Houston County Schools honor military children, teachers and state champions at April board meeting

Principals from Houston County schools used the April 8 Board of Education meeting to highlight military-connected students, name teachers of the year and celebrate students who won state competitions in agricultural education, SkillsUSA and Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA).

The round of recognitions was presented during the public portion of the meeting as part of the district’s observance of the Month of the Military Child. Principals introduced students whose families serve in the U.S. Armed Forces and described their school involvement and accomplishments. Among those recognized were second-graders Patrick Grama and Kedrian Marshall from Miller Elementary School, introduced by Miller Principal Dana Brock, and several students from David Perdue Elementary, King’s Chapel Elementary and Thompson Middle School who were highlighted by their principals for leadership, athletics and extracurricular engagement.

Veterans High School Principal Dr. Amy Barber introduced two military-connected seniors: Ivy Nash, daughter of a senior master sergeant in the Air Force, who is a dual-enrollment student and yearbook co-editor planning to attend Georgia Southern to study biomedical science; and Adrianna Jones, a National Merit-recognized student who will attend Howard University with plans for a medical career. Dr. Barber also introduced the school’s teacher of the year, Dr. Megan Jones, whom she described as a long-serving educator and leader at Veterans High School who led the establishment of a student care closet and grew AP Literature enrollment and qualifying rates during her tenure.

District staff also recognized a range of student competitive accomplishments. Perry High School reported multiple state wins in livestock and showmanship categories, including Addison Fox (senior market beef record book winner and reserve overall steer exhibitor) and several other students who placed in cattle and swine divisions. Veterans High School students were also honored for state livestock wins, including a senior who won the senior market hog record book.

Career and technical education successes were recognized from Houston County College and Career Academy (fine furniture and cabinet making team: Trista Swaner, Karina Brown and Jalen White) and from the HCCA film and AB Tech/film programs (students Jaden Perez, Ava Rumford and Destiny Broughton), which won a state SkillsUSA title in the single-script video category. Veterans High School students were recognized for state titles in graphic design and facilities management competitions; one student will advance to national competition in Anaheim, California.

FBLA advisors reported that Houston County students had first-place finishes at the FBLA state conference. One student, Roxanda Melcoach, placed first in international business and is slated to compete at nationals. The board also recognized middle- and high-school students who earned All-State Band honors and named winners of the district fifth-grade oratorical competition.

Nut graf: The recognitions underscored the district’s emphasis on supporting military families and showcasing student achievement across academics, career-technical education and extracurricular competitions. Several principals used the opportunity to point to district programs that support military-connected students and student-led service efforts such as care closets.

Context and details: The meeting featured multiple principals and advisors presenting brief remarks; these were largely ceremonial recognitions rather than board policy actions. The transcript records teachers and students by name and highlights programs including agricultural education, SkillsUSA, FBLA and district career-technical offerings. Specific program dates and follow-up events referenced at the meeting include a fine furniture showcase on May 7 (4–6 p.m.) and the district summer feeding program running from May 27 through July (applications encouraged before May 2).