Summer 2023

GROWTH: NOWTRENDING!

IS YOUR BUSINESS IN THE GUIDE?

What the locals love and the visitors come back for!

What in life has such an impact? EDUCATION

I’m not sure we always recognize in the hustle and bustle of the day the significance of our educational journey. If you pause for a moment and consider the lasting impact our schools and teachers have on us, it’s truly awe-inspiring.

Although some of us have a few years behind us, I bet most of you have vivid memories of teachers from decades past.

My first-grade teacher was Mrs. Roberts at Rockbridge Elementary. What an incredible woman to have as a teacher. First grade. New school. So many students compared to my tiny kindergarten class. Yet, she made us feel at home from day one.

year after year—a genuine testament to Mrs. Roberts’ influence.

Imagine that. Fifty-five years later, and it’s a teacher who still inspires me. Her care and guidance extended far beyond first grade. And after Mrs. Roberts, there were many more. I can recall every teacher from every grade. It’s challenging to think of another group as impactful on young lives as teachers.

Despite the politics and challenges you often read about or see on the news, the closer you get to an actual classroom where teachers teach and students learn, the more optimistic you become about the future of our community and America.

You know the saying “out of the mouths of babes”? During our exploration of education in Gwinnett, we’ve encountered incredibly insightful young students. We’ve been honored to have several student interns work with us each year and I must tell you, they are so smart!

I often wonder if she realized that fiftyplus years after I moved through her class, I’d still be thinking of her. Still smiling. Still wanting to make her proud.

It was in the little things, like the Christmas ornament she helped us make. I’m confident she purchased them herself because shiny Christmas bells and extra glitter probably weren’t in the budget. Eager first graders, shown how to write our names on the bell with glue and then sprinkle it with glitter. A true masterpiece and a bit of a mess, I’m sure!

Yes, some of us might have eaten a bit of glue, broken a few ornaments and such, but to this day, I still find surprise glitter in the most unexpected places. That little blue bell still hangs on the Christmas tree

These remarkable students possess wisdom that defies their age. Their ideas and insights are ageless, and they serve as sources of inspiration and guidance for all. They demonstrate that youth is not a barrier to profound wisdom and understanding.

As we launch yet another school year, let’s take a minute to see and appreciate the shining lights in our classrooms. Students, teachers, and the administrators alike. If you focus there, if you just look for the good, you’ll find plenty of it. They don’t show that on the news every day, but they sure ought to.

Join us in celebrating the journey of education. It won’t just alter the course of your life; the experiences and individuals you encounter will remain sources of inspiration forever.

Sincerely,

David Greer, Publisher David@GwinnettMagazine.com

AS WE LAUNCH YET ANOTHER SCHOOL YEAR, LET’S TAKE A MINUTE TO SEE AND APPRECIATE THE SHINING LIGHTS IN OUR CLASSROOMS.

GWINNETT MAGAZINE SUMMER 2023

NEWS PODCASTS VIDEOS

LETA

BROOKS HAYS TAKES ON VOLCANO

One Kidney Is More Than Enough. Leta Brooks Hays Takes On Volcano Summit In Guatemala.

PASSION MAKES PERFECT WITH JASON WEST

We sit with Jason West, as he talks about the amazing educational initiatives and partnerships happening in Gwinnett County.

ALL ABOUT BITCOIN

It’s something most of us have heard of, but few understand. Where does it come from, what does it do?

ECON DEVELOPMENT IN THE DTL

The Gwinnett Chamber announces the hiring of Marlene M. Fosque to its executive leadership team.

Join our guests, Barry Mock, Assistant City Manager, and Lee Merritt, Chair of the DDA, as we discuss how Lawrenceville works to bring ideas to life.

Accent Roofing Service Takes Pride in Providing Craftsmanship & Unmatched Service.

MEET

MARLENE M. FOSQUE, NEW VP OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

WHERE EVERYONE THRIVES EDUCATION IS VITAL

Our community boasts two school districts, Gwinnett County Public Schools, the largest in the state, and Buford City Schools. Other options for K-12 education and beyond include numerous private and faith-based schools, a four-year college, technical college, medical school, and other higher learning organizations.

We are fortunate these educational institutions are in place for our residents. They are vital to making Gwinnett County a place where everyone thrives. While education is not our primary business, Gwinnett County Government does offer enrichment programs for children and adults that enhance the traditional school experience and contribute to our community’s vitality. Keep reading for some examples.

County staff have maintained the stellar core services our residents are accustomed to receiving while innovating programs like Gwinnett’s Building Brains (B2) Anywhere. This countywide initiative serves children, parents, and caregivers by providing safe, fun and engaging early childhood learning opportunities to help close literacy and academic preparation gaps.

B2 Anywhere won a National Association of Counties Achievement Award, which was one of the 22 County programs that garnered national recognition, making this a record-breaking number of awards received in any given year, and the most our organization has received since the Achievement Awards program inception in 1970. This recognition speaks to the heart and passion that our employees, community leaders, and volunteers put into programs like this one.

G.R.E.A.T. Little Minds book exchanges are another offshoot of B2 Anywhere. Scattered throughout Gwinnett County, these small collections of books are available to be shared and enjoyed by children through age 8.

Our libraries also offer space where residents can enhance their knowledge. Last fall we broke ground on the Hooper-Renwick library branch, which will incorporate the 61-year-old school building that once served as the only public high school for African American students in Gwinnett, into the first-ever themed library. When completed, the 25,000-square-foot facility will offer library amenities, community space, and exhibits that will showcase stories, accomplishments and memorabilia related to the school and highlight the Black experience in Gwinnett.

Our annual Career Starts Here Internship program is taking place this summer. We are developing the next generation of leaders by helping them learn about careers in local government and gain valuable workplace experience. We’re hosting students ages 15 to 21, giving them an opportunity to explore careers through paid internships in fields ranging from marketing and management to emergency services and engineering.

Gwinnett County is committed to serving and growing with our residents, and I encourage you to take advantage of everything we have to offer.

NICOLE L. HENDRICKSON CHAIRWOMAN GWINNETT COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

THE DREAMERS OF TODAY ARE THE LEADERS OF TOMORROW

AMERICA

IN A WORLD FILLED WITH NEGATIVE NEWS,

there is still hope and excitement brewing among America’s youth. These incredible students refuse to let the negativity bring them down.

Our top students from schools across the county can teach us a valuable lesson: how to embrace our dreams and persevere. Their ambitious goals and innovative ideas breathe new life in our outlook for the future.

These exceptional students have a wealth of wisdom to offer. Their ideas and advice transcend age, offering inspiration and guidance to everyone. They prove that youth is no barrier to wisdom.

Enjoy the read as we hear directly from these remarkable and spirited Students. They share their thoughts and tips, igniting a spark within us all.

Prepare to be inspired, because with these students leading the way, the future shines bright!

Give yourself grace. Making mistakes, feeling anxious, or just generally being unsure of yourself and your abilities is a normal part of high school. What’s important is not letting these feelings consume you, and remaining confident that you’re exactly where you need to be.

NARJISE KOKO SOUTH GWINNETT HIGH SCHOOL Salutatorian

Headed to Vanderbilt University for Public Policy

SUCCESS IS EARNED, NOT GIFTED.”

ERIKA MEIGHAN TAY LANIER HIGH SCHOOL

Headed to The Georgia Institute of Technology for Computer Science

What worries me about the future? The world is most troubled by misinformation. As great as being increasingly connected is, the Internet and the ease at which people are willing to accept any information as correct information only seems to be leading into a downward spiral.

NAFEZ AHMMED PARKVIEW HIGH SCHOOL Valedictorian

Headed to The Georgia Institute of Technology for Aerospace Engineering

If you really want to accomplish a goal nothing will get in the way. If you give up then you don’t want to reach the goal that badly.”

ANDREW SCHNUPP ARCHER HIGH SCHOOL Salutatorian

Headed to the Georgia Institute of Technology for Mechanical Engineering

“WHAT INSPIRES ME MOST IS THE NOTION THAT WE STILL DON’T KNOW EVERYTHING

WE SHOULD ABOUT HUMAN LIFE. OUR BODIES AND HOW THEY FUNCTION ARE IN PART STILL A MYSTERY, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU CLOSE IN ON THE BRAIN. I WANT TO BECOME A NEUROLOGIST SO I CAN BE A PART OF THE EFFORT TO CHANGE THAT.”

TIFFANY OBUAH

DACULA HIGH SHCOOL

Valedictorian

Headed to The Georgia Institute of Technology for Biochemistry

“SET YOUR SIGHTS ON CONSISTENCY.”

CORDÉE JOHNSON

GWINNETT ONLINE CAMPUS Salutatorian

Headed to Ohio State University for Microbiology

“

Success has a way of finding those who have a process even when there are no immediate results .

DEAN PUTNAM

ARCHER HIGH SCHOOL

Valedictorian

Headed to Birmingham University for Mechanical Engineering

“

When it comes to succeeding to make change: it’s okay to not have all the answers to a problem and only have scattered ideas on ways to solve the problem. But our scattered, half complete ideas of today will be the answers to our problems tomorrow.”

