

Ebot is a senior at Gainesville High School. He participates in many activities such as Cross County, Track, DECA, Football Film Crew, and 4 H. Outside of school he enjoys his time indulging in photography, designing graphics, and watching Youtube videos When he graduates, Ebot plans to attend UGA and pursue a degree in marketing.
Kamilah is a senior at Gainesville High School and is currently the Varsity Football Cheer Captain. She is also involved in her high school’s DECA chapter, Featherbone Communiversity Academy, Mu Alpha Theta, and is a Varsity Basketball Cheerleader as well After high school Kamilah hopes to attend Georgia State University and major in Business and Marketing Management.
Makenzy is a senior at Gainesville High School. She is a member of the Varsity Volleyball team, Editor in Chief of the Gainesville Yearbook and in Youth Leadership Hall. She is involved in a number of clubs including Student Council, National Honor Society, and Math Club. When she graduates, Makenzy hopes to attend Georgia Tech to major in Computer Science.
Chloe is a junior at Gainesville High School with a strong belief that everything happens for a reason. She has a growing interest in science and math fields due to her desire to gain more knowledge She’s also an avid reader who seeks different adventures within the comforts of air conditioning
Anna is a senior at Gainesville High School She participates in Competition Cheerleading, Football Cheerleading, DECA, Beta Club, and has taken multiple Dual Enrollment and AP classes.
Mrs. Griffin is the Director of Marketing, PR and Communications for Gainesville City Schools and a 1998 GHS Graduate You'll find her on the sidelines cheering on her sons Jacob and Rhett, GHS student athletes playing football, basketball and baseball She is proud to work with Anna, Ebot, Kamilah, Chloe and Makenzy as their Work Based Learning mentor.
*Photography credits to Smoove JB, Ancel Studios, Blue Dylan Photography and Brown Dog Sports PhotographyWelcome to the first edition of WELL RED. At Gainesville City Schools we are all part of the Big Red Family and are proud of our diverse student body and educators who love a good pun. To us, being well read means offering unique experiences and
opportunities for our whole herd. (Told you we like a good pun.) Our students are educated, cultured, and scholarly.
The most successful students are those who are involved in the learning process in and outside of the classroom Our goal is to prepare "the herd" for life beyond graduation. We know that inside our classrooms sits the future of our community; we take that future very seriously and have invested in creating unique opportunities for our student body at every level. Our elementary schools each have a unique focus from Leadership to Multiple Intelligences, and families are encouraged to choose the school that best suits their unique learning style.
This year we introduced a second campus of Gainesville Middle School to allow our large student body the room they need to grow. By joining both campuses together for extracurriculars we still maintain the family feel as ONE Gainesville.
Gainesville High School had a transformative year with the addition of the Advanced Studies Center and new Media Center and Cafeteria Beyond that, the Student Activities Center has created many new opportunities for our students including expanded space for all sports, band, and NJROTC. Throughout this edition you will learn more about each of our schools, our new facilities, and the incredible work that goes on inside those walls Gainesville City Schools has a strong tradition of success and we are building on that legacy every day
Our students will think critically, act compassionately, work meaningfully, choose wisely, and live joyfully.
A school's success is largely determined by the effectiveness of its Principal, and at Gainesville City Schools ours are the best Our Principals are leading with passion, purpose and poise Each of our charter schools has a unique academic focus, and our leaders also add their own unique personality Under the leadership of our Central Office Directors and Dr Williams, our team of experts create a workplace where all students and teachers can thrive
Centennial Arts Academy is a warm and happy school full of Big Red spirit. As the elementary school closest to GHS you will often find high school students volunteering at field day or reading to classes Mrs Frierson creates a family environment and leads with kindness CAA recently won a grant from the Choose Kindness Foundation where their mission is to prove that kindness is a superpower
Enota Multiple Intelligences Academy is full of energy and enthusiasm Each student has a unique ability and Enota helps to find that light in each child Dr Roach creates an atmosphere of excellence and praises each student's
extraordinary talents Enota also features the Smartville Garden where students can play in the dirt and learn about native plants from our region Enota often hosts events for parents and the community to experience the uncommon hospitality that Enota exhibits to all guests
Fair Street International Academy is a vibrant and fun school that even has it's very own therapy dog Bella Ms Haltrecht brings positivity and passion along with her Argentinian heritage and bilingual leadership Fair Street is steeped in history and focuses on making tradition transformative The Fair Street community is uniquely embedded in the curriculum as well as through guest speakers and readers
Gainesville Exploration Academy is a NASA explorer school full of inquisitive students Ms Boatright brings calm and caring leadership to this special school and encourages students to dream big. GEA recently named a street on campus to honor Maj. Gen. Roy Bridges,
Jr , the first and only Gainesville High Graduate to go to space as a NASA astronaut, piloting the Space Shuttle Challenger on mission STS 51 F As a recipient of the Choose Kindness grant you will find that little extra care throughout the hallways and embedded in all we do
Mundy Mill Arts Academy is nestled in the Mundy Mill community and is a bright and thriving school. Dr. Brown leads with passion and professionalism, and her students and staff are poised for success. As the newest elementary school in the fastest growing western part of the city, you will always feel welcome and part of the family. The arts are infused with music and performance throughout the curriculum. As a recipient of the Choose Kindness grant you will also find kindness abounds.
