Saturday, September 16, 2017 was a long day for Modified Baseball Team Walton County Astros, but the prize goes to the persistent. Walton County Special Olympians love baseball so much they had two teams compete in the modified division which is one more complete team over last year. Last year's winners from the Walton County Wolverines, Avanta Cooper, Naomi Green, Quadarious Lackey, Raekwon Lackey, and Christian Pettus; were joined by five new members to create the Walton County Astros.
The WC Astros first game at 9:30 am at Central Park in Cumming, GA was against the Gwinnett Special Forces. The Special Forces won the first game against the Astros. The second game was against GMST Mavericks. When our Astros defeated the Mavericks, they went on to face Gwinnett Special Forces once again. Upon defeating the Special Forces, the Astros won against the Henry County Big Dogs. After battling all day in near ninety degree weather, the Astros faced a double header against Douglas County Blue Dragons. Well into the evening after eleven o'clock, the Astros were crowned the winners of the Battle of the Bats in the Modified Baseball Division in a hard fought, sometimes coming from behind, tournament.
Front row left to right: Tamara David, Calyssa Parker, Andrea Williams, MVP Naomi Green, Tyler Green.
Back row: Coach David Pettus, Coach Rob Astin, Christian Pettus, Raekwon Lackey, Quadarious Lackey,
MVP Avanta Cooper, James Casper, and Coach Gene Green Photo by Lisa Fogie
Player James Casper said, "I enjoy playing sports for Coach and I am ready for state."
Walton County Astros, Wolverines, and Masters team Warriors will compete in the Georgia State Special Olympics October 13-15. Written by Shannon Schussler
Friday, March 10, 2017, Walker Park Elementary was awarded First Place for their Red Ribbon Rally Presentation featuring speaker, former NBA great Malik Rose. The presentation was held at Atlanta's Fernbank Museum of Natural History given by the Synar Office of the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) part of Georgia Governor Nathan Deal's Office.
Members of Walker Park Elementary Student Leadership Association and Walker Park Students (left to right): Lexi Richardson, Mandee Jaffray, Harry Hosier, Kyndal Edwards, Adaisha Upshaw, Morgan Graham, Rachel Schussler, and (in front) Gabrielle Hannah, not pictured Caleb Arnold Photo by Shannon Schussler
Photo by Shannon Schussler
Photo by Shannon Schussler
Big Red the Cardinal and Freddie the Atlanta Falcon entertained all at the event.
Freddie the Falcon has great love for Dr. Royal.
Video by Rachel Schussler
Walker Park students Rachel Schussler, Harry Hoiser, Gabby Hannah, Caleb Arnold, Morgan Graham,Kyndal Edwards, Adasia Upsahaw, Lexi Richardson, and Mandee Jaffray Photo by Shannon Schussler
Photo by Shannon Schussler
Photo by Shannon Schussler
Gifts for the students from Fern Bank included tiny toy dinosaurs, a pencil, a dinosaur note pad, and a wooden Fern Bank disc. Gifts from the Synar office included a frisbee, a cup, ear phones, a pencil, and a pack bag with Big Red on it.
Terrance Prattwell of the Synar Office of the Department of Behavior Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) a division of Governor Nathan Deal's Office speaks to Georgia schools and organizations who were Red Ribbon Rally winners. Mr. Prattwell also introduced Red Ribbon Coordinator Cathy Wendholt-Mcdade Video by Shannon Schussler
Photo by Shannon Schussler
Many prizes from the Synar office were given. Walker Park fifth grade student and Student Leader, Harry Hoiser was a winner.
Walker Park Elementary wins First Place!
Video by Shannon Schussler
Help from Walker Park Student Leader, Morgan Graham
Video by Shannon Schussler
Walker Park Elementary Student Leaders Morgan Graham and Lexi Richardson compete in a dance contest, (and Lexi won)! Video by Shannon Schussler
Parents were very proud of their Walker Park students. The Fernbank Museum was fun for them, too.
Photo by Rachel Schussler
Fernbank Brontosaurus Photo by Rachel Schussler
Dr. Seabrook Royal, Rachel Schussler, Harry Hoiser, Kyndal Edwards, Gabrielle Hannah, Adaisha Upshaw, (behind) Mandee Jaffray, Lexi Richardson, Caleb Arnold, La'Tonya Hannah, front Morgan Graham Photo by Shannon Schussler
Walker Park students in front of a Stegosaurus with Principal Dr. Seabrook Royal and WP
Red Ribbon Rally Coordinator, Counselor La'Tonya Hannah
The Synar Office promised to correct the Walker Park plaque from Walker PREP to Walker PARK. They may keep the Walker Prep plaque for fun.
Photo by Shannon Schussler
Dr. Seabrook Royal and La'Tonya Hannah Photo by Shannon Schussler
Congratulations to Dr. Seabrook Royal and La'Tonya Hannah
Photo by Shannon Schussler