MARIBELLE AZEMAR

CENTRAL GWINNETT HIGH SHCOOL Valedictorian

Headed to The Massachusetts Institute of Technology for Mechanical Engineering

One of my past counselors once said to me, “God’s plan for you is not as fragile as glass that one failure is able to so easily shatter it.” This is something that I have strongly held onto for all of high school. It not only taught me about how to overcome my fears of failure and doubt in myself, but it taught me the secret to success: knowing that there is a plan and purpose to my life.”

PHOEBE SOPHIA YOON SECKINGER HIGH SCHOOL Salutatorian

Headed to Rice University for Biochemistry

FAILURE IS THE BEST TEACHER AND LEADS TO SUCCESS.

SCHOOL

Valedictorian

Headed to The Georgia Institute of Technology for Neuroscience

Spend your time doing the things you truly love. High school flies by, and before you know it, you will be a senior planning on how you’re going to make a living as an adult. Although it sounds exciting, make sure to savor the time you have to do exactly what you love.”

SAHANA PAREKH

PAUL

DUKE HIGH SCHOOL

Valedictorian

Headed to Emory University for Business and Psychology

Recently visiting India, I understand the danger of pollution. Watching the locals carelessly discard trash from their car windows, destroy tranquil beaches with plastic bottles, and contaminate the Taj Mahal with toxic smog from unregulated rickshaws, I learned firsthand the importance of educating under privileged towns on the adversities of pollution.”

MANAV RONVELWALA

GRAYSON HIGH SCHOOL

Valedictorian

Headed to The Georgia Institute of Technology for Mechanical Engineering

Make sure to find your passion early on, and have fun with your friends but also take care of yourself.

JOSEPH MOON MOUNTAIN VIEW HIGH

Don’t worry about what everyone else is doing, you do you. Everyone has their own specialty, and it is developed and discovered at different times.

DAVID LOPEZ-CRUZ

BERKMAR HIGH SCHOOL

Salutatorian

Headed to Emory University for Political Science

“

Success is simply not a title, an award, or reaching for the intangible. Rather, success is defined by the moments, experiences, and passions that make you feel alive.

MARTINA TRAN

CENTRAL GWINNETT HIGH SCHOOL

Salutatorian

Headed to The Georgia Institute of Technology for Industrial Engineering

If you genuinely enjoy what you do, you will want to succeed at it. Whether you enjoy something for its content or the community that comes with it, the time you spend should be enjoyable.”

NIHEER PATEL

BROOKWOOD HIGH SCHOOL

Valedictorian

Headed to The University of Pennsylvania for Political Science

I am inspired by the future of technology and the possibilities of AI software in the next few decades.

JONAH WU

NORCROSS HIGH SCHOOL

Salutatorian

Headed to The Georgia Institute of Technology for Industrial Engineering

I am passionate about providing equitable healthcare and educational opportunities to those everywhere. I am inspired by my fellow classmates and my generation. I believe that if we work together and get involved, we can accomplish anything.”

HITESHRI CHUDASAMA

DULUTH HIGH SCHOOL

Valedictorian

Headed to The Georgia Institute of Technology for Biology

My best advice for success: embrace a growth mindset. Believe in your ability to improve through hard work, and view failures as opportunities to learn. This mentality has helped me approach challenges with a sense of curiosity and excitement, and has personally enabled me to see setbacks as temporary hurdles rather than permanent failures.”

TRI DO

MCCLURE HEALTH SCIENCE

HIGH SCHOOL

Valedictorian

Headed to Emory University for Biology

I see art as a form of communication that connects people beyond words, and when I look to the future, I hope to see a world where people are not afraid to communicate and connect with one another. I believe art is a way to achieve this future.”

OLIVIA MEI-YUN CHAN

DULUTH HIGH SCHOOL

Salutatorian

Headed to The Georgia Institute of Technology for Industrial Design

Although learning was difficult over the pandemic, I realized how meaningful my friendships are and how we made communication work despite not being face-to-face. The challenge of the pandemic brought us closer together than ever before.”

YUKI HUANG

SECKINGER HIGH SCHOOL

Valedictorian

Headed to Princeton University for Economics

Salutatorian

Salutatorian

Headed to Yale for Computer Science and Economic

Success takes many forms. There is no one way to succeed, nor is there a way to quantify success. The benchmark for success is dynamic, and comparing your successes to others’ will do neither party any good. Ultimately, it is wiser to focus on your own progress and your next step rather than those at the top of the staircase already.”

I always think about this quote from Ketanji Brown Jackson: “You can’t always expect to be the smartest person in the room, but you can promise to be the hardest working.”

The world, as a whole, tends to find entertainment from jumping to conclusions and profiting by spreading misinformation. We can all benefit by being nicer towards others. Next time, smile at a coworker or hold the door for someone behind you.”

I’m inspired by how quickly medicine and technology improves. While it can be overwhelming, it’s also exciting to know that every improvement will make a direct, positive impact on someone’s life, and I wish to contribute to it in the near future.

Valedictorian

Headed to The University of Pennsylvania for Mathematics & Physics

PEACHTREE RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL

Salutatorian

Headed to The Georgia Institute of Technology for Aerospace Engineering

COLLINS HILL HIGH SCHOOL

Valedictorian

Headed to The Georgia Institute of Technology for Biomedical Engineering

PEACHTREE RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL

Valedictorian

Headed to Rice University for Cognitive Science

JOHN KIM

LUMI CHRISTENSEN NORCROSS HIGH SCHOOL

JANE YOO

ANDREW KWAK

UTKARSH BORIKAR

GWINNETT SCHOOL OF MATHEMATICS, SCIENCE, AND TECHNOLOGY

FARHAN BAIG BROOKWOOD HIGH SCHOOL

LIFE IS LIKE AN OCEAN, AND YOU ARE A SHIP.

BIG WAVES ARE GOING TO HIT YOU, DON’T LET YOUR SHIP LOSE DIRECTION, FOR SMOOTH WAVES NEVER MAKE A SKILLED SAILOR.

BENITO KARKADA

GRAYSON HIGH SCHOOL

Salutatorian

Headed to The Georgia Institute of Technology for Computer Science

I CAN’T GIVE YOU A SUREFIRE FORMULA FOR SUCCESS; BUT I CAN GIVE YOU A FORMULA FOR FAILURE: BIG WAVES ARE GOING TO HIT YOU

MORGAN NASH

LANIER HIGH SCHOOL

Salutatorian

Headed to The Georgia Institute of Technology for Computer Science

“

Succeeding isn’t meant to come in one night but rather many nights of effort. Even if you don’t see results the next day, your effort was not futile. Success requires persistence and dedication, and it’s important to keep working towards your goals even when progress seems slow.”

AMMAR RAZZAK

MCCLURE HEALTH SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL

Salutatorian

Headed to Emory University for Physics

Some of the wisest people I know tell me again and again just how subjective our ideas of success really are. I’ve learned to define my success less in strict goals and more in values.”

GRACE JIA LUI PARKVIEW HIGH SCHOOL Salutatorian

Headed to Georgetown University for Government/ Political Science

Focusing on improving who you are rather than trying to be better than others will make you more satisfied with yourself and promote confidence instead of arrogance.”

RICHARD ZHOU

NORTH GWINNETT HIGH SCHOOL

Valedictorian

Headed to Duke University for Psychology

It’s important to not dwell on past mistakes but rather view them as a learning experience.

ANDRA SIRBU

MILL CREEK HIGH SCHOOL

Salutatorian

Headed to The University of Georgia or The Georgia Institute of Technology for Biochemistry

Make a plan to reach your goal and put in as much effort and work as hard as possible to achieve your goals. It is also essential to always be yourself, be positive, and learn from your mistakes.”

STEPHANIE AGUIRRE

PAUL DUKE HIGH SCHOOL

Salutatorian

Headed to the University of Georgia for Marketing/Finance

SUCCESS COMES IN MANY DIFFERENT FORMS,

AND THE PATH TOWARD

SUCCESS FOR EACH PERSON IS DIFFERENT. IT’S UP TO EACH INDIVIDUAL TO DETERMINE WHAT SUCCESS MEANS TO THEM.”

ERIS WANG

MOUNTAIN VIEW HIGH SCHOOL

Salutatorian

Headed to The Georgia Institute of Technology for Computer Science

The most memorable moment about my high school experience during the pandemic was the immense excitement during the first week. This excitement faded quickly, as I missed the interaction with my friends and teachers. As a result, if my grandchildren ever complain about going to school, I will share this with them to make them truly appreciate in-person learning.”

HENRY TARVER JOINER

MILL CREEK HIGH SCHOOL

Valedictorian

Headed to The University of Georgia for Management Information Systems

The pandemic made me realize how much my friends meant to me. You feel much closer to your friends while talking to them in person. It really makes you value your friendships a lot.”

JESSICA DUONG

SHILOH HIGH SCHOOL

Valedictorian

Headed to The University of Georgia for Pharmaceutical Sciences

Not everyone will understand the amount of effort you put in to succeed. Learn to push back against those perspectives now, because they will follow you your whole career if you’re not diligent about making your effort be seen.”

KATHARINE WANG

PEACHTREE RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL

Salutatorian

Headed to The Georgia Institute of Technology for Computer Science

I remember in the first year of the pandemic, when we were all sent home freshman year, getting anything done was a pain. My dad told me to go to work with him since I wouldn’t be in school. This meant I had to cram all the asynchronous work from those days into the dead of night, exhausted and sweaty from a long day of work. I learned to appreciate my situation, and work harder for a future in school. I hope my children value education in the same way, and work tirelessly to make the most of the opportunities they are given.”

CRISTOPHER MIRANDA — MEADOWCREEEK HIGH SCHOOL Valedictorian

Headed to The Massachusetts Institute of Technology for Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

DESPITE THE CHALLENGES POSED BY THE PANDEMIC

AND THE EMOTIONAL PAIN IT CAUSED, IT ALSO HAD A SILVER LINING FOR ME: I DEVELOPED STRONGER BONDS WITH MY EXISTING FRIENDS AND FORMED NEW CONNECTIONS WITH INDIVIDUALS I MIGHT NOT HAVE OTHERWISE CROSSED PATHS WITH.

ROMIT CHUNDURI

NORTH GWINNETT HIGH SCHOOL Salutatorian

Headed to Duke University for Neuroscience

Success comes from juggling all the factors that stress and burden you well enough to the point where you can focus on doing something greater than meeting your basic needs.”

SAMAD AHMED

BERKMAR HIGH SCHOOL

Valedictorian

Headed to The Georgia Institute of Technology for Computer Science

Give your best effort in what you do and don’t focus on the negative things that happen too much. Not everything will go your way, but if you learn from your failures then you will be successful.”

CHRISTINA PHAM

COLLINS HILL HIGH SCHOOL Salutatorian

Headed to The Georgia Institute of Technology for Computer Science

If you don’t do well on your first try, you can let that defeat stop you but figure out what went wrong to exceed the next time.”

KENNEDY WALKER

DACULA HIGH SCHOOL Salutatorian

Headed to The University of Georgia for Biochemistry

“There’s more to success than winning or the accomplishments you earn, it’s also about improving yourself and learning something new.”

NHA NGUYEN

MEADOWCREEK HIGH SCHOOL Salutatorian

Headed to Georgia Tech for Computer Engineering

There was a moment during the pandemic when I realized just how different each and every person was, but at the same time, I realized that they were all basically the same. The pandemic had a polarizing effect: some vaccinated themselves, some didn’t, some opposed masking, and some embraced it. The time when the mask mandate was lifted taught me something. Right before it was to happen, every single person on campus had this united sense of hope and positivity; everyone was excited that it might be over. After the lift, some continued to mask and others quickly ceased, outlining differences in their inner lives. It taught me well that no two people are the same, but the way they experience life is fundamentally similar, and that you can have a friend in people you’d never expect if you can just relate to them.”

JACKSON LEE — GWINNETT ONLINE CAMPUS Valedictorian

Headed to The Georgia Institute of Technology for Industrial Design

HOMEWORK HACKS

Brain power time! Get ready for that study session with these helpful homework tips that work for everyone from preschoolers to college students.

PUT AWAY ELECTRONICS. That cell phone dinging won’t do ya any good. If a computer is a must (and with remote learning it often is), turn off any kind of notifications or distractions.

PLAN AHEAD. Decide when homework or studying needs to be done in advance, then set aside time to focus on it.

CLASSICAL MUSIC. Turns out, Mozart and Beethoven can promote higher scores! Turn on those pre-20th century jams.

REWARDS. When a task or assignment is completed, give yourself a reward. For kids it can be a piece of candy or time to watch their favorite show and for adults it can be the same!

TAKE A BREAK. Every once in a while, take a break to get up and stretch. Cramped muscles and brain fog aren’t great for learning.

5 steps COLLEGE—LIST

HOW

TO CREATING A

1

2

ASK YOURSELF SOME QUESTIONS:

Answering questions like these will help you focus your college search.

• What am I interested in? How do I spend my free time?

• What do I feel passionate about?

GET TO KNOW THE OPTIONS

4

• How do I learn best? What do I think I want to do in the future?

SEARCH FOR COLLEGES

Use College Search on BigFuture.org to find colleges that match your preferences. Search for colleges by location, majors, size and more. There’s guidance to help you along the way.

Visit College Search Step-by-Step on BigFuture.org where you can learn about basic college categories and answer questions about your preferences. You’ll also find in-depth information about searching for colleges , along with advice from colleges students and educators.

DECIDE WHAT MATTERS MOST TO YOU

3 5

For some students, sports and activities are very important. Other students want a challenging academic environment. Look at your answers to the questions in Step 1. What do they say about you and what you may like in a college?

ADD COLLEGES TO YOUR LIST

Check out individual profiles of the colleges that come up in your search results. When you see a college you like, add it to a favorites list. You can return to it later and refine your list as you go along.

LOCAL COLLEGE CRAWL!

EXPLORING HOMETOWN UNIVERSITIES

gwinnett.uga.edu

THE UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA - GWINNETT CAMPUS CATERS TO WORKING PROFESSIONALS AND BUSINESSES from its Lawrenceville location. It provides graduate-level programs in various fields, including pharmaceutical regulatory affairs, information technology, higher education, non-profit leadership, social work, public administration, sports management, and business. UGA faculty members lead the programs from their respective schools or colleges. The campus offers evening and Saturday classes, along with comprehensive student support services, including computer labs, library access, and study rooms.

ung.edu

georgiasouthern.edu

GEORGIA EDUCATION LEADERS: THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH GEORGIA, part of the state’s University System, holds the titles of State Leadership Institution and The Military College of Georgia. Boasting around 20,000 students, it stands among the state’s largest public universities. Spread across five campuses in the fastest-growing region, UNG is on a mission to develop students into diverse, global leaders through academic excellence and co-curricular programs.

GEORGIA SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY: HOME TO 25,500+ STUDENTS AND 138 DEGREE PROGRAMS AT ALL LEVELS, it spans across Statesboro, Savannah, Hinesville, and even has a campus in Ireland. Emphasizing community impact and diverse student success, the nationally accredited institution nurtures a culture of engagement and academic excellence. With 300+ student organizations, Division I athletics, and state-ofthe-art facilities, Georgia Southern provides an exceptional learning environment since 1906. Join Eagle Nation today!

yhc.edu

YOUNG HARRIS COLLEGE, A VIBRANT HUB FOR HIGHER LEARNING, offers a diverse array of degree options in 30+ majors and 22 minors, across seven divisions like Education, Fine Arts, and Mathematics & Science. High-achievers can join the prestigious Honors Program, while immersive learning opportunities like First Year Foundations and Scholars Consortium await. The college fosters global perspectives with international education via faculty-led groups, student-exchange programs, and study-abroad affiliates, ensuring a well-rounded education for all.

FOR OVER A CENTURY, PHILADELPHIA COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE (PCOM) has trained caring physicians and health practitioners with a “whole person” approach. Offering diverse degree and certificate programs in Pennsylvania and Georgia, PCOM fosters a professional, team-oriented problem-solving approach. Modern facilities and state-of-the-art technologies on campuses create a collaborative and interactive environment for students. pcom.edu/georgia

ggc.edu

gwinnetttech.edu

ESTABLISHED IN 2006, GEORGIA GWINNETT COLLEGE IS A PIONEERING FOURYEAR PUBLIC COLLEGE IN THE U.S. with a history-making legacy. It proudly holds the title of the most ethnically diverse Southern regional college and ranks second for the lowest graduate debt. Embracing its uniqueness, the college boasts a robust mentoring program, tech focus, and a diverse student body representing 120 nations and 34 states. It’s on a mission to provide access to all students, offering 60+ clubs and a flourishing athletic program with national and conference championships.

GWINNETT TECHNICAL COLLEGE (GTC) EXCELS IN CAREER EDUCATION AND TRAINING FOR OVER 35 YEARS. Offering 140+ degree, diploma, and certificate options on-campus in Lawrenceville and Alpharetta, as well as online, GTC covers diverse fields like healthcare and computer science. Programs are designed in collaboration with industries in high-demand areas, ensuring highly skilled graduates are sought after by employers. GTC is accessible and affordable, accepting the HOPE Scholarship and Grant, catering to students of all ages.

TEACHER YEAR OF THE

ASHLEY WRIGHT

PAUL DUKE STEM HIGH SCHOOL

Ashley Wright reminisces about the days she’d wind her way through dense Atlanta traffic, kickstarting the trek from her home in Suwanee to St. Pius X Catholic High School, a private school in Atlanta where she held her first teaching job. On several of these morning drives, her gaze would catch on the nascent structure of Paul Duke STEM as it rose slowly and confidently from the ground day by day. When it was finally fully constructed, it looked magnificent, and Wright felt its red brick layers and wide window panels beckoning her.

Wright grew eager to learn about the opportunities within its walls and was encouraged to see a few available jobs for Animation and Graphic Design, two of Wright’s passions. “I emailed the principal and three assistant principals requesting an interview,” says Wright. “The interview was granted. And the rest is history.”

However, making the transition from private to public school wasn’t easy. It took some time for Wright to adjust to the new environment and

the school’s unique approach to teaching, but she credits the opportunities and resources afforded to her by the school as instrumental in helping her think outside the box about teaching. The school’s advocacy of project-based learning (PBL), which encourages learning through hands-on activities, was a

students to work alongside her to discover how to use the machines. In no time, they began mastering each machine one by one, creating instruction sheets along the way and later teaching other staff how to use them too.

Then COVID hit, halting in-person instruction. However, encouraged by the momen-

wall vinyl for behind the cashier, floor stickers for social distancing, and even window cling for the storefront. That’s when Wright came up with the idea to sell products from different “designers”—or students—to give them a feel for running a small business. Each student was tasked with coming up with a brand line of three products, considering quality, functionality, and packaging, as well as cost and profit.

The grand shop opening alone raked in $3,000 in profits. “My students blew me out of the water with their creativity,” says Wright.

new concept for Wright, but she instantly grew intrigued by it.

Wright recalls receiving a Roland Large Format Printer, Xante UV Printer and a Brother Embroidery machine—technology she’d never seen before, let alone used. By her second year, she decided to try an innovative approach, asking her

tum established, the students pleaded with Wright to consider Zoom calls so they could collectively design a brand for an on-facility print shop. Together the group developed a mission and vision, came up with branding and worked on designs.

Soon, they were popping in at school on Saturdays, masks securely in place, and printing

But the momentum didn’t stop there. The students, widely encouraged by this initial success, had another idea. They hosted an artisan market, selling products in bulk in their own booths and offering out business cards. This venture was yet another success.

“This experience taught me everything about education,” says Wright. “Teaching is a creative team effort. I don’t need to be the teacher on the stage telling them what to do. I need to give them a problem and work

I WANT TO IMPACT MY STUDENTS’ LIVES. I WANT THEM TO KNOW I BELIEVE IN THEM AND HELP THEM GAIN THE CONFIDENCE TO GO AFTER THEIR DREAMS.

with them to see what they can do. To challenge them and encourage them to work through struggles.”

Today, Wright’s print shop is still in operation, and she continues to teach a 3-year Graphic Design Pathway at Paul Duke STEM, which includes Introduction to Graphic Design, Graphic Design and Production and Advanced Graphic Design.

For her evident passion and devotion to her students and innovative contribution to their ambition and success, Wright was nominated as Teacher of the Year 2023, first at the local school and later at the county level. When she found out she’d won the final designation, she was floored. “The moment my name was announced as Teacher of the Year I felt seen, like all my hard work to get to this point had been acknowledged. As a teacher, that acknowledgment is

one of the greatest gifts.”

For her success and accomplishments, Wright cheers her family. “My family has always believed in me, lifted me up and showed me true kindness,” says Wright. “I am who I am today because of them, and I am so thankful for the close bond we share.”

Wright says building meaningful relationships with each student is paramount for her. The most rewarding part of her career, she says, is nothing if not the students themselves. “Every time I get a letter, gift, hug or even a smile I know I am making a difference,” she says. “I want to impact my students’ lives. I want them to know I believe in them and help them gain the confidence to go after their dreams. I do this job for them, and my biggest hope is that they will all learn to be kind and, most importantly, love themselves.”

*Semifinalist

**Finalist (Level Winners are also finalists)

2023 GCPS

TEACHER YEAR OF

THE

ASHLEY WRIGHT

Paul Duke STEM High School

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

ALCOVA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Sara Van Nus*

ALFORD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Shanaye Taylor Williams

ANDERSON-LIVSEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Delta P. Peters

ANNISTOWN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

LaToya Burse

ARCADO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Amanda Bidessy

BAGGETT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Myesha D. Jenkins**

BALDWIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Alyson Mabika

BEAVER RIDGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Saima Rahman

BENEFIELD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Taylor L. Jemison

BERKELEY LAKE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Michelle Bell

BETHESDA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Marie Humphrey

BRITT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Marsha Kennerly

BROOKWOOD ELEMENTARY

Debbie Leonard

BURNETTE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Jada Steele Bell*

CAMP CREEK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Lee Olson

CEDAR HILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Katharine Wood

CENTERVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Stephanie Lindsey

CHATTAHOOCHEE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Becky Alexander

CHESNEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Tawonna L. Keeton

COOPER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Mandy McGee

CORLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Keisha Blythers*

CRAIG ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Amberly Johnson

DACULA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

April Adams

DUNCAN CREEK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Becca Menchaca

DYER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Morlyne Doricent

FERGUSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Alicia Matthews Lowe

FORT DANIEL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Kristan Chase

FREEMAN’S MILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Kimberly N. Malloch

GRAVES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Jennifer A. Adjei

GRAYSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Matthew Schoen

GWIN OAKS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Christina Michael

HARBINS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Sharon Mauney

HARMONY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Sarah Newport

HARRIS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Erin Patricia Johnson

HEAD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Jessica Gaskin**

HOPKINS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Shan Hicks*

IVY CREEK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Jamie Cittadino

JACKSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Alison Cormier

JENKINS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Rahnon Danielle Murray

KANOHEDA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Natalie Kathryn Wiedenmann

KNIGHT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

David Washell

LAWRENCEVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Lindsay K. Thomas

LEVEL CREEK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Jennifer L. James

LILBURN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Natalie Lett

LOVIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Tanya Perry*

MAGILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Bailey Guthrie

MASON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Lindsay Atkins

MCKENDREE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Amber Higginbotham

MEADOWCREEK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Ashley Rozier

MINOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Kayla M. Smith

MOUNTAIN PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Jennifer Matthews

MULBERRY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Amanda T. Herrington

NESBIT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Kelsey Prentice*

NORCROSS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Katie Wylie

NORTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Mary Head

PARSONS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Cynthia Lewis

PARTEE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Dr. Nicole Turner

PATRICK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Kelly Wilkinson

PEACHTREE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Alyssa M. Tarr

PHARR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Wayne Hall

PUCKETT’S MILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Monica Fladger*

RIVERSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Emily Brubaker

ROBERTS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Denisse Cabrera

ROCK SPRINGS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Jennifer C. Williams

ROCKBRIDGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Bernard Agurs

ROSEBUD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

LeDonna A. Jordan

SHILOH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Lillian Cheimis*

SIMONTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Shannon M. Foster

SIMPSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Susan Aronstein

STARLING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Michele Jones*

STRIPLING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Autumn Kopesky

SUGAR HILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Rosemarie Slodysko*

