Editorial: Round of Applause

Published 12:00 pm Friday, March 22, 2019

By Staff reports

The Tifton Gazette offers a round of applause for individuals and organizations doing good things in our community.

Adam Hathaway

Adam Hathaway is now serving as superintendent for Tift County Schools.

Hathaway most recently served as superintendent in Schley County.

He is a graduate of Clinch County High School and joined the US Army after graduation, serving in the 101st Airborne Division. He has a bachelor’s and master’s degree in English education from Valdosta State University and has his specialist degree in educational leadership from VSU.

He has also taught and coached in Cook, Berrien and Ben Hill counties and served in administrative roles in both White and Gilmer counties.

In an interview with the Gazette, Hathaway hit on the importance of making schools an environment where kids want to be, as well as holding kids, parents and the community accountable for the success of the school system.

We welcome him to Tift County and hope for his success.

Youth of the Year finalists

The Tifton Exchange Club has recognized 12 of the area’s top high school seniors as Youth of the Year Finalists.  

The 12 high school seniors were judged on the basis of their extracurricular activities, grades, a short essay and a longer essay on the “How I Am A Catalyst In My Community.”

Tift County High School students recognized are:

• Riley Melissa Roberts, daughter of Richard and Christy Cavenaugh.

• Haley Alexander, daughter of Chad and Stephanie Alexander.

• Anna Weldon, daughter of Jeanna and John Waddell and Mickey & Michelle Weldon.

• Taylor Holmes, daughter of Xavier and April Holmes.

• Joshua May, son of Stephen and Sonya May.

• Emily Eason, daughter of Robbie Eason and Missy Eason.  

Tiftarea Academy students in the competition were:

• Anna Cook, daughter of Drs. Hank and Leah Cook.

• Peyton Matt, daughter of Joey and Pam Matt.

• Maddie Rae Harper, daughter of Terry and Paula Harper.

• Samuel Cook, son of Drs. Hank and Leah Cook.

• Megan Gaines, daughter of Richard and Kaye Gaines.

• Jane Margaret McEachin, daughter of Drs. David and Jill McEachin.

We congratulate all of the students.

Josie Arant

Josie Arant made golf history last week.

Arant, a golfer at Tiftarea Academy, secured one of the ultimates in golf achievement in competition at Americus. She made a hole in one.

Tiftarea head golf coach Mike Patrick said the achievement is a first for any of his players. Arant scored the ace on the par 3 11th hole at Griffin Bell Golf Course in Americus. The hole was 138 yards from the tee.

We congratulate Arant on her feat.