Kennesaw State University and Shorter University are partnering to offer students a streamlined pathway to earn two bachelor’s degrees simultaneously – one in mathematics from Shorter and one in engineering from Kennesaw State.
As part of Kennesaw State’s LINK program of collaborative academic pathways, the KSU-Shorter partnership enables students to take coordinated coursework at both institutions, with credits transferring seamlessly between the two. The structured pathway and aligned curriculum will help students navigate both degree programs and stay on track to graduate.
Participating students will complete 45 credit hours at Shorter and then apply to Kennesaw State as a transfer student. Once the student has completed all requirements for their Bachelor of Science in Math, they will reverse transfer to be awarded their bachelor’s degree at Shorter while completing a second bachelor’s degree in KSU’s Southern Polytechnic College of Engineering and Engineering Technology, the second-largest engineering college in Georgia.
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Pictured (left to right): David Bartow, Executive Director of PeachSkinSheets, and Heather Rees, President of the East Cobb County Council of PTAs (ECCCPTA), at the ECCCPTA awards event.
Submitted information and photo:
PeachSkinSheets has been named the 2025–2026 Community Partner of the Year by the East Cobb County Council of PTAs (ECCCPTA), recognizing the company’s ongoing support and partnership with local PTAs and school communities.
The award highlights organizations that demonstrate meaningful impact and consistent engagement in supporting students, educators, and families across the East Cobb area.
PeachSkinSheets has worked alongside PTAs through its fundraising platform, PeachSkinSheetsFundraising.com, providing a streamlined approach that lets PTAs benefit from online sales without needing inventory, order handling, or distribution. Through this model, families receive exclusive pricing, and $20 from every set purchased supports the PTA.
PeachSkinSheets has been featured on Good Morning America and has received national recognition, including the 2025 Newsweek Readers’ Choice, 2026 Good Housekeeping, and the 2026 Oprah Daily Sleep O-Ward. The company has donated over $100,000 to schools through its partnership efforts.
“We’re honored to be recognized by the East Cobb County Council of PTAs,” said David Bartow, Executive Director of PeachSkinSheets. “PeachSkinSheets is committed to supporting schools, including our Teacher Appreciation program in May.”
The East Cobb County Council of PTAs represents 35 schools and works to strengthen family and community engagement in education.
PeachSkinSheets, a woman-owned company founded by Karen Levine, continues to expand its partnerships with PTAs and school communities through its microsite program.
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The Walton High School Chess Club delivered an impressive performance at the 2026 Georgia K‑12 Team State Qualifier, held on April 26 at Berkmar High School in Lilburn. Representing East Cobb with skill and confidence, the Walton team earned plus‑score results across the board, marking a strong showing in one of the state’s most competitive scholastic chess events.
The team was led by President – Sarvesh Prabhu, whose leadership has helped elevate Walton’s chess program in recent years. He was joined by Vice President – Logiit Mugunthan, along with team members Ritvik Rachamallu, Noel Karu, and Soursih Kavale. Together, the group demonstrated strategic depth, composure under pressure, and a commitment to excellence that reflects the growing strength of scholastic chess in East Cobb.
The Georgia K‑12 Team State Qualifier brings together top teams from across the state, and earning plus scores is a significant achievement. Walton’s performance highlights both individual talent and cohesive team preparation.
With momentum building, the Walton Chess Club continues to establish itself as a rising force in Georgia scholastic chess, inspiring younger players and strengthening the East Cobb chess community.
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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.
We want to be the go-to source for all the many ways people in East Cobb are involved in the community.
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Of course, send us links that are relevant to your message so we can direct people to your website.
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“We’re not in a confetti-dropping, champagne-popping situation,” Superintendent Chris Ragsdale said. “But we’re not the alternative either.”
The Cobb County School District’s proposed fiscal year 2027 budget is tight and lean, reflecting increased costs, lower enrollment and modest tax digest growth.
District officials on Thursday presented a nearly $1.9 billion spending package that doesn’t include employee raises beyond the scheduled step increases.
The budget—which would go into effect on July 1—is based on holding the property tax rate at 18.7 mills and four percent growth in the Cobb tax digest.
The Cobb Board of Education tentatively adopted the budget 7-0 at a voting meeting Thursday night, meaning that the proposal can be legally advertised.
A final budget public forum and formal adoption are scheduled for May 14.
To address the lack of raises in the Fy 2027 proposal, the school board on Thursday voted to to take more than $7 million from its current fund balance to pay for one-time bonuses for non-temporary employees.