New Holland Leadership Academy recently adopted its new Leadership name along with a new leader of its own in Mrs. Blackwell. In her first year as principal she is implementing opportunities for students to learn from
local leaders through guest speakers and community field trips. Students are encouraged to "Be A Leader" in all they do.
Gainesville Middle School has been led by Mrs Freeman since 2018, and this year it earned its new name of East Campus with half of the students now attending the West Campus As the original campus, this year has brought a new rhythm with more room to settle in and enjoy the now smaller student body Mrs Freeman's fun and spunky personality infuses the student body with freedom to learn and grow into their teenage years as members of the Big Red Family.
Mr Mair leads the new Gainesville Middle School West Campus that opened its doors this August Mr Mair refers to his student body as scholars, and to himself as Proud Principal, as he leads with a mission to inspire,
motivate, empower, engage and educate. The new campus allows students to experience a more expansive space with the same Gainesville spirit that GMS has always provided Preparing middle schoolers academically and socially to be successful Gainesville High School students is a top priority
Gainesville High School, led by Jamie P. Green, is the flagship school of the Gainesville City School System. All Gainesville students dream of one day becoming a GHS Graduate and taking part in the long standing traditions of this school established in 1892 With 2,400 students GHS offers opportunities for all students to find their niche and thrive by participating in one of the 52 clubs offered or the many extracurricular offerings from athletics to band to theatre to NJROTC and beyond
Gainesville High School offers more Advanced Placement courses than any school in the area with 25 AP offerings. GHS students are encouraged to flex their academic skills to prepare for life after high school.
The GHS academic program is organized on a yearlong schedule where students are able to earn seven credits over the course of two semesters. Known for excellence in academics, athletics, and fine arts, Gainesville High School continues to build upon its legacy through rigorous AP, Dual Enrollment and Work Based Learning courses, along with 16 CTAE pathway programs
With more than 26 countries represented and 30 languages spoken, 22% of our student population is considered to be Multilingual Learners. Gainesville High School counts its diversity as one of its most notable strengths and is recognized as an AP Equity School.
Successful completion of the most challenging math classes including High School AP Calc AB/BC, Georgia Tech Linear Algebra and Multi Variable Calculus puts the following students on a successful path to becoming engineers:
Ben Burns (GT)
Charlie Burns (GT) Caleb Anderson (GT) Grayson Wagner (Yale) Samuel Holt (UGA)
Successful Completion of AP Computer Science Principles, APCSA, and choosing a Computer Science Major, puts the following students on a successful path to a career in Computer Science:
Holden Casey (GT) David Esequal (USC) Charlie Burn (GT) Ben Burns (GT) Truett Keener (GT) Tenant Slack (UGA)
Alabama A&M University
Albany State University
Air Force Academy
Arizona State University
Art Institute of Atlanta
Art Institute of Houston
Augusta University
Auburn University
Aurora University Benedict College
Berry College
Brenau University
Carson Newman University Clark Atlanta University
Clayton State University
Clemson University
College of the Florida Keys College of St Benedict Columbia College
Columbia College Chicago Columbus State University
Concordia University
Converse College
Covenant College
East Tennessee State University
East Georgia State College
Eastern Kentucky University
Emmanuel College
Emory University
Florida Southern College
Florida State University
Fort Valley University
Full Sail University
Furman University
Garden City Community College
Georgia College & State University
Georgia Gwinnett College
Georgia Institute of Technology
Georgia Southern University
Georgia Southwestern University
Georgia State University
Gwinnett Technical College
Hamilton College
Harris Stowe State University
Harvard University
Howard University
Illinois College
Jackson State University
Keiser University
Kennesaw State University
Kentucky University
LaGrange College
Lanier Technical College
Lenoir Rhyne University
Limestone University
Livingston College
Louisiana State University
Loyola University Louisiana
Mars Hill University
Medical Institute of North Georgia
Mercer University
Miles College
Montclair State University
Middle Georgia State University
Mississippi State University
North Carolina A&T University
Northeast Georgia Prep North Georgia Tech
North Greenville University
Northeastern University
Oglethorpe University
Payne University
Piedmont University
Philander Smith College Point University
Queens University of Charlotte
Radford University
