Shannon Gilstrap (’99) successfully defended his doctoral dissertation in English at Georgia State University and received the degree in December. He earned his master’s degree from Clemson and is currently a faculty member at Gainesville State College. Erin McManus Mundy (M’00) was recently promoted to assistant professor within the Department of Family Medicine at the School of Medicine of the Medical College of Georgia. She has also been named the Area Health Education Center (AHEC) Director of Community Based Training Programs. Erin has been with the Medical College of Georgia and the Georgia Statewide AHEC Network Program Office since 2004. She lives in Flowery Branch with her husband, Chris, and their nine-year-old son, Davis.
Gabby Parham (‘07) and Chad Parham welcomed their son, Brayden Maddox Parham, into their lives on September 30, 2010 at the Habersham County Medical Center. He weighed 7 pounds, 12 ounces and was 19.5 inches long.
Kathy Conley Nicholson (’10) has joined Habersham County Family Connection as executive director. In her position, she spotlights education and is currently directing the creation of an Adult Language Learning Center within an elementary school. In addition to this position, Kathy is an on-air personality and producer with WRAF 90.9 FM/WEPC 88.5 FM. She currently hosts a Sunday afternoon show from 1-5 p.m. And starting in April 2011, Kathy will be a television host for Windstream Communications for a community talk show entitled Southern Accent. Liat Faver (’10) has been accepted into the Converse College Creative Writing graduate program in Spartanburg, S.C. She recently performed in the Habersham Community Theatre’s production of Hairspray and will direct a play in the upcoming HCT One-Act Festival. E. Lane Gresham (’10) has re-joined The Northeast Georgian newspaper as a staff writer. Jean McCullough (’10) joined the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce staff as Project Manager. In her new position she assists the Economic Development Division with programs and services for small businesses and retail development.
Teachers of the Year for 2010-2011
Chanda DeFoor (’02) ran a half-marathon on October 24, 2010, in Myrtle Beach. She raised $1,500 for Southern Cross Dog Rescue. Addie Wamsley Thomas (’02) and Jason Hans Thomas of Chester, S.C., announce the arrival of their first baby girl, Taylor Mae Thomas, born Nov. 28, 2010, at 8 lbs 11 ounces, 21.5 inches long. Nick Kastner (’03, M’06) was recently elected to the Piedmont College Alumni Board and his term began on Jan. 1, 2011. The Alumni Board of Directors are nominated and voted on by fellow Piedmont College Alumni. Amy Rine Thompson (’07, M’09) and Zachary Thompson (’06) were married in May 2009. Amy has worked as a kindergarten teacher at East Lake Elementary School in the Atlanta Public Schools System for the past three years. Zach was ordained as a transitional deacon in the Episcopal Church in December 2010 and is expected to be ordained a priest this summer. He will graduate with a Master of Divinity degree from Emory University’s Candler School of Theology in May 20011 and then will begin coursework for a Master of Sacred Theology at The University of the South this summer.
Lindsey Cromer Barkley (’06) and Gary Bruce Barkley were married Nov. 15, 2008, and recently welcomed their son, Camden Todd Barkley, on Feb. 12, 2010. Megan Day (’08, M’09) joined the School of Audio Engineering in Atlanta as a financial assistance coordinator in September. The school opened in 1976, specializing in audio engineering education. Now it offers degrees in filmmaking, digital journalism, animation, web design, and game design as well. Ashley Smith Martin (’08) and Nathan Martin welcomed their son, Easton Martin, into the world Sept. 20, 2010. Joy (’09) and Robert Rittweger (’07) welcomed their daughter, Jubilee Michal Rittweger, into the world March 2, 2011. Kasey Taylor Bridges (’10), Chris Bridges, and big brother Luke Bridges welcomed Bowman Curtis Bridges into their lives in July 2010. He was born at Tanner Medical Center in Carrollton.
Michelle Masters (M’06), New Holland Core Knowledge Academy. She has taught at the Gainesville school for six years and now teaches fourth grade. Geoff Chaffin (M’09), C.W. Davis Middle School. He has taught at the Flowery Branch school for four years and teaches seventh and eighth-grade special education math. Michele Taylor (M’07, EdS’08) Riverbend Elementary School. She has taught at the Gainesville school for six years and teaches fourth and fifth-grade language arts. Juliana Dean (’06, M’09), Wauka Mountain Multiple Intelligences Academy. She has taught at the Hall County school for four years and teaches fourth grade. Jeremy Pirkle (EdS’08), Chicopee Woods Elementary School. He has been at the school for one year as the media specialist. He has been teaching for nine years. Misty Freeman (M’08), Friendship Elementary School. She has taught at the school all 11 years of her teaching career and currently teaches first grade. K. Ashleigh Fickey (EdS’10), South Habersham Sixth Grade Academy. Ashleigh teaches social studies and is also the cheerleading coach at South Habersham Middle School and at the Habersham Ninth Grade Academy. Hugh McKinney (EdS’09), Northeast Georgia Youth Science & Technology Center. Earlier this year, he was also named the Gainesville Middle School Teacher of the Year. He teaches eighth grade physical science. Sherri Behrens (’08), Rabun County Elementary School. She teaches sixth grade social studies and has been teaching for three years.
STAR Teachers 2011
Ernie Davis (M’02), selected by Michael Reynolds at Chestatee High School. He was also selected in 2006 by STAR Student Caswell Johnson. Lynn Tankersley (’97), selected by Ian Kelly at East Hall High School.
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