Those $2,000 bonuses were approved by the Georgia legislature earlier this year. The total cost to the Cobb school district is around $30 million, with the state providing $22 million in the current fiscal year budget.
District employees getting that bonus will see that in their paychecks by April 30.
At a work session before school board Thursday afternoon, Superintendent Chris Ragsdale admitted that the FY 2027 budget proposal isn’t ideal. But compared to other large districts in metro Atlanta, some of which are proposing to close schools to cut costs, Cobb is in relatively good shape—for now.
“We’re not in a confetti-dropping, champagne-popping situation. But we’re not the alternative either,” he added, calling this a “catch-up” budget following employee raises last year.
Holding the line without raises also is an effort to replenish the district’s general fund balance, which is around $200 million.
Employees eligible for “STEP” increases as part of their employment contracts will still get those, to the tune of $16 million.
Another line item of $3.5 million will go to hire literacy coaches across the district, but it’s unclear now how that money will be used pending state guidance.
Board members did have questions about some of the line items that were presented Thursday.
They include a reduction of 185 teaching allotment positions due to reduced enrollment and to balance the budget. Ragsdale said no teaching layoffs would occur—the cuts would be made through attrition and reassignments.
Lost positions include some media specialists, with schools being limited to one each.
Losing those allotments will result in a budget decrease of nearly $22 million.
Another line item caught the eye of board member Brad Wheeler—a $275,000 increase in the rent the district pays Kennesaw State University for graduations.
Additional fees and increased staffing charges are the primary reasons for that jump, as well as additional charges when graduations are held on weekends.
Ragsdale had wanted to build a $50 million special events center for graduations and other events, but public pressure prompted the board to cancel that project in 2024.
The increased KSU funding, board member John Cristadoro said, “is not sustainable.”
The budget proposal also includes spending $725,000 to hold a referendum in 2027 to extend the current Cobb Education Special-Purpose Local-Option Sales Tax, which is used to fund school construction and maintenance.
The current Cobb Ed-SPLOST VI will be collected through the end of 2029.
The district also announced that the “rollback” millage rate—what the property tax rate would be if the budget dollar amount was the same as fiscal year 2026—would be 17.69 mills.
But Ragsdale said given the legislature’s appetite for putting a cap on property tax rates, “I won’t be recommending a rollback of the millage rate.
“I have great concern over the funding of public education.”
Cobb homeowners aged 62 and older can file for exemption from school property taxes, but he also said that changes at the state level “could make that exemption go away.”
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New principals at two East Cobb elementary schools were appointed for the 2026-27 school year on Thursday, and the retirement of another K-5 principal at a school in East Cobb was announced.
Lauren Rabil, Kincaid ES
The Cobb County School District said that Dr. Christina Moll will be the new principal at Addison Elementary School. She is currently an assistant principal at Milford Elementary School in the south Cobb area.
Addison has been led on an interim basis by Brett Ward, a former Cobb elementary school principal, following the resignation of Dr. Jill Spiva. She was arrested for driving under the influence near the Addison campus, and after refusing to take a blood test, Cobb Police got a search warrant from a judge requiring to provide blood.
Moll begins her new post at Addison on June 1.
The new principal at Kincaid Elementary School will be Lauren Rabil, an assistant principal at nearby Keheley Elementary School. Starting July 1, she will succeed Debbie Tennyson, who is retiring after 28 years with the Cobb school district.
Timber Ridge Elementary School principal Shannon McGill will be retiring, effective July 1. She has been at Timber Ridge since 2019 and has more than 30 years of experience as an educator. Her successor is to be named later.
Dr. Shannon McGill
Former Walton High School principal Dr. Catherine Mallanda also will be retiring. She has been the Cobb school district’s chief academic officer since 2022 after serving as a teacher and administrator at Walton. Mallanda also is a Walton graduate.
Another member of the district’s executive cabinet will be retiring. Dr. Sherri Hill has been the chief of staff since 2023 and has more than 30 years of experience as an educator.
The upcoming graduations in the Cobb school district will be the last for John Stafford, senior executive officer for the district’s events and venue management department.
He is a Walton graduate who has worked for the Cobb school district for 42 years and has been in his current position since 2017.
Stafford previously was an assistant principal at Harrison High School and was also the district’s spokesman in 2017-18.
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Four students from East Cobb have been named recipients of corporate-sp0nsored National Merit Scholarships.
