Delta Commmunity Credit Union launches youth essay contest

Submitted information:

Delta Community Credit Union philanthropic grants
Delta Community Credit Union Logo (PRNewsFoto/Delta Community Credit Union)

Delta Community Credit Union will begin accepting entries for its 2026 Youth Essay Contest on March 1. Georgia’s largest credit union launched the contest in 2016 to promote financial education at an early age. The contest is open to third-, fourth- and fifth-grade students enrolled in schools within the 20 counties Delta Community serves.

Students are encouraged to think about how smart money management can make a difference in their future by responding to this year’s essay question:

What is one goal you could achieve by leveling up your saving skills?

To enter, students must write an essay of 75 words or fewer and submit it online by March 31. Seven student winners from each grade level will be selected based on their essay responses and be awarded a $100 Delta Community Youth Savings Account. A total of 21 winners will be announced in April to celebrate National Credit Union Youth Month.

 

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Cobb Library System offers winter break week activities

Submitted information:Cobb library tax forms

Cobb County Public Library locations are go-to Winter Break destinations for a packed calendar of free engaging and creative in-person programs for young children, students and adults, organizers say. School is out Feb. 16-20 for students and educators in the Cobb County and Marietta City school districts, and for many independent schools and homeschool families.

The popular African Cultural Fest is 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Charles D. Switzer Library, 266 Roswell St. in downtown Marietta. Organized as a Black History Month celebration for all ages, the Feb. 18 event is an afternoon of cultural enrichment and African heritage. The family-friendly program features performances by the Switzer Library Teens, including African drama and masquerade; a fashion show, live music and dance, and African cuisine with servings of African jollof rice. For more information, call 770-528-2320.

Gritters Library’s Medieval Storytime is 10:30 a.m. Thursday. The program offers a chance for children ages two through 9 and participating caregivers to come dressed in princess, knight, renaissance or dragon costumers and experience tales of knights confronting fire-breathing beasts. Participants in the Feb. 19 program will also work on a special craft. The library is located at 880 Shaw Park Road, Marietta 30066.

Inside the Mind, a Pope High School student group, will present a screening of the Pixar movie Inside Out 1 p.m. Friday at Mountain View Regional Library, 3320 Sandy Plains Road, Marietta 30066. The Feb. 20 Family Movie Day program will also include giveaways, snacks and writing activity. For more information, call the library at 770-509-2725.

For information on the full lineup of Winter Break week programs at Cobb County libraries, visit cobbcounty.gov/library.

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East Cobb students advance to FIRST LEGO World Championships

East Cobb students advance to FIRST LEGO World Championships

Thanks to Jianfeng Jiang and the parents of the First Lego League Team 71595 Brick Storm from East Cobb for the following information, photos and video: 

We are excited to share wonderful news about a group of outstanding Cobb County elementary students (names listed below) living in East Cobb. These students formed a robotics team, FLL Team 71595 Brick Storm, and registered to compete in the 2025–2026 FIRST® LEGO® League (FLL) Challenge, a global STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) program for students ages 4–16.

Under the guidance of their coaches, Ms. Yuan Zhuang and Ms. Jane Yang, the team devoted a tremendous amount of extracurricular time to collaborative learning and problem-solving. Their work included studying archaeological sites, researching archaeological technologies, designing educational board games to teach archaeology concepts to the public, performing robot missions, visiting archaeological museums, and much more. Through these activities, the students developed creativity, persistence, teamwork, and mutual respect—while learning how to apply STEM skills to help improve the world around them.

Their hard work has been consistently rewarded. The team won the Robot Best Performance Award at the regional tournament held at Walton High School on December 6, 2025. They then earned both the Robot Best Performance Award and the Champion’s Award at the super-regional tournament held at Wheeler High School on January 17, 2026. Winning the Champion’s Award advanced the team to the Georgia State Championship at Georgia Tech on February 7, 2026, where 60 top teams competed for just two Champion’s 1st Place Awards and the opportunity to advance to the World Championship.

At the State Championship, the team exceeded all expectations. They won the Robot Performance 2nd Place Award and the Champion’s 1st Place Award, becoming one of only two teams in the entire state of Georgia selected to represent Georgia at the FIRST LEGO League World Championship, scheduled for April 29–May 2, 2026, in Houston, Texas.

Considering that more than 4,000 students and over 470 teams across Georgia participated in the FLL Challenge this year—and only two teams advanced to the World Championship—this achievement is truly exceptional. The team will now compete against top teams from more than 60 countries around the world.