Rochester Institute of Technology
Savannah College of Art and Design
Savannah State University
Sewanee: The University of the South
South Carolina State University
South Georgia State College
Spelman College
St John's University
Stanford University
Stetson University
Tennessee State University
Trinity Washington University
Truett McConnell University
University of Alabama
University of Central Florida
University of Colorado
University of Georgia
University of Miami
University of Mississippi
University of North Georgia University of Notre Dame University of Pennsylvania
University of South Alabama
University of South California
University of South Carolina
University of South Florida
University of Virginia
University of West Georgia
Valdosta State University
Valparaiso University
Voorhees College
Wake Forest University
Washington & Jefferson College
Washington State University
Western Carolina University
West Georgia State University
Wingate University
Xavier University
Young Harris College
The Gainesville High School Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC) Program began in 2008 under the leadership of MSgt Jack Reese (USMC) Often seen as a recruiting tool for the military, the program is more about instilling leadership, citizenship, and selfdiscipline in high school students
The program has modernized since its inception in the 1900s and its evolution in the '60s under President Kennedy to now includes a drone team and marksmanship. Housed in the new Student Activities Center, the program even boasts an airsoft rifle range and soon an aviation simulator. You will often see cadets serving as Color Guard for various community events and serving as volunteers for local non profit organizations. Led by Colonel Robert Golden and Senior Chief Scott Thomson the program is really about developing relationships with the cadets. "The program’s not about what we do, it's about the kids. It’s about them being successful," said Senior Chief Thomson. “It’s about what they do," added Colonel Golden.
Students typically stay in the program for four years and are focused on academic success Cadets are promoted based on grades, conduct, and physical fitness NJROTC offers seven classes as part of its academic pathway including the following
Naval Science 1 Field Cadet Manual and Intro to NJROTC
This course introduces all information on military drill and ceremonies, uniform regulations, physical fitness, orienteering, principles of health, first aid, survival, leadership and communications. It also introduces students to the basic principles of leadership and helps them gain an understanding of our nation and its values, traditions, and heritage. It teaches them respect for our laws as well as helping them become involved, responsible citizens
Naval Science 2 Maritime History and Nautical
This course develops the traits of citizenship and leadership in students and introduces cadets to the maritime history of the world and the United States from the American Revolution through the present time. Various nautical sciences are taught in the classroom and through lab work to develop core skills that students should master including geography, oceanography, astronomy, physical science, meteorology, and weather
Naval l Science 3 Naval Knowledge and Naval Orientation/Skills
This course furthers the foundation in citizenship and leadership established in Naval Science One and Two and expounds upon the virtues of United States citizenship with knowledge of uses of the world’s waterways through the viewpoint of National power and International law
Naval Science 4
This course takes a more in depth look at what leadership is, and students learn how to maximize leadership abilities. This course will assist the student in adding the polish necessary to be a truly effective leader in the NJROTC unit, school, community, and in life
Gainesville High School believes in giving students the opportunity to apply the knowledge they learn in the classroom to the real world. Work Based Learning allows that to happen. Under the leadership of Steven Cornett and Brett Dillin, 240 students work with over 100 different community business partners to gain relevant and authentic real world experience in the career field of their interest.
Juniors and Seniors are embedded across the community and are learning from business partners like Southern Baked Pie, Jennifer McCall Family Attorney and C.W. Matthews Contracting, just to name a few. First Baptist Day School has been a great partner for our students allowing Senior Jenny Claxton, who completed the Early Childhood Education pathway, to serve now as an intern Working at the day school has taught Jenny a great deal and has accuentated her love for early childhood education even more She says, “Helping children learn and achieve their small milestones is one of the best parts of my job. [The children] are so unique and bring me so much joy.” Jenny is planning to pursue a degree in Education following graduation.
