Rincon
Rincon, GA · Education
Grice Connect
Ava Edwards receives Excellence in Alumni Relations award
Ava Edwards , director of Alumni Relations at Georgia Southern University, has been named the 2026 recipient of the Georgia Education Advancement Council’s (GEAC) Excellence in Alumni Relations Award. “This year’s honorees exemplify the very best of higher education advancement in our state,” said GEAC President Frances Beussee of Kennesaw State University. “We are proud to recognize their outstanding commitment, innovative leadership and lasting contributions to our profession.” Under her leadership at Georgia Southern, Edwards has helped expand alumni engagement across a growing community of more than 162,000 alumni. The Alumni Office has seen a 15% annual increase in event attendance in fiscal 2026, while programs such as 40 Under 40, True Blue Tailgates and the International Alumni Travel Program continue to create meaningful opportunities for alumni to connect with the University. “Ava exemplifies the very best of the alumni relations profession through her unwavering commitment to alumni engagement, innovative programming, strategic leadership and dedication to advancing the mission of higher education through meaningful relationships,” said Beusse, who nominated her for the award. The Excellence in Alumni Relations Award honors higher education advancement professionals who have served at least five years in higher education and have distinguished themselves in the
wtoc.com
Hilton Head Christian & Bethesda Academy, WTOC End Zone Game of the Week
SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - Our End Zone Game of the Week in week eight of the high school football season brings WTOC back to Savannah as the 4-1 Bethesda Blazers host the 6-1 Hilton Head Christian Eagles. It was a multi-year winning streak for the Eagles over the Blazers before Bethesda got the better of them in week one 53-28 last season. This year the matchup is in region play as both are in the newly established SCISA 3A Region II.
Grice Connect
GC Sports | Bulloch County Football Week 8 Preview
All 4 Bulloch County teams are in action this Friday. The Southeast Bulloch Yellow Jackets are back on the road for a matchup with the Windor Forest Knights in Savannah. Statesboro continues its road stand as they travel to Augusta to take on the Richmond Academy Musketeers. The Portal Panthers looks to extend their winning streak on the road against Claxton. Bulloch Academy hosts Savannah Country Day for Homecoming. Southeast Bulloch Yellow Jackets The Southeast Bulloch Yellow Jackets (2-4) will look to snap their two-game losing streak when they travel to Savannah to face the Windsor Forest Knights at Islands High School on Friday night at 7:30 p.m. Despite falling to Harlem 28-14 last week, Southeast Bulloch showed signs of improvement offensively, particularly in the passing game. Sophomore quarterback JK Small connected with Eli Reed for two second-half touchdowns, including one on fourth-and-18. Head Coach Jason Anthony believes Small is continuing to develop and is ready to take on a bigger role in the offense. "So JK has a huge arm. His footwork is getting a lot better. … We got to take the training wheels off that young man. I know he's only a sophomore, but it's time to
Savannah Morning News
Meet the Savannah State University donors behind $4.7M in gifts
Savannah State University has recognized 20 donors and donor couples whose lifetime contributions to the institution exceeded $100,000. The new inductees are the inaugural members of the Richard R. Wright, Sr. Giving Society, according to a community announcement. Combined, the group has contributed $4,738,405 to Savannah State University, supporting scholarships, academic initiatives and institutional development. The giving society is named for Richard R. Wright Sr., the university's founding president. The recognition program honors donors whose cumulative philanthropic support has reached at least $100,000 and, according to the announcement, reflects a commitment to expanding educational opportunities and strengthening the university's future. "The extraordinary generosity of these inductees directly transforms the lives of our students," said Adrian Scott, Savannah State's vice president for university advancement. "By investing in Savannah State, our donors are not only honoring the vision of President Wright, but they are also building a bridge to opportunity for the next generation of Tiger leaders. We are deeply grateful for their steadfast commitment to our campus community." The inaugural class of the Richard R. Wright, Sr. Giving Society includes: Curtis Anderson Robert (Bobby) and Monica Burgess Lemuel and Beatrice Campbell Donnie Cochran, USN (Ret.) Arthur and Vivian Davis James Densler
wtoc.com
WTOC Top Teacher: Beth McCall
ODUM, Ga. (WTOC) - Beth McCall wants her students to leave her class feeling successful, challenged and ready to learn on their own. McCall, a gifted education teacher at Odum Elementary School, has taught there since 1994. During the school’s camouflage day for homecoming week, WTOC found McCall — and this week’s Top Teacher — among the spirit-day disguises.
Grice Connect
Kids World celebrates Georgia Pre-K Week with Sen. Billy Hickman, state early education leaders
Kids World Learning Center welcomed State Senator Billy Hickman , his wife Jo Ann Hickman , and representatives from the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning on Monday, October, 5, 2026, for a Georgia Pre-K Week visit that combined story time with a broader conversation about early childhood education across the state. Joining the Hickmans were DECAL Deputy Commissioner for Pre-K Susan Adams and April Holton . The visit gave state leaders an opportunity to spend time inside Kids World’s Georgia Lottery-funded Pre-K program and hear directly from local providers about the successes and challenges facing early childhood education. Kids World operates three Georgia Pre-K classrooms in Statesboro. Students gathered for story time, where Senator Hickman and Jo Ann Hickman each took a turn reading to the children. Sen. Hickman read “The Magician’s Hat” by former University of Georgia and NFL football player Malcolm Mitchell . Before beginning, Hickman asked the children how many of them read at home with their families. Hands quickly went into the air. “That is so wonderful,” Hickman told the students. Throughout the story, Hickman stopped to ask questions and keep the children involved as the book explored reading, dreams, and the possibilities found
wtoc.com
Woodville-Tompkins principal honored after 15 years ahead of new district role
GARDEN CITY, Ga. — After 15 years at Woodville-Tompkins Technical and Career High School, Principal Alfred McGuire is preparing to say goodbye. Students, staff members and alumni gathered Friday for a parade and pep rally honoring McGuire, who is leaving the school to serve as executive director of college and career readiness for the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System.
WRDW-TV
Ga. teacher elected to lead state business education group
STATESBORO, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - A Statesboro High School teacher has been selected to serve as president of the Georgia Business Education Association for 2027-2028, Bulloch Schools announced on social media. According to the post, Melissa Anderson, a Workforce Ready teacher at Statesboro High, has been an active member of the...