Thirty-six Richmond County 4-H students demonstrated their skills and dedication at the Cloverleaf District Project Achievement competition on Feb. 15, 2025, at Rock Eagle 4-H Center in Eatonton, Georgia. An impressive 72% of these students placed in the top three, while the remaining participants received Honorable Mention honors. 

“Project Achievement empowers young people with skills for a lifetime,” said Donita Legoas, the 4H and youth development agent at the Richmond County Extension Office. “Students choose a project area of interest, research the topic, and write and present an oral presentation. Through Project Achievement, 4-H’ers develop leadership, creativity, public speaking, record keeping, and research skills.” 

The following students earned top honors at the competition: 

RCSS 4-H members were recognized at Georgia 4-H Day at the Capitol on Feb. 25, 2025, where they met with Representative Karlton Howard to discuss education, finances, and the impact of 4-H before posing for a photo on the Grand Staircase. During a luncheon at the Georgia Freight Depot, Senator Max Burns spoke with Richmond County students and shared his own experiences as a former 4-H’er, while Representative Rick Jasperse acknowledged 4-H honorees who earned state and national recognition. 

Richmond County 4-H serves approximately 1,800 students with in-school and after-school lessons in agriculture, science, civic engagement, leadership, STEM, health, and wellness. 

The Richmond County School System honored its top-performing students and their most influential teachers at the annual STAR (Student Teacher Achievement Recognition) program luncheon on Monday, March 3, at St. Paul's Church on the Augusta Riverwalk.   

The STAR Students and STAR Teachers for the 2025 school year are: 

The event recognized 12 high school seniors who achieved the highest SAT scores in their respective schools. Each STAR student selected a STAR teacher who had significantly impacted their academic journey.  

Westside Comprehensive High School student Taylor Delva stated, "I feel very accomplished, and I feel like this organization, like giving me recognition, and after all of my hard work and dedication, I feel appreciated.” 

Petty Officer Corey Jones, a Westside Comprehensive High School NJROTC instructor loves seeing the kids get the recognition they deserve. PO Jones message to his students is,” I want my students to believe they can achieve anything they want if they put their heart and their minds to it.” 

Hephzibah Comprehensive High School student Jamilah Busch expressed her feelings about being selected, "I feel great. It's definitely an honor just to be selected. Like, out of the many students that go to our school, it's good to be recognized and it makes me feel really good and grateful." 

Billterrenice Streetman, a Hephzibah Comprehensive High School teacher shares his thoughts on being selected as a STAR teacher, “Ms. Bush is an excellent student. I have a lot of awesome colleagues that she could have selected. To select me was humbling, and I'm just grateful to God for it.” He shared his aspirations for his students, "I want them to leave knowing that they can do anything they put their minds to. With hard work, it can be done even when obstacles come. 

Academy of Richmond County student Dickinson (Reed) Woodward acknowledges being selected as a STAR student, “It’s a prestigious accomplishment and I worked hard for it. I'm glad I was able to get it.” 

According to Academy of Richmond County teacher David Bradbury being selected as a STAR teacher is wonderful, "It's absolutely the highest honor that you can get being selected by a student and I'm thrilled.” The main goal for Bradbury is the impact on his students, "I want them to have a memorable experience. I want them to be able to think from all sides and all perspectives, not just one that they may lean toward or have been brought up around. And if I can impart that through American history, then I've done my job well.” 

The 2025 STAR Student and STAR Teacher luncheon is sponsored annually by the Augusta Kiwanis Club and the Georgia Chamber of Commerce.   

Jarkevin Clark, Richmond Hill Middle School 

Jarkevin Clark teaches eighth-grade Social Studies at Richmond Hill Middle School. Clark holds a master's degree in public administration and previously worked at Amazon, where he developed patience—a key trait that has helped him in the classroom. He joined our school system to make a positive impact in his community. The transition to teaching took him outside of his comfort zone, as he knew that growth requires stepping into discomfort. His most memorable moment as a teacher so far is witnessing the growth of his students, describing it as the most beautiful experience he's ever had. 

Betsy Barber, Lake Forest Hills Elementary School 

Betsy Barber is a first-grade teacher at Lake Forest Hills Elementary School. Barber began her teaching journey as an educator in McDuffie County. Barber transitioned to RCSS because she was drawn to our school system’s sense of community and our mission to develop learners that are equipped to face challenges beyond the classroom. Her most memorable experience has been the transition into Lake Forest Hills Elementary School. She says she felt immediate love and support from not only her colleagues, but also the wonderful families in her school community. 