They were among the high school seniors who will receive scholarships financed by about 115 corporations, company foundations, and other business organizations.
The National Merit Scholarship Corporation said Wednesday that students were selected from the finalist level in the NMS competition and met criteria of their scholarship sponsors.
“Corporate sponsors provide National Merit Scholarships for Finalists who are children of their employees, who are residents of communities the company serves, or who plan to pursue college majors or careers the sponsor wishes to encourage,” NMSC said in a release.
Most of the scholarship awards are annual stipends that range from $1,000 to $10,000 per year for undergraduate study. Recipients can use their awards at any regionally accredited U.S. college or university of their choice.
More information about the National Merit Scholarship program can be found at this link.
Krishna Anand, Campbell High School. Probable career field: Economics (Truist Financial Corporation)
RitvikRanjan, Wheeler High School. Probable career field: Mathematics (Truist Financial Corporation)
Jerry T. Xu, Walton High School. Probable career field: Law (State Farm Companies Foundation)
AprilZhang, The Westminster Schools. Probable career field: Law (Truist Financial Corporation).
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The Cobb Board of Education will hold the first of its required public forums on the proposed fiscal year 2027 budget on Thursday.
But there isn’t a budget proposal for the public to peruse just yet.
That’s because the Cobb County School District waits until the day of that first forum—typically only a few hours ahead of time—to lay out the budget proposal to the school board and the public.
On Tuesday, the district released its agendas for Thursday’s public meetings—a work session at 2 p.m., followed by the budget forum at 6:30 p.m. and a voting meeting at 7 p.m.—but with no budget details (you can read them here).
According to an agenda item, the district is proposing a budget of $ 1.881 billion, a slight increase from the approved FY 2026 budget of $1.8 billion.
Anticipated revenues would come to $ 1.869 billion, leaving a projected deficit of nearly $12 million.
The board will be asked Thursday for “tentative approval” of the budget, which is required for the district to publicly advertise it during the budget process; formal adoption is scheduled for May.
The agenda for Thursday’s meetings also indicate that the board will be asked to approve “an estimated rollback millage rate,” but there is no figure indicated about the property tax rate that will be sought for the school district.
The FY 2026 budget was adopted along with a millage rate of 18.7 mills and is typically the largest portion of a property tax bill.
The district has set up a landing page for the FY 2027 budget process that can be found at this link; budget details will be added there after they are presented at the work session Thursday.
The board also will be asked to amend the current budget to factor in $2,000 one-time bonuses for non-temporary employees that were approved by the Georgia General Assembly. According to an agenda item, the cost for the Cobb school district bonuses will come to $30 million, with $22.7 million coming from state funds.
In another agenda item, the board will be asked to provide a $50,000 loan for band uniforms for Sprayberry High School. and that would be repaid over five years.
The district also is asking for $308,798 in funding for the purchase of seven vehicles for the district’s police department.
At the evening voting meeting, recognitions will include the Wheeler High School boys basketball state championship team.
All meetings take place in the board room of the Cobb County School District Central Office, at 514 Glover St. in Marietta. An executive session will follow the work session.
The public meetings will be streamed live and you can watch on Comcast Cable or on a livestream on the district’s Boxcast Channel.
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Our FRC team has officially qualified for the 2026 FIRST World Championship in Houston this April. In addition to this, we placed 2nd at the State Championships this weekend and are currently ranked 4th in the state. We also were given the Judges Award awarded by the judging panel to recognize teams for unique efforts, exceptional performance, or team dynamics.
ALL THREE OF OUR TEAMS ARE NOW HEADED TO WORLDS!!!
This is the first time a school from the Cobb County School District will have three teams at the FIRST championship.
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We’re excited to invite you to be a part of something special — the Pope High School Color Guard.
Whether you’ve danced your whole life or have never picked up a flag before, this is your place. No experience necessary, just bring energy, commitment, and a willingness to try something new.
What do we do? You’ll learn to dance, spin, and perform — and take the field at football games, competitions, and parades as part of one of the most exciting ensembles on campus.
And the momentum is real… 2025 WGI Scholastic A World Champions 2026 WGI Scholastic Open Class Semi-Finalists This is a program on the rise — and we want you in it.
Auditions: April 27–29 Time: 5:00–7:30 PM Location: Pope High School Band Room
Interested and want to try it out before auditions? Join us for “Spin with the Greyhounds” clinic days on April 23 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. to learn some basic skills to prepare for the audition!
