Gwinnett Magazine March 2022

HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW

AMERICA? The Gwinnett Business Pages READ ‘EM AND REAP!

DR. CALVIN WAT TS

LISTEN, LEARN AND LEAD CONVERGE ARTICLES FROM

GCPS INTERNS INSPIRATION FROM

Andy Stanley

WAYNEMASON A LEADERS & LEGENDS HONOREE

GWINNETT MAGAZINE

Spring is what we all need right now – don’t ya think?

T

here’s nothing like stepping out in the sunshine after those cold months froze us to our cores, keeping us indoors wishing we were out and about. Whether that groundhog way up north saw his shadow or not this year (he did), there’s no denying spring is in the air right here in Gwinnett.

And with it, our March edition of Gwinnett Magazine! Read on! Inside, you’ll find all the quality content you’ve come to know, as well as fascinating, fresh profiles from our ongoing Leaders & Legends series, and a special feature on the success of Converge, our annual internship program.

Converge – short for “Convergent Journalism” – brought in high school students from all over the county, and beyond, equipping them with real world skills to navigate today’s multimedia marketplace. They filled our downtown historic Buford office with youthful energy and fresh takes on the world, keeping us older folk scrambling to keep up!

And boy, did we have a blast with those youngsters.

They did great, penning articles that explored their fears, “feels” and interests, as well as delving into their viewpoints on the future, opinions on the area’s best colleges – and the kinds of insights you’ll read nowhere else.

Speaking of insights, Gwinnett County legend Wayne Mason shared

the inner workings of his mind with us for this month’s edition – and he is one smart dude. It’s no wonder he accomplished all he did back in the day, paving the way for the success all us Gwinnettians enjoy.

Follow Mason’s rise as a young man selling eggs and “sacking groceries” – when he first exhibited brilliant mathematic abilities –all the way to his ascension to county commission chairman, spearheading Gwinnett’s infrastructural improvements, including an intake into Lake Lanier providing residents water “pure enough to shoot in your veins.”

You are gonna love his story.

This month’s second entry in the Leaders & Legends series is none other than Dr. Calvin Watts, superintendent of Gwinnett County Public Schools. He’s been at the helm for more than half a year now, visiting schools all over the district to “Look, Listen and Learn” from staff, teachers and administrators.

As the school district’s first ever African American superintendent, Watts says the milestone is “humbling and exciting,” and aims to lead in such a way that, while he might be the first, most importantly, he “won’t be the last.”

Also included in the story: a neverbefore-published conversation between Watts and former, longtime GCPS Superintendent J. Alvin

Wilbanks, when the two met in 2018 during a chance encounter at an administrative conference.

Both Watts’ and Mason’s profiles are the latest entries in our Leaders & Legends series, which last month chronicled the lives of Beauty Baldwin, Melvin Everson and Wilbanks himself.

And we’ve only just begun telling the stories of key influencers, compassionate leaders and legendary figures making Gwinnett County the wealth of opportunity and success we all enjoy to this day.

Look for more Leaders & Legends in the next edition!

In the meantime, we hope that – much like the gorgeous weather of a sunny, springtime afternoon – you fully enjoy this March edition of Gwinnett Magazine. We’ve packed it to the brim with insightful, entertaining and informative stories.

Here’s to health, wealth and success and a time of new beginnings in full bloom this spring!

Our Best,

David Greer CEO | Publisher Gwinnett Magazine

GWINNETTMAGAZINE.COM / MARCH 2022

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GWINNETT MAGAZINE

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CONTENTS

AZ AG INE

MARCH 2022

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Gwinnett’s Leaders, Legends & Influencers!

This month we are continuing our series.

Don’t miss the stories of those who made Gwinnett the amazing place it is today.

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25 04

DO YOU KNOW America?

Did you know there were only two presidents to sign the U.S. Constitution?

Do you know the lyrics to “America the Beautiful”?

36

46 what is Converge?

Learn all about Gwinnett Magazine’s internship program and read some of the stories the amazing local students wrote.

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04 Takin’ Care of Business!

42

Metro Waterproofing celebrates 50 years, plus GCPS & GGC partnership and People on the Move!

62 GET WHAT YOU REALLY WANT. Pastor Andy Stanley gives us insight on how to get what we really want.

36 DIY project!

A delicious & unusual DIY project. Plus, a BBQ Pulled Pork recipe that will leave you the talk of the party.

GWINNETT MAGAZINE P.O. Box 1269 | Buford GA 30515 770-545-8746

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TELL YOUR STORY EVERWHERE.™

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info@gwinnettmagazine.com GwinnettMagazine.com © Copyright 2022

WANT MORE? SCAN NOW!

S

P

ENEW

CAST OD

VIDEO

Fall Back in Love with Reading!

Leaders & Legends

accent roofing

green tea goodness!

Best moments of 2021

green financial RESOURCES

Jaiden Arada, Converge multimedia journalism intern, shares her guide on how to fall back in love with reading.

Zeal Dobariya, Converge multimedia journalism intern, shares with us her favorite recipe to make the perfect Matcha Latte.

David Greer and Nathan McGill introduce the newest Gwinnett Magazine series, as well as share the legend of Beauty Baldwin.

In this very special episode, we’re reflecting on some of this year’s most educational, memorable and fun moments.

For 32 years, the family-owned business has been solving their clients’ roofing troubles without breaking the bank.

For 34 years, they have brought peace of mind and financial confidence in all areas of finance.

CIAL SO Be sure to check out Gwinnett Magazine Stories on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Great videos, Love Gwinnett photos and more! Like us, love us and share!

coffee giving you heartburn?

Follow us on a coffee shop adventure to find some answers that’ll bring true heartburn relief!

1st choice real estate

For 20 years, 1st Choice Real Estate Professionals have provided their clients with outstanding services in all areas of real estate.

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GOT A COOL IDEA FOR A BUSINESS STORY? SEND IT TO NEWSROOM@GWINNETTMAGAZINE.COM

GWINNETT BUSINESS PAGES

WE TAKE EVERY EMPLOYEE AS PART OF OUR FAMILY, AND EVERY CUSTOMER AS A PARTNER...

CLYDE STRICKLAND, FOUNDER METRO WATERPROOFING

METRO WATERPROOFING TURNS 50!

It has been 50 years since Clyde and Sandra Strickland founded Metro Waterproofing. From new construction to routine maintenance and leak repairs to total building restoration, Metro Waterproofing, Inc. continues to be the single source for their customers’ building maintenance and restoration needs all across the Southeast.

Clyde Strickland, CEO, explains their philosophy: “Customers are our most valuable asset. For the past 50 years it has been the goal of Metro Waterproofing, Inc. to stay up on current technology, material and installation techniques, sealants, waterproofing and restoration products to bring the best to our customers. We look out for the safety of all workers, and bring the best quality and service to all projects we undertake.”

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MARCH 2022 / GWINNETTMAGAZINE.COM

In addition to serving their clients and employees, the company is also known for giving back to the community through philanthropic and charitable giving that helps support non-profits, ministries, education and various community organizations across the state.

Scan to learn more about our waterproofing services!

!

BUSINESS PAGES

SEE WHAT’S NEW

FOR GWINNETT’S TRANSIT PLAN A new plan for Gwinnett County transit to increase accessibility, connectivity and mobility could soon be in the works.

Gwinnett County commissioners recently voted to ink a $1.48 million contract with a Washington, D.C. based transportation planning firm to help them develop it – focusing on existing conditions and identifying needs and opportunities for the county’s transit system.

At the same time, the Gwinnett Chamber released a recent statement voicing support for, among other things, the improvement and expansion of transit operations as part of the organization’s 2022 Public Policy Agenda.

Dean Collins, founder and president of Axis Companies and the 2021 Vice Chair of the Gwinnett Chamber Public Policy Committee says, “among some of the notable changes from last year’s

agenda are broadband accessibility and affordability and public-private initiatives to ease workforce demands.

We also included support for the AtlantaRegion Transit Link Authority’s five Gwinnett transit projects considered for state funding in the Fiscal Year 2023 budget.”

Chamber President and CEO Nick Masino says the establishment every year of the annual public policy agenda goes hand in hand with the chamber’s pr i ma r y m ission: “to cha mpion business.”

“Establishing a public policy agenda and communicating with our legislators to ensure they are considering business with every decision they make is a key component to our success and we are looking forward to a productive session this year.”

Photo credit: Gwinnett County.

GWINNETTMAGAZINE.COM / MARCH 2022

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GWINNETT MAGAZINE

LAWRENCEVILLE HONORED AS VISIONARY CITY Lawrenceville officials recently got some elite recognition for efforts to create positive change through civic engagement and collaboration.

The county seat was named among only eight other municipalities in the state as a Visionary City by the Georgia Municipal Association at this year’s United Summit.

Specifically, Lawrenceville got the accolade for its involvement in an internship program called Summer of Impact, which partners with local high schoolers for an eight-week program that connects them with businesses in the area.

“Lawrenceville thrives when we come together,” says Mayor David Still. “By investing in our youth, we invest in the future of Lawrenceville.”

The Georgia Municipal Association is a non-profit organization that provides legislative advocacy, research and training to its 538 member cities.

GCPS AND GGC PARTNER FOR

‘STRONGER GWINNETT COUNTY’ The two largest education organizations in the county recently in ked an ag reement aimed at enhancing connections, improving graduation rates, creating stronger college pathways and improving student outcomes.

Or, as Gwinnett County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Calvin Watts put it: “Today’s students are tomorrow’s leaders.

This collaboration will create a stronger high school and college student – and, ultimately, a stronger Gwinnett County.”

Signed by Watts and GGC President Dr. Jann L. Joseph, the new agreement builds on the work of past leaders to strengthen the institutions’ relations.

“GGC and GCPS have long enjoyed successful collaborations, including STEM and STEAM programs for K-12 students, dual enrollment programs, and a teacher residency program where GGC’s education students are placed in area elementary schools to gain the skills needed to become teachers,” Joseph says. “In fact, one of our graduates was recently named GCPS Elementary School Teacher of the Year.”

T he pa r t ner sh ip a i m s to strengthen existing programs like dual enrollment as well as new initiatives in which the two can pool resources to help students on their path to college and – ultimately – the working world.

PEOPLE ON THE

MOVE!

NORWOOD DAVIS,

CFO, is leaving 12Stone Church for a chief strategy officer position with Wesleyan Investment Foundation.

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MARCH 2022 / GWINNETTMAGAZINE.COM

ADRIENNE MCALLISTER

Interim Director of Gwinnett County Human Resources was promoted to director of the department.

NAKIA TOWNS

was named Gwinnett County Public Schools deputy superintendent.

ADDAM TAUSSIG

was named senior vice president business banking at Bank of America.

GWINNETT MAGAZINE

PRIMERICA GETS ELITE HONOR FOR GENDER EQUALITY Duluth-based Primerica was one of only 418 in the whole world (and 151 in the U.S.) recently named to the 2022 Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index (GEI).

And just what is that? Glad you asked! It reflects a variety of industries – financial, technology and utilities – recognized as being committed to keeping gender equality a workplace priority.

