Memorandum from Mary Kay Murphy
Mary Kay Murphy, Ph.D. District 3  School Board Member marykaymurphy@aol.com

April 11, 2006

Leaders and Winners in District III

   Residents of the Norcross and Duluth Clusters have great reason to cheer as we celebrate many outstanding successes in the public schools in our community.

   First among all celebrations has been the victory of Coach Eddie Martin and the Boys’ AAAAA Basketball Team at Norcross High School in winning the 2006 State Championship—the first state championship in thirty-two years for Norcross High School at the AAAAA level. The school’s previous state championship was with the Class B boys’ baseball team.

   Coach Martin also was selected Boys’ Basketball Coach of the Year by the Georgia State Athletic Association. Athletic Director Mike Emery earlier had been selected as State Athletic Director of the Year, recognizing his role in leading a wide array of athletic and community-based activities at Norcross High School. 

   A remarkable team of Norcross High School student athletes made our community proud as they demonstrated outstanding athletic ability, strong team values, remarkable sportsmanship, and deep humility. Their success was our success. Their achievement became our achievement. 

   Congratulations to Coach Eddie Martin, to his coaching staff, to Coach Mike Emery, and to the 2006 Boys’ Basketball team at Norcross High School on their remarkable and amazing achievements in securing the 2006 State Championship for Norcross High School. Congratulations, as well, to Norcross High School Principal Mary Anne Charron on the achievements of these remarkable faculty, staff, and student leaders.

   More good news came from Norcross High School when the American Association of String Teachers selected the school’s Norcross Philharmonic Orchestra as the Number One String Orchestra in the nation for 2006 at a recent competition in San Diego. Congratulations to the Norcross High School students who are members of the string orchestra, to their parents and community supporters, and to Ms. Cathy Hudnow, director, and Ms. Allison Bates, assistant director. Congratulations, again, to Principal Mary Anne Charron on the achievements of the Norcross Philharmonic Orchestra—another great point of pride in our community.

   Congratulations also to Norcross High School Counselor Mr. Brent Henderson who was selected at Gwinnett County High School Counselor of the Year and to Ms. Kirsten Mixter, Norcross High School teacher and counselor to the Georgia Student Council Association, for hosting the organization’s statewide conference at Simpsonwood Conference Center. 

   Duluth High School continues to provide our community with reasons to celebrate its many successes. Principal Pat Blenke received news in April that Duluth High School was selected as the recipient of the 2005-06 Siemens Award as one of the 50 high schools in America to receive a grant for science and math based on the school’s Advanced Placement scores. Duluth High School was the only high school in Georgia to receive the award.

   Now in its eighth year, the Siemens Award for Advancement Placement exemplifies the strong partnership between the Siemens Foundation and the College Board to widen the pool of math, science, and technology talent that the nation will need for the continued growth of business and industry in the United States and globally. 

   The award recognizes Duluth High School as one of those leading the nation in Advanced Placement participation and performance in those disciplines. As one of the fifty high schools nationally to win the award this year, Duluth High School will receive a $1,000 award to support science and math education. 

   Duluth High School also earned national recognition in February 2005 when the Duluth High School Chamber Orchestra was rated the number one public school orchestra in the nation after performing in Reno, Nevada at the National Orchestra Festival Competition. 

   Duluth High School was the only orchestra from Georgia selected through a taped audition to complete, and the first orchestra from Gwinnett County to be rated in a national competition. Led by concertmaster Judith Kim and directed by Mrs. Reva Paget and Dr. Peter Lemonds, the orchestra was cited for its professionalism, musicality, spirit, and choice of repertoire. Congratulations to Principal Pat Blenke, Mrs. Paget, and Dr. Lemonds, as well as the student musicians involved in the award, on such a distinctive achievement for Duluth High School and our community.

   As District III School Board member, it is an honor to represent these outstanding leaders and winners representing the finest of academic, athletic, and community achievements. 

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