Piedmont Holds Homecoming

The 2014 homecoming festivities for Piedmont Academy concluded Friday, Sept. 26 with the crowning of Miss Cougar, Cheyenne Galloway and Homecoming Queen, Parker Kelly. With clear weather for the evening and prior to the football game, the court paraded the field riding in convertibles.

Homecoming is sponsored each year by the Student Council, which is led by council President Hank Strickland, Vice President Matti Smith, Treasurer Brice Dodson, and Secretary Talon Anglin. The students are assisted by faculty sponsors Bobbi Sauls, Kirsti Lewis and Ashley Cook.

During Spirit Week at the school, the students enjoyed their week long camaraderie by having “college day” where students dressed up to show support for their favorite college or university; Tuesday, the students wore camouflage; Wednesday the students came to school dressed as their favorite characters; Thursday was “nerd vs. jock” day, and everyone capped off the week with “Extreme Spirit Day.” This concluded the school day with a traditional pep rally where the varsity cheerleaders wore football jerseys and the football players dressed up as cheerleaders.

During halftime of the school’s football game, the homecoming court was introduced.

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The first freshman representative introduced was Anna Knox. Anna is the daughter of Dalton and Lisa Knox of Mansfield. She attends Eastridge Community Church and is a member of the FFA, Y-Club, and track team. In her free time, Anna enjoys painting and gymnastics, and she has received the Heartscape Award for her artistic talent. Anna says that her favorite subject is Bible and says that she is proud to be a part of the Piedmont family because of her family members who have graduated from here and who have supported the school for years.

The second representative from the freshman class was Caitlyn Young. She is a member of the Piedmont football and competition cheer squads and plans to join the soccer team in the spring. Caitlyn says that she proud to be a Piedmont cougar because of the welcoming atmosphere. Outside of school, Caitlyn enjoys having a fit and active lifestyle and enjoys spending time at the lake. She is the daughter of Erica and Jeremy Young of Covington.

Sophomore class representative, Ashley Johnston, the daughter of Piedmont alumni Rae and Jay Johnston of Jackson was introduced. Ashley, who made her second appearance on the Homecoming Court, is a member of the Lady Cougar softball team and a member of the FFA, FCA, and Beta Club. Ashley says that she’s most proud of being a Piedmont student because she knows that the school has always been like a family and has for the entire twelve years she’s been a Piedmont Cougar. Ashley attends Towaliga Baptist Church and says her favorite subject at school is English.

Introduced next was Grace Roberts, daughter of alumnus Dan and Kim Roberts of Monticello. Grace is a member of the football and competition cheer squads and is a member of the Beta Club. Her favorite subject is algebra because it comes naturally to her and because it is not open to interpretation. Grace says it is an honor to represent the sophomore class, and that she’s proud to be a Piedmont student because her grandparents were part of the school’s founding families and because both of her brothers graduated from here. Outside of school, Grace enjoys singing and cheerleading.

Junior Class Representative Alicia Peek is the daughter of Lisa and Harry Ragan and Kathleen and Jason Peek of Social Circle. Alicia is a member of the cheerleading squad, the track team, and the FCA. Her favorite subjects are English and history because they come naturally to her. Alicia is honored to represent her fellow juniors and is proud to be a Piedmont student because the school is close like a family. In her free time, Alicia enjoys drawing.

The second junior representative was Matti Ruth Smith, daughter of Piedmont alumni Gena and Keith Smith of Monticello. Matti made her second appearance on the homecoming court. She plays softball and basketball and is a member of the FCA. Her favorite subject is physics because she enjoys learning how and why things happen, and Matti says her favorite thing about being a Piedmont student is the family atmosphere and how everyone is always there for one another. Outside of school, Matti attends the Monticello First United Methodist Church, and she enjoys reading and playing travel softball.

Senior class representative Parker Kelly was introduced. She is the daughter of Piedmont elementary teacher Stephanie Kelly and Piedmont alumnus Scott Kelly of Monticello. Parker plays soccer and is a member of the football and competition cheerleading squads.

She is a member of the Monticello Presbyterian Church youth group and the Piedmont yearbook staff where she currently serves as co-editor. This year, Parker makes her third appearance on the homecoming court and she said that her favorite high school memory is hanging out at football games with Abigail, Cheyenne, and Marissa. Parker plans to attend college and one day be a nurse anesthetist.

Making her first appearance on the homecoming court is senior class representative Marissa Mooneyham, daughter of Kathy and Marshall Mooneyham of Monticello. Marissa said English is her favorite class because it is the cornerstone of our communication with one another. Her favorite high school memory is the great friends with whom she has built relationships that will last a lifetime. Marissa is a member of the Y-Club, Beta Club, and FFA where she currently serves as secretary. She plans to attend the University of Georgia where she will major in finance and one day goes on to law school. Outside of school, Marissa enjoys camping and attending Smyrna Presbyterian Church in Conyers.

The final senior class representative was JaDe’ Padgett who made her first appearance on the homecoming court. JaDe’ is the daughter of Wendy and Ron Cawthon of Jackson, and she is a member of the football and competition cheerleading squads, the yearbook staff, and the Beta Club. JaDe’ said her favorite subject was math because it is fun and feels the knowledge will benefit her throughout her career. Her favorite high school memory was watching Coach Tanner kiss a pig at the pep rally. Outside of school, JaDe’ enjoys working at Eagles Landing Family Medical Practice and attending Rock Springs Church in Milner. After graduation in May, JaDe’ plans to attend college and to pursue a career as a nurse anesthetist.

The football team selects Miss Cougar to represent them at homecoming festivities and Miss Cougar embodies the values and school spirit of Piedmont Academy. Senior Cheyenne Galloway was given this honor and she wanted the football team to know how much representing the team and school meant to her. Cheyenne is the daughter of Brent and Beth Galloway of Monticello and made her fourth appearance on the homecoming court. Cheyenne is an all-region softball team member, vice president of the FFA, and a member of FCA and Beta Club. Her favorite subject is English because she enjoys reading, and she is proud to be a Piedmont student because everyone supports each other. In her free time, Cheyenne enjoys playing travel softball, riding horses, working with animals, and attending Mansfield Baptist Church.

Each year the senior class selects mascots from the first grade class to assist in ceremonies throughout the year. This year the mascots are Olivia Mathews, daughter of Sheri and Ben Mathews of Monticello, and Hunter Thomson, son of Stefanie Thomson of Monticello. The school welcomed back the reigning Miss Cougar Lynne Marie Edwards, daughter of Keith and Stephanie Edwards of Mansfield. Lynne Marie is a freshman at North Georgia State College and University where she is pursuing a career in nursing. The school’s 2013 queen, Savannah McGinnis was unable to attend the ceremony due to a prior commitment. Savannah is a freshman at the University of Georgia.

This year’s queens will represent Piedmont Academy in the Jasper County Deer Festival Parade on Saturday, November 1, 2014.