Ready to jump in? Scan the QR code on the flyer to fill out the interest form and get more info.
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The Walton High School Robotics team has qualified for the FIRST World Championship in Houston later this month. Here’s what the club is telling the community about what they’ve done, and what’s next:
“After a long season competing across the Peachtree Robotics District, we’ve earned one of the few spots to represent Georgia against 600 of the best teams from around the world. Our 40 students have been putting in hours upon hours of work to build, program, and test our robot, and that effort has paid off.
“Beyond the competition itself, we’re proud of the footprint we have here in East Cobb. Between running our summer camps for local kids and maintaining a full-size practice field that we share with other robotics teams in the community and across the state, we try to make sure Walton Robotics isn’t just about our success on the field, but about giving back to our community.”
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: [email protected], 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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Written by Andrew Lloyd Webber, the man behind The Phantom of the Opera and Cats, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is a high-energy, feel-good musical that bursts with color, humor, and unforgettable songs. Told through an infectious pop-rock score, this beloved show brings the biblical story of Joseph to life with wit, warmth, and dazzling theatrical flair. Perfect for audiences of ALL ages, Joseph celebrates resilience, forgiveness, and the power of dreams, delivering nonstop fun and a rainbow bright finale that leaves everyone smiling!
Performances will take place April 17-19 with shows on Friday at 7:00 pm, Saturday at 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm, and Sunday at 2:00 pm. Tickets can be purchased through the link below or through our website at www.wheelerhightheatre.com.
All performances will be held in the Performing Arts Center on Wheeler High School’s campus at 375 Holt Road, Marietta GA 30068. Directions within ticket link.
JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of The Really Useful Group. www.concordtheatricals.com
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Wheeler students meet with State Rep. Lisa Campbell of Cobb County on a visit to the Georgia Capitol.
Information and photos from the Cobb County School District:
At Wheeler High School, civic learning is more than a lesson—it is an experience shaped by students for students. Through a student-led initiative called “Civic Chats with the Wildcats,” members of the Social Studies Honor Society help their peers better understand how government works and why their voices matter.
For nearly two years, this weekly program has created a meaningful space for students to explore civic processes in a way that feels relevant and accessible. It stands out not just for the content, but for the leadership behind it. The program was co-created by students, and together, they built something that goes beyond traditional instruction.
Their goal is simple and powerful: to put faces to the names of public officials and help students see how they can engage in their communities. Each week, “Civic Chats with the Wildcats” features a mix of guest speakers, curated video segments, and student-produced content. Participants research, create, and share their own segments that break down complex topics into clear, understandable ideas.
Early on, the team began connecting with local and state leaders, inviting them to participate by submitting short videos. These clips introduce officials, explain their roles, and highlight the real-world impact of their work. In just a year and a half, students have connected with a wide range of public officials, including Georgia’s U.S. senators, the Georgia State Superintendent of Schools, Superior Court judges, and many others who serve their communities every day.
Many of these leaders have taken the next step by visiting Wheeler High School in person, giving students the chance to ask questions, hear firsthand experiences, and better understand the responsibilities of public service. One recent highlight came during Women’s History Month, when State Representative Lisa Campbell contributed a featured segment. Campbell later invited the group to the Georgia State Capitol. There, students were recognized on the House floor for their efforts to promote civic engagement—a moment that reflected both their hard work and the importance of their mission.
Since launching “Civic Chats with the Wildcats,” the Social Studies Honor Society at Wheeler has seen significant growth. What was once an inactive organization has become a thriving student group with more than 80 active members. The program’s digital presence has also expanded, reaching an audience well beyond the school building. Through social media and video content, “Civic Chats” now connects with approximately 40,000 viewers each month. That reach reflects not only strong student engagement, but also a broader interest in understanding how government works and how individuals can make a difference. At its core, the success of this program comes back to people.
At Cobb Schools, preparing students for life after graduation includes helping them become informed and thoughtful members of their communities. Programs like “Civic Chats with the Wildcats” reflect that commitment—giving students the tools, knowledge, and confidence to engage with the world around them.
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Cobb Schools is proud to celebrate a remarkable group of graduating seniors named 2026 Georgia Scholars by the Georgia Department of Education. This prestigious recognition highlights students who go above and beyond in the classroom, in their schools, and throughout their communities.
This year, 162 students across Georgia earned the Georgia Scholar distinction, a testament to their hard work, character, and commitment to excellence. Among them are outstanding students from the Cobb County School District, each representing the very best of what it means to be a Cobb learner.