“At Primerica, we take seriously our commitment to foster a workplace that provides equal opportunities for everyone, regardless of gender,” says Glenn Williams, Primerica CEO. “Our commitment to this principle is reflected in the number of women occupying leadership roles throughout our company, in the equality of our human resources practices and in our efforts to create a work environment that is free from harassment and discrimination of any kind.”

GWINNETT DOT’S SEVER IS PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR One of Gwinnett’s own just got a statewide honor that recognizes individuals who have contributed to “the safe and efficient movement of people or goods in” Georgia.

Gwinnett DOT Assistant Director Tom Sever was named 2021 Transportation Professional of

ANTHONY FERRARI

will be the new 12Stone Church chief financial officer effective July 1.

the Year by the Georgia Section of the Institute of Transportation Engineers.

Sever has served Gwinnett County for two decades and is the fifth Gwinnett County employee to receive the state-level award. He and wife, Tracy, have two sons, Austin and Wesley.

TARECE JOHNSON

MELANIE REED

was named superintendent of Buford City Schools.

is the Gwinnett School Board’s new chair.

TOM SEVER was

named 2021 Transportation Professional of the Year by the Georgia Section of the Institute of Transportation Engineers.

GWINNETTMAGAZINE.COM / MARCH 2022

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AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL Oh, beautiful for spacious skies, For amber waves of grain, For purple mountain majesties Above the fruited plain!

America! America!

God shed his grace on thee, And crown thy good with brotherhood From sea to shining sea.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

" Am na s Am t u o r a t s ' n d i " l u f inta c erB h t a c i r e 0

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0 0

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GWINNETT MAGAZINE

the

UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

ARTICLE I Section 1: Congress All legislative Powers herein

No Person shall be a Representative who shall not

granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United

have attained to the Age of twenty five Years, and been seven Years a Citizen of the United States,

States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.

House of Representatives shall be composed of

of that State in which he shall be chosen.

Representatives and direct Taxes shall be apportioned among the several States which

Members chosen every second Year by the People

may be included within this Union, according

of the several States, and the Electors in each State

to their respective Numbers, which shall be

shall have the Qualifications requisite for Electors of

determined by adding to the whole Number of

the most numerous Branch of the State Legislature.

free Persons, including those bound to Service

Section 2: The House of Representatives The

Did you know?

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and who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant

MARCH 2022 / GWINNETTMAGAZINE.COM

TheU.S.Constitutionhas4,0words.It istheoldest&shortestwrittenConstitution ofanymajorgovernmentintheworld.

GWINNETT MAGAZINE

Fascina ting Scoop!

for a Term of Years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three fifths of all other Persons. The actual Enumeration shall be made within three Years after the first Meeting of the Congress of the United

Thefirsttimetheformalterm"TheUnited StatesofAmerica"wasusedwasinthe DeclarationofIndependence.

States, and within every subsequent Term of ten Years, in such Manner as they shall by Law

divided as equally as may be into three Classes.

direct. The number of Representatives shall not

The Seats of the Senators of the first Class shall

exceed one for every thirty Thousand, but each

be vacated at the Expiration of the second Year,

State shall have at Least one Representative; and

of the second Class at the Expiration of the fourth

until such enumeration shall be made, the State of New Hampshire shall be entitled to chuse three,

Year, and of the third Class at the Expiration of the sixth Year, so that one third may be chosen

Massachusetts eight, Rhode-Island and Providence

every second Year; and if Vacancies happen by

Plantations one, Connecticut five, New-York six,

Resignation, or otherwise, during the Recess of

New Jersey four, Pennsylvania eight, Delaware one, Maryland six, Virginia ten, North Carolina five,

the Legislature of any State, the Executive thereof may make temporary Appointments until the next

South Carolina five, and Georgia three.

Meeting of the Legislature, which shall then fill

When vacancies happen in the Representation from any State, the Executive Authority thereof shall issue Writs of Election to fill such Vacancies.

The House of Representatives shall chuse their Speaker and other Officers;and shall have the sole Power of Impeachment.

Section 3: The Senate The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from

such Vacancies.

No Person shall be a Senator who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty Years, and been nine Years a Citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State for which he shall be chosen.

The Vice President of the United States shall be President of the Senate, but shall have no Vote,

each State, chosen by the Legislature thereof, for

unless they be equally divided.

The Senate shall chuse their other Officers, and

six Years; and each Senator shall have one Vote.

also a President pro tempore, in the Absence of the

Immediately after they shall be assembled in Consequence of the first Election, they shall be

Vice President, or when he shall exercise the Office of President of the United States.

GWINNETTMAGAZINE.COM / MARCH 2022

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The Senate shall have the sole Power to try all

a Majority of each shall constitute a Quorum to do

Impeachments. When sitting for that Purpose,

Business; but a smaller Number may adjourn from

they shall be on Oath or Affirmation. When the

day to day, and may be authorized to compel the

President of the United States is tried, the Chief

Attendance of absent Members, in such Manner,

Justice shall preside: And no Person shall be convicted without the Concurrence of two thirds

and under such Penalties as each House may provide.

Each House may determine the Rules of its

of the Members present.

Proceedings, punish its Members for disorderly

Judgment in Cases of Impeachment shall not

Behaviour, and, with the Concurrence of two

extend further than to removal from Office, and

thirds, expel a Member.

disqualification to hold and enjoy any Office of honor, Trust or Profit under the United States:

Each House shall keep a Journal of its Proceedings, and from time to time publish

but the Party convicted shall nevertheless be liable

the same, excepting such Parts as may in their

and subject to Indictment, Trial, Judgment and

Judgment require Secrecy; and the Yeas and Nays

Punishment, according to Law.

of the Members of either House on any question shall, at the Desire of one fifth of those Present,

Section 4: Elections The Times, Places and

be entered on the Journal.

Manner of holding Elections for Senators and

Neither House, during the Session of Congress,

Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof; but the Congress may

shall, without the Consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other Place

at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations,

than that in which the two Houses shall be sitting.

except as to the Places of chusing Senators.

The Congress shall assemble at least once in

Section 6: Rights and Disabilities of Members

every Year, and such Meeting shall be on the first Monday in December, unless they shall by Law

The Senators and Representatives shall receive a Compensation for their Services, to be ascertained

appoint a different Day.

by Law, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States. They shall in all Cases, except Treason,

Section 5: Powers and Duties of Congress

Felony and Breach of the Peace, be privileged

Each House shall be the Judge of the Elections,

from Arrest during their Attendance at the Session

Returns and Qualifications of its own Members,and

of their respective Houses, and in going to and

Did you know?

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MARCH 2022 / GWINNETTMAGAZINE.COM

GeorgeWashington&JamesMadison weretheonlypresidentswhosigned theConstitution.

returning from the same; and for any Speech or

to that House in which it shall have originated,

Debate in either House, they shall not be questioned

who shall enter the Objections at large on their

in any other Place.

No Senator or Representative shall, during the

Journal, and proceed to reconsider it. If after such

Time for which he was elected, be appointed to any civil Office under the Authority of the United States,

to pass the Bill, it shall be sent, together with the

which shall have been created, or the Emoluments

likewise be reconsidered, and if approved by two

whereof shall have been encreased during such

thirds of that House, it shall become a Law. But in

time; and no Person holding any Office under the United States, shall be a Member of either House

all such Cases the Votes of both Houses shall be

during his Continuance in Office.

the Persons voting for and against the Bill shall be

Section 7: Legislative Process All Bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives; but the Senate may propose or concur with Amendments as on other Bills.

Every Bill which shall have passed the House of Representatives and the Senate, shall, before it become a Law, be presented to the President of

Reconsideration two thirds of that House shall agree Objections, to the other House, by which it shall

determined by Yeas and Nays, and the Names of entered on the Journal of each House respectively.

If any Bill shall not be returned by the President within ten Days (Sundays excepted) after it shall have been presented to him, the Same shall be a Law, in like Manner as if he had signed it, unless the Congress by their Adjournment prevent its Return, in which Case it shall not be a Law.

the United States; If he approve he shall sign it,

Every Order, Resolution, or Vote to which

but if not he shall return it, with his Objections

the Concurrence of the Senate and House of Representatives may be necessary (except on a

ConstitutionDayis celebratedon September17th,the anniversaryofthe daytheframers signedthedocument.

question of Adjournment) shall be presented to the President of the United States; and before the Same shall take Effect, shall be approved by him, or being disapproved by him, shall be repassed by two thirds of the Senate and House of Representatives, according to the Rules and Limitations prescribed in the Case of a Bill.

GWINNETTMAGAZINE.COM / MARCH 2022

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Mind Blo w

Section 8: Powers of Congress The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the

n!

Becauseofpoorhealth,Benjamin Franklinneededhelptosignthe Constitution.Ashedidso,tears streameddownhisface.

United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States; To borrow Money on the credit of the United States; To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes; To establish a uniform Rule of Naturalization, and uniform Laws on the subject of Bankruptcies throughout the United States; To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and

Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water; To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money to that Use shall be for a longer Term than two Years; To provide and maintain a Navy; To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces;

of foreign Coin, and fix the Standard of Weights

To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute

and Measures; To provide for the Punishment of counterfeiting the Securities and current Coin of the United States;

the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and

To establish Post Offices and post Roads; To promote the Progress of Science and useful

disciplining, the Militia, and for governing such Part

Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and

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To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and

repel Invasions; To provide for organizing, arming, and of them as may be employed in the Service of the United States, reserving to the States respectively,

Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries; To constitute Tribunals inferior to the supreme Court;

the Appointment of the Officers, and the Authority of training the Militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress;

To define and punish Piracies and Felonies

whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding ten

committed on the high Seas, and Offenses against the Law of Nations;

Miles square) as may, by Cession of particular

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To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases

States, and the Acceptance of Congress, become

GWINNETT MAGAZINE

the Seat of the Government of the United States, and to exercise like Authority over all Places purchased

No Preference shall be given by any Regulation of Commerce or Revenue to the Ports of one State

by the Consent of the Legislature of the State in which the Same shall be, for the Erection of Forts,

over those of another: nor shall Vessels bound to, or from, one State, be obliged to enter, clear, or pay

Magazines, Arsenals, dock-Yards and other needful Buildings;-And

Duties in another.

No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury,

To make all Laws which shall be necessary and

but in Consequence of Appropriations made by

proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing

Law; and a regular Statement and Account of the

Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.

Receipts and Expenditures of all public Money shall be published from time to time.

No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States: And no Person holding any Office of Profit

Section 9: Powers Denied Congress The

or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of

Migration or Importation of such Persons as any of

the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument,

the States now existing shall think proper to admit,

Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any

shall not be prohibited by the Congress prior to the

King, Prince, or foreign State.

Year one thousand eight hundred and eight, but a Tax or duty may be imposed on such Importation,

Section 10: Powers Denied to the States

not exceeding ten dollars for each Person.

No State shall enter into any Treaty, Alliance,

The Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall

or Confederation; grant Letters of Marque and

not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion

Reprisal; coin Money; emit Bills of Credit; make

or Invasion the public Safety may require it.

any Thing but gold and silver Coin a Tender in

No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed.

No Capitation, or other direct, Tax shall be laid,

Payment of Debts; pass any Bill of Attainder, ex post facto Law, or Law impairing the Obligation of

unless in Proportion to the Census or Enumeration

No State shall, without the Consent of the

herein before directed to be taken.

