OCMS celebrated five amazing REACH Scholars at our signing ceremony last week:
Silas Judson
Nevaeh Perry
Elizabeth Randolph
Eh Way
Haleigh York
Congratulations to these 8th grade students who were selected to receive a $10,000 scholarship when they graduate from high school.
These five eighth-grade students are on track to be awarded academic scholarships through REACH Georgia (Realizing Educational Achievement Can Happen), a needs-based mentoring and scholarship program providing students a framework of educational and financial support to aid their successful journey through high school and beyond. They were selected through an extensive process, including an application, an essay component, and a panel interview with community and business partners.
Students must maintain good grades, behavior, and attendance. We look forward to seeing what the future holds for these outstanding students.
Each REACH Scholar is assigned an academic counselor and a mentor who will guide them through the remainder of their 8th grade year and high school.
If you would like to serve as a REACH mentor, please reach out to Annie Murphy at amurphy@oglethorpe.k12.ga.us
CONGRATULATIONS to each of these students and their families!
A HUGE thank you to Coach Slover and his brother from Slover Law Firm for donating and distributing 52 turkeys — complete with all the fixings — to families in our school system to enjoy this Thanksgiving! Your generosity is a true blessing to so many!
Just a reminder there will be a food pantry at OCHS on Thursday, November 20. Please see the flyer for all the information!
Our very own Bill Sampson has been named as a Hidden Hero by GLISI (Georgia Leadership Institute for School Improvement)! He found out through an email, but in true Mr. Sampson fashion, he was humble about this recognition; he didn’t share this exciting news, and we didn’t find out until we read it in The Echo this past week. The description of Mr. Sampson below describes his incredible work as the principal of the high school!
From those nominated, they select the top 3 based on votes. You can vote every day; however, we are behind as this information has been out for a week. So please share and ask your friends and family to vote for our incredible high school principal!
You can vote once per day through November 21.
https://hiddenheroes.glisi.org/2025/gallery (search for Bill Sampson)
Reason for Nomination: In a time when school leadership demands both courage and compassion, Mr. Bill Sampson stands as a quiet force of transformation in rural Georgia. For the past three years as principal, he has led with a clear vision, to ensure every student graduates prepared for college, career, and life. His leadership isn’t about comfort but about conviction and intentionality. He has made bold, sometimes uncomfortable changes that are reshaping systems, strengthening instruction, and reigniting hope across our school community.
What makes Mr. Sampson a Hidden Hero is the way he leads from both the sidelines and the center. He’s the first face at Friday night football games, the loudest cheer at basketball and volleyball, and the steady presence in the stands during baseball, softball, wrestling, cross country, and track. Known affectionately as a “gym rat principal,” he doesn’t just attend he invests. His constant support reflects his belief that every student deserves to be seen, valued, and celebrated in their own lane of excellence.
Behind the scenes, his leadership has shifted our school culture toward academic growth, collaboration, and high expectations. He empowers teachers to innovate, guiding us to rethink what’s possible through cross-curricular projects, college readiness initiatives, and data-informed support. Under his guidance, community partnerships have strengthened, student engagement has increased, and new pathways to success have opened for learners once overlooked.
During a school improvement meeting, when faced with tough data, he said simply: “If we’re serious about success for all, we have to do what’s hard and do it together.” That moment captured his ethos: lead with integrity, act with courage, and always center students.
Mr. Sampson doesn’t seek the spotlight, he creates it for others. His leadership transforms lives, making him the very definition of a Hidden Hero.
From those nominated, they select the top 3 based on votes. You can vote every day; however, we are behind as this information has been out for a week. So please share and ask your friends and family to vote for our incredible high school principal!
You can vote once per day through November 21.
https://hiddenheroes.glisi.org/2025/gallery (search for Bill Sampson)
Reason for Nomination: In a time when school leadership demands both courage and compassion, Mr. Bill Sampson stands as a quiet force of transformation in rural Georgia. For the past three years as principal, he has led with a clear vision, to ensure every student graduates prepared for college, career, and life. His leadership isn’t about comfort but about conviction and intentionality. He has made bold, sometimes uncomfortable changes that are reshaping systems, strengthening instruction, and reigniting hope across our school community.
What makes Mr. Sampson a Hidden Hero is the way he leads from both the sidelines and the center. He’s the first face at Friday night football games, the loudest cheer at basketball and volleyball, and the steady presence in the stands during baseball, softball, wrestling, cross country, and track. Known affectionately as a “gym rat principal,” he doesn’t just attend he invests. His constant support reflects his belief that every student deserves to be seen, valued, and celebrated in their own lane of excellence.
Behind the scenes, his leadership has shifted our school culture toward academic growth, collaboration, and high expectations. He empowers teachers to innovate, guiding us to rethink what’s possible through cross-curricular projects, college readiness initiatives, and data-informed support. Under his guidance, community partnerships have strengthened, student engagement has increased, and new pathways to success have opened for learners once overlooked.
During a school improvement meeting, when faced with tough data, he said simply: “If we’re serious about success for all, we have to do what’s hard and do it together.” That moment captured his ethos: lead with integrity, act with courage, and always center students.