We are incredibly proud of these young students and would like to share this exciting news with East Cobb News in celebration of their dedication, teamwork, and success.

The team’s success highlights the strength of East Cobb’s academic and extracurricular community, the commitment of supportive parents, and the boundless creativity of youth. Their advancement to the world tournament has not only brought pride to East Cobb—it has inspired the community as a whole.

Students (alphabetically by first name):
Alexander Sun, Mt. Bethel Elementary School, 4th Grade
Boyan Jiang, East Side Elementary School, 5th Grade
Carrie Chen, Mt. Bethel Elementary School, 4th Grade
Edward Tang, Mt. Bethel Elementary School, 4th Grade
Eric Jiang, Mt. Bethel Elementary School, 3rd Grade
Ethan Zhou, Tritt Elementary School, 5th Grade
Janie Luo, Sope Creek Elementary School, 4th Grade
Krithik Tadimarri, Rocky Mount Elementary School, 4th Grade
Peter Alan Niculescu, Mt. Bethel Elementary School, 4th Grade
Rishaan Ranjan, Mt. Bethel Elementary School, 5th Grade

East Cobb students advance to FIRST LEGO World Championships
First Lego League Team 71595 students and their parents.

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Walton Chess Club finishes in third place in MLK tournament

Walton Chess Club finishes in third place in MLK tournament

Submitted information and photos:

Walton High School earned 3rd Place Overall at the MLK Tournament, competing against 26 teams.

Tournament Details:
MLK Tournament – Sunday, January 18, 2026

Team Walton (Marietta, GA):
Sarvesh Prabhu — 3.0
Ritvik Rachamallu — 3.0
Logiit Mugunthan — 2.5
Shreyas Rachamallu — 2.0
Aaryan Sheikh — 2.0

Walton Chess Club finishes in third place in MLK tournament

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Student winners named in Cobb waterArt calendar contest

Student winners named in Cobb waterArt Calendar contest

Seven students from middle schools in East Cobb are among those whose works have been included in the Cobb County Water System and the Cobb County-Marietta Water Authority’s 2026 waterArt calendar

Nearly 200 students submitted “original artwork judged on creativity, relevance, and artistic ability” for consideration for the calendar, which features themes relating to nature and water conservation.

Penelope Schroeder from Mabry Middle School was the cover art winner (her work is seen above) in the Cobb waterSmart waterArt calendar contest.

The other students from East Cobb whose works are featured in the calendar include Grace Valdivia and Raya Owings of Dickerson Middle School (the latter’s work is seen below); Olivia D’Anna of Mabry Middle School; Esme Etkin and Riley Pearson of East Cobb Middle School; and Angel So of Simpson Middle School.

You can download the calendar by clicking here; it includes water conservation tips from the water authorities.

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Troop 955 member serves as bugler at Atlanta scout luncheon

Troop 955 member serves as bugler at Atlanta scout luncheon

Submitted information and photos from the Atlanta Area Council of Scouting America:

Pope HS Band member Edward Schilke from Troop 955 participated as Bugler in the 2025 Golden Eagle Luncheon on December 12.

This event raised over $2.5 million for the Atlanta Area Council of Scouting America, and began with a flag ceremony that included Edward soloing “To The Color” in front of about one thousand attendees.

Edward’s participation in the Golden Eagle Luncheon was by special invitation from the Atlanta Council’s chief executive Tracy Techau.

Troop 955 is based at Chestnut Ridge Christian Church in East Cobb.

Troop 955 member serves as bugler at Atlanta scout luncheon

Troop 955 member serves as bugler at Atlanta scout luncheon

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‘Grieve Like at Mother’ book launch at Avenue Barnes & Noble

Submitted information:'Grieve Like at Mother' book launch at Avenue Barnes & Noble

On Saturday, November 15 at 2PM, Barnes & Noble at Avenue East Cobb (4475 Roswell Rd; Marietta, GA) will host the public launch of Grieve Like a Mother, Survive Like a Warrior, a new book written by fourteen Georgia-based mothers who’ve endured unimaginable loss—and found strength in each other.

These “Warrior Moms” have lived through tragedies that mirror today’s headlines:

  •         Fentanyl poisoning
  •         Hazing and preventable campus deaths
  •         Gun violence
  •         Car accidents and house fires, etc.

Three of the co-authors are from the Cobb area, and eight additional Warrior Moms will be on hand to sign books and speak with attendees. Their stories are raw, real, and deeply relevant—offering both practical guidance and a collective call to reshape how America talks about grief.

You may also recall Slater Nalley, a recent Top 5 American Idol finalist, who performed an original song inspired by Carter Davis.  Carter was gunned down behind the Publix in Roswell in 2016. What many don’t know is that Slater was deeply moved by a poem written by his teacher, Michele Davis—Carter’s mother and one of the co-authors of ‘Grieve Like a Mother, Survive Like a Warrior.’ Her words helped shape the emotional core of Slater’s tribute, and she’ll be available for interviews at the event.

This artistic connection between teacher and student—between grief and music—adds a powerful layer to the story. It’s a testament to how personal loss can inspire public healing, and how Georgia voices are shaping national conversations through art, advocacy, and community.

Wanted to share an interesting twist of this story to you. 

This is more than a book launch—it’s a moment of solidarity and storytelling from Georgia families who are turning pain into purpose. 

 

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Wheeler HS student’s project aids Kennestone ICU patients

Wheeler HS student's project aids Kennestone ICU patients

Submitted information and photo:

Seventeen-year-old Aryan Agar, a senior at Wheeler High School, has transformed his hospital volunteer experience into a grassroots movement called Critical Kindness, bringing comfort and compassion to critically ill patients at Wellstar Kennestone Hospital’s ICU.

Aryan has been volunteering at Wellstar Kennestone since his freshman year and quickly saw a gap: many ICU patients receive little human interaction beyond nurses and physicians. “I could see how lonely some of them felt,” Aryan recalls. “I wanted to do something small but meaningful to show they’re cared for.”

With Critical Kindness, Aryan assembles and delivers comfort kits containing lip balm, non-slip socks, stress balls, small stuffed toys, and handwritten notes of encouragement. Each item is chosen to be safe and practical for ICU settings while offering a human touch.

The response has been immediate and heartfelt. Families of patients have praised Aryan’s thoughtfulness, and several patients have shared how these little gestures brightened their days. “It’s amazing to see someone so young caring for strangers in such a meaningful way,” said one family member. Hospital staff have also taken note, with nurses frequently thanking him for making their patients feel seen and valued.

“Critical Kindness started as a small act of compassion, but it’s become a way to restore dignity and connection for people going through some of the hardest moments of their lives,” Aryan said. “I hope it inspires other students to find ways to serve their communities.”

Call to Action

Critical Kindness is seeking community support to expand its reach to more ICU patients. The organization welcomes donations of safe comfort items, financial contributions, and volunteer help to grow its impact.

To learn more or get involved with Critical Kindness, visit its website.

Send Us Your News!

Let East Cobb News know what’s going on with your organization, or about any recognitions, to share with the community. We love to get photos and stories like the above, as well as calendar event listings and more.

We want to be the go-to source for all the many ways people in East Cobb are involved in the community.

It’s what we call The Power of Local, and we’d love for you to take part!

Pass along your details/photos/videos/information to: editor@eastcobbnews.com, and please observe the following guidelines to ensure we get everything properly and can post it promptly.

Send the body of your announcement, calendar item or news release IN TEXT FORM ONLY in the text field of your e-mail template. Reformatting text from PDF, JPG and doc files takes us longer to prepare your message for publication.

We accept PDFs as an accompaniment to your item. Images are fine too, but we prefer those to be JPG files (more than jpeg and png). PLEASE DO NOT send photos inside a PDF or text or any other kind of file, but d0 send them as attachments to your email.

Of course, send us links that are relevant to your message so we can direct people to your website.

Thanks for your cooperation and we look forward to hearing from you!

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Cobb Chamber’s 2025-26 youth leadership class announced

The Cobb Youth Leadership (CYL), a development program sponsored by the Leadership Cobb Alumni Association and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta that focuses on developing leadership skills through interactive participation, has announced the members of its 2025-2026 class.Cobb Chamber annual golf tournament

They include a number of students from high schools in East Cobb.

Here’s more about CYL from the Chamber:

“Created in 1989, the program provides students a unique opportunity to learn about their community as well as meet and interact with students from other high schools. Students attending public or private high schools or home-school students in Cobb County must complete and submit an application for CYL in the spring of their sophomore year. Students participate in the program during their junior year of high school.”

The Presenting Sponsor is Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, and other sponsors include Six Flags Over Georgia, Walton Communities, and Kennesaw State University.

  • Johnson Ferry Christian Academy: Abby West
  • Lassiter High School: Julia Curtis
  • Mt. Bethel Christian Academy: Asher Adams
  • Pope High School: Abby Harsch
  • Sprayberry High School: Mary McGee
  • Walton High School: Gabi Angryk, Aashray Arun, Safah Patel, Young Kirkland, Jordyn Rubin, Emerson Webb
  • Wheeler High School: Takara Cannon, Jolie Charles, Raleigh Rhoden

According to the Chamber, orientation for the 60-member class begins on Aug. 11, with a fall retreat in September and several program evenings scheduled until graduation next April.

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Vision to Learn exams at Cobb libraries serve 400+ children

Vision to Learn exams at Cobb libraries serve 3K+ children

Submitted information:

Vision To Learn mobile clinics at Cobb County libraries in June through mid-July provided more than 400 eye exams, resulting in glasses for over 300 students. The professional eyecare teams of VTL have worked through about two-thirds of the exam appointments at the nine host Cobb library locations on the 2025 summer break calendar.

“Vision To Learn staff and Cobb library workers strive together to provide this solution – free eye exams and glasses – for as many children as possible,” said Cobb County Public Library’s Tom Brooks, Communications Specialist and a lead organizer of the VTL clinics at the libraries. “We are very grateful for the support for Vision To Learn by everyone involved benefiting communities across Cobb to promote literacy, social and emotional wellbeing, and cradle-to-career workforce development.”

About 3,000 children have been given exams by Vision To Learn through the Cobb Library partnership since 2018, the year Cobb libraries became the first library system in Georgia to host VTL. Still, Brooks added, the life-changing success of the program each year is against the backdrop of many children not securing VTL exam appointments before the start of the new school year as registration fills up fast.

The Cobb libraries eye exam clinic visits in June through July include the Switzer, South Cobb, West Cobb, North Cobb, Powder Springs, Sewell Mill, Gritters, Stratton and Sibley libraries.

Vision To Learn, a national nonprofit, partners with school systems to provide eyecare on-site at schools. Marietta City Schools has been a local VTL partner since 2021.

Across metro Atlanta, so far in June through July 11, Vision To Learn teams at public libraries conducted more than 1,250 exams resulting in nearly 900 glasses for children. The official count for Cobb libraries as of late last week was 433 exams and 304 glasses. In addition to Cobb, VTL libraries for summer break 2025 also include Gwinnett, Fulton, Clayton, Douglas and Henry counties.

“Children putting on their new glasses a few weeks after the exam often say, ‘Wow! I can see clearly now’ or ‘What a difference, I can see way over there’. Parents report days later to our team about how headaches caused by eyestrain have gone away,” said Alexandra Beswick, manager of the Cobb Library Central Region and Switzer Library. “Witnessing and being part of a partnership with this level of community impact is deeply powerful and meaningful for our library team.”

A regional campaign in the five core metro Atlanta counties is about closing the costly glasses gap.

Learn4Life (L4L), the Metro Atlanta Regional Education Partnership, is leading The Atlanta Vision Project initiative, backed by community partners with foundation and individual funding support, to accelerate the pace of children in need receiving eyecare and glasses. The initiative’s partners include Georgia Lions Lighthouse Foundation, Prevent Blindness Georgia and Vision To Learn.

L4L’s regional goal: “All elementary school students in need in metro Atlanta will receive a free pair of glasses by 2028.”

For information on The Atlanta Vision Project, go to Learn4Life’s site at l4lmetroatlanta.org/the-atlanta-vision-project.

 

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NE Cobb bookstore offers free books in summer reading drive

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A Better Today Books & Boutique proudly kicks off its Summer Reading Initiative for Families. Summer is here, and it’s the perfect time to dive into a world of imagination by reading exciting books. 

Owner, Dr. Viola Lanier, has curated a list of the most entertaining and informative books across various genres that will keep families engaged. For four weeks, starting June 25th through July 25th, families participating in the Summer Reading Initiative for Families will choose any two book titles from the store to read as a family. They will receive two complimentary copies of those titles, or children can choose from an age-appropriate selection. 

This allows everyone in the family to have their own copy to read. Families are welcome to enjoy in-store reading time in the Children’s Reading Room any day, during store hours. 

Reading as a family can create wonderful bonding opportunities by encouraging conversation, enhancing empathy, social relations, and cultural understanding. According to the National Reading Campaign, reading can also  improve mental health by reducing stress levels by 68%

Summer reading for school-aged children is particularly beneficial because it prevents what educators call the ‘summer slide, a decline in reading ability and other academic skills during the summer months. The Department of Education states that children who read at least six books over the summer will maintain or even improve their reading and comprehension skills

Families can register for the Summer Reading Initiative for Families at www.abettertodaybook.store

What: Summer Reading Initiative for Families 

When: Wednesday, June 25th- Friday, July 25th 

Regular Store Hours: Wednesday – Saturday, noon 6 p.m. 

Where: 2300 Shallowford Rd Ste. 8 Marietta, GA 30066 

 

 

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Books delivered in Cobb summer ‘Books2Keep’ literacy program

Books delivered in Cobb summer 'Books2Keep' literacy program

Submitted information and photo:

The Cobb County Public Library and the Cobb County School District (CCSD) are celebrating the third successful year of their Books2Keep summer literacy collaboration.

Through this initiative, more than 35 boxes of donated books have already been collected by Cobb County School District and then donated to The Helen Poyer Cobb Library Bookmobile to distribute to families across Cobb this summer—free of charge.

In Cobb County, reading doesn’t stop when school lets out—thanks to this powerful partnership between the Cobb County Public Library and the Cobb County School District (CCSD), an initiative led by Allyson Eads, Community Engagement Librarian, and John McLaughlin, Media Specialist at Kell High School.

“Our goal is to help kids stay engaged with reading all summer long,” said Allyson Eads. “The free books create a sense of ownership and pride in reading—and that’s incredibly powerful. Every book we give away is labeled with a special Books2Keep sticker. It’s a small touch that reminds families that literacy is a gift—one that’s meant to be shared and passed on.”

The Helen Poyer Cobb Library Bookmobile, launched in 2018, was designed and developed from scratch by the library’s Community and User Engagement Division, led by Slone Williams, CUE/Communications Division Manager. Funded by the Cobb Library Foundation, the Bookmobile was fitted with an ADA lift, shelves, wrap graphics, carts, and more—turning a standard van into a full-fledged library on wheels.

In addition to free books, the Bookmobile offers free Wi-Fi access, a monthly newsletter, an engaging Instagram presence, and provides system tours for libraries across the U.S. It’s a nationally recognized model for mobile literacy services, with demand for stops doubling this year alone. Donations to support the Bookmobile can be made using the Books2Keep Donation Request Form, and community organizations can request Bookmobile stops using the Bookmobile Stop or Event Appearance Request Form.

In 2022, the Bookmobile was honored with the Preschool Outreach and School Services Inspirations Award, sponsored by the Association of Bookmobile and Outreach Services (ABOS). The award recognized the team’s innovative launch of the Books2Keep campaign, which successfully collected and redistributed gently used books from affluent areas of Cobb County to underserved communities—ensuring equitable access to reading materials and promoting literacy across the county.

Books are collected throughout the school year by the Cobb County School District through book drives at school media centers. The Bookmobile team then picks up donations in time for summer distribution. Other community organizations have also contributed, including the JROTC program at Campbell High School, along with generous personal donations from patrons.

A notable recent contributor is the Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History, which has begun collecting books to donate specifically for the Bookmobile. This museum’s involvement strengthens the growing network of community support surrounding the initiative. McLaughlin is an avid supporter of the library and has also hosted several educational programs at library branches, reinforcing the shared mission to promote learning, history, and literacy across Cobb.

At stops across the county, patrons can check out library materials and receive free books to build their personal home libraries. The partnership with CCSD—driven by Eads and McLaughlin—continues to grow in scale and impact.

“This program works because of our strong collaboration with CCSD,” said Eads. “John has been an amazing partner, and together, we’re putting books—and joy—into the hands of families all summer long.”

The summer stops kicked off the first week of June at the Cobb Safety Village, where the Bookmobile team met over 800 people and gave out the first collection of free books.

As the Books2Keep program continues to expand, so does its impact—empowering children and families to build home libraries, stay connected to literacy, and discover the joy of reading. With dedicated leadership, strong community partnerships, and an unwavering commitment to access, the Helen Poyer Cobb Library Bookmobile is more than just a vehicle—it’s a movement on wheels.

For more information on the Bookmobile or to support the Books2Keep program, visit:
cobbcounty.gov/library/services/outreach-services.

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Gritters Library to provide free summer meals for children

Submitted information:

Free breakfast and lunch will be served to children on weekdays throughout June and July at three Cobb County public libraries.

Happy Helpings, Georgia’s Summer Food Service Program, will once again provide nutritious meals through a local partnership between Cobb County Public Library (CCPL) and Georgia Educational Resources Inc. (GERI). Now in its sixth year, this program is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and administered by the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning.