Congress, lay any Imposts or Duties on Imports

No Tax or Duty shall be laid on Articles exported from any State.

Contracts, or grant any Title of Nobility.

or Exports, except what may be absolutely necessary for executing it’s inspection Laws: and the net

Did you know?

ThewordDemocracydoesnotappear onceintheConstitution,andittookover onehundreddaysto"frame."

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Representatives to which the State may be entitled

WhentheConstitution in the Congress: but no Senator or Representative, wassigned,the or Person holding an Office of Trust or Profit under U.S.populationwas the United States, shall be appointed an Elector.

4million.Itisnow The Electors shall meet in their respective States, morethan327million. and vote by Ballot for two Persons, of whom one

Produce of all Duties and Imposts, laid by any State

16

at least shall not be an Inhabitant of the same State with themselves. And they shall make a List of all

on Imports or Exports, shall be for the Use of the Treasury of the United States; and all such Laws shall be subject to the Revision and Controul of

the Persons voted for, and of the Number of Votes

the Congress.

United States, directed to the President of the Senate.

for each; which List they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the Seat of the Government of the

No State shall, without the Consent of Congress,

The President of the Senate shall, in the Presence of

lay any Duty of Tonnage, keep Troops, or Ships

the Senate and House of Representatives, open all

of War in time of Peace, enter into any Agreement or Compact with another State, or with a foreign

the Certificates, and the Votes shall then be counted.

Power, or engage in War, unless actually invaded, or

shall be the President, if such Number be a Majority

in such imminent Danger as will not admit of delay.

of the whole Number of Electors appointed; and if there be more than one who have such Majority, and

The Person having the greatest Number of Votes

ARTICLE II

have an equal Number of Votes, then the House of Representatives shall immediately chuse by Ballot

Section 1 The executive Power shall be vested in a

one of them for President; and if no Person have a

President of the United States of America.

He shall hold his Office during the Term of four Years, and, together with the Vice President, chosen

Majority, then from the five highest on the List the said House shall in like Manner chuse the President.

for the same Term, be elected, as follows:

by States, the Representation from each State having

But in chusing the President, the Votes shall be taken

Each State shall appoint, in such Manner as

one Vote; A quorum for this Purpose shall consist of

the Legislature thereof may direct, a Number of

a Member or Members from two thirds of the States,

Electors, equal to the whole Number of Senators and

and a Majority of all the States shall be necessary

MARCH 2022 / GWINNETTMAGAZINE.COM

to a Choice. In every Case, after the Choice of the

his Services, a Compensation, which shall neither

President, the Person having the greatest Number of Votes of the Electors shall be the Vice President.

But if there should remain two or more who have

be increased nor diminished during the Period for which he shall have been elected, and he shall not receive within that Period any other Emolument

equal Votes, the Senate shall chuse from them by Ballot the Vice President.

from the United States, or any of them.

Before he enter on the Execution of his Office,

The Congress may determine the Time of chusing

he shall take the following Oath or Affirmation:--”I

the Electors, and the Day on which they shall give

do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully

their Votes; which Day shall be the same throughout

execute the Office of President of the United States,

the United States.

No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a

and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”

Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President; neither shall any person be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained

Section 2 The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several States, when called

to the Age of thirty five Years, and been fourteen Years a Resident within the United States.

into the actual Service of the United States; he may

In Case of the Removal of the President from Office, or of his Death, Resignation, or

Officer in each of the executive Departments, upon any Subject relating to the Duties of their respective

Inability to discharge the Powers and Duties

Offices, and he shall have Power to grant Reprieves

of the said Office, the Same shall devolve on

and Pardons for Offenses against the United States,

the Vice President, and the Congress may by

except in Cases of Impeachment.

Law provide for the Case of Removal, Death, Resignation or Inability, both of the President and Vice President, declaring what Officer shall

He shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur; and he

then act as President, and such Officer shall act

shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and

accordingly, until the Disability be removed, or

Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors,

a President shall be elected.

The President shall, at stated Times, receive for

other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the

?

Did you know

require the Opinion, in writing, of the principal

supreme Court, and all other Officers of the United

PatrickHenrywaselectedasadelegateto theConstitutionalConvention,butdeclined, becausehe"smelledarat."

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States, whose Appointments are not herein otherwise

ARTICLE III

provided for, and which shall be established by Law:

Section 1 The judicial Power of the United States,

but the Congress may by Law vest the Appointment of such inferior Officers, as they think proper, in

shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in such

the President alone, in the Courts of Law, or in the Heads of Departments.

supreme and inferior Courts, shall hold their Offices

The President shall have Power to fill up all

during good Behaviour, and shall, at stated Times,

Vacancies that may happen during the Recess of

receive for their Services, a Compensation, which shall not be diminished during their Continuance

the Senate, by granting Commissions which shall expire at the End of their next Session.

in Office.

Section 3 He shall from time to time give to the

Section 2 The judicial Power shall extend to all

Congress Information of the State of the Union, and

Cases, in Law and Equity, arising under this

recommend to their Consideration such Measures as

Constitution, the Laws of the United States, and

he shall judge necessary and expedient; he may, on

Treaties made, or which shall be made, under their

extraordinary Occasions, convene both Houses, or

Authority;--to all Cases affecting Ambassadors,

either of them, and in Case of Disagreement between

other public Ministers and Consuls;--to all

them, with Respect to the Time of Adjournment, he may adjourn them to such Time as he shall think

Cases of admiralty and maritime Jurisdiction;-to Controversies to which the United States shall

proper; he shall receive Ambassadors and other

be a Party;--to Controversies between two or

public Ministers; he shall take Care that the Laws

more States;--between a State and Citizens of

be faithfully executed, and shall Commission all the Officers of the United States.

another State;--between Citizens of different States;--between Citizens of the same State claiming Lands under Grants of different States,

Section 4 The President, Vice President and all

and between a State, or the Citizens thereof, and

civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed

foreign States, Citizens or Subjects.

from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction

In all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public

of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and

Ministers and Consuls, and those in which a State

Misdemeanors.

shall be Party, the supreme Court shall have original

Did you know?

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inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish. The Judges, both of the

MARCH 2022 / GWINNETTMAGAZINE.COM

Asevidenceofitscontinuedflexibility, theConstitutionhasonlybeenchanged 17timessince179!

Did you k

now?

ARTICLE IV Section 1 Full Faith and Credit shall be given in

Theoldestpersontosignthe each State to the public Acts, Records, and judicial ConstitutionwasBenjaminFranklin .)18( Proceedings of every other State. And the Congress TheyoungestwasJonathonDaytonof may by general Laws prescribe the Manner in which NewJersey.)62( such Acts, Records and Proceedings shall be proved, and the Effect thereof.

Jurisdiction. In all the other Cases before mentioned,

Section 2 The Citizens of each State shall be

the supreme Court shall have appellate Jurisdiction, both as to Law and Fact, with such Exceptions, and

entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States.

under such Regulations as the Congress shall make.

A Person charged in any State with Treason,

The Trial of all Crimes, except in Cases of

Felony, or other Crime, who shall flee from Justice,

Impeachment; shall be by Jury; and such Trial shall

and be found in another State, shall on Demand

be held in the State where the said Crimes shall have

of the executive Authority of the State from which he fled, be delivered up, to be removed to the State

been committed; but when not committed within any State, the Trial shall be at such Place or Places

having Jurisdiction of the Crime.

as the Congress may by Law have directed.

No Person held to Service or Labour in one State, under the Laws thereof, escaping into another, shall,

Section 3 Treason against the United States, shall

in Consequence of any Law or Regulation therein,

consist only in levying War against them, or in

be discharged from such Service or Labour, but shall

adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and

be delivered up on Claim of the Party to whom such

Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the

Service or Labour may be due.

same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court.

Section 3 New States may be admitted by the

The Congress shall have Power to declare the

Congress into this Union; but no new State shall

Punishment of Treason, but no Attainder of Treason

be formed or erected within the Jurisdiction of any

shall work Corruption of Blood, or Forfeiture except

other State; nor any State be formed by the Junction

during the Life of the Person attainted.

of two or more States, or Parts of States, without the

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Consent of the Legislatures of the States concerned as well as of the Congress.

The Congress shall have Power to dispose of and

the Ninth Section of the first Article; and that no State, without its Consent, shall be deprived of its equal Suffrage in the Senate.

make all needful Rules and Regulations respecting the Territory or other Property belonging to the

ARTICLE VI

United States; and nothing in this Constitution shall be so construed as to Prejudice any Claims of the

All Debts contracted and Engagements entered into, before the Adoption of this Constitution, shall

United States, or of any particular State.

be as valid against the United States under this

Section 4 The United States shall guarantee to

Constitution, as under the Confederation.

This Constitution, and the Laws of the United

every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government, and shall protect each of them against

States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof;

Invasion; and on Application of the Legislature, or of the Executive (when the Legislature cannot be

under the Authority of the United States, shall

convened) against domestic Violence.

and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the

ARTICLE V

Contrary notwithstanding.

The Congress, whenever two thirds of both

The Senators and Representatives before

Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the

mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers,

Application of the Legislatures of two thirds of the several States, shall call a Convention for

both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support

proposing Amendments, which, in either Case,

this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be

shall be valid to all Intents and Purposes, as Part of this Constitution, when ratified by the

required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.

Legislatures of three fourths of the several States, or by Conventions in three fourths thereof, as

ARTICLE VII

the one or the other Mode of Ratification may

The Ratification of the Conventions of nine

be proposed by the Congress; Provided that no

States, shall be sufficient for the Establishment of

Amendment which may be made prior to the Year One thousand eight hundred and eight shall in

this Constitution between the States so ratifying the Same.

any Manner affect the first and fourth Clauses in

Did you know?

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MARCH 2022 / GWINNETTMAGAZINE.COM

FourofthesignersoftheConstitutionwereborn inIreland;WilliamPatterson,ThomasFitzsimmons, JamesMcHenry,PierceButler.

signers of the

CONSTITUTION On September 17, 1787, the delegates of the Constitutional Convention met to sign the document they had

created to replace the Articles of Confederation. Of the 55 people who attended the Convention, only 39 signed on the document. Some left as the Convention progressed, whereas others refused to sign in protest. Since Rhode Island refused to send a delegate, no representative from Rhode Island signed the document. In addition to the 39 delegates, the convention’s secretary William Jackson also signed the document, not as a delegate, but in attestation of the document’s signing.

The Constitution was finally adopted by the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, and later ratified by special conventions in each of the then-existing thirteen American states. Today, the United States Constitution is the supreme law of the United States of America.

