the ASPIRE program at a Stop the Bleed training session at Oglethorpe County Primary School on Nov. 7. The training helps educate county teachers and officials on how to stop significant bleeding in case of injury. (Emily Garcia/The Oglethorpe Echo)
Program trains teachers, officials to stop bad bleeds
Tonia Willis is a visual learner. Led by Jason Lewis’ instruction, she velcroed a blue tourniquet shut on her thigh and turned the windlass rod until her leg started to go numb.
Teen leader Audrey Green (left) and fifth-grade student Breeyana Jones measure ingredients at the Cooking to Share program on Nov. 17. Adult and teen volunteers help the students with the cooking. (Erin Kenney, The Oglethorpe Echo)
Program addresses food insecurity, teaches kitchen skills to children
Rina Southall, a first-grade teacher at Oglethorpe County Primary School, wanted her daughter to be in after-school programs, but she left it to her to choose which one. Her daughter’s pick? An after-school organization she feels “helps other people” — the Cooking to Share Program.
OCHS juniors Jaylen Banks, left, Kenyon Pass and Elijah Hood talk with Rick Chatfield, an operations manager at Yancey Bros. Co., at the college and career fair on Oct. 26. Representatives from colleges, businesses and the military talked with students about post-graduation job opportunities. (Photo/Megan Fitzgerald)
Strong relationships lead to strong graduation rates
Melissa McGarity describes the moment seniors walk across the graduation stage at Oglethorpe County High School as bittersweet. “It’s such a proud day,” said McGarity, an OCHS counselor for 10th and 12th grade students.
Kay Remar (from left), Scott Kennedy, Tom Remar and Heather Clark have come together to form Miss6on, a nonprofit organization to help veterans and their families throughout the Athens area. (Katie Tucker/The Oglethorpe Echo)