Thomasville Toyota was named Thomas County School System’s BEE Partner of the Year for 2022-2023.  This is the second time Thomasville Toyota has been chosen as BEE Partner of the Year. The first time was in 2020.

The Business and Education Exchange (BEE) Partner of the Year is chosen from the outstanding BEE Partners who work with Thomas County Schools to strengthen the link among schools, businesses/industries, and the community.  

The partnership between Thomasville Toyota and Thomas County Schools is strengthened by the support of Brad Ramsey, Thomasville Toyota’s Service and Parts Director.

“It is a true honor to be selected as the BEE Partner of the Year,” Ramsey said. “Thomasville Toyota is committed to providing resources to help the staff and students at Thomas County Schools. We are happy to be a part of their mission to educate students and help young people become productive members of society.”

Thomas County Central High School sophomore, Paige Parkerson, has been selected to serve on the inaugural HealthMPowers Youth Advisory Board. HealthMPowers works to champion healthy habits and transform the environments where children live, learn, and play. Along with five other members of the board, Parkerson will lend her expertise to program implementation and improvements, and inform operations to enhance services for children and youth.

“I am excited just to meet other kids from the state and work to find ways to help kids get more involved in the choices they make in food and activities,” Parkerson said. “I want to have an impact on others and help create a better living and understanding for everyone.”

The Board was established as a result of feedback from youth during the creation of the 2022-2025 HealthMPowers Strategic Plan. The YAB is aligned with the organization’s strategy to deliver high-impact learning experiences that foster healthy habits— with a unique focus on youth voice. Board members will meet virtually once a month and serve for a minimum of one academic year.

The Nest, Thomas County Central High School's school store, teamed with Future Business Leaders of America to raise $3,000 for CURE Childhood Cancer. The Nest student volunteers and FBLA members designed "Gold Out" shirts, sold in the fall, to raise funds for CURE. The Ken Young Company in Cairo provided shirts at a discounted rate to assist with fundraising efforts. Sharon Johnson, the local CURE representative, and Ashely Sowell, TCCHS nurse and childhood cancer survivor, accepted the check from FBLA Adviser Nicholas Haskin, TCCHS Principal Jamie Thompson, and TCCHS FBLA students who also volunteer in the school store -- Roan Adams, Natalie Carlisle, and Caroline Westberg -- on May 16, 2023. Pictured are (left to right) Nicholas Haskin, Roan Adams, Ashely Sowell, Jamie Thompson, Natalie Carlisle, Caroline Westberg and Sharon Johnson.

Thomas County School System officials have named Melissa O’Neal, third grade teacher at Cross Creek Elementary, as the District Teacher of the Year. O’Neal has worked for Thomas County Schools for 21 years.

Upon being named Teacher of the Year for the system, O’Neal said, “What an incredible honor! I am beyond thrilled and deeply grateful to be recognized as the Teacher of the Year for Thomas County. Teaching has been my true calling and passion in life, and I am immensely grateful for the opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of my students every day. This award is not only a recognition of my passion for teaching, but also a celebration of the collective efforts of our entire educational community.”

O’Neal currently teaches 3rd grade, having previously taught pre-kindergarten, 1st grade, 4th grade and 3rd grade. She has taught various academic levels such as special education inclusion, ESOL, and gifted students.

Cross Creek Elementary School Principal Ashley Lane said that O'Neal is deeply committed to the field of education and to the noble profession of teaching.

Lane said, “Ms. O'Neal has a true heart for teaching.  She embraces the profession and dedicates her time and attention to the needs of her students.  She often states that her students are her heart.”

O’Neal said that from the moment she stepped into the classroom, she knew that teaching was her true passion.