CCSD Names 2018-19 Student Advisor, Delegates

WOODSTOCK, GA — The Cherokee County School District has named the 2018-19 student advisor and student delegates to the Cherokee County School Board. The board has included a student advisor position on its board since 1999, and for the past eight years, a student delegate from each high school also has been selected. These students serve for one year to give input and feedback to board members; the advisor role is rotated among CCSD high schools.

This year’s student advisor is Chase Thomas of Etowah High School The delegates are: Jessica Rios of ACE Academy; Morgan Feltham of Cherokee High School; Ann Blakey of Creekview High School; Angelica Millen of River Ridge High School; Natasha Ambriz-Villela of Sequoyah High School; and Blake Adkins of Woodstock High School.

"These young leaders are outstanding representatives of the exceptional seniors in our high schools, and we appreciate their willingness to serve," Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian Hightower said. "They provide our School Board and me with valuable perspective that greatly assists us in our mission of ‘Educating the Emerging Generation'."

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The students began their service at the Aug. 16 board meeting. Students selected to serve as student advisor or student delegates share common traits: they excel in the classroom, often ranking in the top 10 percent of their class; they are involved in their school, often participating in numerous clubs, sports and organizations; and they seek out opportunities to serve and lead in school and in their community.

STUDENT ADVISOR

Chase Thomas of Etowah HS

Chase is a third-degree, level four black belt in taekwondo who teaches children and adults self-defense. His numerous academic and service awards include the 2018 Spirit of the Eagle Award, which is Etowah’s highest student honor, and the Superintendent’s Key Scholar award. Chase volunteers weekly with Hidden Falls Reading Club as well as with school and other community organizations.

STUDENT DELEGATES

ACE Academy: Jessica Rios

Jessica plays soccer and is an Honor Roll student. She volunteers at St. Michael the Archangel Roman Catholic Church in Woodstock, as well as with the Under 7 Bridges program that distributes food to homeless people.

Cherokee HS: Morgan Feltham

Ranked No. 1 in her class, Morgan also is a three-time Georgia High School Rodeo State Champion and winner of the Georgia Positive Athlete Award and Georgia High School Rodeo Academic Award. Morgan serves as vice president of the school’s National Honors Society and volunteers with Habitat for Humanity and Feed My Starving Children.

Creekview HS: Ann Blakey

Ann serves as President of her school’s National Honor Society, class representative for its Student Government Association and as senior class editor for yearbook. A former company dancer for Hickory Flat Dance Academy, Ann is a recipient of numerous academic honors including the Superintendent’s Key Scholar award and volunteers with First Baptist Church of Woodstock’s Thrive special needs ministry and in its library.

River Ridge HS: Angelica Millen

Angelica is a nationally recognized student photographer and serves as President of the school’s National Art Honors Society and co-editor of the yearbook. She’s a member of the swim team and National Honors Society and earned the Girl Scout Bronze Award for her community service through the organization.

Sequoyah HS: Natasha Ambriz-Villela

Ranked first in her class, Natasha is a member of the school’s nationally competitive debate team and serves on the newspaper staff and in National Honors Society. Her numerous academic honors include the Superintendent’s Key Scholar award, and she volunteers weekly at the Cherokee Family Violence Center and with her church, St. Michael the Archangel Roman Catholic Church in Woodstock.

Woodstock HS: Blake Adkins

President of his school’s Student Government Association, Blake is active in numerous school organizations including Beta Club and National Honors Society. His many academic recognitions include the Superintendent’s Key Scholar award, and Blake volunteers weekly in the community with the CARES (Cedartown Animal Rescue, Education & Sterilization) program that hosts adoption events at PetSmart in Woodstock to help abandoned dogs find forever homes.

PHOTO: Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian Hightower congratulates the 2018-19 Student Advisor and Student Delegates; from left to right: Jessica Rios of ACE Academy; Angelica Millen of River Ridge HS; Natasha Ambriz-Villela of Sequoyah HS; Student Advisor Chase Thomas of Etowah HS; Blake Adkins of Woodstock HS; Morgan Feltham of Cherokee HS; Ann Blakey of Creekview HS.