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26 Newton students’ artwork displayed on Christmas cards superintendent will mail this year
snow globe
Tom Spigolon
Updated: Dec 6, 2022, 11:36 AM
Published: Dec 6, 2022, 11:30 AM

COVINGTON, Ga. — Twenty-six pictures created by Newton County School System students will be featured on 13 different cards to be mailed to those on Superintendent Samantha Fuhrey’s holiday card list.

Local elected and community officials, superintendents from surrounding school districts, and the many other supporters of Newton County Schools are on her list. 

With so many outstanding submissions to choose from it was impossible for Fuhrey to pick just one piece of artwork to feature on her official 2022 holiday card, she said. 

“This is a tradition that I am so proud to continue,” said Fuhrey. “I’ve received so many compliments since I started featuring student artwork on the holiday cards. In fact, before the holidays get here, people start asking me if they’re going to receive one of the cards again this year. They are quite popular!” 

As in previous years, dozens of holiday designs were submitted by NCSS students of all ages and after spending over an hour reviewing the various submissions, Superintendent Fuhrey selected the following students’ designs to be featured on her 2022 holiday cards:

• Karlie Cryder, Kindergarten, Rocky Plains Elementary School

• Tavie Barr, Kindergarten, Rocky Plains Elementary School

• Maxx Faris, First Grade, East Newton Elementary School

• Lauren Joe Merryn Rajharathinam, First Grade, Porterdale Elementary School

• Grayson Alexander, Fourth Grade, East Newton Elementary School

• Brandee Green, Fourth Grade, Fairview Elementary School

• Brianna A. Ventura, Fifth Grade, Heard-Mixon Elementary School

• Madison Moore, Fifth Grade, Heard-Mixon Elementary School

• Brielle Felix, Sixth Grade, Newton County Theme School

• Elise Bray, Sixth Grade, Newton County Theme School

• Grace Thomas, Sixth Grade, Newton County Theme School

• Haylee Matthews, Seventh Grade, Liberty Middle School

• Haley Mathis, Eighth Grade, Newton County Theme School

• Sharon Edwards, Eighth Grade, Newton County Theme School

• Ciara Michalek, Ninth Grade, Alcovy High School

• Britany Hernandez-Pantoja, Ninth Grade, Alcovy High School

• Isabella Webb, Ninth Grade, Newton High School/NCCA STEM Institute

• Kenyah Cook, Ninth Grade, Eastside High School

• Sophia McCullough, Ninth Grade, Eastside High School

• Rivers Curtis, Ninth Grade, Eastside High School

• Damaris Gomez, 10th Grade, Newton High School

• Angelica Negron-Rivera, 10th Grade, Eastside High School

• Ke’Asia White, 11th Grade, Alcovy High School

• Ja’Kiyah Singleton, 11th Grade, Alcovy High School

• Ashley Morgan, 12th Grade, Alcovy High School

• Madeline Gambino, 12th Grade, Eastside High School

“I am so proud to have our students’ artwork on my cards,” said Fuhrey. “We have some very talented artists in our school system and featuring their creations on my cards is one way I can showcase that talent with others in our community. 

“The pictures are absolutely beautiful, and I want to thank each and every one of these students for taking the time to create artwork for my cards.”

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NCS Announces Finalists for 2025 HERO Award
2025 NCS HERO finalists
Administrative Assistant in the Special Education Department at the Central Office Chandra Mitchell (left), Clerk at Alcovy High School Kymberli Durden (middle) and Media Paraprofessional at Fairview Elementary School Cheryl Clark (right) are the three finalists for the 2025 Newton County Schools HERO Award. All three are pictured with Superintendent Dr. Duke Bradley III. - photo by Newton County Schools
Staff Report
Published: Mar 11, 2025, 2:22 PM

Newton County Schools (NCS) announced Tuesday the three finalists for the district’s inaugural HERO Award, an annual recognition honoring classified employees who demonstrate exceptional commitment, performance and impact in supporting students from pre-kindergarten through high school.

The 2025 HERO Award finalists are:

  • Cheryl Clark, Media Paraprofessional, Fairview Elementary School
  • Kymberli Durden, Clerk, Alcovy High School
  • Chandra Mitchell, Administrative Assistant, Special Education Department, Central Office

These outstanding employees have been selected from a group of school and division-level HERO Award winners and will advance to the final stage of the selection process, participating in interviews with the award panel later this week.

Superintendent Duke Bradley and several district leaders surprised each finalist at their workplace Tuesday, delivering the news in front of their colleagues. 

“Our classified employees are the backbone of our schools, providing the essential services that enable teaching and learning to flourish,” Bradley said. “Recognizing their hard work is not just a celebration of individuals but a testament to the values that drive our district forward. These three finalists represent the very best of our classified staff, and we are honored to celebrate their contributions.”

The NCS HERO Awards were established to recognize classified employees who embody service, dedication, professionalism and community impact. Modeled after the state and national Recognizing Inspirational School Employees (RISE) Awards, the program highlights the invaluable work of employees in clerical and administrative services, custodial and maintenance services, food and nutrition services, health and student services, paraprofessionals, security services, skilled trades, technical services, and transportation services.

To be eligible for the HERO Award, employees must have worked at least three years in NCS and at least one year in their current school or division. They must also demonstrate excellence in job performance, leadership, teamwork and commitment to both their school community and the district as a whole.

The winner of the 2025 NCS HERO Award will be announced at the HERO Awards Celebration on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. at Porter Performing Arts Center. All school and division HERO Award winners will be recognized at the event, and the district winner will go on to represent NCS in the Georgia RISE Awards program for potential state-level recognition.

School Board Chair Abigail Coggin praised the finalists and the impact of the HERO Awards.

“Recognizing the contributions of our classified staff through the HERO Awards is a wonderful opportunity to show our gratitude,” Coggin said. “These individuals are vital to the success of our students, and we are thrilled to celebrate their dedication and impact.”