Mr. Sampson doesn’t seek the spotlight, he creates it for others. His leadership transforms lives, making him the very definition of a Hidden Hero.
Congratulations to our Rotary Students of the Month!
🌟 OCES Student of the Month: Lux Kuewa Mokiao
🌟 OCMS Student of the Month: Jackson Cotton
🌟 OCHS Student of the Month: Isaiah Ross
We are so proud of these outstanding students and their commitment to excellence!
📣 Calling All Local Businesses!
We’re putting together our Annual Year in Review, celebrating the incredible achievements, partnerships, and moments that made this past year special for Oglethorpe County Schools.
This publication reaches families, staff, and community members across the county — and it’s a great opportunity for your business to show its support for public education while gaining local visibility.
📰 Advertise your business and be part of something that truly makes a difference!
All the details can be found on the flyer below.
Thank you for continuing to support our students, staff, and schools! ❤️💙
We’re putting together our Annual Year in Review, celebrating the incredible achievements, partnerships, and moments that made this past year special for Oglethorpe County Schools.
This publication reaches families, staff, and community members across the county — and it’s a great opportunity for your business to show its support for public education while gaining local visibility.
📰 Advertise your business and be part of something that truly makes a difference!
All the details can be found on the flyer below.
Thank you for continuing to support our students, staff, and schools! ❤️💙
🎉 Wonderful Recognitions at the Board of Education Meeting! 🎉 We are so proud to celebrate the outstanding achievements of our staff and students who were recognized at last Tuesday’s meeting: 🏆 Jennifer Yauck – System Teacher of the Year
🌟 Rindy Hitchcock – Classified Employee of the Year, OCHS
🌟 Alicia Kirk – Classified Employee of the Year, OCMS
🌟 Anel Utley – Classified Employee of the Year, OCES
🚜 Cole Faust – State Champion in Tractor Driving Operation and Maintenance CDE
🐄 Luke Huff – Champion Showmanship, 12th Grade 👏 Congratulations to all those honored! Thank you for the positive impact you make every day in Oglethorpe County Schools! 💙❤️
Good luck to our cross-country team as they compete in the state championship in Carrollton today!
Update: A big thank you to the students who volunteered their time to help pack food bags for today's food pantry!
Just a reminder - entry to the high school begins at 3:30.
Thanks to the generosity of donors we will be hosting a food pantry for families of OC students on Thursday, Nov. 6th. Please read the flyer for directions for this pop-up pantry! To make a donation click the link: https://tinyurl.com/3jjhrjze
Thank you OC voters for passing the E-SPLOST for the school system and for passing the senior exemption to give our senior citizens a tax break on their school taxes!
🗳️ Today is Election Day!
As a reminder, the ESPLOST continuation is on the ballot. This renewal of the one-penny sales tax will help fund critical Oglethorpe County Schools projects in facilities, technology, and transportation across the district.
✅ Make your voice heard — polls are open until 7 p.m.!
Thanks to the generosity of donors we will be hosting a food pantry for families of OC students on Thursday, Nov. 6th. Please read the flyer for directions for this pop-up pantry! To make a donation click the link: https://tinyurl.com/3jjhrjze
Daylight savings ends tonight!
Congratulations to our players, coaches, and the best fans!
OC VOLLEYBALL STATE CHAMPIONS! 💙❤️
Let's go Patriots! 💙❤️
Congratulations to the OCHS cheer team on their 2nd place finish at the Fear to Cheer Game Day Cheer Competition!
Good luck to all our students who will be competing today:
- Band take the field at 12:45 at Buford High School for the Georgia Marching Band Classic
- Cheerleading competes in the Game Day Cheer Competetion at 4:00 pm at Loganville High School
- Volleyball competes in the final four against Gordon Lee High School at Pope High School
Please post pics here supporting your favorite Patriot today!
Looking forward to having a big crowd watch our volleyball team in the final four of the state championship!
National School Bus Safety Week!
Please take the time to show your appreciation for our amazing bus drivers and transportation department! Thank you to our incredible team of bus drivers for keeping Oglethorpe County students rolling safely day after day!
Student Spotlight! Madelyn Flores - OCHS Student! Congratulations Madelyn on this huge achievement!
If you know a student or staff member you believe deserves to be in the “spotlight”, please send us a brief email with the information. These can be sent to blevine@oglethorpe.k12.ga.us and rames@oglethorpe.k12.ga.us.
Thank you OCHS Journalism Yearbook Class, under the direction of Mr. Maurice Freeman, who assisted in interviewing and collecting information on the candidates to create this post along with creating a banner for the website!
If you know a student or staff member you believe deserves to be in the “spotlight”, please send us a brief email with the information. These can be sent to blevine@oglethorpe.k12.ga.us and rames@oglethorpe.k12.ga.us.
Thank you OCHS Journalism Yearbook Class, under the direction of Mr. Maurice Freeman, who assisted in interviewing and collecting information on the candidates to create this post along with creating a banner for the website!
