Newton County Students Advance to State Social Studies Fair After Strong Regional Showing
Newton County Schools (NCS) is proud to celebrate the outstanding achievements of its students who recently competed in the Northeast Regional Social Studies Fair in Forsyth County.
Fourteen student projects representing NCS participated in the competition, demonstrating exceptional research, critical thinking, and presentation skills. The Social Studies Fair provides students with the opportunity to explore real-world issues, analyze historical events, and communicate their findings in creative and meaningful ways.
NCS students delivered an impressive performance at the regional level, with multiple projects earning top honors. As a result of their outstanding work, four students will advance to the Georgia State Social Studies Fair in April, where they will compete among the best projects from across the state.
Students advancing to the state competition include:
- Kaliyah Collier, Newton College & Career Academy
- Rhonda Grider-Purchase, Newton College & Career Academy
- Audrey McGovern, Newton County STEAM Academy (NCSA Middle)
- A'King Robinson, Veterans Memorial Middle School
Several additional students earned recognition for their exemplary projects across multiple grade divisions.
In the Class II division (grades 5–6), Audrey Fullerton of Newton County STEAM Academy earned first place for her project,
What Do People Know About Scouting America? Simisola Fakunle, also from Newton County STEAM Academy, placed second with
How Did Beauty Standards in the 1800s Affect Women? Third-place honors were awarded to Paislee Boleman and Natalia Santoyo-Domínguez of Flint Hill Elementary School, and to Robert Harden, Savannah Allen, and Aaqil Henry of Veterans Memorial Middle School.
In the Class III division (grades 7–8), Newton County Schools had an especially strong showing, earning four first-place finishes. Joshua Spence (NCSA Middle), A’King Robinson (Veterans Memorial Middle), Holden Evans (Indian Creek Middle), and Audrey McGovern (NCSA Middle) each earned first place in their respective categories. Additional third-place recognitions were awarded to Zion Smith, Major Barfield, and Jayda Parker of Liberty Middle School; Joshua Pugh of NCSA Middle; and Aralynn McNut of Veterans Memorial Middle School.
In the Class IV division (grades 9–12), both Kaliyah Collier and Rhonda Grider-Purchase of Newton College & Career Academy earned first-place honors for their projects. Dallas Odeneal and Jassiah Allen of Alcovy High School earned third place in their division.
“These results reflect the depth of student learning taking place across Newton County Schools,” said Dr. Ashante Everett, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning. “Our students are not only mastering academic content, but also developing the research, analysis, and communication skills necessary to succeed in college, careers, and beyond.”