CONNECTICUT Roger Sherman William S. Johnson DELAWARE George Read Richard Bassett Gunning Bedford John Dickinson Jacob Broom GEORGIA William Few Abraham Baldwin MARYLAND Daniel Jenifer Daniel Carroll James McHenry MASSACHUSETTS Rufus King Nathaniel Gorham

NEW HAMPSHIRE John Langdon

Thomas Mifflin George Clymer

Nicholas Gilman NEW JERSEY

Thomas Fitzsimmons Jared Ingersoll

Jonathan Dayton William Livingston William Paterson

SOUTH CAROLINA Charles Pickney Charles C. Pickney

David Brearley NEW YORK Alexander Hamilton NORTH CAROLINA Richard D. Spaight William Blount Hugh Williamson PENNSYLVANIA Benjamin Franklin Gouverneur Morris Robert Morris James Wilson

John Rutledge Pierce Butler VIRGINIA George Washington James Madison John Blair

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GWINNETT MAGAZINE

Gwinnett County:

planning for the future will pay dividends NICOLE L. HENDRICKSON CHAIRWOMAN GWINNETT COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

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From the 1950s and 1960s with the construction of I-85 and Buford Dam to the 1970s and the installation of a modern water and sewer system, Gwinnett has had its eye on the future.

In recent years, the County’s leadership has continued the tradition of playing the long game to benefit Gwinnett’s residents and businesses.

My fellow board members and I are fortunate to be serving Gwinnett County during such an exciting time in the history of our vibrantly connected community. Following decades of incredible population growth facilitated by the investments in infrastructure made by visionary leaders who preceded us, we are now taking bold steps to secure Gwinnett’s economic future and to ensure opportunities for our children and grandchildren to remain here for good jobs.

The County’s investment in the future is demonstrated by the Water Tower at Gwinnett, a water-focused research and development project dedicated to water and wastewater treatment technologies and innovation.

The Water Tower, which will open its doors at the end of March, is already attracting the attention of major corporations.

Similarly, Rowen, a 2,000-acre knowledge community in eastern Gwinnett, is expected to be an economic engine reminiscent of the Research Triangle in North Carolina.

According to a preliminary economic impact analysis conducted in March 2020, Rowen will generate an estimated 18,500 jobs by 2035.

The County has purchased property at the entrances to Gwinnett County on U.S. 78 at the former Olympic tennis center site and on I-85 at the OFS campus. We plan to have signature development projects at these gateways to let people know they have arrived in Gwinnett County and are welcome here.

In 2021, Gwinnett acquired 39 acres of the ailing Gwinnett Place Mall to spark redevelopment and restore the once-thriving commercial center to economic vitality. We have launched the Gwinnett Place Mall Equitable Redevelopment Plan to seek input from residents and business owners in the mall area. We will use that information to help shape the final plan to revitalize the mall space into an economic engine again and create opportunities for all.

We recently opened the Gwinnett Entrepreneur Center, an incubation facility for fledgling businessowners.

In partnership with Georgia Gwinnett College, the entrepreneur center located in downtown Lawrenceville will provide coaching, networking, coworking space and offices to help people turn their ideas into reality. Our hope is they will be successful and help grow Gwinnett’s economy from the ground up.

With these investments in the County’s economic health, we are confident our vision for Gwinnett to be the preferred community where everyone thrives will be realized.

GWINNETT MAGAZINE

What makes a great Leader?

What sets apart the Legends from the rest?

What common sense values do these Influencers share?

The Leaders & Legends series from Gwinnett Magazine will set your soul on fire with answers to these questions and more! But first, why is it so important to learn about the successes and failures of those who have come before us?

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GWINNETTMAGAZINE.COM / MARCH 2022

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WAYNE MASON You can try to keep up with Wayne Mason, but you’ll fall behind. Even at 82, Mason is a human calculator, solving problems in his head with a nimble precision that’s almost uncanny.

His mind shines.You can see it in his eyes. They are alive and bright as he speaks in a swift torrent that puts you on the edge of your seat trying to catch every last syllable.

Mental acuity aside, Mason himself is hard to keep up with. If you look at all he’s done in his eight decades in Gwinnett County, he’s also a tough act to follow.

If you know anything at all about the man, a proper place to start the story seems like the 1960s, when he and his brother, Jimmy, began building homes in Snellville – over time, bringing thousands of residents to the city. Or, perhaps during his public service as county commissioner in the 1970s, when he and Jimmy – a state legislator at the time – spearheaded projects that paved the way for important improvements in Gwinnett County’s infrastructure.

But no. We’re going further back: It’s Saturday morning in Atlanta’s affluent Morningside community. It’s the wintertime, and it’s freezing out.Wayne, a teenager, sells eggs

to customers on a regular route.

He isn’t permitted to knock at front doors, so he goes around back. It makes Wayne feel “like white trash,” but it doesn’t stop him as he knocks at the back door of a massive home.

A homeowner swings open the door. She tells Wayne how many eggs she wants: three dozen.

Wayne moves in a flurry. He palms three eggs per hand, knowing as he chitchats and tells her the total (at 75 cents a dozen, she owes him $2.25) that if he moves his hands six times, he’s given her three dozen eggs. He’s perfected this trick.

The customer smiles, handing Wayne the money and something else. It’s a Christmas gift, she says – a pair of gloves. He gratefully accepts with a smile, knowing he’ll sell them at school for whatever he can get. He can’t count eggs this way while wearing gloves.

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THREE AND A HALF HOURS OF SLEEP

I don’t like money, but it does calm my nerves.

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When Wayne Mason was 12 years old, his father, James Winston Mason, gave him $10. It was the last time his father would have to give him money.

By the time Wayne graduated high school, he had $1,750 in the bank.

He made money doing just about anything that would earn him a buck.

In addition to selling eggs, he worked at a local grocery store; plowed neighbors’ gardens behind a mule; made and sold Christmas wreaths; and sold parts and service station supplies wholesale.

The 1958 South Gwinnett yearbook would later contain a photo of the graduate with an appropriate and prophetic one-liner: “I don’t like money, but it does calm my nerves.”

Mason finished high school in three years, having procured enough of the green stuff to finance his own private teachers over the summer break. He did this in order to graduate with the class he started with – having been held back in first grade for what would later be determined to be dyslexia.

Upon graduating, Mason took a job with his uncle, painting houses in the Sagamore Hills area of Atlanta – near Clairmont and Lavista roads. He would soon thereafter accept a sales position at Goodyear, hustling so hard that by 1959 he was the company’s top salesman for the southern region.

It was around this time, he and his brother, Jimmy – who’d just returned from the Korean War – partnered up.

From Wayne’s work with his uncle painting houses, he’d become familiar with the many varied types of tradesmen who banded together, pooling efforts to build a home.

“When I started building, I knew I could hire all those guys – the brick

masons, painters, carpenters, floor layers … It was a fast crew,” Wayne says. “So, at that time I was pretty busy. I was building houses, running a ceramic tile business, a bonding business and working for Goodyear …

I’d sleep three and a half hours a night.”

Wayne adds: “I did that for a long time. I could make it on that. See, I was trying to accumulate. I’ve been in every kind of business you can think of … you name it, I been in it.

Everything’s not going to be a success, but you have to take a chance.”

In the midst of this youthful frenzy and ambitious phase, he married Ann Biggers on Sept. 5, 1959. A year later, they had their first son, Keith Mason.

By 1961, Wayne and Jimmy’s housebuilding efforts – concentrated mostly in Snellville – had become so successful that Wayne quit his fulltime job at Goodyear. They were making more money than they could believe.

Regarding this period, Mason reflects, offering a related thought: “You appreciate what you’ve got if you made it yourself.”

WASN’T NO DISSENSION In 1963, Jimmy joined his brother full-time in the housebuilding business – a profession they’d continue for the next decade or so. They built hundreds of single-family homes, which would lead to a population explosion for the town of Snellville.

Shopping centers, hospitals, schools and churches began to appear – matching the needs of a Snellville population that would grow more than 200 percent during this phase.

Gwinnett County resident Richard Tucker, who started working for Wayne in 1971, recalls that he was “driven to be successful and always has been.”

Adds Tucker: “The great thing about Wayne, he’s always been willing to share the wealth so to speak. He’s always looking for partners, looking for opportunities for others. Just a really good businessperson and a civic-minded individual.”

After much success building homes in the area, the Mason Brothers transitioned their ambitions to buying land. In 1972, Wayne and Jimmy struck gold with some of the land they owned. A plot making up several hundred acres was purchased by Summit Chase Golf Club. It made them more than a million dollars.

It was also around this time that Wayne led his first successful bid for public office. After an initial failed attempt in 1968 to secure enough votes, Wayne Mason was elected in 1972 to the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners. He was 32 years old.

At the same time, his brother was working his way up the ranks of public office, having started as a Snellville City Councilman and then getting elected as a state legislator.

In their aspirations, the brothers had something in common: they wanted to see Gwinnett County keep getting better and better. Both used their positions as a means to do just that. For Wayne, seeing the county get decent water service was the very reason he ran for commissioner in the first place. “(In the south end of the county) You’d have to get up at 6 in the morning to take a shower,” Wayne says.

“If you didn’t, you was out of water or there was no pressure. Same thing in the afternoons. That’s one of the big reasons I ran (for office) – to set up the water and sewer authority.”

Over the next several years, Wayne and the commission worked to fund projects through the water and sewer authority, as well as a water intake for Lake Lanier, establishment of the public facilities authority, recreation authority, a uniform business license system and more. In short, they worked together to lay extensive infrastructural and procedural tracks to keep Gwinnett County growing.

“I had a great board of commissioners,” Mason says. “I had the confidence of the board. If we came up with something that was good for the county, it was unanimous. Always unanimous. Wasn’t no dissension. I never served with a single person on the board of commissioners who would put being elected over doing what was good for the county.”

Adds Mason: “Today, there’s so much regulatory stuff and so much government, it takes longer to get a permit than it does to do the actual project. You can build a multistory building quicker than you can get a damn permit. Too much bureaucracy.”

While Mason served on the Gwinnett County commission, the county also paved 800 miles of roads and graded 400 miles in eight years. Mason knew the growth was coming, but laments that he underestimated the amount of traffic the county would one day attract.

“I would have built a lot more multilane roads,” he says.

Mason and his board of commissioners did a lot during this time, building infrastructure and attracting growth, but if there was one thing that stood out – arguably Mason’s most impactful contribution – it was his efforts in the development of Gwinnett County’s water and sewer systems.

WATER ‘PURE ENOUGH TO SHOOT IN YOUR VEINS’ For three consecutive years – 1986 through 1988 – Gwinnett County ranked as the fastest-growing county in the United States among counties with a population greater than 100,000.

That kind of growth never would have been possible without the ground laid by Mason and the board of commissioners who served with him in the 1970s. One of their biggest achievements was expansion and improvement of the county’s water and sewer.

Getting approval from the state legislature for a water and sewer authority as well as a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to pull water from Lake Lanier were two key factors in solving Gwinnett’s water woes.

Having Mason’s brother, Jimmy, on the state legislature sure didn’t hurt, as he knew the ropes at the state level.

Jimmy Mason’s daughter, Tracey Mason, says her father and Uncle Wayne “were the right people at the right time with the right skills” to move Gwinnett County forward.

“When you put the two of them together in a room there was nothing they couldn’t get accomplished,” Tracey says. “Whenever I used to ask them how they

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As long as you don’t care who gets the credit, it’s unbelievable what you can accomplish.

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were able to achieve all that they did, they just told me, ‘nobody ever told us we couldn’t, so we just did it.’”

During Wayne’s service as a commissioner from 1972-1976 and as chairman of the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners from 1977-1980, he helped secure critical funding for major water and sewer improvements.