SUWANEE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Kari Lemoine

SYCAMORE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Leslie Adames

TAYLOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Casey Culpepper*

TRIP ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Alexis Norville

WALNUT GROVE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Amy Otto*

WHITE OAK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Genny Lang

WINN HOLT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Natalie Stout*

WOODWARD MILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Nicole Brown

MIDDLE SCHOOLS

BAY CREEK MIDDLE SCHOOL

Tristan Dooley

BERKMAR MIDDLE SCHOOL

Lynn Barochin

COLEMAN MIDDLE SCHOOL

Kelli Sinclair

COUCH MIDDLE SCHOOL

Joseph Sanders

CREEKLAND MIDDLE SCHOOL

Kynisha Okonkwo

CREWS MIDDLE SCHOOL

Serina Gay**

DACULA MIDDLE SCHOOL

Su Chong

DULUTH MIDDLE SCHOOL

Tara Raymond

FIVE FORKS MIDDLE SCHOOL

Lexi Carretto

GRACE SNELL MIDDLE SCHOOL

Dr. Kimberly West

HULL MIDDLE SCHOOL

Chinedu Okafor

JONES MIDDLE SCHOOL

Ye Na Parrett*

JORDAN MIDDLE SCHOOL

Aisha Randolph

LANIER MIDDLE SCHOOL

Carla Whitehead Youmans

LILBURN MIDDLE SCHOOL

Cheryl Thomas

MCCONNELL MIDDLE SCHOOL

Annie Klentz

MOORE MIDDLE SCHOOL

Doreen Moseley Evans

NORTH GWINNETT MIDDLE SCHOOL

Heather Lacefield Wheeler*

NORTHBROOK MIDDLE SCHOOL

Becca Rackley**

OSBORNE MIDDLE SCHOOL

Dr. David Pauli

PINCKNEYVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL

Jessie Nordhielm

RADLOFF MIDDLE SCHOOL

Sergeant Ebony Williams

RICHARDS MIDDLE SCHOOL

Grisel Felix-McDuffie

SHILOH MIDDLE SCHOOL

Brandon McKinney

SNELLVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL

Briana Warren Stegall

SUMMEROUR MIDDLE SCHOOL

Roshani Shah

SWEETWATER MIDDLE SCHOOL

Mariah Colón

TRICKUM MIDDLE SCHOOL

Nicole Marte

TWIN RIVERS MIDDLE SCHOOL

Angie Tarantino

HIGH SCHOOLS

ARCHER HIGH SCHOOL

Brian Newman

BERKMAR HIGH SCHOOL

Patrick B. Mahaffey

BROOKWOOD HIGH SCHOOL

Lauren Ollinger

CENTRAL GWINNETT HIGH SCHOOL

Clara Maxcy

COLLINS HILL HIGH SCHOOL

Sarah Kuekes*

DACULA HIGH SCHOOL

Michael Peterson

DISCOVERY HIGH SCHOOL

Hannah White*

DULUTH HIGH SCHOOL

Melissa Margulis

GRAYSON HIGH SCHOOL

Teandra Storey

LANIER HIGH SCHOOL

Anne Byrand

MEADOWCREEK HIGH SCHOOL

Cynthia S. Garay

MILL CREEK HIGH SCHOOL

Andrew Holbrook

MOUNTAIN VIEW HIGH SCHOOL

Marlena Booker

NORCROSS HIGH SCHOOL

Erin Jackson

NORTH GWINNETT HIGH SCHOOL

David Metrio*

PARKVIEW HIGH SCHOOL

Tracey Dann

PAUL DUKE STEM HIGH SCHOOL

Ashley Wright**

PEACHTREE RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL

Irene Donahue

PHOENIX HIGH SCHOOL

Kristen Wisenall

SECKINGER HIGH SCHOOL

Jason Hurd**

SHILOH HIGH SCHOOL

Sheila R. Jones

SOUTH GWINNETT HIGH SCHOOL

Carla Jordan

OTHER SCHOOLS

BUICE CENTER

Tiffany Russell

GIVE CENTER EAST

Emmanuel J. Williams III

GIVE CENTER WEST

Rebecca Johnson

GWINNETT ONLINE CAMPUS

Ann Beindorf*

GWINNETT SCHOOL OF MATHEMATICS, SCIENCE, AND TECHNOLOGY

Carlos Burse

INTERNATIONAL TRANSITION CENTER

Bernardette Smith

MAXWELL HS OF TECHNOLOGY

Mike Wojtkowski

MCCLURE HEALTH SCIENCE HS

Kinsey Rubio

NORTH METRO ACADEMY OF PERFORMING ARTS

Katrina Martin

OAKLAND MEADOW SCHOOL

Wendy L. James

THE DO’S AND DON’TS FOR TEACHER GIFTS.

PERSONALIZED PENCILS - Help teachers keep track of their writing supplies by customizing them with their name (not yours).

SCHOOL SUPPLIES - These are often something that is paid for out of pocket, so from erasers to notebooks, we know they’ll appreciate it.

PLANTS - Make sure they are low maintenance, like succulents or snake plants.

GIFT CARDS - Treat them to their favorite coffee shop, store or restaurant.

ORNAMENTS - Give teachers something small to adorn their desks and workspaces, or if they celebrate Christmas make something for their trees.

MUGS - It seems like a great gift until everyone is giving one. They’ll appreciate it, but those cabinets are probably full.

CANDLES - Same as the first, they’ve probably already got plenty. Anything scented is personal preference, so it’s better to skip it.

HOMEMADE FOOD - Don’t get it wrong, teachers love your little ones. They just also might know where their hands have been.

“TEACHER” THEMED - If it says #1 Teacher or is decorated with apples and pencils, your teacher will probably prefer something a bit less corny.

EXCELLENT

Living up to its mission year after year, the Buford City School System (BCSS) continues to exhibit excellence in academics, athletics, and the arts.

If Buford City School System (BCSS) is known for one thing, it’s excellence. Excellence in academics. Excellence in athletics. Excellence in the arts. You name it, it’s on the BCSS list of things to achieve. BCSS empowers students from kindergarten to high school seniors to become globally competitive critical thinkers, innovative problem solvers, responsible individuals, productive citizens, and of course, excellent people!

The emphasis on world-class education doesn’t detract from the district’s family values. It prides itself on being a community that is both diverse and tight knit. Tucked a short distance from downtown Buford, the Buford City

toss their graduation caps. For parents, staff and students, BCSS is home. For the eighth consecutive year, the school system has been ranked as first in the state by Niche.

THE BUFORD CITY SCHOOL SYSTEM IS COMPRISED OF FIVE SCHOOLS:

Buford Elementary is home to Kindergarten. In fact, it’s one of the few schools in the state dedicated to just kindergarten. Little learners can grow and flourish in an environment that is tailored to them. Buford Elementary is where it all begins. The teachers have been trained in the structured literary approach of Orton Gillingham and the school boasts an average RIT score of 159.9 on the MAP Reading Assessment. The school uses a plethora of resources to provide a strong foundation in literacy, one that will carry on throughout a student’s career.

schools all sit within a one-mile radius of one another. This means that students get structure and familiarity from their first day of kindergarten to when they

Buford Academy houses Grades one to three. It’s where students Belong and Achieve! The academy was named a FY22 Title 1 Distinguished School by the Georgia Department of Education. Last year, the school debuted its Odyssey of the Mind program that cultivated

L-R: Daren Perkins, Phillip Beard (Chairman), Matt Peevy, Bruce Fricks, Kathleen Welch.

students’ problem solving with creative and unique challenges. The teachers are trained in the same Orton Gillingham literary approach that the students are already familiar with, which means the approach to literacy is consistent as they develop. Students from the academy checked out over 130,00 books from the media center during the 2022-23 school year. Plus, over 50 students joined the Million+ Word Club.

Grades four to five belong to Buford Senior Academy, which was named a FY22 Title 1 Distinguished School. Buford Senior Academy is all about building student achievement. There’s a focus on taking challenges to the next

level for students in this school. With a variety of activities like band, chorus, and after-school clubs each year, there’s plenty of multi-sensory options. There are club opportunities for those interested in pottery, chess, calligraphy, gym games, and more. In addition to Odyssey of the Mind, students can showcase their skills and academic talents at the Science Fair or STEM Derby.

BELIEVE. MOTIVATE. SUCCEED.

A Title 1 Distinguished School for four consecutive years and Niche’s #1 Middle school in the state, Buford Middle School (BMS) is home to Grades six to

eight. BMS students are known to be state Odyssey of the Mind champions, along with competition cheer. Students learn vital leadership skills through competitive career and technical student organizations. It’s not over till the band plays! The BMS Band had a record-breaking 33 students selected to the District 13 Honor Band this past year. There’s no shortage of musical genius here.

Buford High School has upped the ante, recently reclassified from 6A to 7A by GHSA in 2022. The school had four athletic state championships during the 20222023 school year: volleyball, softball, game day cheer and

EXCELLENT

gymnastics! With the tremendous growth in student population, the school has recognized the need for a bigger sports venue. The brand-new stadium is expected to tout 10,000 seats, expanded concessions, a press box and parking to accommodate. The stadium is anticipating completion in fall of 2024. The high school also boasts a graduation rate of 96% and is recognized by the College Board for exemplary scores in four distinct areas: AP School of Distinction, AP STEM School, AP STEM Achievement School and AP Expansion School.

Facilities are expanding and improving in the Buford City School System! The middle school recently added 18 new classrooms and a renovated cafeteria. The Senior Academy will be constructing a new wing for

the third-grade students in the fall of 2024. In addition to the football stadium, other projects on the horizon include a new career and technical education building. This project will include a construction lab, an engineering lab and several computer science labs. STEM students can rejoice!

The school system offers many advantages for its students, but also its staff and parents. The school’s millage rate is 12,55, which is approximately half of most other districts in Georgia. The district also has lower student-to-teacher ratios, which means students can benefit from more direct and personalized approaches, but also teachers have a class they can better instruct and manage. The student to teacher average ration is 15:1. Teachers also have access to in-house childcare

facilities at a reduced price, which means their children can be nearby during the workday.

Buford Academy and Buford Senior Academy host the largest chapter of the All-Pro Dad program in the Southeastern United States. The program is designed for dads and children to engage in meaningful conversations and activities that strengthen their relationships. BA and BSA host four of these programs throughout the school year, with over 700 dads and students attending each event! Other community partnerships include involvement with local organizations such as the Buford Path Project, the Boys and Girls Club and the Gwinnett Co-Op. BCSS believes Community partnerships create stronger schools and healthier communities.

PERSPECTIVE VIEW

NEW BUFORD HIGH SCHOOL STADIUM BUFORD CITY SCHOOLS

EXPANSIONS

TEACHERS HAVE ACCESS to in-house daycare facilities at a reduced price, allowing them to have their own children nearby during the workday.

BCS’S GREATEST NUMBER of state recognitions aren’t in athletics, but in literary. They’ve won 13 consecutive GHSA state championships and 19 overall

UNDER THE CITY’S CHARTER, the district’s board Chairman also serves as the City Commission Chairman, making for a strong coalition between the Buford City Commission and the Board of Education.

