Knowledge and creative skills propelled a group of aspiring educators to the head of the class in a recent competition.

Thomas County Central High School Future Georgia Educators organization took home first place overall in the Future Georgia Educators Region Conference, held Oct. 26 at the University of North Georgia in Gainesville. Three student groups and three individuals placed first in their respective categories. Another student group placed second in its category.

“I am so proud of our group,” TCCHS FGE co-sponsor Cindy Carnes said. “They have proven themselves by striving for excellence both in the classroom and by competing amongst their peers.”

The Why Teach? Campaign Display Board team of Courtney Robinson, Emma Giles, Georgia Smith and Morgan Hurst claimed first place in their category.

The group created a tri-fold board with stories from teachers throughout Thomas County Schools’ elementary schools and the high school about why they like to teach. They also included thoughts from students who are currently working within the education career field through internships and Work-Based Learning.

“I was so excited when we got first place,” Courtney Robinson said. “All of our hard work put into our display board paid off. To me, winning first place means that we put our best work into [it] and they liked what they saw on our display board.”

Robinson “absolutely” loves FGE.

“It gives me many insights of the education career field and what it takes to be a teacher,” she said. “Not only do we go to conference(s), but we also try and do stuff for our teachers…. We work to show them that we appreciate what they do for us.”

The team of Shivani Patel, Ashlan Layton and Eurica Bush placed first in the Ethics (or Knowledge) Bowl competition.

“My group had to study PAGE's Code of Ethics brochure to prepare for the competition, and we also practiced Kahoot! games,” Eurica Bush said. “I feel great about my group's first place win. My group studied and worked really hard to win. It means a lot to me that we won first place.”

Bush said being a member of FGE and competing in events like this one help her come out of her comfort zone “and actually talk to people and make new friends.”

Trae Johnson, Megan Stewart and Rondesja Mitchell’s team placed second in the Ethics Bowl category.

“They gave it a great try,” Carnes said of the team. “We couldn’t have two first place winners, but we claimed the top two spots. We’re very proud of this team as well.”

Nyah Davenport, Elysia Jefferson and Rondesja Mitchell created their way to first place in the Why Teach? T-shirt competition.

The team had to design a T-shirt that featured an education slogan and why people teach or want to become teachers. Member Nyah Davenport wanted to participate in this category in order to show off her team’s creative talents.

“I was very excited about winning because I felt like we worked hard to make a beautiful shirt that would catch people's attention,” Davenport said. “The hard work paid off.”

Davenport enjoys making new friendships and bonding with her FGE group. She also likes that the organization allows her to learn more about becoming a teacher and how teachers can inspire others.

TCCHS individual first place winners are Michaelah Collier in FGE Moment Speech, Jada Sparrow in Homework Essay and Shivani Patel in FGE Ambassador.

In order to become an ambassador, a student must show exceptional academic and leadership abilities.

Patel enjoyed meeting new people and serving as an ambassador during the conference. She calls her ambassadorship “a very special and unique experience” and feels she made a positive impact.

“I got to meet new people and inspire others about education,” she said. “Education is very important and that is why I was excited about giving the speech. In my speech, I thanked the members who made the conference possible and also to everyone who participated in the club. By giving the speech, I learned that there are many passionate people and if we all work together, then we can make a real impact in the world.”

TCCHS FGE’s co-sponsor is Amy Smith. The FGE organization is sponsored by PAGE, or the Professional Association of Georgia Educators.

TCCHS Future Georgia Educators Region Conference Winners

Why Teach? T-shirt ~ first place

Nyah Davenport, Rondesja Mitchell and Elysia Jefferson

Why Teach? Campaign Display Board ~ first place

Courtney Robinson, Emma Giles, Georgia Smith and Morgan Hurst

Ethics Bowl ~ first place

Eurica Bush, Shivani Patel and Ashlan Layton

Ethics Bowl ~ second place

Rondesja Mitchell, Trae Johnson and Megan Stewart

FGE Moment Speech ~ first place

Michaelah Collier

Homework Essay ~ first place

Jada Sparrow

FGE Ambassador ~ first place

Shivani Patel