Getting an intake to draw water from Lake Lanier for Gwinnett meant Mason needed a consultant who knew what they were doing.

“There was a guy who was a colonel in the Army. Harold Dye. He knew someone who ran the Corps of Engineers out of Mobile,” Mason says.

When Dye agreed to the job, Mason sought the fellow commissioners’ approval, paid Dye $15,000 and sent him on Mason’s private plane to Mobile, Ala. “I knew that whoever controlled water controlled the destiny of this whole area,” Mason says, adding that because of the research they’d done “we knew what level to take the water at where it’d be pure enough to shoot in your veins.”

Gwinnett County got its permit to remove more than 200 million gallons per day from Lake Lanier and shortly thereafter borrowed $44 million in water and sewer authority bonds to upgrade the system.

The system, to this day, is one of the best in the world, according to some reports – pulling and cleaning water from the lake; returning wastewater to streams even cleaner than it was when taken from Lake Lanier.

“As long as you don’t care who gets the credit, it’s unbelievable what you can accomplish,” Mason says, recalling the efforts decades ago of

himself and fellow commissioners.

“In those days, we all had one common interest: We wanted Gwinnett to be great.”

LET SOMEBODY ELSE EAT Despite dogged devotion to his work and all he did to help build Gwinnett, at the end of the day Mason says he never once forgot the importance of spending time with his family.

His only son, Keith, agrees.

“To my dad, family is first and foremost. If someone is related to him he tries to help them in any way possible,” Keith says, adding that his father was a supporter of his children no matter what path they decided to take in their lives or careers.

“My dad never told any of his children what they should do … he was always a quiet backer, but he was never one to micromanage his children in their lives. He was more of a cheerleader than a micromanager.

He always supported everything I did but he never said to me, ‘you need to do this, not that.’ He would answer questions and provide advice … but he wanted you to do what you wanted to do.”

Keith says his father was also a supporter of the community at large.

“It was part of his upbringing,” Keith says. “He was brought up in a family in which you support your community. He knows you need to give back to keep going forward.”

Keith’s cousin and Wayne’s niece, Tracey, echoes the remarks.

“It’s a family tradition to serve the community,” Tracey says. “I was always told – and shown – that you have to give something back. You gotta leave the world a better place.”

Adds Tracey: “Uncle Wayne has always been dogged in his pursuit to

make a deal, but he is generous almost to a fault.”

Being charitable is built into Wayne Mason’s belief systems, both politically and morally.

“I tell everybody, ‘Listen, after you eat all you need to eat and your family eats all they need to eat, then, hell, let somebody else eat. Don’t be so damn greedy,’” Wayne says.

Keith says his father’s charity is extensive: from donating land for churches to helping various charitable causes to helping establish parks, little league ball fields and raising money for K-12 schools and colleges.

One of the contributions he’s most proud of is a land deal he and son, Keith, partnered up on. In 2004, Wayne purchased a narrow swath of abandoned railroad land that would become the first leg of the Atlanta Beltline.

“I spent millions, brought in a consultant, laid out the plan and (former mayor) Shirley Franklin was great,” Mason says.

Son, Keith, says: “We like to say that he made it possible to buy it, and I made it possible to get it sold. I negotiated the sale and (my father negotiated) the purchase … there was a lot of other activity in between, but that (deal) was the catalyst for the whole project … it was only an idea when we purchased it.

Buying it confirmed it could be a reality.”

Wayne keeps a framed front page from the Atlanta Business Chronicle in his office showcasing the story.

This deal, like many in Wayne’s career, was a gamble that paid off.

“I’ve been up and down … but you gotta take chances,” Wayne says. “My theory has always been the same – I can’t lose anything because I never had anything to start with.”

the candies and in a flash knows the total. He tells his colleague how much to charge the customer before the other boy’s able to finish punching numbers.

Nobody understands how this South Gwinnett country boy can do this trick, but the kid seems brighter than most to those who meet him. And he seems to have a drive about him.To ‘accumulate’ as Wayne might say in his own words. He only makes 50 cents an hour sacking groceries at this little Centerville country store, but 50 cents an hour adds up in the summertime, when he can put in 80 hours a week.

Wayne laughs, recalling the scene.

“Yeah, I can run numbers in my head. Always been good at math, even if spelling wasn’t my thing,” he says, chuckling.

It’s been a long time since he worked at that store, and he’s made a lot of deals, built a lot of homes, met a lot of people, inked a lot of contracts, worked more jobs and started more businesses than you could imagine.

Whether it was selling eggs in wealthy Atlanta neighborhoods or making decisions that would benefit Gwinnett County residents for generations to come, the young man from south Gwinnett has one thing about him that remains unchanged, even at 82.

It’s still hard to keep up with Wayne Mason.

I CAN RUN NUMBERS IN MY HEAD It’s summertime on a Saturday afternoon in a Centerville country store.Young teenager Wayne Mason sacks groceries while a colleague works an adding machine, tallying the cost of a customer’s groceries.The boy working the adding machine taps out the prices with precision. He turns a crank on the device to add the numbers together.

It’s a noisy little contraption.

The clack clack clack of the adding machine echoes as the customer waits patiently. Meanwhile, 13-yearold Mason eyes the produce, the dry goods, the grains,

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DR. CALVIN WATTS It’s 2018.

Dr. Calvin Watts and J. Alvin Wilbanks sit together in a crowded conference room filled with fellow leaders from 26 other school districts around the country. It’s a reunion of sorts.

Watts hasn’t seen Wilbanks for some time now – having left his post as assistant superintendent at Gwinnett County Public Schools in 2015 to take the helm at Kent School District in Washington State. This 2018 meeting is also the first time Watts is seated with Wilbanks as an equal, professionally.Wilbanks is still superintendent of GCPS – this being about three years from the day when his tenure would end.

During this chance meeting, the pair begin a conversation both will remember for years to come. Let’s listen in: “I just wanted to let you know that I’m hearing great things, and I hear you’re doing a good job where you are,” Wilbanks says, speaking over other administrators’ voices.

The room is filled with some of American public schools’ top district leaders.

He goes on: “I didn’t want to share that with you for any other reason, but to let you know that I’m proud of you.”

It’s 2021.

Watts, 52, sits in a conference room with the district’s executive director of communications and a magazine reporter at the GCPS Instructional Support Center, recalling that 2018 conversation. Watts recites Wilbanks’ compliment word for word, and even though he’s wearing a mask you can tell he’s smiling beneath it.

“I’ve been gone six years, serving as superintendent of (Kent School District),” says Watts, who was named Superintendent

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It feels humbling and exciting at the same time.

of GCPS in July 2021. “One could assume not much has changed …. But the reality is, a lot can change. And, a lot has, quite frankly. (For instance,) we’re … wearing masks for a reason.

Six years ago, we wouldn’t think of this as normal.”

Much has changed indeed, particularly for GCPS. One of the bigger transformations: the changing of the guard for the district’s top unelected post in the state’s largest school system. Prior to July, Wilbanks was superintendent for 25 years.

“There is always a challenge following in the steps of someone who has served for such a long time in such an incredibly successful manner,” Watts says, adding that having had the opportunity “to learn from and listen to” Wilbanks during his previous 13-year stint with GCPS played a part in preparing him for the new role.

Now that he’s back and leading a district that serves more than 179,000 students, “learning and listening” are going to be key skills – specifically, looking, listening and learning from the staff, teachers and administrators at all the district’s schools.

LOOK, LISTEN AND LEARN As Watts describes it, the Look, Listen and Learn Tour is a district initiative, or “branding of what most superintendents engage in when they enter into a new role and responsibility as superintendent. Essentially, it’s my entry plan.”

Since accepting the position, Watts has visited schools all over the district, asking questions like “What’s working well? What areas may need slight adjustment or improvement? What

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do you love about Gwinnett County Public Schools? What areas might give you cause for concern or question?”

The initiative allows Watts to “gain greater context to learn as much as I can about Gwinnett County Public Schools … and then to begin thinking about it from a strategic planning standpoint.”

Put simply, it helps him determine: “Where are we? Where do we want to be? How will we get there? And fourth and most importantly, how will we know when we’ve arrived? Those four questions will really help propel us to what I would refer to as the next trajectory, next chapter of greatness in Gwinnett County Public Schools.”

Answering questions is part and parcel of the superintendent role. As he sits in the conference room at the GCPS Instructional Support Center fielding a whole slew of them from the magazine reporter, the district’s executive director of communications chimes in with one of the most frequent questions Watts gets asked: “Do you have a minute?”

Watts laughs: “And, what I typically say to that question is, ‘For you, a minute and a half.’”

Here’s another question the magazine reporter asks – and, he’s certainly not the first reporter to ask this: Being the first ever African American superintendent for the state’s largest district … how does that feel?

Watts takes a moment – you can see he’s collecting his thoughts for an answer. His initial response is this: “It feels humbling and exciting at the same time.”

But, for the full explanation, he delves into his childhood, leading the magazine reporter and

communications director on a trip down memory lane.

Memory lane for Watts is the place where he was raised: the Pacific Northwest.

‘YOU WEAR A JERSEY’ Born an only child in Seattle, Watts was raised in Bellevue, Wash., “in a household where accountability was a value.”

His parents taught him from an early age about responsibility. Even on Saturday mornings as a child, he awoke at 7 a.m. to complete chores like cleaning his room or washing the dishes before he was allowed to go down the street and play with his friends.

“I can’t sleep in to this day,” Watts says, laughing.

While Watts was born in Washington, both his parents were originally from the Southeast – his mother was born in Thomasville, Ga., and his father was born in East Palatka, Fla. While in Washington, his mother became the first African American graduate of Seattle University School of Nursing.

During that time (the early 1960s), he says there were only a few jobs in which African American women could find employment: nursing, education and domestic help in homes.

The Wattses were also the second ever African American family to move into their community in Bellevue.

“And so, while that may be an area that someone might take as a crown they’d wear, we saw it more as a responsibility,” Watts says, adding that, “My parents taught me at an early age that how you serve, how you respond, how you act represents the Watts family. And my dad would always say, ‘you wear a jersey, and I gave it to you. It says Watts on the back. Keep it clean.’”

All these points Watts makes in order to come full circle and answer that initial question about how it feels being the first African American superintendent in the history of Gwinnett County Public Schools.

“Yes, I may be the first, and while that is significant in many ways, my parents would remind me to keep working and leading in the way we taught you: with integrity,” Watts says. “Leading with purpose and with positive outcomes for each and every child, staff member, community member you serve. And doing so in such a way that (while) you might be the first, most importantly, you will not be the last.”

‘WE HAVE AN AWESOME RESPONSIBILITY’ Passing the lessons his parents taught down to his own son, Devin, 18 – an only child like Watts – has been a big part of how he and wife, Robbye, have raised him.

Prior to leaving Washington State to take the superintendent’s role in Gwinnett, Watts had the opportunity to present Devin his diploma at Kentwood High School in Kent School District. Devin is now a college freshman.

Watts met wife, Robbye – his self-proclaimed “counselor-in-chief” – at Carrollton City Schools, where Watts served as a classroom teacher and developed a varsity soccer program from 1995-2000.

They taught there together.

Robbye started her career as a teacher and, while semi-retired now, spent the latter part of her professional life as a school counselor.