BCS IS A NO WAIVER DISTRICT, only one of two in the state, meaning it hasn’t applied to increase class sizes above statedefined limits.

AVERAGE STUDENTteacher ratio is 15:1.

HEALTHY SNACKS

TRAIL MIX

Trail Mix. What is it? Well duh, it’s a mix of nuts, seeds and dried fruit that is packed with protein as well as minerals and vitamins so that you can walk on trails and such.

Not only did Kephart coin the term, he also made the “trail” it refers to! Kephart helped plot the course of the Appalachian Trail and he’s a credited founder of the “Great Smoky Mountains National Park”. And oh yeah, he has a mountain named after him. “Kephart Mountain.”

We learned all that from a Ken Burns documentary. Check it out: The National Parks: America’s Best Idea.

DID YOU KNOW:

Pizza Hut was reportedly one of the nation’s largest kale buyers before 2013. In fact, the restaurant chain purchased 14,000 pounds in 2012 for its U.S. locations — using it as a garnish to decorate its salad bars.

It’s hard to believe now, but for most of the twentieth century, kale was primarily used in the United States for decorative purposes; it became more popular as an edible vegetable in the 2010s when it was labeled a “superfood” due to its nutritional value.

KALE (CHIPS)

What is it? It’s simple. It’s kale and it’s a chip. Kale chips are baked so they are just as healthy as raw kale, which is rich in antioxidants, vitamin A, C, and K. If you’re wondering what they taste like, it’s no shock that they taste just like kale. However, you can add some seasoning of your choice and it’s a really fast and easy snack to make at home!

POPCORN!

You’ll have to skip the theater to ditch the calories but popcorn’s a fabulous snack. It’s sad but to keep it healthy you must forget the giant buttery tub. Get poppin’ at home with an air-popped, lightly seasoned version. Snack smart and happy!

George Washington Carver did not invent peanut butter. In 1884, Marcellus Gilmore Edson of Canada patented peanut paste. Later, in 1895, Dr. John Harvey Kellogg patented the process for making peanut butter from raw peanuts.

1928 and JiF didn’t show up until 1956!

Did you know celery has been around forever? The veggie is even mentioned in Homer’s “The Iliad.” He would have loved this snack but didn’t have any peanut butter.

Do you remember the California Raisins? In 1986, a Sun-Maid commercial launched the California Raisins, a fictional R&B group, into pop-culture stardom! They released four albums from 1987 to 1994, and their hit song “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” (originally by Marvin Gaye in 1968) made it to the Billboard Hot 100. They won multiple Emmy Awards for TV specials and even had a popular Saturday Morning Cartoon. Quite a big deal in the eighties!

HEALTH HACKS PREVENTATIVE

STAYING HEALTHY could be as easy as following a few steps every day:

BREATHE RIGHT:

Breathe from your diaphragm instead of your chest to maximize oxygen intake, improve circulation and enhance body function.

WASH YOUR HANDS OFTEN:

You touch things throughout the day, meaning your hands are one of the easiest ways to transport germs to your mouth—and colds and viruses and everything else gunky that naturally follows suit.

STAY AWAY FROM THE SUGARS:

Sugar can be as addictive as alcohol and cigarettes and wreak havoc on your weight and skin, not to mention open the way for heart disease and diabetes. Limit your sweets!

EXERCISE REGULARLY:

Set aside thirty minutes a day to keep healthy, maintain a good weight and keep cardiovascular diseases at bay.

SCREEN YOUR SCREEN TIME:

Too much time on the electronics can negatively affect your eyes and mental health. Especially avoid screen time before bed to get a good night’s sleep.

STOP FRETTING:

Stress can cause heart ailments, depression and insomnia, so stay away from the stressors!

HAVE A LOVE AFFAIR WITH VEGETABLES:

Eating the rainbow (no, not skittles—vegetables!) can give you numerous vitamins, nutrients and fiber, all of which promote good health and longevity.

HURRY UP AND RELAX!

STONE MOUNTAIN

While visible from I-85 and throughout Gwinnett, Stone Mountain is located in DeKalb county and is more or less an hour away. It’s a great place for a family hike.

SIX

FLAGS

Adrenaline junkies, this is for you. Six Flags in Atlanta has the roller coasters and the water park to make for a thrilling day trip.

CALLAWAY GARDENS

For Gwinnettians looking to get outdoors, Callaway Gardens is a breath of fresh air with gardens, butterflies and activities.

SAVANNAH

Savannah offers coastal southern charm for Gwinnettians looking to escape heavy metropolitan life. This one is more of a weekend trip!

PLAINS

Head on south to pay homage to the only President from Georgia, Jimmy Carter. Peanuts are the theme here and there’s lots of history to learn.

GWINNETT BUSINESS PAGES

GROWTH AND EXCITEMENT! LET’S TALK

In Gwinnett, economic development means creating endless opportunities for everyone. With a million souls calling this place home, it’s all about growth – not just in jobs and income, but also in the ways we can invest in a fantastic life!

Gwinnett’s cities are on a mission to become the ultimate places to live, and they’re doing

it in style – with a touch of magic! Imagine sparkling new parks, mouthwatering restaurants, and modern city structures popping up all over. It’s a party of progress! From Fortune 500 companies to thriving small businesses, this county is buzzing with energy and a diverse mix of cultures and communities.

So come join the excitement as we grow, build, and create a life worth celebrating in Gwinnett County. Economic success and a booming lifestyle await!

SUGAR HILL HAS A MASTER PLAN... FOR DEVELOPMENT!

The city is focused on expanding the downtown area, creating more mobility for bike use and connecting the greenway loop with a new bridge. Plaza 1. Construction began in March of this year and should hopefully be complete by spring of 2024.

SUGAR HILL’S CULINARY SCENE

WINE AND DINE WITH A VIEW!

New businesses in Sugar Hill, now ain’t that sweet! The city welcomed Talk of the Table, a wine and cheese boutique and tasting room, and The Rooftop, a new upscale bar experience, in the Downtown area. You can fine dine while overlooking the Bowl or indulge before catching a show at the Eagle Theatre. With a new master plan in full throttle we can look forward to more in Sugar Hill coming soon.

AUBURN’S BIG MAKEOVER!

Here comes city hall! Auburn is working hard to redevelop its downtown area, with work on a municipal complex and surrounding infrastructure. Growth and preservation are at the forefront of a new city hall, new housing, space for businesses and landscaping.

CHEERS TO MORE WATER!

Auburn and Winder are joining up to work on water storage. The cities are hoping to increase drinking water availability by converting the rock quarry into a raw water storage reservoir with water withdrawals from Rock Creek, Mulberry River and Little Mulberry River. The Auburn portion of the project would result in meeting drinking water needs through 2065!

SNELLVILLE

THE GROVE AT TOWNE CENTER GETS THE GROOVE ON!

Grooving and growing! The Grove at Towne Center is a $100 million mixed-use project featuring a new library, luxury apartments, two chef-driven restaurants, THRIVE Coworking, and recreation space. You can also expect a great greenway and nature trail! This awesome space is anticipated to be complete by 2024.

WHATABURGER ON THE HORIZON.

Whataburger has a planned location in Snellville, burgers pending, the opening date is still not set in stone.

The latest coffee and doughnut chain location opened at 229 Scenic Hwy North this summer.

SNELLVILLE RUNS ON DUNKIN’

CROSSING BOUNDARIES

ROGERS PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE UNITES AND JOHNS CREEK!

A project 15 years in the making has finally opened to the public. The Rogers Pedestrian Bridge Over the Chattahoochee Open links Duluth with Johns Creek, enabling the public to enjoy the amenities of Cauley Creek Park and Rogers Bridge Park. Now onwards to phase two: 118 new spaces, a walking trail and a new pavilion.

Welcome TESO LIFE, the massive Japanese Lifestyle Superstore. The store includes everything from creative toys and gaming machines, to Japanese snacks and soda drinks. Don’t forget makeup, skin care or household essentials. They’ve got a bit of everything.

BOOKS & BITES!

LOGANVILLE’S REDEVELOPMENT THRILLS WITH WORDS AND MEALS!

Grab a book and a meal! The Loganville O’Kelly Memorial Library is getting a new site downtown. Down the road, you can expect a revamped corridor with a new restaurant! These downtown projects are done in coordination with Sizemore Group, part of a revitalization effort. The library has received $1.5 million to help build from the city, along with stateissued grants and private funding.

New destinations in Loganville!

• Taco N Beer Bar is headed to downtown, with a rooftop patio!

• Destination Park off Tuck Road has new restrooms and an expanded walking path!

MUSIC, MAGIC, AND MORE!

DOWNTOWN LAWRENCEVILLE’S ALLURE ON THE RISE!

With all of the great concerts and activities, Downtown Lawrenceville gets quite a few visitors. The Downtown Development Authority is always working on improving the city! Currently in the works: Façade Grant Program. Businesses within the Downtown Entertainment District were able to apply and receive reimbursement for renovation expenses.

