class notes 2011-12 Teachers of the Year Cherokee County John A. Murnan III (EdS’07) Etowah High School and Cherokee County Teacher of the Year. Gwinnett County Brittany Palazzo (M’11) Mulberry Elementary School Stephens County Debra Masten (EdS ’10) Eastanollee Elementary School and Stephens County Teacher of the Year Christi Ford (M’08, EdS ’10) Toccoa Elementary School Shannon H. Williams (’98) Stephens County Middle School White County Kechara Partin (’07) White County Middle School Lara Rogers (’90) Jack P. Nix Primary School Amy Swing (Ed.S’08) Mossy Creek Elementary School
traveled the country as a professional actor. In 2006, she met and married fellow performer, Chris Wright of Columbus. After their third collective national tour, they have decided to unpack their bags and stay a while. Katie and Chris have relocated to Habersham County with their dog, Colby Jack. Stop by the Hobb’s Alumni House on the Piedmont Demorest campus and say hello! After earning her Master of Arts degree from Piedmont, Rebecca Ann Deurlein (’02) attended The University of Phoenix to complete a doctorate in educational leadership. She was honored with the title of Student of the Year and addressed the graduates at the Atlanta commencement ceremony. She has since moved to the Chicago area, where she is a teacher. Rebecca has written a novel, The Beach Years, which can be found on Amazon as an e-book under her maiden name, Rebecca Becker. Natalie Crawford (’06) has been named Director of Student Activities and Campus Events at Piedmont College. Her responsibilities are to direct the
development and organization of the college’s extra-curricular programs, set up social events, and have a participatory role in the student government and student-run clubs. Julius Hooper (’06) is currently in his sixth year at Apalachee High School as the In-School Suspension Coordinator, varsity football coach, and track and field coach. Justin Poole (’07) is a photographer for Lifetouch National School Studio in Snellville. Wally Smith (’07) successfully defended his PhD dissertation at the University of Alabama. His study deals with the effects of fire on reptiles and amphibians in the endangered long-leaf pine ecosystems. Rachel Viers (’07) and Brad Dailey were married in Charlotte, N.C., on June 11, 2011. Her wedding party included four Piedmont alumnae: Taryn Gadbois (’07), Sarah Miller Kroll (’07, M’10), Lindsey Rhodes (’07, M’10, EdS’11), and honorary bridesmaid Melissa Crain (’10).
Patsy Lewis (M’98) White County Ninth Grade Academy Habersham County Nora Dukes (M’10, EdS ’11) Fairview Elementary School and Habersham County Teacher of the Year Haralson County Denice F. Steed (EdS ’10) Bremen Middle School Rabun County Mark Perdue (’98) Rabun County High School Jackson County Robert Andrews (Ed.S’11) Kings Bridge Middle School Tammy Standridge (M’02) East Jackson Elementary School
Timothy Suda (‘09) and Justin Poole (‘10) were among 12 people who shaved their heads on March 17 to show their support for childhood cancer research. The event was for St. Baldricks, a foundation that raises money for childhood cancer research. Suda was the event coordinator for Team Habersham which took place at The Grill on Georgia Street on the Demorest Campus. The team raised more than $1200. St. Baldricks started in 2000 with a goal of raising $17,000 and 20 shavees, but the group raised more than $100,000. Today the St. Baldrick’s Foundation funds more in childhood cancer research grants than any organization except the U.S. government. The foundation has already raised over $18 million this year.
26 The piedmont college journal
Spring 2012