He jokes that while he and Robbye have one child they claim on their taxes, they’re raising 179,000.

“So, the challenges of addressing the needs of 179,000 children, of addressing the needs of the adults who serve them, the leaders who support them and the communities benefiting from … our graduates when they leave us, those are the challenges inherent to the role of a superintendent,” Watts says.

These, he says, are both challenges and opportunities at the same time.

“I think, distinctly, opportunities I would say are aligned with the fact that we get to do this work.

It’s not have to … No. Every morning we get to impact the lives of students and we have an awesome responsibility,” Watts says.

“I just understand the weight that we bear,” he says.

“More importantly, the opportunities … the successes that can come about when we do this work well.”

It’s not easy work.

When someone asks Watts how many hours he works per week, he tells them: “I put in a good 40 hours a week … in the first two and a half days of the week.”

‘GETTING BETTER AND BETTER’ Long hours are a reality of the superintendent’s post.

Watts’ predecessor, who knows this truth all too well, feels Watts will do a good job in his wake.

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... that there’s no obstacle that’s too difficult to overcome when you have the right strategies in place...

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“Calvin is a people person, and that always serves someone well in that kind of position,” Wilbanks says, adding: “I never thought Calvin was shy about asking for help or guidance if he needed it. Sometimes people in certain positions think it’s a sign of weakness to ask for that, but I always thought it made good sense. And Calvin was good about doing that.”

Wilbanks recalls the fateful 2018 meeting of superintendents in which he and Watts sat together among 26 other school district leaders from around the country. And, Wilbanks remembers the compliment he gave him.

“At the time, I was in an organization that another superintendent in (the Kent School District) area was a member of … and he knew Calvin,” Wilbanks says.

“He knew that Calvin had come from (Gwinnett County Public Schools), and he’d told me how good a job he thought Calvin was doing, and that the other superintendents respected him very much.”

Watts recalls that in July 2021, when he officially got the job as superintendent, Wilbanks was among the first to reach out: “I received a text from him that said, ‘Let me know how I can help.’”

Watts says the two had lengthy conversations during the transitional phase of Wilbanks’ departure and Watts’ arrival.

In his time with GCPS, initially under the leadership of Wilbanks as well as now, taking on Wilbanks’ former role, Watts feels that “continuous, quality improvement is part of our work. I refer to it now as ‘getting better and better.’ And, that’s

what we all should be striving toward.

It looks differently for different communities and different individuals, because not everyone is the same.”

Adds Watts: “Not everyone learns the same or leads the same. So, I think the complexities of educational leadership, specifically leading in a school district that is as complex and as large as Gwinnett County Public Schools … I believe that’s what was cemented into me – that there’s no obstacle that’s too difficult to overcome when you have the right strategies in place, when you have the resources that are needed, and you understand truly the depth, the breadth of the problem or challenges you’re trying to solve.”

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FOODIE HOUR SCAN FOR MORE! “Please refrain from licking photographs.”

Slow Cooked BBQ Pulled Pork What You’ll Need 1 (41/2-5lb) Pork Butt 2 tsp. salt, plus more to taste 1 tsp. fresh ground black pepper 2 Tbsp. vegetable oil 1 medium onion, peeled & finely chopped 4 cloves garlic, peeled & minced 2 Tbsp. tomato paste 1 Tbsp. ancho or mild chili powder 2 tsp. ground cumin 1 cup water 3 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar 1 Tbsp. worcester sauce

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What You’ll Do PREPARE PORK 1. Rub the pork with salt and pepper, and then set aside while you prepare the remaining ingredients.

2. Heat oil in a medium pan. Add the onions and garlic then cook, occasionally stirring, until they are sweet and browned around the edges. Stir in the tomato paste, chili powder and cumin. Cook, stirring until the tomato paste turns from bright red to orange in color, about 3 minutes.

Add the water, apple cider vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce and cook for about 1 minute, scraping up the browned bits on the bottom of the pan.

COOK PORK 1. Rest the seasoned port in the bottom of a slow cooker then pour the onion and spice mixture on top.

Wiggle the pork around the bottom of the slow cooker so that some of the onion and spice mixture slides underneath. Cover with lid and cook until pork can be easily shredded; LOW for 6-8 hours or HIGH for 4-6.

TO FINISH 1. Turn off slow cooker and transfer the pork to a cutting board. If the pork has a bone in it, remove and discard it.

Use two forks to shred the meat, discarding any connective tissue and large clumps of fat.

2. Remove the cooking liquid and skim most of the fat from its surface. Discard the fat then set the cooking liquid aside.

3. If using barbeque sauce, add it to the slow cooker and stir in the shredded pork. For even more flavor, add back some the reserved cooking liquid.

If you’re not using barbeque sauce, add the shredded pork and the cooking liquid back to the slow cooker. Taste and season with salt, additional vinegar or hot sauces as needed.

FOR SERVING Bread Rolls Coleslaw Pickles BBQ sauce (optional) Hot Sauce (optional)

GWINNETTMAGAZINE.COM / MARCH 2022

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FOODIE HOUR SCAN FOR MORE!

DIY Dill Pickles Prep time: 15 MIN

Cook time: 5 MIN

What You’ll Need 1 1/2 pounds Kirby or Persian cucumbers 4 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed 2 teaspoons dill seeds 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional) 1 cup apple cider vinegar 1 cup water 1 1/2 tablespoons pickling salt or kosher salt Equipment Chef’s knife Cutting board 2 wide-mouth pint jars with lids Large pot, if canning

Makes: 2 Jars

What You’ll Do 1. PREPARE THE JARS: If you are planning to can your pickles for long-term storage, bring a large pot of water to a boil and sterilize 2 wide-mouth pint jars and their lids. If you are planning to make refrigerator pickles, simply washing the jars and lids is fine.

2. PREPARE THE CUCUMBERS: Wash and dry the cucumbers. Trim away the blossom or stem end of the cucumber, which contains enzymes that can lead to limp pickles.

Leave the cucumbers whole, cut them into spears or slice them into coins, as desired.

3. ADD THE SPICE TO THE JARS: Divide the garlic, dill seed and red pepper flakes between the pint jars: 2 smashed cloves, 1 teaspoon dill seed, and 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (if using) per jar.

4. PACK THE CUCUMBERS INTO THE JARS: Pack the cucumbers into the jars. Trim the ends if they stand more than 1/2 inch below the top of the jar. Pack them in as tightly as you can without smashing the cucumbers.

5. BRING THE PICKLING BRINE TO A BOIL: Place the vinegar, water and salt in a small saucepan over high heat and bring to a rolling boil. Pour the brine over the pickles, filling each jar to within 1/2-inch of the top. You may not use all the brine.

6. REMOVE ANY AIR BUBBLES: Gently tap the jars against the counter a few times to remove all the air bubbles. Top off with more pickling brine if necessary.

7. TIGHTEN THE LIDS: Place the lids over the jars and screw on the rings until tight.

8. COOL AND REFRIGERATE: Let the jars cool to room temperature. If you processed the jars, they can be stored unopened at room temperature. If unprocessed, refrigerate the pickles. The pickles will improve with flavor as they age — try to wait at least 48 hours before cracking them open.

9. STORING PICKLES: Canned pickles will keep for at least a year on the shelf and for several weeks in the refrigerator once opened; refrigerator pickles will keep for several weeks.

GWINNETTMAGAZINE.COM / MARCH 2022

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CIT Y EVENTS & HAPPENINGS! You’ve been cooped up at home for way too long (it’s ok, we all have)!

Local family fun is back in full swing, so get back out there!

Just scan your city’s QR code and hit the road for the next celebration!

Gwinnett #Love

BUFORD

BERKELEY LAKE

SUGAR HILL

DACULA

DULUTH

GRAYSON

LAWRENCEVILLE

LOGANVILLE

LILBURN

NORCROSS

SNELLVILLE

SUWANEE

AUBURN

PEACHTREE CORNERS

BRASELTON

Scan the QR codes and go have some fun!

HEALTHWIRE

GWINNETT MAGAZINE

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GWINNETT MAGAZINE

! z i b l a c o l o t e v o l g n i S h ow

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HEALTHWIRE Healthcare is the second-largest industry in Gwinnett and has touched all of our lives many times throughout the years. So, Healthwire keeps you up to date on healthcare evolutions in our community and tips on staying healthy!

GEORGIA HEART INSTITUTE WELCOMES TWO NEW CARDIOLOGISTS

Gregory Giugliano, MD, SM, joins Georgia Heart Institute’s team as the medical director for Inpatient Cardiology at Northeast Georgia Medical Center. Dr. Giugliano will be practicing interventional and structural cardiology in Gainesville and Braselton.

Jaime Burkle, MD, FACC, joins Georgia Heart Institute’s team as a non-invasive cardiologist who will be practicing at the Georgia Heart Institute locations in Braselton and Buford.

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Scan to learn more about healthcare services NGHS provides in Braselton.

NORTHEAST GEORGIA HEALTH SYSTEM TO BUILD NEW MEDICAL OFFICE BUILDING FOR AMBULATORY SURGERY CENTER IN BRASELTON People living in and around the Braselton area will soon have more convenient access to outpatient surgery and other specialty care, as Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS) is set to break ground on a new multispecialty medical office building that will house an ambulatory surgery center (ASC) on the Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) Braselton campus.

Located on the first floor of Medical Plaza 2, the surgery center will include four operating rooms and two procedure rooms. The targeted opening for Medical Plaza 2 is spring 2023.

Run 4 Hope 5K When: Sat, March 26, 8am – 12pm Where: Suwanee Town Center, 330 Town Center Ave | Suwanee

Scan to sign-up

Light the Night GOLD for Childhood Cancer Save the Date! March 26th, 3:00pm - 8:30pm at Village Green - Mall of Georgia

HEALTHWIRE

PIEDMONT URGENT CARE BY WELLSTREET OPENS JOHNS CREEK/SUWANEE LOCATION

PATIENT THANKS PCOM GEORGIA PROFESSOR

A life-saving procedure, a serendipitous friendship and a heartfelt reunion… It’s not every day that you get to reconnect with and thank a stranger who changed your life. But that’s exactly what happened right here in Gwinnett when a clinical professor and his former patient reunited for the first time since 1994.

When the patient, Rachelle Broom, was in high school, she was injured in a major car accident and taken to Gwinnett Medical Center (now Northside Hospital Gwinnett) where she received a life-saving craniotomy.

In recent years, Broom made it her mission to track down and thank the neurosurgeon who treated her, Dr. Donald Penney. “As a neurosurgeon for over 30 years, it’s not like you have this experience often,” said Dr. Penney, department chair of Clinical Education at PCOM Georgia.

Broom, a nurse who is currently studying to be a family nurse practitioner, shared with Dr. Penney that the experience inspired her to pursue a career in healthcare and Dr. Penney invited Broom and her fiancé to join him on one of the medical mission trips that he organizes.

Piedmont Urgent Care by WellStreet opened in Suwanee at 2637 Peachtree Parkway on Jan. 6th. It is in the Brookwood Marketplace shopping center located in front of Home Depot and Target.

