Student’s design a winner

Chattahoochee Technical College student Miriam Mawer, of Acworth, has been named the winner of the Technical College System of Georgia’s 2017 Winners’ Book design competition. Her design will be used in the 2017 Winners’ Book and other publications for the 2017 Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership and Rick Perkins Award for Excellence in Technical Instruction.

Mawer, who plans to graduate this May with an associate degree in design and media production technology, learned about the opportunity through instructor Glenn Reid.

Reid said he regularly encourages students to enter competitions because they reflect situations designers face on the job, and there are accolades for the winners.

“Working with a ‘client’ on a design project is what they are training to do. Most of my students realize that and are happy to knock out a few additional projects for fame and fortune,” Reid said.

For Mawer, those accolades include being awarded a $500 check from TCSG in addition to having her design featured in state publications.

Gwinnett schools honor top tech ed students

Gwinnett County Public Schools recently highlighted the work of 23 high school students with the district’s 2017 Career and Technical Education Student of the Year awards banquet on March 22 at the Busbee Center of Gwinnett Technical College. District winners are: Matthew McDaniel of Archer High School, overall winner, recipient of a $1,000 scholarship provided by Gwinnett Employer Committee; Keyon Whyte of Duluth High School, first runner-up and recipient of a $750 scholarship provided by Atlanta Electrical Contractors Association; and Chase Matheson of Phoenix High School, second runner-up, recipient of a $500 scholarship provided by Gwinnett Employee Committee.

Ashford Park earns STEM certification

After years of planning, Ashford Park Elementary School has received its sought-after STEM Certification from AdvancED, a nonprofit, nongovernmental accreditation agency. The certification process evaluates a school’s efforts, quality and rigor in science, technology, engineering and math. Ashford Park School is now one of 74 schools nationwide to receive this certification. “AdvancED STEM Certification is an honor of distinction and excellence, and it took a collaborative effort by our Ashford Park teachers, staff, community partners, students and parents to receive the certification,” said the principal, Dr. LaShawn McMillan.

City approves Moon Road sidewalk project

The Lawrenceville City Council voted recently to approve the Moon Road sidewalk project. This project consists of demolition and replacement of driveways, sidewalks, curbs and gutters. The project will also include installation of new storm drain pipes and reconstruction and modification of handicap accessible ramps.

The approved contract is set to not exceed $376,022 and goes to low bidder, DAF Concrete Inc. This project is a 2014 joint SPLOST project with Gwinnett County. Lawrenceville’s portion is 19 percent of the total cost, or $71,444, and Gwinnett’s portion is 81 percent, or $94,760. Lawrenceville will use funds from the city’s Stormwater Fund for its portion of the cost.

Northfolk Southern railroad repairs continue

Norfolk Southern’s repairs to the railroad crossing on State Route 120 near Buford Highway and West Lawrence Street in Duluth are taking longer than expected. Duluth city officials reported recently that with the Wednesday deluge of rain, repairs could keep the railroad crossing closed into Friday.

State Route 120 will be closed during the repairs and traffic will be detoured onto Buford Highway, Pleasant Hill, Peachtree Industrial Boulevard and Abbott’s Bridge Road.

Detour signage will be in place. Large trucks, tractor-trailers and heavy vehicles will not be permitted to come through town until repairs are complete.