The Pickens County Board of Education honored dozens of students, staff and coaches during a recognition segment of its public meeting, with school leaders highlighting state and national awards in academics, fine arts, career-technology programs and athletics.

The recognitions came during the board's regular meeting when Superintendent Dr. Thomas introduced the segment and Assistant Superintendent Chris Parker led the presentations. Parker said the district had “probably the best year” across academics, athletics and arts and asked the audience to hold applause until groups completed their presentations.

The program named individual students who earned college- and state-level honors: participants in University of North Georgia summer honors, Governor's Honors Program recipients in mathematics and music, a National Merit commended student, a national college finalist, and students who earned perfect scores on Georgia mathematics tests. The board also recognized the high school's academic team (third in the region), district “Laws of Life” essay winners, District Project Achievement first-place winners, and statewide winners in the DAR historical essay contest.

Career, technical and agricultural education (CTAE) successes included a SkillsUSA state championship team, top-four woodworking and construction teams, HOSA and FFA students who qualified for state and national competitions, and several students who earned state FFA degrees. Assistant Superintendent Parker pointed to multiple top finishes and national-level placements as examples of the district's CTAE performance.

Fine arts and athletics were also highlighted. Pickens High School students captured All-State chorus honors and state-level soloist championships; drama students and Thespian qualifiers were recognized. Athletic accomplishments cited included the varsity softball team reaching the Final Four with a 28-9 record, varsity boys basketball finishing 28-2 and reaching the Sweet 16, the girls basketball team earning a region championship, state placings in wrestling, a region champion swimmer and an undefeated junior-high boys tennis team.

District staff recognitions included six teachers named as district teachers-of-the-year finalists (Amanda Abbott, Christie Art, Mallory Childers, Charlene Starwalt, Kimberly Pat and Christy Moss, with their school affiliations announced at the meeting). Retirees from across the district were honored by name. Parker also singled out the bus maintenance team after a recent state inspection, saying state inspectors described the district buses as a “gold standard” and naming transportation staff Nathan Hamby, Ben Bowman and Stevie Allen; Director of Transportation Todd Harris joined staff on stage.

The program closed with recognition of a first-year Superintendent's Student Advisory Council that met with the superintendent throughout the school year to discuss student concerns and priorities. Parker encouraged families and students in the audience to applaud the honorees and thanked the school board for supporting the programs.

The recognitions portion concluded and the meeting moved on to the district's financial report and other business.