NORTHSIDE SYSTEM RECEIVES MULTIPLE AWARDS FOR QUALITY CARDIOVASCULAR AND STROKE CARE All five Northside hospitals were recognized in 2021 for providing exceptional cardiovascular and stroke care with awards and certifications from the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® and Mission: Lifeline® quality improvement programs, The Joint Commission (TJC) and U.S. News & World Report.

Scan to read more about each award!

GWINNETT COUNTY PLANNING $25 MILLION EXPANSION OF ONESTOP CENTERVILLE FACILITIES; FEDERAL FUNDS WILL BE USED TO PAY FOR CONSTRUCTION The expansion is expected to offer additional space for the Gwinnett, Newton and Rockdale Health Departments, View Point Health and the Head Start early childhood learning program at OneStop Centerville. It will have space for other county partners as well.

The expansion will include 42,000 square feet of space which will be built onto the back of the Centerville Community Center and library facility. It will include a second story to allow for more programing, services and office space. A connection providing access to the Centerville Senior Center is planned as well.

NORTHSIDE HOSPITAL HEART INSTITUTE LAUNCHES ECMO PROGRAM

Scan to read more!

Northside Hospital Heart Institute is now offering ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation), a state-of-the art, life-saving technology, which gives full lung and heart support to some very critically ill patients.

GWINNETTMAGAZINE.COM / MARCH 2022

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SCAN TO WATCH VIDEO ABOUT PROGRAM

this is

Converge is an internship program here at Gwinnett Magazine that empowers high school students with the real world skills to navigate today’s convergent multimedia marketplace.

To put it simply, the Converge internship program’s main objective is to give today’s students the tools and resources to communicate their views to the world with the latest communication tools and trends and prepare them for the world of convergent journalism by providing them with real world experiences and opportunities.

This month, our Converge interns have taken over these pages with the news

AGAZIN M

ES

The name Converge comes from convergent journalism, the idea that journalism is more than just a news story. It’s photos, video, storytelling and more! Every year, our Converge interns gather to develop all these skills and explore what they love and try something new.

INTERNS LEARN SKILLS FOR...

ENEWS

DCAST PO

VIDEO

and views that matter most to them.

This generation of fun-loving teens has now spent a majority of their high school years in this pandemic age, and yet, they are still very much teenagers. So, stories like, “How do you throw a parking lot party?” will answer serious quetions about having fun and staying safe all at the same time. Here you will also find interesting stories that answer questions that the millennials and boomers are just out of date on! Like, who makes the best pizza? Turns out the Domino’s and Pizza Hut are old fashioned.

Or what are the music, movies and style that these teenagers love? Who is “Lizzo” anyway?

Check out these stories as our interns dig into their fears, feels and interests. What do they think the future looks like? What local colleges do they think are best?

What are the stresses that high schoolers face today?

It’s all here and more!

GWINNETTMAGAZINE.COM / MARCH 2022

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GWINNETT MAGAZINE

MEET THE TEAM!

Zeal Dobariynea,tt

Senior at Gwin Science School of Math, SMST) & Technology (G

ior Jani Carr, Senh School ig at Parkview H

vinski, Joseph Hole innett

Senior at Gw h, Science School of Mat y & Technolog , Frankie Gonzaa Hleigzh School Senior at Dacul

, Senior Gracie Greerris tian at Sugar Hill Ch Academy

, Jaiden Aradaee Bluff Senior at Cherok High School

at Micah Xu, JuolnioforMath, Gwinnett Scho nology Science & Tech (GSMST)

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nior Emily Laycockig,hSeSschool at Mill Creek H

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YUM! Top Pizza Recommendations

from Someone who Eats It Every Week

written by

Jaiden Arada

READ MORE FROM JAIDEN!

My family does not have a lot of traditions, but the best out of the few is “Pizza Fridays.” Almost every Friday for the past year, my family of four has had pizza for dinner. This might sound unhealthy, but it’s one of our favorite bonding experiences! This tradition started when my dad saw someone on Facebook rating different pizzas across the country.

While we don’t eat nationwide, the tradition gives us something to look forward to at the end of the week. Although we technically have the same food, the place we get it from varies each week. From making it from scratch to ordering delivery to eating at a pizzeria, we’ve almost done it all!

If you’re making it from home, my favorite way to make it is with Publix brand pizza dough. Their dough is always fluffy and makes for a thicker-crusted pizza. Extra mozzarella—my personal favorite cheese— always helps. It is rare that we ever make the pizza from scratch, but our favorite store-bought pizza is Paul Newman’s. It’s a thin crust guaranteed to taste like a brick oven-cooked pizza every time, with a nice, crunchy crust.

If you’re craving delivery, our favorite pizza chain is Marco’s, and our favorite menu item is their thin crust pizza. I always get pepperoni because it’s my favorite pizza topping, but my parents will have mushrooms, green peppers, sometimes sausage and each pizza always has extra cheese on top. The corners are always the best part because they have just the right amount of crunch and cheese. They are always pretty quick too, so it is great if you’re in a hurry.

If you’re looking to go out to eat, my top suggestion is Sliced. There are two nearby locations—one in Flowery Branch and one in Hoschton— and my favorite is the Hoschton location. It’s small but their slices are huge! They cook their pizza in a brick oven and have super friendly service. A new place my family and I recently tried was Peyton’s Pie Company. They’re located in old Flowery Branch and they have all kinds of specialty pizzas. Everything from a New York style to a margherita pizza is all super tasty. If you’re not a pizza person, they have other options too, like my brother’s favorite meatball sub.

My personal favorite out of all from this list so far is Sliced, but the coolest pizza place I have been to in this area is called Your Pie. At Your Pie, they make your pizza in front of you (modeled similar to a Subway) and it’s your own personal pan, so you can make it any way that you like. They have different kinds of sauces and a plethora of toppings that will make your personal pan truly unique. I hope that this article helps new pizza eaters find the pizza place that is best for them!

GWINNETTMAGAZINE.COM / MARCH 2022

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Take Your Photos to the Next Level with These Easy Editing Tips!

written by

ski Joseph Holevin

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Editing photos is an important skill to learn, especially if you are an aspiring social media photographer. While editing photos may seem like a complex process that would require you to purchase complicated desktop editing software, there are actually a lot of simple and easyto-use apps that allow you to edit pictures professionally on your phone. This in combination with basic principles of design will allow you to edit photos like a pro.

For starters, I highly recommend the apps TouchRetouch and Snapseed. Both of these apps are free on most app stores and allow you to do a lot more than the basic features that are included in default apps.

The first app, TouchRetouch, is very useful for removing certain objects from photos or cloning objects. This can help clean up the composition of the photo or quickly get rid of imperfections in the photo.

The second app, Snapseed, is the main photo editor I use. It has more customization options than the default camera app and has better adjustment and cropping tools.

When it comes to actually editing the photos, there are some basic edits that will lead to better looking and more compositionally pleasing photos. One of the most important edits that can make or break a photo is cropping and rotating. Always start out with rotating the photo so that it looks level before you crop it. Make sure the horizon line or the ground is flat. Do this by using a rotating tool, preferably one that has grid lines so that you can ensure that it is horizontal.

Next is cropping. Cropping is very important and different techniques lead to compositionally different photos. The two main types of cropping arrangements are centered cropping and the rule of thirds.

Centered cropping is pretty self explanatory: it is when the subject is in the center of the photo. The rule of thirds is aligning different elements of the photo along the lines made if the photo was divided into a 3 by 3 grid. This is the common griding system on most apps, so to achieve this look, move the edges so that the lines of the grid line up with the subject or with important elements like the horizon line.

In addition, changing different values and hues of photos can help make a photo look more professionally done. This can easily be done by going to the filters tab that is available in most photo editing apps. You can click on the auto-filter and it automatically adjusts the photo for you, but if you want a more specific look then you can look through the filters until you find one that best changes the photo to your liking.

Overall, editing photos is not that complicated and can improve photos drastically in just a few steps.

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Are Midriffs as Distracting as Teachers Claim? – Opinion

written by

Jani Carr

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High-waisted jeans and crop tops have made their return. One stroll down a school hallway filled with an abundance of oversized flannels, baggy jeans and graphic tees during class change will tell you that 90s fashion trends are back. While the internet—particularly TikTok and Instagram— continues to push this trend to the top of feeds, there is a vocal minority wishing the past would stay in the past: teachers.

In the first weeks of school, administrators toured the school, reminding students of rules forgotten and abandoned due to the pandemic. One guideline especially emphasized was the dress code. “No visible midriffs,” they announced, addressing the increasing amount of belly buttons seen around campus. More girls are being stopped in the hallway and asked to change into something more “appropriate” for school. But why are girls’ bodies seen as inappropriate in the first place?

School dress codes have always seemed to target girls disproportionately. Girls can’t show shoulders, but guys can wear “wife beaters” and white tanks. Girls can’t show a glimpse of their stomachs, but guys can wear hoodies with crude messages or sexual imagery on their backs. Girls can’t show too much leg, but guys can sag their pants until the waistband hits their knees. The list goes on. Cracking down on midriffs is just one more example of punishing girls for simply having that body. There should be nothing sexual about seeing a young girl’s shoulders or a sliver of her stomach.

Students are less distracted by the exposed skin and more by the disturbance to their day as they get pulled out of class, sent to the office and told to change into something more suitable. The misplaced blame turns into guilt that settles into her now-covered stomach for the rest of the day for showing parts that everyone has.

Even within the dress code, there is a clear bias against girls who don’t fit a certain set of societal standards. Those who wear a size bigger than a four, or who have larger chests, are dress coded far more often than those who don’t for wearing essentially the same outfit. Girls’ bodies come in all shapes and sizes, and they’re being penalized because of it. Constantly getting infractions while their peers are left unscathed is not only unfair, but over time it begins to erode a student’s sense of self-worth.

The beauty of a school that does not require uniforms is that there are so many different forms of self-expression, whether someone decides to dress modestly or not. No one is asking to be allowed to come to school in bikinis or naked. Girls only want the ability to wear clothes they feel comfortable in and to feel as though the rules are working with, not against them, because a fair and equal dress code is better than one that favors or neglects any one group. And anyway, the midriffs will be replaced soon enough as the 90s fade back into memory.

GWINNETTMAGAZINE.COM / MARCH 2022

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ART IS A CAREER SKILL!

6 PROMISING PROFESSIONS THAT INVOLVE ART

written by

Zeal Dobariya

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Most high schools offer art classes to all students that want to take them. However, it seems like high school students are not taking art classes because they believe them to be useless for their future. But there are many applications of art classes that can be used in various professions, regardless of what career field you decide to go into.

Some of the main career fields that use art-related skills are engineering, medicine and architecture. Engineers are expected to make detailed sketches before they are able to build a product. This means that they must make complex drawings and sketches that show every detail. By using digital forms such as Autocad and Inventor, engineers can also make animations and drawings to show the 3D models of products they are trying to make.

Doctors are also likely to use art skills to create diagrams of the different parts of the body. For example, cardiologists map the chambers of the heart to see where the points of damage are. Although some of these diagrams can be automatically created with computer programs, doctors often create the diagrams by themselves to really grasp how areas of the body that are affected.

Architects also create scaled drawings of the building that they are planning on making. Similar to engineers, architects have to meticulously plan the buildings that they are designing. This means that they have to either make a hand-drawn sketch or a sketch on a digital platform. These are some examples of career fields that are not strictly related to art.

