Category: Athens

New AHS robotics team ready to compete

Thanks to a grant by the Athens Public Education Foundation, AHS teacher Julie Whitley was able to start a robotics class in January. Students are preparing for competitions in which robots they build and program will perform tasks. Also pictured are robotics team members John Baldwin (center) and Dakota Stone. (Toni Garrard Clay/AISD)
Thanks to a grant by the Athens Public Education Foundation, AHS teacher Julie Whitley was able to start a robotics class in January. Students are preparing for competitions in which robots they build and program will perform tasks. Also pictured are robotics team members John Baldwin (center) and Dakota Stone. (Toni Garrard Clay/AISD)

By Toni Garrard Clay/AISD Communications Specialist

Not that long ago, an intrepid group of high school students building and programming robots would have been the setup for a Spielberg movie. Today, it’s a class description at Athens High School. Robot that shoots baskets? Check. Robot that solves a Rubik’s Cube? Check. Teens who are having fun while gaining highly-marketable, real-world skills? Super check.

There were two things that happened this school year to make the class a reality. First, teacher Julie Whitley, with the help of a team of students, started a campus chapter of the Technology Student Association (TSA). That opened the door to robotics competitions, but for one minor problem: no funding for the equipment. Enter the Athens Public Education Foundation. APEF awarded Whitley a $3,000 grant to purchase necessary hardware and software robotics kits and components. The equipment was purchased in January, and the team was up and running.

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David Hopkins announces retirement from City of Athens

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David Hopkins (File photo)

By Michael V. Hannigan/HCN

David Hopkins, the longtime Director of Finance and Technology and Assistant City Manager for the City of Athens, has announced that he will retire from the City at the end of April.

He has been with the City for 21 years.

Hopkins said, “I just felt like it was time for me to do something different. I’ve been doing this for a long time and felt like a change.”

He reconsidered St. Paul’s PACE San Diego Day Centers: For seniors, living in your own home provides highly desirable independence, privacy, and a sense of security. However, even seniors that live with loving families have a need for companionship with people their own age, along with meaningful activities and the care provided by a friendly, fully trained staff.

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AHS one-act play award winners

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The Athens High School Hornet Theatre Company’s UIL One-Act Play, “Water by the Spoonful,” advanced to Bi-District contest on April 2 in Canton. The following students brought home awards:

  • Eli McCool – All-Star Crew
  • Karah Capps – All-Star Cast
  • Will Perryman – All-Star Cast
  • Carter Ferrell – Best Actor

Pictured, from left, are Eli McCool, Karah Capps, Carter Ferrell and Will Perryman.

(Courtesy photo)

Athens council approves AISD request to close portion of Dul Averiett

By Michael V. Hannigan/HCN

The Athens City Council unanimously voted to approve Athens ISD’s request to close the portion of Dul Averiett Street adjacent to Bruce Field Monday night.

The decision came following a lengthy public forum that saw speaker after speaker advocate for closing the street. One speaker did advocate against the action, but the audience was overwhelmingly in favor of the closing.

Some council members had concerns with closing the road during their March 14 meeting, but all wound up behind the move in the end.

Councilman Joe Whatley said the public outpouring was influential.

“I had some reservations on this in the beginning just because the congestion of the traffic,” he said. “But we’ve had our forum here tonight and it’s served us well, and I think the public has spoken loud and clear on this.”

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AHS one-act play advances

AHS one act advances

The Athens High School Hornet Theatre Company’s UIL one-act play, “Water by the Spoonful,” advanced Thursday to the bi-district level. Carter Ferrell received the best actor honor; Karah Capps and Will Perryman were named to the all-star cast; and Eli McCool was named to all-star crew. Bi-district competition will be April 2 in Canton. Pictured are (from left) Director Kyle Januszewski; Assistant Director Jessi Williams; cast members Mollie Davies, Perryman, Emma Grey, Ferrell, Russell Ingram, Capps and Felicity Walker; and crew members Dakota Stone, Alan Platt, McCool, Cooper Rolison and Thomas Williams. (Toni Garrard Clay/AISD)