300 Word Story

CCHS English department teacher Ian Altman’s curiosity shines through in his teaching, influenced by a lifetime of education and philosophy.

Evan Adams, CCHS physical education department teacher and varsity tennis assistant coach, maintains an openness in the classroom and on the court.

JROTC Army Instructor First Sergeant Antione Clark embodies the lessons the United States Army taught him in the instructional role he holds today.

CCHS Class of 2023 alumnus Malachi McNeill has found purpose in life after dealing with depression and suicidal ideation.

Foreign language department teacher Tamita Brown has valued the gift of giving since her childhood, and as a local community member and farmer, she consistently delivers this present to the people around her.

CCHS Drama Club member La´Kyla Jones, a senior, has the power to transform into every character she plays.

DIVAS Who Win Peer Mentor Undrea Gooden has overcome various challenges throughout her life and works to help Athenian women in similar situations find a brighter road.

Throughout his 20 years as ODYSSEY Media Group adviser, David Ragsdale has fostered strong connections with his students.

ODYSSEY Media Group adviser David Ragsdale is an idiosyncratic contradiction of a leader, but one who has nonetheless left a lasting impact on the ODYSSEY program.

Johnnie Lay Burks, the first Black teacher at Chase Street Elementary School, has broken barriers and made change through her career as an educator.

Foreign language department teacher Dr. Lynne Sparks has always dreamed big and having the opportunity to travel is one that came true.

Former College Adviser Tavaria Smith spent six months to help students at her alma mater, and a lifetime to help people in need.

Freshman counselor Lawton Stephens discovered his passion for working with young people from leading teen mountain hiking trips of self-discovery.

CCHS senior John Alexander Garcia, who gives motivational announcements to CCHS in the mornings in both English and Spanish, believes that public speaking is his calling.

After moving from the U.S. to Mexico and back, sophomore Adriana Arellano has used her experiences to grow and thrive.

Stephanie Flores talks about her new position as a Neighborhood Leader and how she supports the Athens community during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Clarke Central High School senior Jay Kelly’s passion for rapping has allowed him to connect to his community despite his reserved nature.

Clarke Central High School junior Donte Marquies’s confidence in himself helps him spread his positive mindset to his peers.

Clarke Central High School junior Micah Shannon moved to Athens in the fifth grade and now finds a community at Active Climbing.

After moving from his home-state of California to Athens for his final year of high school, Clarke Central High School senior Andrew Nguyen has learned to embrace the unfamiliarity of the Southern culture that surrounds him.

Clarke Central High School scheduler and instructional math coach Summer Smith enjoys the challenge of creating a schedule for students at CCHS.

Sophomore Emilyn Zapata moved to the United States to start her freshman year at Clarke Central High School. Her strong sense of optimism has carried her through the difficult transition.

Clarke Central High School senior Amari Garrett, also known as LowkeyGotGame, is an up-and-coming YouTuber who is increasingly gaining followers.

Clarke Central High School senior Julio Rivera has gained many skills and a passion for cooking and business through his work at his family’s restaurant, Taqueria Juaritos.

Clarke Central High School freshman Dionne McCalla found a passion for chess at a young age, as he’s grown it has taught him valuable lessons.

Clarke Central High School sophomore Anaiah Aziabor’s love for music is encouraged by her biggest musical influences: her parents.

As the only girl on the wrestling team, freshman Isabella Miller is constantly working to prove her ability.

Clarke Central High School senior Andrea Aramburo is an American citizen with deep Colombian roots.

Clarke Central High School foreign language department teacher Anna Rogers was taught to believe that people who didn’t speak English had no place in our country. The transition from that girl into who she is today began in a small apartment building in her hometown.

Clarke Central High School freshman biology teacher Judith Chavarria grew up tutoring children in her hometown of Málaga, Spain. After numerous teaching experiences and unexpected decisions, Chavarria found her way to Athens.

Foreign language department teacher Erica Cascio owned restaurants for 23 years before she began teaching, and shares their surprising similarities.

Clarke Central High School FFA President Jordan Butler, a junior, shares her struggles with anxiety and the program that’s helped her overcome them.

