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

December 11, 2006

High Drama and Visibility in Norcross, 
Duluth, and Peachtree Ridge

   Just when we thought things were as good as they could get in Norcross, Duluth, and Peachtree Ridge, things get even better!!

   Congratulations to the Coach Keith Maloof and his players and coaches on the Norcross High School AAAAA Football Team on their outstanding 13-1 season. 

   Ranked as the Number One AAAAA Football Team in Georgia in 2006 until their defeat by Warner Robins, the Blue Devils brought high drama and intensity to our community for a string of consecutive “Friday Nights under the Lights” at the Norcross High School campus on Spalding Road, as well as at other high school venues through the county and region.

   Our community came together in a spirit of pride, enthusiasm, exuberance, and joy in a way rarely seen as we cheered on the 2006 team. “We Believe That We Will Win” buttons and chants accompanied the Blue Devils on their historic quest of the 2006 AAAAA victory. 

   Spurred on by the spirited Blue Devil cheerleading squad—recently ranked in Fourth Place among the State of Georgia’s competitive cheerleading teams—the 2006 Football Team brought high visibility to our community.

   Congratulations to all involved in the season—including Norcross High School Principal Jonathan Patterson, Athletic Director Nathan Franklin, former Activities Director Mike Emery, the Norcross Touchdown Club and its members, the Norcross High School Band and Director Rudy Gilbert, Norcross High School cheerleaders and spirit leaders, and the many parents, faculty, staff, and community volunteers who put forth such a positive effort on behalf of our students and community. 

   It was hard to see our quest come up short with the Warner Robbins 14-3 win. To the 2006 AAAAA Blue Devil Football Team, we are forever in your debt for playing with such integrity, commitment, desire, and intensity. We are proud of you for helping us remember “We Believe That We Will Win.”

   In the Duluth Cluster, Duluth High School created another level of intensity and drama when the school community took the Performing Arts program to a new level with its production of “Mame.” 

   Vanette Vedder, Artistic Producer, Director, and Teacher of the Duluth High School Center-Stage Alliance, brought together the talents of three performing groups into one production that featured members of the Duluth High School Chorus, the Duluth High School Orchestra, and the Duluth High School Center-Stage Alliance.

   Dr. Peter Lemmons, director of the Duluth High School nationally ranked Orchestra; Mr. William Smith, director of the Duluth High School Chorus; and Ms. Vanette Vedder, Artistic Producer, Director, and Teacher of the Duluth Center-Stage Alliance have joined talents and forces to produce innovative and high quality theatrical, musical, and choral productions. Congratulations to this trio of leaders for launching this innovative series that showcases the talents of a wide range of Duluth High School Performing Arts students.

   “Mame” launched the four-production series for 2006-07 at Duluth High School. Others in their order of appearing include: “The Complete Work of Shakespeare Abridged and 30/60” produced on December 8 and 9. On February 16 and 17, 2007, the three performing groups will again join forces in their production of “Harvey,” while on April 27 and 28, 2007, “Steel Magnolias” will be the featured production.

   These productions are performed in the Duluth High School Auditorium, in its second year of providing a 550-seat facility adapted to large stage productions, choral presentations, and orchestra and band concerts.

   Peachtree Ridge High School made history in the State of Georgia when, as the youngest state finalist in 27 years, this Class AAAAA team earned its way into a semi-final berth at the Georgia Dome in the 2006 football sweepstakes. Peachtree Ridge is the only Gwinnett team remaining in the 2006 championship race, keeping alive a decade-old Gwinnett County streak of putting at least one team in the championship game.

   The last time a young team made a championship game was in 1979 when three-year old Redan High School made the cut. According to the Atlanta Journal and Constitution, Redan’s kicker in that game was former Georgia All-American Kevin Butler. Peachtree Ridge’s kicker in 2006 is Drew Butler, the son of Kevin Butler. 

   Peachtree Ridge joined Gwinnett schools Parkview, Brookwood, Buford, and Greater Atlanta Christian School as state finalists during the decade of the 2000s.

   As the District III School Board member, it is an honor to participate in the many outstanding displays of community pride and spirit reflected by the achievements of Norcross High School, Duluth High School, and Peachtree Ridge High School.

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