Meals will be distributed three days per week, on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last, at the following library locations:

  • South Cobb Regional Library
    805 Clay Road, Mableton, GA 30126
    Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays
    Breakfast: 10:00–10:30 a.m. | Lunch: 11:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
    Note: No meals will be served on Friday, July 4.

  • North Cobb Regional Library
    3535 Old 41 Highway, Kennesaw, GA 30144
    Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays
    Breakfast: 10:00–10:30 a.m. | Lunch: 12:00–12:30 p.m.
    Note: No meals will be served on Friday, July 4.

  • Gritters Library
    880 Shaw Park Road, Marietta, GA 30066
    Some Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays
    Breakfast: 10:00–10:30 a.m. | Lunch: 1:30–2:30 p.m.
    Please call 770-528-2524 to confirm meal availability at this location.
    Note: No meals will be served on Friday, July 4.

A local, county-inspected commercial kitchen prepares free meals for children ages 18 and younger. Adults aged 19 and older who are enrolled in school programs for individuals with disabilities are also eligible. Parents and caregivers must remain with their children during meals.

“Cobb library workers are committed to community partnerships that address barriers to learning and play, including food insecurity and other challenges many families face,” said Terri Tresp, CCPL Division Director of Branch Services. “The Happy Helpings meals are served in welcoming, air-conditioned settings that offer families a chance to meet neighbors and learn about our Summer Reading programs across the county.”

For more information about the Happy Helpings program and efforts to combat childhood food insecurity in Georgia, visit happyhelpingsga.com. To explore Cobb County libraries’ summer programs and resources, visit cobbcat.org.

 

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Cobb library’s summer reading program registration underway

Submitted information:

Cobb County Public Library invites the community to its annual Summer Reading Kickoff Party, a celebration of books, community, and summertime fun, on Saturday, June 7, 2025, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Switzer Library, conveniently located near the Marietta Square at 266 Roswell St. NE, Marietta, GA 30060.

Last year’s kickoff event drew over 1,400 attendees and featured the memorable debut of the library’s new mascot, Rita Book, whose name was selected from over 200 imaginative submissions from the community.

This year’s event promises even more excitement with the theme “Color Our World,” encouraging readers of all ages to explore the diverse world of stories, cultures, and ideas that make our lives richer. Families can anticipate engaging craft stations for all ages, lively music from the in-house DJ, interactive activities, opportunities to win exciting prizes, and photo opportunities with beloved mascots Rita Book and Dewey.

“Our Summer Reading Program reflects months of careful planning, typically starting six to seven months in advance, all to ensure it provides meaningful and fun experiences for readers of all ages right here in Cobb County, a go-to destination for family fun,” states Slone Williams, Community and User Engagement Division Manager. “With over 400,000 library cardholders, we are dedicated to creating a program that is both inclusive and enjoyable for every family in our community. We extend our sincere gratitude to our numerous community partners, county departments, and the Cobb Library Foundation, whose ongoing support makes this vital initiative possible year after year.”

The community is encouraged to register for the summer reading challenge at cobbcat.org/summer or sign up at any library branch to begin logging their reading, earning rewards, and participating in the many engaging programs scheduled throughout June and July.

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East Cobb teen named Swim Across America junior ambassador

East Cobb teen named Swim Across America junior ambassador

Submitted information and photo:

Swim Across America, a national nonprofit dedicated to raising money for cancer research through nationwide swimming events has selected Kahn Peterson, an East Cobb resident, to join other elite metro Atlanta swimmers for Swim Across America Atlanta’s 2025 Junior Ambassador program. Kahn is a sophomore at Campbell High School in Smyrna.

Fifteen students from 11 schools were selected out of 50 applicants to serve in the 2025 Junior Ambassador (JA) program for Swim Across America—Atlanta (SAA—Atlanta). This is the first year Peterson has served. This year, he launched the first SAA-Atlanta team from Campbell High School. The team has set a goal to raise $5,000 for Aflac Cancer & Blood Disorders Center of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. To date, SAA—Atlanta has raised $3.7 million.

Junior Ambassadors work in tandem with the Junior Advisory Board and an accomplished Core Event Committee that includes Olympians and master swimmers who are supporting the Atlanta open water event at Lake Lanier Olympic Park on Saturday, September 20, 2025 (www.swimacrossamerica.org/atlanta). This year’s event will be funding 5 young investigators focusing on leukemia, osteosarcoma, neuroblastoma and survivorship research here in Atlanta at the Aflac Cancer & Blood Disorders Center of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

In 2024, the Junior Advisory Board and Junior Ambassadors collectively raised almost $100,000.