Clarke Central High School freshman Jocelyn Ray grew up in Superior, Colorado, and after moving to Athens in 2017, she is having to adjust to a new sky.

Clarke Central High School senior Jeffery Blakely, also known as Kxng Blanco, aims to take his rap career far into the future.

Still recovering from a motor-vehicle accident, Clarke Central High School varsity basketball player Kendarius Watson, a senior, rejoins his team for the 2017-18 basketball season.

Bill Berry, former drummer of alternative rock band R.E.M, never planned on going into the music business until he moved to Athens, Georgia and fell in love with its vibrant music scene.

Clarke Central High School fine arts teacher Amanda Price’s love for nature is not only expressed by spending time outside, it is shown in her art.

Clarke Central High School sophomore Hayden Partain expresses his personality through his love for magic.

All his life substitute teacher Edward Stephens has followed his love of history wherever it takes him: from the University of Georgia to the jungles of Ethiopia and Vietnam.

Clarke Central High School senior Chris Ortuno has been impacted by soccer, a sport he has grown a passion for.

Junior Cade Ivy repairs things — at first engines, and more recently, hydraulic pumps. For years, he has loved doing this, and he hopes to continue in years to come.

Blanca Lynch has been a hard worker all her life, and continues to work hard at her job as a custodian at Clarke Central High School.

A three-day gender seminar at a sustainable farm community in Karnataka, India teaches emerging farmers more progressive views on gender. Participants left with an enlightened perspective to bring home to their communities.

Curator for the “Bittersweet Winds” exhibit Richie Plass explains the purpose of his exhibit.

Sophomore Joel Ulloa moved to Athens, Georgia for a better education, but it has been a hard transition from Mexico to the United States.

Freshman Zoey Conley-Mullis has a passion for art, which has developed over the years and become an outlet for her to express her emotions.

Clarke Central High School senior Ty’Quashia Lattimore reflects on her time at CCHS and how her experience has shaped her to become the woman she is today.

Clarke Central High School math department teacher Dr. Elijah Swift has found himself taking the role of teacher his whole life.

At the start of high school, sophomore Deunte Oliphant and a number of his friends started a group called “$adboyz” in hopes of becoming known and spreading their idea that “If you ain’t cryin’, you lyin.’”

Clarke Central graduate and security guard Jillian Anderson has taken a new turn in her career. From CCHS to Albany State University, Anderson pursued a career in computer science but now her eyes are set on a professional basketball career.

Clarke Central High School math department teacher Alex Szatkowski learned the power of choosing happiness at a young age when she decided to quit her pursuit to be a professional dancer.

Clarke Central High School security officer Vara Loggins overcame her struggles to become a positive role model at CCHS.

Junior Mara Bastow grew up as a member of a military family and despite its hardships, she would not trade the experience for anything.

Freshman Paulina Hafer has faced a lot of hardships in her life, but the support of her family, friends and the Athens community have helped her become the person she is today.

When asked what three adjectives describe her best, junior Cindi Munoz said, “Creative, sensitive and outgoing.” Digital Managing Editor Aneesa Conine-Nakano explores how her personality affects the different roles Cindi plays.

At age six, Clarke Central High School freshman Patrick Madrid moved to the southern region of Sevilla, Spain, which changed his life forever.

Clarke Central High School sophomore Damerea Hopp attributes his personality to a few memorable moments.

Senior Matthew Green sits in class, quietly finishing his work. Green is a respectful student, who never causes anyone any trouble. However, he wasn’t always the model student he is now. In middle school, he acted out and got into trouble frequently.

Blanche Aldridge has a past foreign to many women today, in which she took care of her many younger siblings and gave up graduating high school and many carefree days to start a family with the man she loves.

Senior Jared Warner is commonly known at Clarke Central for his class ranking, but aside from his academic attributes, he is a musical artist.

No matter what the situation, Clarke Central junior Lauryn Waters does everything with the guidance and support of her family.

Clarke Central senior Anthony Zuniga has been a part of drama at Clarke Central since his freshman year and has developed his skills in theater throughout his high school career.

Titrim Attipoe, a current Clarke County School District substitute teacher, was born and raised in Ghana. He has noticed many differences in culture between the U.S. and Ghana throughout his years.