Debate team wins title again

The Woodward Academy Debate Team successfully defended its Georgia State Debate Championship March 4-5. The senior team of Max Abramson and Tripp Haskins, and the junior team of Alanna Pearson and Arjun Srinivasan, both finished the tournament with perfect 8-0 records. By winning both semifinal debates, Woodward became the first school in tournament history to “close out” the final round. Hosted this year by Marist School, the Georgia Forensic Coaches Association State Championship includes schools from all Georgia High School Association classification levels. Arjun became the third Woodward debater to win back-to-back state championships. The sophomore team of Mona Mahadevan and Malachi Robinson also finished as quarterfinalists and earned the Second Year State Championship. This was Woodward’s third consecutive state championship in the second-year division and the second state championship for Mona and Malachi, who won the first-year division in 2015-2016.

Gwinnett schools honor bus managers, monitor

Gwinnett County school district leaders and school board members recently recognized the district’s School Bus Managers and Monitor of the Year. Mechelle Stewart, 2016-17 Regular Education Bus Manager of the Year, has been driving for GCPS for nine years ago and is currently a team leader for the Central Gwinnett Cluster. Lloyd Breck, 2016-17 Special Education Bus Manager of the Year, has been driving for GCPS for four years and drives for GIVE Center East, Magill Elementary School, and Norton Elementary School. Dixie Bridger, 2016-17 Special Education Bus Monitor of the Year, has eight years experience driving with GCPS, and is now a monitor for The Bridge and ADAPT programs at Northbrook Center, Craig Elementary School, and Crews Middle School.

Piedmont Academy team wins competition

Piedmont Academy’s literary team took home the gold once again in the Class AA Georgia Independent School Association Literary Competition .It was the team’s second straight region win and third straight state championship. Mary Catherine Sikes, head literary coach, said, “We have a highly experienced group of seniors who have been the recipe for our success, and I am so pleased that they were able to bring home one last region and state championship.” The team consisted of 14 students and included events in music, drama, speech, spelling, and essay writing.

City to demolish downtown buildings

The Lawrenceville City Council voted recently to fund the demolition and disposal of three cityowned properties.

The proposed project includes complete demolition and disposal of properties on Constitution Boulevard, as well as the former Lawrenceville Auto Parts building at 353 S. Clayton St.

The areas will then be backfilled, compacted, and covered with seed and straw. The former auto parts property will be used for expansion of the Lawrenceville Lawn for parking and additional access for concerts. The removal of vacant houses on Constitution Boulevard will make way for future redevelopment.

Low-bidder Complete Demolition Services LLC will complete the work for $122,000. Demolition is