SCAN TO LISTEN

to our Podcast!

GET

Mitch Jaffe, the Founding Partner of Truck & Tap, joins Mayor David Still in celebrating the launch of their fourth location in Lawrenceville. This innovative bar concept offers a rotating selection of beer and food trucks, complemented by a dedicated kitchen for days without food trucks.

photo credit: Bruce Johnson

The Braselton Grist Mill is getting a revamp! Starting in 2023, renovations are designed to add modern conveniences while keeping the building’s historic flair. The building will expand to include a lobby, restrooms and other spaces.

BRASELTON TECHIES REJOICE:

CUTTING-EDGE ECOSYSTEM TAKES FLIGHT!

BraseltonTech is the talk of the town. The private-public initiative in partnership with the Advanced Technology Development Center is developing a technology ecosystem. The organization is funded by the state legislature and managed under the Georgia Tech Enterprise Innovative Institute, which is the oldest technology business accelerator in the U.S. and its graduating companies have raised over $3 billion in venture capital.

The Braselton Library will be expanded to include a new children’s wing.

Explore Other Exciting Projects in Braselton!

• Davis Street South Improvements

• Brassie Lane Sidewalk Improvements

• Highway 211 Widening

PLAYTIME PERFECTION

DACULA’S BELOVED PLAYGROUND GETTING A FACELIFT!

Better play time is coming to Dacula! The Maple Creek Park Playground is getting updates that will make the whole family happy. A new toddler area, exercise stations, and more are being added. This playground will also include specialized turf and sidewalk improvements. These beautifications are being funded by an endowment from former Mayor Jim Wilbanks.

ROWEN UPDATE:

Rowen is a reimagination of the traditional mixed-use office environment that aims to advance agriculture, medicine, and the environment — and their enabling technologies — and is changing the economic and social trajectory of Georgia, the nation, and, with time, the world. The hope is that Rowen will bring over 100,000 jobs and over $11 billion in investment to the metro Atlanta area.

PlayTown Suwanee has a build scheduled this fall. The new design includes updated features that utilize sustainable materials and require less maintenance.

SUWANEE’S NEW URBAN OASIS! WHERE NATURE AND COMMUNITY COLLIDE.

Suwanee is known for its town center. So we expect the new one to be no different! The upcoming Town Center on Main will be an urban-style greenspace with Delay Nature Park. Unique flair and community-driven character will shine in this new space behind the library.

Mochibees is eyeing a Suwanee location. The mochi donut craze could be coming to you soon!

SUWANEE’S GOT NEW SIGNS!

In Old Town Suwanee, several new signs have been added to historically and culturally significant sites in the area.

VROOM INTO THE FUTURE

LILBURN’S TRANSPORTATION UPGRADE IN FULL THROTTLE!

What will Lilburn look like in five years? Lilburn is drawing up a comprehensive plan to figure that out! The Lilburn Town Center Connection received a Georgia Transportation Infrastructure Bank loan of $4.7 million earlier this year to help upgrade Railroad Avenue in order for it to connect to Terry Lane. Curb and gutter improvements, a left turn, and other road renovations are all included. Smooth driving!

GRAYSON RAILYARD’S NEWEST GEM

WHERE “AXE-CITEMENT” LIVES:

Have you ever thrown an ax? Now you can. Axe Masters opened in Grayson earlier this year, another addition to the expanding Railyard District. It’s a pretty cool activity to do with friends and make all of your lumberjack dreams come true. The Railyard is a mixedused development made for local businesses and the growing community.

LEVEL UP YOUR CHILL BUFORD WITH

THE NEW MULTI-LEVEL PARK!

Need a moment to sit down and relax? Buford’s upcoming multi-level park will have picnic tables, overhead shade and ample space. It will be a passive park, which just means that there won’t be any sports fields or activities. Relaxation only! The park will also feature artwork and plant pots, just to make sure those leisurely vibes are in full swing.

Discover What’s Happening with Buford’s Other Projects!

• Downtown Buford got a new ice cream spot! Welcome Buford Station Creamery.

• New Openings In The Exchange: Twisted Crab, Gusto! and Bubba’s 33.

• New Openings At The Mall of Georgia: Tequila Mama, Raising Cane’s, Ivy at Ariston Apartments, Hilton Garden Inn.

THE POINTE at ARISTON opened at the Mall of Georgia. The live, play and stay plaza includes apartments like The Ivy and The Enzo, as well as dining like Flying Biscuit and Tequila Mama. The mixed-use development also connects to trails and large greenspaces for everyone to enjoy.

Have you checked out the Exchange yet? There are already a dozen different restaurants to dine at and a whole bunch more on the way. You can expect a Paris Baguette Cafe, Taqueria Tsunami, and Snooze sometime soon. Pickle & Social is getting ready to open, so time to pick up those pickleball paddles!

FROM WAREHOUSES TO WONDERS IN PEACHTREE CORNERS

In Peachtree Corners, the Intuitive Surgical expansion project is ongoing. The West building will include engineering, assembly, product development, and warehousing. The East Building will contain commercial warehouse space, surgeon training, and commercial training. The overall project will bring 1,200 new jobs and will invest more that $500 million in the city.

The Chadbad of Gwinnett is in the process of getting their new center. The sanctuary center and gathering space of the Jewish community in Gwinnett will now be located on Spalding Drive and is planned to be a 12000-sq ft enrichment center.

What else is happening in Peachtree Corners?

• The Forum is continuing to cultivate! New restaurants like Peche, Politician Row, Chopt and more. If you love it enough, you can build your business there too! The redevelopments include additional leasing spaces as well as retail spots.

• The Quick Trip on Peachtree Parkway was demolished, but don’t worry it’s getting rebuilt with upgrades this fall.

• CAPITAL Tacos is set to open on Peachtree Parkway.

NORCROSS’ MASTER PLAN ELEVATES BUFORD HIGHWAY TO NEW HEIGHTS!

If you live in GCO, you’ve definitely been down Buford Highway. Norcross has a high-level master plan to guide development along the Buford Highway corridor between Jimmy Carter Boulevard and Beaver Ruin Road, with a specific interest in uniting the city through new homes, retail, parks and office space. It’s an ongoing 10 to 20-year project!

DELICIOUS UPDATE:

NORCROSS IS GETTING A FOOD HALL!

The South End Development could potentially have all kinds of foodie destinations from barbecue joints to coffee companies. The mini food hall is set to open in Spring 2024, with the help of Terra Alma real estate advisory.

WAYNE HILL

Some call them moments of lucidity –those fleeting, crystal clear glimpses that sum up a situation or circumstance in a way not previously seen.

In a lifetime of public service, leadership and decidedly humble beginnings, Wayne Hill, now 80 years old, says it was in these rare moments that it came into focus just how far he’d come.

For a country boy from Sugar Hill with no college education, such instances presented themselves while shaking hands with the President of the United States. While attending a ribbon cutting for a water facility bearing his name. While gazing at a sure-enough statue of himself outside the Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center.

Despite these personal milestones, which could easily inflate the ego of any given man, Hill laughs instead, reminiscing on them. It’s the good-natured chuckle of a man who can hardly believe the strange, unbelievable course his life has taken. After

all, he’s still a country boy from Sugar Hill.

Despite his tendency to smile at the unreality of it all, the evidence is there, all around Gwinnett County. Hill worked hard, establishing what many would refer to as a legacy for generations of Gwinnettians to enjoy.

When asked about the specifics of that legacy and how he hopes to be remembered, Hill does something that is typically Hill. He shrugs off the notion of legacy. It’s a word he isn’t fond of. Once, years ago, a colleague asked him how they themselves could build a legacy.

He told them a legacy was the sort of thing that sorted itself out if you worked hard and did the right thing every day.

SETTING PINS’ AND ‘SACKING GROCERIES

Wayne Hill exited the post of Gwinnett County Commission chairman in 2004, leaving in his wake what few – including Hill himself – could dispute was a legacy.

Holding top public office in what was then a county of 700,000 residents and overseeing a more than $1.4 billion budget, folks soon took notice of his leadership style.

For one, Georgia Trend magazine bestowed him the Excellence in Public Service Award at the year of his departure from the commission. Additionally, he was commission chairman longer than anyone else has held that office in Gwinnett – 12 years straight.

Commission chairman wasn’t the only leadership post he’d hold. Hill was also chairman of the Atlanta Regional Commission; president of the National Association of Regional Councils Board; served in many roles with the National Association of Counties; chairman of the Governmental Structures Subcommittee with Georgia Future Communities Commission; and was president of Association of County Commissioners of Georgia – receiving the Emory Greene Leadership Award in 2003 for his service.

It’s one of many awards Hill received over the years for his strength in leadership. In business and in government, leadership is a quality that’s always come natural to the man, whose first official job was about as humble as one can imagine.

“Well, I was 12 years old setting pins at the bowling alley,” Hill says, laughing. “It was in Sugar Hill, a little 4-lane alley. Wasn’t any air conditioning. I remember we would open the windows sometimes to cool it off a little and these guys would throw a ball so hard it would knock a pin out the window.”

