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Eastside announces 2017 homecoming, talon court
Eastside Homecoming Court 2017
Staff Report
Updated: Sep 20, 2017, 2:09 PM
Published: Sep 20, 2017, 1:27 PM

COVINGTON, Ga. - Eastside High School announces the 2017 Homecoming Court and Talon Court. 

Both Homecoming Court and Talon Court are selected through student nominations and voting, Jeff Cher, Eastside principal said. 

The Talon Court is the school's male-equivalent of Homecoming Court, from which the Top Talon (Homecoming King) is selected by students, Cher said. 

Talon Court -
Freshmen: Jordan Beam, Kyan Bennett, Dayton Green
Sophomores: Noah Cook, Jovan King, Andrew Pollard
Juniors: Taylor Carter, Steadman Hall, Keenan McDonald
Seniors: Tyler Armand, Hayden Gilreath, Jim Gregory, Carter Malcolm, Riley Ralston, Isaac Ugan

Homecoming Court - 
Freshmen: Lindsey Branche, Kelsey Ellis, Sarah Moss
Sophomores: Chloe Evans, Kirsten Mobley, Olyvia Monteagudo
Juniors: Joy Martin, Taylor Morgan, Jacey Stingfield
Seniors: Kymberly Blankenship, Erison Cronan, Kalene Heilesen, Camille Johnson, Sarah Grace Moss, Sydney Sellers
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.”