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Board meeting spotlights student awards: Salem High track champions and district academic finalists
Summary
The Rockdale County Board of Education heard presentations celebrating student achievements across the district, including Salem High School's 4x400 state championship, a state title in the 300-meter hurdles, social studies fair winners and National History Day finalists.
The Rockdale County Board of Education opening presentation included certificates and recognitions for students across the district, highlighting athletic and academic achievements from the 2024-25 school year.
Peaks Chapel Elementary principal Mrs. Beckett introduced fifth-grader Gabrielle Richmond, who recited a short poem and then led the board in the Pledge of Allegiance. "Things take time. The efforts you are making today, the task you are doing rarely produce instant results," Richmond recited.
The board also recognized dozens of social studies fair winners and National History Day finalists from district schools. The presentation listed district and region winners from Peaks Chapel, Lorraine Elementary, CJ Hicks Elementary, Sims Elementary (not present), Conyers Middle School, Memorial Middle School, General Ray Davis Middle School, Heritage High School and Salem High School, and named teacher sponsors for each school.
Salem High School received a featured recognition for its track team. The presentation said the Salem 4x400 relay team won the Georgia High School Association Class 2A state championship and set a school record with a time listed as 3:23.55. Senior LaTerence Fleming was recognized as the state champion in the 300-meter hurdles with a listed time of 37.79 seconds; the presentation also reported that Fleming signed a letter of commitment to compete at Grambling State University.
Other student athletic achievements named in the presentation included a fifth-place finish in the 400 meters by Ajani Sterling and multiple state-level placings by athletes from Rockdale County High School and Heritage High School. The district noted additional state placings across events such as shot put, relays and sprints.
The board recessed briefly to allow recognition photos and return; administrators said the presentations and certificates will be posted on the district's social media channels.
The board's public comment period included one speaker, Jeremiah Hunt, a Rockdale County graduate and college student who thanked the board and described his connection to the community.
Administrators reminded the public that graduation ceremonies are scheduled for May 21 at New Birth, with Heritage at 9:30 a.m., Salem at 2 p.m. and Rockdale County High School at 6 p.m., and that the following day will be the district's last day of school with early release.