Last year, senior Ashley Thompson led the way to a rec breaking season for the Red Elephant runners setting a school record in the girls cross country 5K record of 18 the girls state course (Carrollton) record of 19:05. Upo graduation she took her talents to UGA where she con her successful running career.
This year GHS moved to region 6A, but the change has shaken the program. Under Coach Corbett's leadershi team has been able to endure almost anything thrown whether that is 90 degree heat or pouring rain. This ye has an extra boost with the completion of the new eigh weather track "We went through some sacrifices duri season last year without having a track, but it's well wo now," said Coach Corbett
The new Student Activities Center has also given the t locker rooms, a 100 meter indoor track, and a new meeting area inside the athletic cafeteria. Corbett explained that he sees the program as "being somewhat of a blue chip program," with all the additions and athletic perks like the athlete cafeteria serving meals during the season.
This year Senior John Jessup is leading the team and setting new school records along the way. His time of 15:40 broke the current 5K school record. He also won the Hall County Cross Country Championship. The team had a strong season, sweeping the Region 8 AAAAAA meet by winning all four races (Girls JV and Varsity and Boys JV and Varsity
Gainesville’s Volleyball program started in the early 2000s and quickly gained momentum to become a leading sport for our female student athletes. Current Varsity Head Coach Randall Roys started as an Assistant Coach in 2015 and has expanded the program tremendously. There are now five teams across the program from middle to high school and youth camps are held for girls 12 and under. The influence of volleyball is expanding in the community, and the love for the sport is impacting people more now than ever
With the new Student Activities Center featuring three courts dedicated solely to the volleyball program, the team can be more versatile in its training. The new space has created great energy and momentum as well. Home games are drawing more fans than ever with family, friends, even the GHS Cheerleaders with the Red Ragers student section. Coach Roys says his favorite part of the game is, “the energy, and watching the girls compete with other skilled teams. The excitement of the crowd paired with the team’s competitive nature makes for a fun atmosphere.”
Softball in Gainesville is a legacy for our female athletes and one that continues to grow and adapt in the changing landscape of women’s sports With the addition of Volleyball to the school’s athletic program our athletes have more options and opportunities to show off their skills.
Softball has had a longstanding relationship with Gainesville Parks and Recreation and the program continues through middle school, junior varsity and varsity teams. With the addition of fast pitch softball in the late 1990's the program is still evolving and has a slow pitch team whose season is in the spring.
Led by Coach Kiara Nelson, in her fourth year as head coach of the program, and assistant Coaches Brad Prestridge and Madison Coxworth, the program is one of the few to have a field on the GHS campus Coach Nelson is focused on continuing to build the program and was able to expand to three teams this year She also hosted a youth night to get our youngest athletes excited about the sport.
The Gainesville High School football program is experiencing a rebirth under the leadership of Coach Josh Niblett and his impress staff. In his first season as head of team moved into its new home in t Activities Center as well as the ret room
Coach Niblett also brings Gainesvi a new realm as a Nike Elite program one of 43 schools in the nation wit that ensures our players have acce Nike apparel and gear each season
When speaking about all the new c team, Nibblet said, "Well it's just b Since we got here last January we as many shared experiences with o can so we can get to know them. Th us and trust each other." Shared ex include visits to college football pr building activities like attending a
"Trust within this team is going to want to go far," says Niblett "All th supplemental, though I mean, we'r think the key to being a great staff strengths of your team and the def team. Keep your strengths . . . and working on your deficiencies."
The new mentality that the team has established is the "1 0" mindset. Essentially, if the team wins one game per week, they'll win state at the end of the season. At the time of print the Red Elephants wer undefeated with a 10 0 regular season. Let's keep cheering them on one game at a time!
A quiet sideline can make or break the momentum of a team At Gainesville our cheerleading program brings the extra energy and the spirit to take our team to the next level.
Cheerleading was introduced to Gainesville High School in 1929. With no more than three people on the team, it was the beginning of a program committed to empowering Gainesville City as a whole. Now in 2022, Gainesville cheerleading has evolved to a program with a total of six teams spearheaded by Coach Brett Dillin. The program has three varsity teams and three corresponding junior varsity teams; Varsity and Junior Varsity Football Spirit, Varsity and Junior Varsity Basketball Spirit, and Varsity and Junior Varsity Competition. Gainesville Middle School also has their own spirit and competition teams.