Some fields that are also related to art but are more involved in creative expression include graphic design, fashion design and makeup artistry. All three of these use more aspects of the art than the previously mentioned career fields, but they are also using those art skills to make a final product.

For graphic design, there is much more to creating a magazine or website than just art skills. Also, fashion designers use their art skills to create pieces of clothing, but there is more to creating the clothing.

Makeup artists also are using art skills to make a complete look. All three of these career fields use art as a supplement to creating the final product.

Overall, art skills that are learned in high school can be used in the real world. In almost every career field, there is an aspect of art that is used.

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There’s No Place Like Home…

But What is “Home”?

written by

Micah Xu

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People say that there is no place like home, but what does that really mean? What defines a “home”? What makes that small, three-room apartment or that two-story house something that a person calls their home, and with pride? The answer is simple, and summed up in a quote by the king of rock ‘n roll himself: “Home is where the heart is.” This one quote sums up what home means: it’s where a person can go to feel safe, secure and, most of all, comfortable.

It’s family gatherings over freshly cooked food with steam still rising from the top of it. It’s a messy, stained sweater that smells like cinnamon from grandma’s home baking. It’s where a person can let go of all of the day’s stress and collapse into their bed, feeling secure that they can finally, after feeling that sense of comfort only home can provide, relax and be at peace.

Home is where a person can feel comfortable, and a place where the person can be truly free. Free to go to sleep without their boss staring at them, free to watch hours of shows and entertain themselves without anyone looking over their shoulder.

It’s something that every person desires, and contrary to what some people believe, home can be anywhere. Home doesn’t have to be where a person lives. It can be a place they long for, and every home is personal. Filled with music and laughter or filled with silence and contemplation. Filled with family and friends or with nothing but themselves and their thoughts.

Home means something different across cultures, too. While some people may consider a house their home, some might have different opinions. Perhaps home is the sunbaked, grassy field of their farm, perfect for laying down in. To some it’s the big city, filled with the honking of cars and the sounds of street performers, loud and noisy like it should be.

To some, home isn’t even a place. Perhaps to some people home is where their loved ones are. It doesn’t matter if they are in an idyllic countryside or a loud, bustling city, as long as that person or those people are there, it’s home.

Whatever home means to a person, one thing ties them together: they are comfortable and loved, and sometimes that’s enough. Sometimes all a person needs to pursue the ever-elusive goal of happiness is a place to call home. People to love, a place to live in or perhaps something entirely different. Whatever the case, one thing is obvious: home is where the heart is.

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Socialize Safely, Celebrate Creatively!

How to Throw a Parking Lot Party

written by

Gracie Greer

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The continued rise of COVID has left extroverts (and even some introverts) frantically searching for means of safely satisfying their longing for social interaction. House parties, sporting events and even restaurants can become risky places to socialize. However, this unique era has given rise to a new form of socializing: the parking lot party.

When you hear “parking lot party” your mind may jump to a tailgate for football or one of those truck meets that teenagers seem to be so into these days. However, parking lot parties go beyond the common Goodwill truck meet or Georgia Bulldog tailgate. Back when quarantine regulations were still heavy, people had to get creative when celebrating birthdays or hosting special events. There wasn’t enough room inside for everyone to follow social distancing and many public places were shut down. That only left one solution: parking lot parties.

For the vast majority of people, the quarantine that began on March 13, 2020, would mark the first quarantine of their lifetime. It would also be the first year that they might have to spend their birthdays in isolation. Luckily, there was still hope for all the partiers out there.

Many have devised creative ways to celebrate while staying safe at the same time. Lawn chairs, hand sanitizer, masks and party hats became the new quarantine party necessities. Between hilarious conversations and making the best of what you’ve got, these birthday parties are arguably one of the most fun parties you will ever go to.

However, the parking lot adventures didn’t end with birthday parties. Church services, sunset viewings, homecoming dances, lightsaber battles and reunions would soon also be held in parking lots.

Looking back on your memories from the past couple years, think of how many of them wouldn’t have been made if it wasn’t for the social creativity you developed during the pandemic. Even as restrictions have lightened up, some may still find themselves favoring parking lot parties over the standard indoor party.

With the existence of the omicron variant, parking lot parties may become popular again. However, there are so many different ways to get creative. Halloween parking lot parties can still include candy, costumes and games. Trunk or treats have always been a popular event, and those are be held in parking lots by default. Birthday parties for all ages can be held in the parking lot with many fun festivities like water balloon fights, photoshoots and dance parties.

Whatever the occasion, you can still have a good time while protecting your health. There are plenty of safe activities that you can participate in in a parking lot. Grab some friends, get creative and be prepared to make some of your best memories yet!

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WHY THE SAT IS STUPID: A Student Perspective

written by

Frankie Gonzalez

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For decades, high school seniors have been given the notion that SAT scores make or break your chances of getting into college. Therefore, high school students spend a large (some may say unhealthy) amount of time stressing over a single test grade that is said to define you for the rest of your life… That is simply not true.

The SAT is a standardized multiple-choice test, comprising of two sections, math and reading/writing skills. The test was originally created in 1926, by eugenicist and Princeton University psychology professor Carl Brigham.

It is used to differentiate students’ skill levels and knowledge from varying high schools based on the score they receive. The SAT was basically designed to find out how smart a student is and who is the best of the best at certain schools.

However, a single test should not define a student’s entire academic career. The SAT is an extremely outdated way to measure intellect. It fails to accurately measure the intellect of a student, being that there are only two specific criteria that the test evaluates.

Other factors can play into taking the test itself as well, that can deter a student from receiving their desired score regardless of intelligence. For example, a student can be extremely intelligent, overall, but can be an anxious test taker, resulting in a bad SAT score. Even though the student has good grades and a high GPA, according to the SAT grading system, the student is less intelligent than that of someone who is a good test taker.

Several other factors, such as being weak at a certain aspect of the SAT—either math or reading—not getting enough sleep and/or simply having a bad day can all jeopardize getting a high SAT score. Just because a student gets a low score should not mean that they are overlooked by a potential college.

There is more to a student than just their SAT score. In modern times, we know now that colleges are looking at how well-rounded a student is, and how well they can juggle a work life balance, not solely focusing on one score. A student’s GPA, extracurriculars and community service should hold more weight than a single exam, being that it shows a better representation of a student over the past four years rather than a single day.

As of 2021, there are over 1,000 universities in the U.S. that are not requiring the submission of SAT scores for admission. This just goes to show how widespread the idea is that SAT scores are not the most important aspect of a student’s credentials.

In conclusion, now more than ever, the SAT has lost significance as colleges begin to realize a student is more than one score.

GWINNETTMAGAZINE.COM / MARCH 2022

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GWINNETT MAGAZINE

Applying to College?

Keep These Five Things in Mind

written by

Emily Laycock

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MARCH 2022 / GWINNETTMAGAZINE.COM

For decades, high school seniors have been given the notion that SAT scores make or break your chances of getting into college. Therefore, high school students spend a large (some may say unhealthy) amount of time stressing over a single test grade that is said to define you for the rest of your life… That is simply not true.

The SAT is a standardized multiple-choice test, comprising of two sections, math and reading/writing skills. The test was originally created in 1926, by eugenicist and Princeton University psychology professor Carl Brigham.

It is used to differentiate students’ skill levels and knowledge from varying high schools based on the score they receive. The SAT was basically designed to find out how smart a student is and who is the best of the best at certain schools.

However, a single test should not define a student’s entire academic career. The SAT is an extremely outdated way to measure intellect. It fails to accurately measure the intellect of a student, being that there are only two specific criteria that the test evaluates.

Other factors can play into taking the test itself as well, that can deter a student from receiving their desired score regardless of intelligence.

For example, a student can be extremely intelligent, overall, but can be an anxious test taker, resulting in a bad SAT score. Even though the student has good grades and a high GPA, according to the SAT grading system, the student is less intelligent than that of someone who is a good test taker.

Several other factors, such as being weak at a certain aspect of the SAT—either math or reading—not getting enough sleep and/or simply having a bad day can all jeopardize getting a high SAT score. Just because a student gets a low score should not mean that they are overlooked by a potential college.

There is more to a student than just their SAT score. In modern times, we know now that colleges are looking at how well-rounded a student is, and how well they can juggle a work life balance, not solely focusing on one score. A student’s GPA, extracurriculars and community service should hold more weight than a single exam, being that it shows a better representation of a student over the past four years rather than a single day.

As of 2021, there are over 1,000 universities in the U.S. that are not requiring the submission of SAT scores for admission. This just goes to show how widespread the idea is that SAT scores are not the most important aspect of a student’s credentials.

In conclusion, now more than ever, the SAT has lost significance as colleges begin to realize a student is more than one score.

STEP 1: Cut out this page

STEP 2: Hang it somewhere, like your refrigerator

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laugh?

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STEP 4:

Laugh.

Gwinnett Magazine

MARKETPLACE FLAIR When you spend much of your time stuck in an “office space,” it’s common to miss out on the latest and greatest destinations that help make life complete. From knowing where to eat to finding a favorite beauty shop, from finding new things to do with your kids to finding fun for the family pet, this directory of Gwinnett hotspots can help make you seem like the expert in the family!

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D O O G

S T A E

!

GWINNETT MAGAZINE

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LIVE, LEARN

& ENJOY!

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GREAT

RESOURCES!

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HOW TO GET WHAT YOU

REALLY WANT

We’ve all gotten something we thought we wanted only to discover…it wasn’t. The new car smell wore off, but the payments didn’t.

The “right” person turned out to be just like the “next” person. The “dream job” started to feel like…well…a job.

What if there’s a way to break that cycle?

There is.

But it doesn’t happen naturally. Getting what you really want means figuring out what is most important to you. You want a Tesla? Great. I hope you get a Tesla. But why do you want it, really?

You want to get married? Okay, but why do you really want to get married?

Our focus is usually on what’s right in front of us. We want what we want. And we want it now.

That’s why you could spend your entire life indulging in a lot of different things but never getting what you really want. You can’t get what you really want until you discover what you value.

Your values—the things that matter most to you—are not so easy to spot. So, here’s a question to get you started: What are the words you hope people would use to describe you?

And let’s be honest—do any of us really want to be known for simply what we drive,

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where we live or how much we work?

Values, unlike wants, aren’t easy to market.

They don’t come with free shipping. But when we teach ourselves to look past our short-term desires and appetites, we can see the bigger picture. And we discover what we really value.

So, do the decisions you’re making now line up with your future hopes and dreams?

If not, maybe it’s time to think through what’s most important to you—your values.

Which words describe the person you hope to be? Write them down. Tape them to your bathroom mirror. Set some reminders on your phone.

Prioritize what you ultimately want over what you want now.

Put your values in the driver’s seat and throw everything else in the back.

When you do, you’ll get something much better than just the next thing. You’ll get what you really want.

Andy Stanley is a communicator, author, pastor and founder of Atlanta-based North Point Ministries, which includes Gwinnett Church in Sugar Hill and Hamilton Mill Church in Buford, as well as six other churches in metro Atlanta and a global network of nearly 100 partner churches.

INSPIRATION FROM

Andy Stanley

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