The Atlanta open water event hosts nearly 20 Olympian supporters each year. Olympians swim and volunteer alongside 750 swimmers and volunteers over either a half-mile, one-mile, or 5K course. To join or donate to Peterson’s team, visit his personal fundraising page. You do not have to be a student at Campbell to participate. The entire community is encouraged to be involved!

Kahn tells us that he’s also a competitive swimmer for Swim Atlanta at the Mt. Bethel location, and for the last two years he’s qualified for the Georgia High School Association state meet as a team member at Campbell, where he’s a student in the school’s International Baccalaureate program.

He’s also a summer lifeguard and an assistant coach for his neighborhood swim team in Jacksons Creek, and is recruiting some of his Campbell teammates to join him in the Swim America cause: “Raising money for cancer research through something I love—swimming– is something I am very excited about!:

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Let East Cobb News know what’s going on with your organization, or about any recognitions, to share with the community. We love to get photos and stories like the above, as well as calendar event listings and more.

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Mt. Bethel Church draws 1K for youth recreation open day

Mt. Bethel Church draws 1K for youth recreation open day
All photos by Katie Beth Rogers, Mt. Bethel Church

Submitted information and photos:

Opening day at Mt. Bethel Church recreation was Saturday, March 15 with a record number of post-covid participation filling the fields and the gyms.

Nearly 1000 athletes ages 4 -12 and 200 coaches from the Mt. Bethel Church community in East Cobb County  played soccer, volleyball, flag football and baseball.

“Spring has definitely sprung around here” said Mt. Bethel Director of Recreation Dan Boswell. “We’ve seen a steady increase in registration of our year-round program especially in the past two years.”

In 2024 the recreation ministry, celebrating its 35th anniversary this year, fielded over 2,350 athletes with the support of 550 coaches. That represented all seasons and summer camps combined. “We are especially pleased by this spring season’s growth and are honored at the opportunity to reach so many families in our East Cobb community who love sports and our church,” said Boswell.

Mt. Bethel Church is here to lead people to trade the pursuit of more for a life worth pursuing in Jesus Christ. We serve our community in truth, freedom and purpose of God’s Word. The church is located at 4385 Lower Roswell Road in Marietta, GA. It serves the East Cobb County Georgia and international online communities with worship, connection, training and the pursuit of God to multiply leaders for the broader Church. Please visit us at mtbethel.org and find us on social for more information on Mt. Bethel Church or summer activities for children’s recreation or camps.

Mt. Bethel Church draws 1K for youth recreation open day

Mt. Bethel Church draws 1K for youth recreation open day

Mt. Bethel Church draws 1K for youth recreation open day

Mt. Bethel Church draws 1K for youth recreation open day

Send Us Your News!

Let East Cobb News know what’s going on with your organization,. We love to get photos like the above, as well as calendar event listings and more, to share with the community.

We want to be the go-to source for all the many ways people in East Cobb are enjoying the spring, and year round!

It’s what we call The Power of Local, and we’d love for you to take part!

Pass along your details/photos/videos/information to: editor@eastcobbnews.com, and please observe the following guidelines to ensure we get everything properly and can post it promptly.

Send the body of your announcement, calendar item or news release IN TEXT FORM ONLY in the text field of your e-mail template. Reformatting text from PDF, JPG and doc files takes us longer to prepare your message for publication.

We accept PDFs as an accompaniment to your item. Images are fine too, but we prefer those to be JPG files (more than jpeg and png). PLEASE DO NOT send photos inside a PDF or text or any other kind of file, but d0 send them as attachments to your email.

Of course, send us links that are relevant to your message so we can direct people to your website.

Thanks for your cooperation and we look forward to hearing from you!

 

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Scouting America to hold service project at East Cobb Park

East Cobb Park plants

Lee Miller of the Foothills District of the Atlanta Area Council for Scouting America (based nearby across from Truist Park) says the organization is inviting all scout members of the council to a service project at East Cobb Park in early May.

It’s a cleanup project of Sewell Mill Creek on May 3 from 10-2, and includes cleaning up debris along the creek, environmental education sessions, team-building activities, and prizes for the most trash collected.

Participants will earn community service hours, learn about conservation and sustainability, improve the local ecosystem and meet other scouts.

Interested scouts should show up at East Cobb Park (3322 Roswell Road) “ready to learn and have fun! Youth and adults of appropriate ages and abilities are welcome. Wear shoes and clothes that can get wet.”

For more information, contact Wade Patrick: wade@wadepatrick.com.

Related:

 

Cobb Library System to hold mid-winter school break events

Cobb library tax forms

Submitted information:

The Cobb County Public Library events calendar for Mid-Winter Break features a range of programs for young children, students and adults. School is out for students and educators Feb. 17-21 for the Cobb County and Marietta City school districts, and for many independent schools and homeschool families.

Activities during the week at Cobb libraries cover arts and crafts, music, STEM projects, story sharing, games and dance. 

Upcoming scheduled youth programs at CCPL locations include:

Pokémon Meetup, a game program for children in grades 1-5, is 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 15 at Mountain View Regional Library, 3320 Sandy Plains Road, Marietta 30066. No registration is required. For more information, call 770-509-2725.

Pokémon Club for children ages 6-12 and families meets 3:30 p.m. Mondays at West Cobb Regional Library, 1750 Dennis Kemp Ln NW, Kennesaw 30152. Pokémon Club is a drop-in event. No registration is required.

Monday Teen Create, a chance for teens to engage in science and art by creating STEM experiments and art projects, meets 2:30 p.m. Mondays at Switzer Library. All materials are provided.

Tamil Storytime for children ages 5-8 and their participating adults, meets 3 p.m. on select Saturdays at Sewell Mill Library & Cultural Center, 2051 Lower Roswell Road, Marietta 30068. Guest presenter Jeya Maran leads the program featuring reading, songs and games all in the Tamil language. Registration is required. Visit cobbcat.org for details.

For information on CCPL events, visit cobbcat.org or call 770-528-2326.

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Scout Troop 1011 announces 38th annual pine straw fundraiser

Submitted information:

2023 Dog Days Run
Scouts from Troop 1011, sponsored by the Rotary Club of East Cobb.
  • We are taking orders now through February 23 at scoutpinestraw.com

  • Rolls are $16 and bales are $7

  • Delivery will take place Friday, February 28- Saturday, March 1

  • Delivery is free with the purchase of 12 bales or 5 rolls (within a 5-mile radius of Mt. Bethel Church)

  • All proceeds benefit the Scouts of Troop 1011 for camping trips, merit badge activities, etc.

  • Scout Troop 1011 is sponsored by the East Cobb Rotary

 

 

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Eight youths graduate from Cobb diversionary court program

Submitted information:East Cobb grandfather sentenced

Court officials and members of the Cobb County community gathered today [Dec. 15] in a packed Superior Court courtroom to celebrate eight graduates of Judge Kellie S. Hill’s Pinnacle-Cobb Diversionary Court for non-violent youthful offenders. Judge Hill, along with Attorney Jeanette van der Linden, proudly presented the graduates with their certificates of completion, and invited them to share insights about their transformative journeys through the program. The event was filled with a palpable sense of accomplishment and anticipation for the graduates’ next chapters.

“These eight young men have worked tremendously hard over the course of a year and have shown a true commitment to improving themselves with the resources they’ve received through this program,” said Judge Hill. “I could not be any prouder than I am today as a witness to the real changes each of them has made in their lives. They’ve gone from a mugshot to these handsome headshots on display in the courtroom today.”

The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Tiffany Harris, who shared her inspiring journey of overcoming challenges and embracing freedom as a non-negotiable value. One graduate summed up the collective sentiment as he received his certificate, stating simply, “We made it.” Many expressed their gratitude to Judge Hill and Ms. van der Linden, with one participant saying, “This experience will stay with me forever.” Judge Hill emphasized her hope that the graduates seize this opportunity and ensure it does not go to waste.

Founded in 2022 by Judge Hill, Pinnacle-Cobb is a year-long program tailored for non-violent offenders aged 17 to 25. The program aims to reduce recidivism by fostering accountability and equipping participants with tools for personal growth and transformation. Participants are required to attend mandatory court appearances, complete reading and writing assignments, and engage in a supplemental online curriculum. Other program components include drug testing, community service, and public speaking opportunities. Graduates leave with enhanced life skills, a deeper sense of accountability, and the chance to move forward without a felony conviction—key elements for becoming productive and contributing members of society.

Judge Hill also announced an exciting update: Pinnacle-Cobb is rebranding as EXCEL Restorative Court. For more information about the program or to learn how to support it, please contact Attorney Jeanette van der Linden at (770) 359-8367. Judge Hill expressed her confidence that EXCEL Restorative Court will continue to provide young people with the resources and support they need to build successful futures, free from the stigma of a felony conviction.

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