Varsity Football Cheer coached by Brett Dillin & Abigail Turner J.V. Football Cheer coached by Gala Sheets & Dahnea Finkley
Varsity Competition coached by Brett Dillin J.V. Competition coached by Abigail Turner
Varsity Basketball Cheer coached by Nadirah Robinson & Stacy Young J.V. Basketball Cheer coached by Dahnea Finkley
The Big Red Machine (TBRM), led by Band Director Larry Miller, creates an electric atmosphere every Friday night. Aside from football games, the Big Red Machine participates in marching band competitions on Saturdays. Like many other groups at GHS, TBRM benefits from the new Student Activities Center. The new band area now has enough space to fit all 163 members and access to the new covered Pavilion Field to practice their drills and halftime performances. This eliminates the need to work around the weather.
As with any program the band has a number of traditions. One of the most notable is at the beginning of the fourth quarter when the band will begin to play Krypton Fanfare and all the lights go off at City Park Everyone puts their flashlights up in the air The members of The Big Red Machine hold up the number four while the stadium lights start flashing Everyone who has experienced the beginning of the fourth quarter at City Park can definitely say it's one of the best parts of a game. The Big Red Machine plays an essential role in promoting school spirit, boosting morale at football games, and defining what it means to be a Red Elephant.
Director Miller sheds some light on the program's main goal, “We want to compete on a level that will bring home lots of trophies and recognitions for our entire school and the Gainesville community.”
Students cannot succeed in academics or athletics without proper nutrition Research confirms hungry students are more likely to score lower on standardized tests, repeat a grade, be suspended from school, get sick more often, and be hospitalized more frequently
Gainesville City Schools offers free breakfast and lunch to all students in all schools in the district. As a Title 1 school with over 70% poverty the district qualifies for all students with no exception. "Our team is proud to provide a healthy and delicious meal twice a day to all students at no cost to them," said Penny Fowler, Director of School Nutrition. "Knowing that we are meeting a need that will help our students achieve their best each day is our passion."
"Students not only receive two meals each weekday, but they also have access to the cafe in the Hub for families who may need food to get through the weekend or for meals in the evenings," said Nosleivys Falcon, Director of The Hub at Gainesville High School. Also, the new Student Activities Center (SAC) athletic cafeteria now serves an evening meal three days a week to athletes.
When talking about the origins of this new program, Adam Lindsey, Gainesville City Schools Athletic Director, said, "This program was part of the original design whenever the SAC was first discussed. We wanted to be able to ensure that all of Gainesville's athletes were receiving proper nutrition to ensure optimal growth " He also went on to talk about how these meals can create more social time either between athletes or between athletes and their coaches which can lead to a stronger team
The Martin family is full of Gainesville's biggest fans. It's in their blood all the way back to the class of 1925, when Gertrude Kizer Jarrard graduated from GHS when it was located on Washington Street Her daughter, Margaret Jarrard Martin, went on to attend GHS and graduated in 1953 in the Gym of '36 that still stands today as the HomeStar Financial Business
Mrs. Martin went on to be a teacher at Enota Elementary School for 20 years and her son Wesley graduated from GHS in 1976 and led the undefeated regular season football team as their MVP. While in college Wesley took his wife Greta on their first date to the GHS football homecoming game in 1977. She claimed to fall in love with the Red Elephants that night and later fell in love with Wesley. They now have three children, all who attended GHS and left their own mark.
Their son Whit graduated in 2000 and was the winner of the Christian Education Trustee Award. He now serves as a Methodist Church minister in Villa Rica, Georgia. Callie graduated in 2005 and led GHS as Senior Class vice president, cheerleader, and theatre performer The youngest, Jake, graduated in 2009 and was a stand-out golfer, with his team winning the Hall County Championship all four years of high school, He then went on to play golf in college for University of North Georgia.
Callie said, "I love everything about the Gainesville Red Elephants...the tradition, the community, the spirit...there is nothing better." Callie married her high school sweetheart, Brian Hughs (class of 2004), who shared her love of Gainesville. "We wanted our children to grow up with the same memories that we have, and it has been so fun to watch and be a part of. The tradition lives on!" Now the fifth generation is stomping through the halls of Enota with Callie and Brian's children Trap (class of 2032), Boone (class of 2035), and soon Mary Thomas (future class of 2039) as well as Jake and Lindsay's son Hayes (future class of 2039 )
Winter Edition: (Career, Technology & Agriculture Education) Basketball, Basketball Cheer, Wrestling & Swimming
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