The Georgia Scholar program honors high school seniors who demonstrate excellence in both school and community life. These students are not only academically accomplished but also actively engaged leaders who contribute their time and talents to make a difference. Each honoree receives a special seal for their diploma and a graduation cord, symbolizing their achievement and dedication.
These students are leaders in every sense — whether in the classroom, on the stage, on the field, or through service initiatives that make a difference close to home. In Cobb, that excellence shines brightly.
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The Walton High School winter guard team concluded the 2026 season with first-place finishes recently in the Winter Guard International Buford Regional and the Southern Association for Performing Arts (SAPA) Championships.
In a release from the Cobb County School District, Walton was tops among 34 teams in regional competition, and edged 14 other schools from Georgia Alabama and Tennessee in the SAPA event in Chattanooga.
WGI competitions include color guard, percussion and marching band programs of high school students, as well as indoor wind ensembles.
At Walton, the Winter Guard program is part of the Walton band program and consists of Color Guard in the fall and Winter Guard in the winter, with both varsity and junior varsity teams.
The Winter Guard performs separately from December to April, and this year was led by first-year director Jordan Fleming.
This year the team’s production was “Will You Be There?” and was set to a soundtrack inspired by Brady Turner’s “Can You Stand the Rain?”
The Cobb school district release said that the Walton “performance blends emotion, storytelling, and technical skill. Throughout the season, the team has refined every movement and visual element, creating a show that resonates with both judges and audiences.”
“We are extremely proud of this young team of performers,” Fleming said in the release. “They have done a wonderful job of representing our community through competition and hard work. I see a bright future ahead for the Walton Color Guard teams. Go Raiders!”
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More than 500 people turned out last Thursday night to mark the 50th anniversary of Dodgen Middle School in East Cobb.
The event called “Dodgen Through the Decades” also included the school’s annual STEM event, as attendees, “experienced how the school has evolved over time while continuing to lead in science, technology, engineering, and math education,” according to the Cobb County School District.
Among those on hand were former principals Diane Ray, Robin Lattizori, and Phil Wikes, and the activities included a photo booth, refreshments and connecting with old friends, former students and colleagues.
“Throughout the evening, guests captured memories at a photo booth, enjoyed refreshments, and reconnected with familiar faces. Every detail was designed to create a welcoming, celebratory atmosphere that reflects the pride the Dodgen community feels in its school,” the district release said.
“Milestone anniversaries offer more than just a reason to celebrate. They provide a moment to reflect on growth, recognize achievement, and renew a shared commitment to the future.
“Events like STEM Night highlight how learning has evolved, from traditional classrooms to dynamic, hands-on experiences that prepare students for a rapidly changing world. By combining this annual event with the anniversary celebration, Dodgen is telling a powerful story: innovation is not new here. It is part of the school’s identity.”
Click the middle button below to view more photos.
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Michelle Yoo of Keheley Elementary School is greeted by her son. CCSD photo.
At Thursday’s Cobb Board of Education meeting, the recognitions included three arts and music teachers at East Cobb schools.
An impromptu moment took place before one of the photo ops with the school board when the son of Keheley Elementary School art teacher Michelle Yoo ran up to hug her.
She was being honored as the Cobb County School District’s Elementary School Visual Arts Specialist of the Year.
The boy remained as the photo was taken, then hugged her again as the crowd applauded.
Yoo has “consistently demonstrated excellence in the visual arts instruction during her career in the Cobb County School District,” CCSD chief of staff Sheri Hill said during the recognition, which noted “her innovative teaching methods, captivating and engaging students and fostering a deeper appreciation for the arts.”
And Dodgen Middle School’s Ashley Culley was recognized 2025-2026 Georgia Chapter of the American String Teacher Association Teacher of the Year (previous story here).