Joyce O'Neal, C.T. Walker Traditional Magnet School 

Joyce O'Neal is a second-grade teacher at C.T. Walker Traditional Magnet School. Before joining RCSS, O’Neal managed a dance studio for 14 years and was also an active volunteer in her children's elementary schools. She began her teaching career after being approached by a principal asking if she would consider being a substitute teacher. After a year of subbing, she realized teaching was exactly where she was supposed to be. She applied for Augusta Technical College's Early Childhood Education Program to start the journey to become a certified teacher and has never looked back.  O’Neal is grateful for the opportunity to do what she loves as a C.T. Walker Wildcat and educator in Richmond County. Her greatest success is the strong, positive relationships that she has built with her students and their families.  

Sophia Hiatt, Academy of Richmond County High School  

Sophia Hiatt teaches ninth-twelfth grade Science at Academy of Richmond County.  Before Hiatt worked for RCSS, she was a missionary who mentored students at the University of Alabama’s campus ministry. She aims to introduce her high school students to college life, equipping them with the knowledge and preparation they need for life after graduation.  One of her most memorable classroom moments was the Biotechnology Debate, an idea developed by her biology colleagues. Students divided into teams, researched various biotechnologies, and debated the ethical implications—both affirmative and negative—of topics such as GMOs, HeLa cells, and designer babies. The project provided an opportunity for students who struggle with traditional test-taking to showcase their knowledge and personality in a meaningful way. 

High school students in Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE) programs were recognized by the Board of Education on Feb. 18 for big wins in skilled trade competitions. Across the district, students participating in skilled trade organizations earned top honors in conferences and competitive events, demonstrating their expertise, innovation, and leadership in their respective fields. 

From cybersecurity to robotics, agriculture, and marketing, Richmond County CTAE students are making their mark at the state and national levels. Here are a few of our student achievements:  

Cyber Patriot Competition for Georgia Silver Tier Teams  

Five students in the Cyber Academy of Excellence program received first-place awards during the Cyber Patriot competition in December. The Cyber Patriot Competition is a national youth cybersecurity competition organized by the Air & Space Forces Association. It is designed to inspire students toward careers in cybersecurity and other STEM disciplines.  

Nearly 40 student science fair projects from Richmond County elementary schools were judged by professional scientists and engineers from Manus Bio at the Richmond County School System Upper Elementary School Science Fair on Friday, Jan. 31 at the Richmond County Technical Career Magnet School (RCTCM). Four first-place winners and four second-place winners advanced to the Georgia College Regional Science and Engineering Fair for their innovative science projects.  

Our 2025 Upper Elementary School Science Fair winners are:  

1st Place Winners

2nd Place Winners

3rd Place Winners

Mackenzie Blakely, Bayvale Elementary 

Mackenzie Blakely is a first-grade teacher at Bayvale Elementary. Blakely was in banking before she began her teaching career. She decided to pursue teaching due to her passion for helping others and love for kids.  Her favorite moment has been seeing her growth as a teacher.  Blakely has more confidence in herself and her ability to become a stronger teacher.

Ellis Hudson, Hephzibah Elementary  

Ellis Hudson is a first-grade teacher at Hephzibah Elementary School. Ellis switched to teaching from a career in marketing and communications because he desired a more people-oriented work environment. He took the position at Hephzibah because he was eager to inspire the next generation of leaders and took great joy in empowering his students to develop their natural talents. His favorite memory so far was dressing up with his students for Halloween as Scooby-Doo and watching the joy of their participation.  

Sakharia Searcy, Pine Hill Middle  

Sakharia Searcy is a first-year teacher. Searcy teaches 7th grade Science and Math at Pine Hill Middle School. Before teaching Searcy was a jack of all trades that included being a clothing line entrepreneur, photographer, videographer, and esthetician. Her belief that she can have a positive impact on the younger generation is why she chose teaching.  Her favorite accomplishment is the ability to deliver quality education to her students as a first year-teacher balancing the responsibility of teaching two subjects. Searcy aspires to be the kind of teacher she always wanted when she was in school. 

Keytona Johns, Richmond County Technical Career Magnet School

Keytona Johns is a sixth and seventh grade teacher at Richmond County Technical Career Magnet School.  Johns teaches Intro. to Communications and Broadcast for seventh grade and Graphic Communications (CTAE) for sixth grade. Before teaching she was a full-time college student and fast-food restaurant manager. She decided to become a teacher to have a lasting impact on students in a manner that would have them thinking creatively.  Her favorite memory involves transforming a terminology lesson into an engaging competitive game that her students thoroughly enjoyed. John plans to continue developing fun and interactive lessons for her future students, aiming to bring excitement to the learning process. 

More than 50 students from our school system will proudly cross the finish line of their high school journeys at the 2025 Winter Graduation ceremony. On Thursday, January 30, graduates will join friends and family for commencement exercises at the George P. Butler Comprehensive High School gymnasium. 

To celebrate their successes and achievements, we asked a few graduates about their favorite memories and experiences. Here are their stories: