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Newton County schools announce 2023 CTAE Students of Year
Tim Schmitt
Dr. Tim Schmitt, NCSS Director of CTAE and Workforce Innovation, congratulates Liberty Middle School student Jalia Gordon, and Newton College & Career Academy student Jada Mitchum, the 2023 NCSS CTAE Students of the Year. (Special| Newton County School System)
Staff Report
Updated: Mar 3, 2023, 9:14 PM
Published: Mar 3, 2023, 9:15 PM

Jalia Gordon of Liberty Middle School and Jada Mitchum of Newton College & Career Academy have been named Newton County School System’s 2023 Career, Technical and Agricultural Education (CTAE) Students of the year. 

The student winners were announced during the Newton County School System’s 2023 CTAE Student of the Year Awards Ceremony at Porter Performing Arts Center Tuesday. 

Each year the school system celebrates National CTAE Month by recognizing CTAE Students of the Year from each of the district’s middle and high school CTAE programs.

“CTAE students were nominated by their CTAE pathway teachers for their school’s CTAE Student of the Year Award,” said Dr. John Pritchett, NCSS Coordinator of CTAE and Workforce Innovation. “The students then participated in interviews to determine each schools’ pathway CTAE student of the year. Then, each school’s pathway student of the year participated in district interviews to determine both the district pathway student of the year and ultimately the District CTAE Student of the Year.”

CTAE high school pathways and middle school programs recognized at the annual event included agriculture, food and natural resources, business and computer science, career technical instruction, digital media/AVTF, education and training, engineering, family and consumer Science, health science/bio tech, law and public safety, JROTC, marketing, nutrition/food, and work-based learning.

Middle school winners

Agriculture Education Award: Kenlea Morrell, Indian Creek Middle School

Business Education Award: Jalia Gordon, Liberty Middle School

Engineering/Technology Award: Jonathan Murray, Veterans Memorial Middle School

Family and Consumer Science Award: Skylar Farley, Veterans Memorial Middle School

High school winners

 Agriculture Education Award: Cindy Ramos, Eastside High School

Business Education/IT Award: Brianna Leverett, Eastside High School

CTI Award: Diana Izaguirre, Newton College & Career Academy

Digital Media/ AVTF Award: Kayla Archibald, Newton College & Career Academy

Education and Training Award: Sierra Blackshear, Newton College & Career Academy

Engineering Award: Noah Geiger, Newton College & Career Academy

Health Science/Bio Tech Award: Naijha Barnes, Newton College & Career Academy

JROTC Award: Milan Walbrook, Newton High School

Law and Public Safety Award: Kapril Pitts, Newton High School

Marketing Award: Jada Mitchum, Newton College & Career Academy

Nutrition/Food Award: Delaney Holcombe, Eastside High School

Work-Based Learning Award: Ashley Pope, Eastside High School

In addition to recognizing CTAE students, the district also presented the 2023 Work-Based Learning Employer of the Year Award to Inglett & Stubbs LLC, one of the premier electrical contractors in the nation.

“Our CTAE students never cease to amaze me,” said Dr. Tim Schmitt, NCSS Director of CTAE and Workforce Innovation. “We have a great group of students across all our schools and pathways and those highlighted at the Awards Night are the best of the best.

“It doesn’t take long, as you talk to these upcoming leaders, to know Newton County is well positioned to continue to lead the state in Economic Development and workforce talent.” I’m honored to be a part of it.”
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.”