From there, Hill worked on a milk truck route with stops all around Gwinnett and Forsyth counties. He worked at a Chamblee supermarket “sacking groceries” in the mid-1950s. While many of these jobs took him outside county lines, Hill was a

Sugar Hill boy through and through, born in 1942 “inside a house, not a hospital.”

He says it was a “different world” back then.

He met wife, Carolyn, at North Gwinnett High School as part of the facility’s second ever graduating class (a group of 60 seniors). At the time, there were only 42,000 people in the county. Hill saw history come alive with each passing year as a young man, including the construction of Buford Dam and the slow swallowing of the valley that would become Lake Lanier. He watched them open the interstate too.

Upon graduating high school in 1960, Wayne started working full time with his dad at the family business, Hill Cabinet Company. There he stayed, taking over the small cabinet shop in 1972 when his father retired and continuing to expand it over the next two decades. In total, he ran the business for 35 years.

During his time running Hill Cabinet Company in the 1970s, Hill’s district commissioner approached him and asked if he’d have any interest serving on the newly-formed airport authority.

“I said, ‘what’s an airport authority?’” Hill recalls, laughing. He says the official remarked that Hill was the only person he knew who owned a plane and had a pilots’ license.

“I said yes,” Hill says. “That was my first brush with politics and it began an interest in it.”

HILL’S ‘RIGHT ARM’

He would later be elected chairman of the authority and even throw his hat in a district commission seat

That was my first brush with politics and it began an interest in it.

race – which he lost. In 1992, a probate judge (who Hill says he was named after) suggested he change parties – from democrat to republican. “It’s the only way you can get elected,” the man told him.

He ran a second time and was elected to the county commission. He was named chairman in January 1993.

When Hill took office, the county had about about 400,000 residents. By the time he left office, there were 700,000. During this time, the county issued something in the neighborhood of 12,000 building permits every year.

“We did a lot,” he says. “I was surrounded by tremendous people. I had good employees. I had a good commission board working with me. Tommy Hughes, Judy Waters, the three of us run the same year. We didn’t know each other at first but we really connected.”

Charlotte Nash was someone else he connected with; the two formed an instant bond in their roles in county government and worked together extensively.

Many know Nash today as the former commission chairman. She started with the county in 1977 managing state and federal grants, rising eventually to finance director and administrator positions.

When Hill was elected commission chairman, Nash was county finance director. Hill says Nash was his “right arm.”

“She grew up in the south end of the county, and I grew up in the north,” he says. “We kind of connected that way and … every day at the end of the day we sat down and talked. I usually was doing the political side answering the phones and she’d tell me what happened today and where we need to be going.”

Nash concurs.

“We didn’t agree on everything but we agreed that we both loved the county and we each trusted that each of us had the good of Gwinnett County in mind ... We tried to make sure that he as the commission chairman and I as the chief staff person knew what each of us was working on. We sorted out approaches we wanted to take to different issues and tried to make sure we were on the same page as much as possible,” Nash says.

Nash adds that she and Hill both had “a real love for Gwinnett County,” which was what brought

them together on some of the toughest decisions – even if they didn’t agree on them 100 percent of the time.

“His willingness to make tough decisions has been one of his strengths as a leader,” she says. “I watched him make those even when he knew it would not be popular. He did that because he thought the decisions were necessary for Gwinnett County.”

IMPROVING WATER IN GWINNETT

Two of Hill’s most lasting (and visible) legacies are the F. Wayne Hill Water Resources Center named in his honor and the Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center, both of which he played a key role in bringing to fruition.

Today, the F. Wayne Hill Water Resources Center in Buford is an award-winning advanced wastewater treatment facility. The water it cleans and returns to the environment is some of the highest quality effluent (cleaned wastewater) in the United States.

It is also a worldwide model for wastewater treatment, providing approximately 100 tours a year for visitors from around the world.

“I really worked hard for the wastewater and water situation,” Hill says. “We built that Wayne Hill Water Resource Center. We also put a second withdrawal into Lake Lanier. The problem with Gwinnett County is we’re in a split basin. The Chattahoochee River – if you go up the old Peachtree Road here, if it rains on that road, part of it goes to the gulf and part of it goes to the Atlantic. We always had a problem taking water out here and putting it in the other side. That’s one of the reasons we wanted to put water back in Lake Lanier.”

As a result of the commission’s work to improve water quality and efficiency in Gwinnett County, Hill says, today residents use less than they did 15 years ago, despite having a larger population.

During Hill’s 12-year tenure, the commission also secured property where Georgia Gwinnett College would be built; re-zoned property to clear way for the Mall of Georgia; and built thousands upon thousands of acres of green space, parks and athletic fields for Gwinnettians to enjoy.

Perhaps his biggest point of pride though is the construction and opening of the Gwinnett

Environmental and Heritage Center. The contract to build the environmental center was the last one Hill signed during his tenure as commission chairman.

“It was built after I left office but the planning was all done while I was there,” he says. “We went all over the country looking (for inspiration for the center). When we first met to build the Hill water plant, we met with engineers and all kinds of people who would be working on the plant. Once we got everything together with the plant I wanted some kind of educational facility to talk with kids about the environment. It took 10 years to get it to reality.”

And as a testament to his work making it just that, the center’s board foundation hired a local artist to create a sculpture of Hill surrounded by likenesses of kids and a turtle –representing the desire to educate generations of young people from Gwinnett on the importance of environmental stewardship.

Hill recalls that as part of the process for creating the likeness of him, he was placed on a turntable while cameras took more than 1,200 photos of him. In 2018 as he stood before the bronze monument of himself, he had one of those moments – the moments of lucidity. The kind of moment that makes clear that, yes, this is your life, and yes, you’ve come a long way, Wayne Hill.

MOMENTS OF LUCIDITY

Another of these moments started with a phone call in 2004.

“I get a call one day, and they said, ‘do you want to come down and meet the President?’ I said, well yeah!” he recalls, laughing. “So, the guy on the phone says come to the Atlanta

airport, and he told me where to meet them.”

Adds Hill: “I figured I’d be there with 100 of (President George W. Bush’s) closest friends. When I got there, it was only 8 of us, and the mayor (of Atlanta) was there. We go out on the tarmac and watch Air Force One land. I got to shake George W. Bush’s hand. I told him, Mr. President I’m just a lowly commission chairman here in Gwinnett. He says, ‘don’t you ever apologize for that.’ He said, ‘Wayne I started on the zoning board in Texas.’”

To this day, Hill has the photo of him and the former President framed on a bookshelf in his Suwanee home.

“Meeting the President was pretty earthshattering for a country boy who didn’t even go to college,” Hill says. “For me to be able to do what I’ve done, it’s been a remarkable life. No regrets.”

It was in these moments – meeting the President of the United States; gazing upon a bronze sculpture of himself at the Gwinnett Environmental Center; or any other number of moments – when Hill was struck by the amazing reality of how far he’d come.

The country boy born and raised in Sugar Hill who to this day isn’t wild on the notion of someone actively working to “build a legacy for themselves” did just that by following his own advice. Just as he advised a colleague years back when asked how to go about building a legacy, Hill worked hard and aimed to do the right thing every day.

And, as predicted, Wayne Hill’s legacy took care of itself.

Meeting the President was pretty earth shattering for a country boy who didn’t even go to college.

Homemade Dill Pickles

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

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.

Andy Stanley HOW TO TAME DISCONTENTMENT

Thanks to social media, it has never been easier to see everything you could have that you don’t have. The grass isn’t always greener on the other side, but most of us still gaze across the fence anyway. And as you stare and scroll, it doesn’t take long to become dissatisfied with what you drive, where you live, or how high your ceilings are.

Awareness of what we don’t have fuels discontentment with what we do have.

Of course, not all discontentment is bad. Maybe there’s a habit you’re trying to break. Over time, your discontentment with the consequences of that habit may cause you to finally break it. Maybe your discontentment at work will help you discover your next career move.

In fact, dissatisfaction and discontentment have led to powerful improvements to some of the world’s greatest problems. Poverty. Hunger. Joblessness. Illnesses. In many cases, the people who make these improvements are driven by discontentment. But they’re not controlled by it.

So how do they do it? What do they know about deep and fulfilling contentment that most of us don’t?

First, it’s important to understand you can’t tame discontentment by simply ignoring it. It must be replaced with something. If awareness fuels discontentment, then contentment is found by redirecting our awareness. In other words, we must shift our perspective from what’s in it for me to what’s in it for other people.

The apostle Paul wrote, “For we brought nothing into the world and we can take nothing out of it.”

In that way, we’re reminded how the value of a life is never determined by what was accumulated, consumed, or collected. Rather, it’s measured by how much of it was given away. You can’t take your stuff with you, so what will you leave behind?

When your perspective broadens and you reprioritize what’s most important, you’ll be able to enjoy what you have, but what you have will never have you.

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.