Eight Carrollton High School seniors, set to graduate in May, have been recognized as Georgia Scholars by the Georgia Department of Education. They are among an elite group of 177 students statewide. 

Carrollton High School had the largest number of qualifiers in the state. 

The state DOE identifies and honors high school seniors who have achieved excellence in school and community life through the Georgia Scholar program. High school seniors who exhibit excellence in all phases of school life, in community activities, and the home are eligible for Georgia Scholar recognition.

According to DOE guidelines, Georgia Scholars are students who have carried exemplary course loads during their four years of high school; who performed excellently in all courses; who successfully participated in interscholastic events at their schools and their communities; and who have assumed leadership roles in extracurricular activities sponsored by their schools. Each Georgia Scholar receives a seal for their diploma.

The Class of 2024 qualifiers are Madelynn Cook, Shawn Dong, Andrew Johnson, Edward Kenyon, Autumn Martin, Sophia Morales, Tyler Ou, Kai Remshagen, and Robert Wilson.

“We are incredibly proud to have the largest number of Georgia Scholars named by the Georgia Department of Education this year. This honor is a testament to the relentless dedication of our students and the invaluable guidance our counselors provide. Together, they have demonstrated outstanding commitment and excellence in our student’s academic and personal endeavors.” said Ian Lyle, CHS principal.

The program is coordinated by GaDOE’s Excellence Recognition Office and local coordinators in each public school system and private schools throughout the state.

An evening of special recognition was the highlight of the Carrollton Board of Education meeting Tuesday, which included honoring eight Carrollton High School seniors who are this year's inductees into a unique class of CHS alumni. 

Since the Class of 2007, Carrollton High School has annually identified seniors who represent the “Three A’s,” a designation honoring personal achievements in Academics, Arts and Athletics. Part of this recognition pays tribute to the students’ abilities to balance all three, a testament to their perseverance and character, said CHS Principal Ian Lyle. 

“It is an achievement to excel in any of these areas,” said Lyle. “When considering the demands to be exceptional in all three, you come to appreciate how well-rounded and dedicated these students are.”

More than 60 CHS alumni have been honored with this award. The work ethic those students have exhibited over the years has translated into their adult lives, too, starting with successful college careers and later the transition to their professional lives. This year’s inductees will join the other honor recipients in a display on the third floor of the high school's main academic building.

This year's AAAs Honor Roll includes:

Bryce Hicks

Bryce Hicks epitomizes the essence of an all-encompassing student, excelling in academics, arts, and athletics. Bryce has demonstrated success on and off the field, earning an Academic Letter four years of high school. He is a member of the National Honor Society and studied visual arts in school.  A student-athlete throughout high school, Bryce has been a standout in football and track. His dedication to athletics is evident as he has been an integral part of both teams all four years. Bryce is the son of Breylan Hicks and Starr Cummings.

Marissa Johnson

Marissa Johnson’s high school career showcases her versatility as an academic, athlete, and performer. She is a member of the National Honor Society, took AP and IB classes, and was a dual enrollment student. Marissa participated in chorus and art during high school while thriving as a Trojan athlete. She was a member of the cross country team her freshman and sophomore years, as well as on the swim and golf teams throughout the four years of her high school career. Marissa is the daughter of Scott and Shannon Johnson.

Bella Moore

Bella Moore takes involvement to the next level. She’s a member of multiple honor societies, has completed numerous AP classes, and joined multiple school clubs while maintaining honor roll status. Over her four years in high school, Bella has been an active member of the performing arts program, appearing in multiple musicals and plays. She is a stand-out athlete, serving as team captain on the back-to-back state champion wrestling team. Bella also competed in gymnastics, lacrosse, flag football, and football cheerleading at different times in high school. Bella is the daughter of Derek and Hope Moore.

Tyler Ou

Tyler Ou is an exceptional all-around student. He is an alumnus of the Governor’s Honors Program, where he showcased his exceptional passion for dance and performing. Tyler was captain of the dance team, participated in speech and debate and is also a member of the Thespian Society. He was named an AP Scholar with Distinction and received acknowledgement by College Board in their National Rural and Small Town recognition. He has been named a University of Georgia Certificate of Merit student, actively participating in performing arts, and involved in numerous school clubs. He also served as a Junior Honor Marshal his junior year. Tyler is the son of Mike Ou and Joanne Gaw.

Hagan Russell

Hagan Russell navigates from academics to athletics to the arts effortlessly and with noted success. He has received not only many recognition awards but maintained a 4.0 GPA. Hagan is an IB Diploma student and an AP Scholar with Distinction. He is a member of multiple clubs and is also a Secretary of State Student Ambassador. Hagan has been on the cross country, swim, and track teams all four years of high school and served as captain of all three teams his senior year. Additionally, he was involved in band and debate. Hagan is the son of Hugh and Christina Russell. 

Ramsey Sullivan

Ramsey Sullivan, honored as "Best All Around" for his class, exhibits this quality through 11 AP classes, numerous achievement awards, leadership roles, and extracurricular involvement, capped off with a passion for service. Ramsey has been a student leader to his peers throughout high school, serving as Student Council Class President, National Honors Society Community Projects Chair, and a founding member of the City of Carrollton Youth Council, where he served as an officer. A participant in debate and an avid tennis player, Ramsey is also an artist, a talent he refined through art courses in school. Ramsey is the son of Swede and Meghan Sullivan.

A’Jaiah Ward

A’Jaiah “AJ” Ward’s high school career showcases her versatility as an academic, athlete and performer. AJ has been on the track team all four years of high school, and has also participated in cheerleading and flag football. As a member of the performing arts program, AJ has appeared in many musicals and performances. She is also a key member of the choral program and has represented Carrollton and many school and community events. Additionally, AJ has been involved in numerous school clubs, and is a key member of the National Honor Society. She has also taken many dual enrollment, and Advanced Placement courses. AJ is the daughter of Dee Ward.

Robert Wilson

Robert Wilson excelled in academics, athletics, and the arts during his high school journey. Not only did he achieve the prestigious IB Diploma and attain the title of AP Scholar with Distinction, but he also actively participated in a multitude of clubs, including the National Honors Society, Spanish Honors Society, Key Club, Environmental Club, and Junior Optimist Club. Additionally, Robert demonstrated his debating skills and dedicated himself to playing soccer throughout all four years of high school. Robert is the son of Mary Wilson and Stephen Wilson. 

One Carrollton City Schools student-author is heading to state competition after winning the region contest in the Young Georgia Authors Writing Competition. 

Carrollton High School junior Addison Lloyd took honors with her work “The Pact of Prometheus.” 

Addison won top honors in the West Georgia Regional Educational Service Agency regional competition held in March that featured other school district winners from Carroll, Coweta, Harris, Heard, Meriwether and Troup counties. 

According to the state Department of Education, the purpose of the Young Georgia Authors (YGA) writing competition is to encourage students to develop enthusiasm for and expertise in their writing, to provide a context to celebrate their writing successes, and to recognize student achievement in arts and academics.

The competition has been engaging Georgia students for more than two decades and is open to any student currently enrolled in Georgia public schools, grades K-12. It is sponsored by the Georgia Language Arts Supervisors (GLAS) and the Georgia RESA Network with support from the Georgia DOE.

Addison has been honored several times in recent years for her writing talents. Last month, she was presented the  Carrollton Creative Writers Guild’s Special Recognition Award for her prose, "Snapdragon.”