Other recognitions from East Cobb schools on Thursday included the following:
Cobb County School District Arts Integration Certification – Tritt Elementary School
2025–2026 GHSA Class 5A Swim & Dive – Girls Overall State Champions – Lassiter High School
2025–2026 GHSA Class 5A Swim & Dive – 100 Yard Breaststroke Girls State Champion – Ashlyn Loftin, Lassiter High School
2025 – 2026 GHSA Class 5A Swim & Dive – Boys Overall State Champions – Lassiter High School
2025 – 2026 GHSA Class 5A Swim & Dive – 50 Yard Freestyle Boys State Champion – Gavin Halusic, Lassiter High School
2025 – 2026 GHSA Class 5A Swim & Dive – 200 Yard Freestyle Relay Boys State Champions – Ethan Jones, Nick Nurnberg, Lincoln Holder, and Gavin Halusic, Lassiter High School
2025 – 2026 GHSA Class 5A Swim & Dive – 400 Yard Freestyle Relay Boys State Champions – Gavin Halusic, Alex O’Brien, Ethan Jones, and Raef Jollands, Lassiter High School
2025 – 2026 GHSA Class 6A Swim & Dive – 100 Yard Breaststroke Girls State Champion – Caroline Hughes, Wheeler High School
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“The 12 winning students each received a cash prize, and their photos were turned into notecards to be distributed throughout the county,” according to Cobb County government, and their entries will be displayed April 9—May 15 at the Mable House Arts Center in Mableton.
Six of the students are from Lassiter: Alex Hood, Dayton Davis, Katelyn Garrow, Sarah Joseph, Marissa Meyer and Rushna Ahsan. The others are Ashleigh Lafferty and Neyla Lamont from Sprayberry and Charlie Sayler and Jonah Suarez from Wheeler.
The contest invited students from the Cobb County School District and Marietta City Schools submit a photograph in one of six categories: Water at Play, Water at Work, Water in Nature, Water and People, Protecting Water, and Conserving Water.
Click the link below to view a slideshow of all of the winning photos from the East Cobb students.
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On Thursday all current, former and future Dodgen Middle School students, parents and teachers are invited to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the school’s opening on Wednesday.
“Dodgen Through the Decades” takes place from 6-8 p.m. at the school (1725 Bill Murdock Road).
The festivities include a student-led STEM Night to “highlight innovations through the years. Our fine arts programs will be featured with an art exhibit and musical vignettes,” according to social media messages posted by the school.
Dodgen opened in the fall of 1975, just as Walton High School did down the street, as residential growth in East Cobb was skyrocketing.
It’s one of two middle schools that feed into Walton, and has been honored various times for its combination of academic and extracurricular achievements.
Dodgen was named a Georgia School of Excellence in 2013 by the Georgia Department of Education and in 2017 was named a National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education.
Dodgen students won state Science Olympiad competitions between 2015-18 and the Dodgen Orchestra won the National Orchestra Festival’s middle school competition in 2017.
The school also has had several Cobb County School District teachers of the year, most recently the late Fred Veeder in 2018.
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He and other Cobb students and teachers were honored recently by Metro Marietta Kiwanis Club. STAR is sponsored by the Professional Association of Georgia Educators.
According to the Cobb County School District, “the STAR program recognizes high school seniors with the highest SAT scores and grade point averages at their school. Each student selects a teacher who made a significant impact on their academic journey to be honored alongside them.”
East Cobb schools have done well in recent STAR competition. In 2025, Wheeler student Fiona Peterson and Latin teacher Cameron Ward were named the Georgia STAR runners-up. In 2024, Walton’s Omer Mustafa Inan and Tamara Hollingsworth earned top STAR honors.
The Cobb County School District announced on Friday all of the 2026 STAR students and teachers, respectively, and here they are for high schools in East Cobb:
Kell High School — Juan Diego Jimenez “JD” Ramirez and Danielle LeBrun
Lassiter High School — Carter Kopp and Catherine Mardis
Pope High School — Ishaan Marwaha and Briana Ransom; Lucy Nichols and Angela Chapin
Sprayberry High School — Eli Suddeth and Chris Shields
Walton High School — Sean Joseph Dalton and Allen Hubbard
Wheeler High School — Arpit Rajkumar Ramani and Andrew Avizbakiyev
Sean Dalton at the Walton table at the STAR banquet.
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Ashley Culley, the director of orchestras at Dodgen Middle School, has been named the 2026 Educator of the Year by the Georgia Chapter of the American String Teachers Association (ASTA).
According to a release from the Cobb County School District, the award “recognizes her commitment to music education and the lasting impact she has made on students across Cobb Schools.”
Culley is in her 21st season at Dodgen, and before that taught three years at Kell High School. In addition to her classroom and Dodgen orchestra duties, she is a co-director of the Upbeat! String Camp summer program for middle- and high school students and that is based at Dodgen and Awtrey Middle School.
“I love seeing when students have their ‘a-ha’ moment, and things start to click,” Culley said in the Cobb school district release. “When something that might have seemed overwhelmingly difficult at first becomes second nature to them, it is always exciting to see.”
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