Agenda Item
a. Recognition: 2026 Georgia Scholar Honorees
Summary: Presented by: Ms. Allyson Gevertz, Board Chair, District 4
Request: It is requested that the Board of Education recognizes all 2026 Georgia Scholar Honorees in the DeKalb County School District in concert with the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE).
Why: The Board is being asked to recognize the District's 21 Georgia Scholar Honorees for the 2026 school year.
Details: The Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) identifies and honors high school seniors who have achieved excellence in school and community life. Each Georgia Scholar receives a diploma seal and an honorary graduation cord. The following criteria must be met to receive the honor: The student must earn at least twenty-two (22) Carnegie Units of credit for graduation; have a minimum combined score of 1360 on the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) at one test sitting or a composite score of 31 at one test sitting on the American College Test (ACT); have a non-weighted, cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 3.75 on a 4.0 scale; be registered to vote if a United States citizen and 18 years of age on or before the date of application; show evidence of self-esteem and concern for others in day-to-day activities; participate in at least three (3) different competitive interscholastic activities; be appointed by a school official or elected to positions of leadership in a minimum of two (2) different organizations sponsored by the school; and show evidence of leadership in a minimum of two (2) different organizations outside the school, including being appointed by an organization sponsor or elected to a position of leadership or role of responsibility in a minimum of one (1) of these activities.
Financial impact: There is no Financial Impact
Contact: Dr. Kishia K. Towns, Chief, Wrap Around Services, Division of Wrap Around Services, 678.676.1811
Mr. Christopher Key, Executive Director, Student Advancement, Division of Wrap Around Services, 678.485.9544
Dr. Shannon Crosslin, Senior Counseling Coordinator, Student Advancement, Division of Wrap Around Services, 404.808.8942
Status: No Legal Approval Required.
2026 Georgia Scholar Program Recognition
Good afternoon. Today, the DeKalb County School District Board of Education is pleased
to recognize the 2026 Georgia Scholar Honorees. DeKalb County School District earned
notable recognition this year with a total of 21 honorees. The Georgia Department of
Education (GADOE) identifies and honors high school seniors who have achieved
excellence in school and community life. Each Georgia Scholar receives a diploma seal
and an honorary graduation cord.
The student must earn at least 22 Carnegie Units of credit for graduation.
The student must have a minimum combined score of 1360 on the Scholastic Assessment
Test (SAT) at one test sitting; OR a composite score of 31 at one test sitting on the
American College Test (ACT).
A student has a non-weighted, cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 3.75 on a
4.0 scale.
The student must be registered to vote if a United States citizen and 18 years of age on or
before the date of application.
A student must show evidence of self-esteem and concern for others in day-to-day
activities.
The student must have participated in at least three (3) different competitive
interscholastic activities.
The student must have been appointed by a school official, or elected to, positions of
leadership in a minimum of two (2) different organizations sponsored by the school, and
A student has shown evidence of leadership in a minimum of two (2) different
organizations outside the school, including being appointed by an organization sponsor or
elected to a position of leadership or role of responsibility in a minimum of one (1) of these
activities.
The GaDOE Excellence Recognition Program honors outstanding students throughout the
state and the DeKalb County School District would like to honor the following students:
Chamblee High School Athen Blocker
Chamblee High School Annabelle Brunn
Chamblee High School Nora Haynes
Chamblee High School Kathleen Mattison
Chamblee High School Michael Nickolov
Chamblee High School William O'Neil
Chamblee High School Cora Scherrer
Chamblee High School Ryan Shimabukuro
Chamblee High School Daniyal Singapuri
DeKalb Early College Academy Kezia Kotey
DeKalb School of the Arts Shelby Crews
Druid Hills High School Adah Rozell
Dunwoody High School Joshua Estes
Dunwoody High School Andrew Halligan
Dunwoody High School David Remigailo
Lakeside High School Aissatou Diallo
Lakeside High School Erin Lilic
Miller Grove High School Hawi Hassen
Tucker High School Akosua Baah
Tucker High School Mattie Kelbaugh
Tucker High School Jiya Shah
Congratulations for being a DeKalb County School District 2026 Georgia Scholar.